Transferring OpenMG Database From One HD to Another

[Signal to Noise]

Greetings NetMD Lovers & Gurus!

Got a question here. I've done a search through the forum but haven't come across what I need to know yet. I'll continue to search but perhaps someone can answer in the meantime.

I've got a large library of CDs (my own collection)ripped to OpenMG on my laptop. I recently picked up a Maxtor 120GB One Touch External Hard Drive that I've networked and wish to store the current and subsequent libraries on that instead, thereby freeing up space on the laptop.

Is there I way I can do this or will I need to re-rip everything again?

Just holler if anyone needs more info. Thanks in advance for reading and possibly replying.

[Leland]

Use the backup utility that came with Open MG, then during the restore process, point to a directory on your new drive for the location of the files rather than letting it use the default location. You have to be connected to the internet during the procedure for a verification step. This works with Open MG and Sonicstage both. The backup utility is a separate program called Open MG backup or Sonicstage Backup, not a menu selection in the Open MG or Sonicstage program itself.

[Signal to Noise]

Thanks Leland, I'll give it a try.

Btw, what's Sonicstage? Is it an alternative to OpenMG? Better? Free or...?

[Signal to Noise]

Never mind about the question on Sonicstage. I read about it at Sony's site. Guess it's just for VAIO owners?

Another question about the back up procedure. If I use the OpenMG backup and send it to the external hard drive, will it be safe to delete everything off the laptop? And the back-up copy on the other hard drive will be useable as if it was the original material?

Sorry for the noobish query but I need to be sure before doing the big delete. :smile:

[Leland]

Sonicstage is not just for Vaio owners, it is what they are currently shipping with all Net MD recorders. It replaced Open MG. You should be able to upgrade to it. It has proven a bit more stable, and the latest version is much faster.

After reading your post again, it sounds like you are still planning to use the same computer, you just want to move the .omg file database.

The backup/restore method I mentioned is what I use when I move my database files not only to a new disk, but also to a new computer. If you just want to move the files, try this.

First, I still recommend making the backup files, that way if anything goes wrong, you can restore your database.

Then, rather than restoring from the backup, just copy the folder with the .omg database to the new drive. Then open Open MG. Look for an option setting called "location of music files" There is a setting for this in Sonicstage 1.5 for sure in the Menu under Options. Change the location to the new drive by using the Browse feature to located the copy of the folder you made on your new drive. Quit Open MG, then delete the original files in the original location. Re-open Open MG and it should find the files in the new location. Since the same computer is being used, it should still work. If it doesn't just copy the folder back, or use the restore function I mentioned. In the case of the restore, you might have to uninstall the program, then reinstall it in order to get the option to point to where the music files reside.

I just tried this on my desktop and it seemed to work.

Let me know how you get on. Again, to be really safe, make the backup first, but then try the file copy method as it is easier.

[Signal to Noise]

Sonicstage is not just for Vaio owners, it is what they are currently shipping with all Net MD recorders.  It replaced Open MG.  You should be able to upgrade to it.  It has proven a bit more stable, and the latest version is much faster.

If I were to "upgrade" to Sonicstage would I be able to do so without affecting my current music library? Currently I use OpenMG 2.2 with an MZ-N707 MD.

After reading your post again, it sounds like you are still planning to use the same computer, you just want to move the .omg file database.

That is correct. I want the database on the networked external hard drive and will still use the laptop for checking in/out MDs.

Let me know how you get on.  Again, to be really safe, make the backup first, but then try the file copy method as it is easier.

Will do. Hopefully I'll get around to trying it out in the next day or two...

[Leland]

If you upgrade to sonicstage, it will do a "conversion" of your active .omg database. I'm not sure what it is converting, as once a while ago I did this, then went back to Open MG (can't remember why). Again, if you make a backup with the backup utility and have problems with the conversion from Open MG to SS, you can always reinstall Open MG and restore the database.

[Signal to Noise]

Okay, I think I got it to do what I want. I followed your instructions except the backing up part. I could not find an option within OpenMG for changing the Playlist location- just an option for storing recorded media.

As a result after copying the database to the network drive I deleted the laptop database and when I started OpenMG it would not execute. The splash screen would appear for about two seconds then nothing. Had me worried for a bit. I ended up reinstalling OpenMG as you mentioned I might have to and then OpenMG launched fine. Then it took a bit to see the relocated database. The Playlist does not detect it automatically. It looks like I have to access the database via the Import window and load the Playlist that way. I haven't tried checking in/out anything yet. I never did check back in my 15 or so MDs before copying/deleting the database but hopefully that's not a problem.

Anyway, looks good so far so thanks for your help, Leland! :smile: