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  • LR back-up problems? Discuss!

    There are lots of ways that people, the wiser ones that is, back-up their photographs or other data, but I thought that perhaps some of them may be interested in the method I use, which is almost fool-proof. I know that at first glance it appears to be quite complicated, but in fact, once set up it becomes very easy to use.

    On my main computer, where most of my photo work is done, by default Lightroom will back up the catalogue, previews, and its own back-ups into C:/Users/user's name/Pictures/Lightroom and I leave this action as default. All my images are in one partition, 'D' except those I have archived elswhere.

    I use a USB hard disc divided into two partitions using two letters not in use on the main computer, eg 'R' and 'P'. and I have copied the LR folder from C:/. . . into one partition ('R' for Records), and my partition 'D' into the other partition ('P' for Pictures). The letters used are not important, but the important part of my computer is now duplicated on the USB HD, which is then unplugged.

    The next step cost me $20, I bought a program called "Synch'n'Go" and installed it on the USB HD. Available from HERE and well worth it!

    Now, when I have finished working on pictures in Lightroom, editing, adjusting, or moving them around, I plug in the USB HD and start up Synch'n'Go. Telling it that the source is 'D' Pictures I then select 'Analyse'. Synch'n'Go analyses the differences between 'D' and 'P', points out if there are any problems, and selecting 'Synchronise' updates all the files worked on. Repeating these steps for the LR back-up folder in 'C' and the USB folder 'S' means that there is an exact, up to date, duplicate of all my images, and the LR catalogue, adjustments, etc. on the USB HD. All this normally takes about 2 or 3 minutes only.

    Another plus for this method is that I have now duplicated the folders onto my laptop as well, and can work in LR whilst one the move, and synchronise on returning home.

    Roger

  • #2
    Re: LR back-up problems? Discuss!

    Originally posted by rogleale View Post
    There are lots of ways that people, the wiser ones that is, back-up their photographs or other data, but I thought that perhaps some of them may be interested in the method I use, which is almost fool-proof. I know that at first glance it appears to be quite complicated, but in fact, once set up it becomes very easy to use.

    On my main computer, where most of my photo work is done, by default Lightroom will back up the catalogue, previews, and its own back-ups into C:/Users/user's name/Pictures/Lightroom and I leave this action as default. All my images are in one partition, 'D' except those I have archived elswhere.

    I use a USB hard disc divided into two partitions using two letters not in use on the main computer, eg 'R' and 'P'. and I have copied the LR folder from C:/. . . into one partition ('R' for Records), and my partition 'D' into the other partition ('P' for Pictures). The letters used are not important, but the important part of my computer is now duplicated on the USB HD, which is then unplugged.

    The next step cost me $20, I bought a program called "Synch'n'Go" and installed it on the USB HD. Available from HERE and well worth it!

    Now, when I have finished working on pictures in Lightroom, editing, adjusting, or moving them around, I plug in the USB HD and start up Synch'n'Go. Telling it that the source is 'D' Pictures I then select 'Analyse'. Synch'n'Go analyses the differences between 'D' and 'P', points out if there are any problems, and selecting 'Synchronise' updates all the files worked on. Repeating these steps for the LR back-up folder in 'C' and the USB folder 'S' means that there is an exact, up to date, duplicate of all my images, and the LR catalogue, adjustments, etc. on the USB HD. All this normally takes about 2 or 3 minutes only.

    Another plus for this method is that I have now duplicated the folders onto my laptop as well, and can work in LR whilst one the move, and synchronise on returning home.

    Roger
    That sounds like a great solution, Roger.

    I use Acronis True Image Home and although it's more expensive than Synch'n'Go it's very easy to use and a comprehensive backup tool. You can browse the backup conveniently and of course it supports differential backups.

    Ian
    Founder/editor
    Digital Photography Now (DPNow.com)
    Twitter: www.twitter.com/ian_burley
    Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/dpnow/
    Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/ianburley/

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    • #3
      Re: LR back-up problems? Discuss!

      I agree about True Image Ian, I use it for my main back-ups, and before Vista it saved my bacon several times, but it can be slow sometimes. The main two advantages I see in Synch'n'Go are its speed, and that having it installed on the USB HD, I can move between two machines with no complications.

      Roger

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      • #4
        Re: LR back-up problems? Discuss!

        Originally posted by rogleale View Post
        I agree about True Image Ian, I use it for my main back-ups, and before Vista it saved my bacon several times, but it can be slow sometimes. The main two advantages I see in Synch'n'Go are its speed, and that having it installed on the USB HD, I can move between two machines with no complications.

        Roger
        Yes Acronis is slow and sometimes backup operations can fail for no apparent reason. I have been a long time LapLink user. Syncing folders is very useful. There is a free sync Power Toy you can download from Microsoft. It's a bit confusing to use if you are used to LapLink though...

        Ian
        Founder/editor
        Digital Photography Now (DPNow.com)
        Twitter: www.twitter.com/ian_burley
        Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/dpnow/
        Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/ianburley/

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: LR back-up problems? Discuss!

          Originally posted by Ian View Post
          Yes Acronis is slow and sometimes backup operations can fail for no apparent reason. I have been a long time LapLink user. Syncing folders is very useful. There is a free sync Power Toy you can download from Microsoft. It's a bit confusing to use if you are used to LapLink though...

          Ian
          I find GoodSync to be very effective and it seems fast to me, just dong a sync of images as I write the speed reported 25MB/s.

          And its free to light users or $29.99 for the pro version.

          Patrick

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