Imported Databse Does Not Know Correct File Location

[Kathleen]

I've been using ACDSee for quite a while and LOVE it! I am now trying to use my database on two computers (desktop and laptop). First, let me explain my configuration:

Desktop (Main Computer), Windows XP
Hard drives:
C:
D:

My ACDSee database is located in the default location:
C:\Documents and Settings\Kathleen Turner\Local Settings\Application Data\ACD Systems\Catalogs\100

My data files are:
D:\My Stuff
I have also changed my default target folder location for My Documents to D:\My Stuff, so that anytime I go to Open (or similar command) from a Program like Word, Photoshop, etc., it starts at D:\My Stuff.

Laptop (Secondary Computer), Windows Vista
Hard drives:
C: (main system drive)
D: (recovery partition)

My ACDSee Database is imported into the default Vista location:
C:\Users\Kathleen\AppData\Local\ACD Systems\Catalogs\100

Now to the export/import process.

First, I export my desktop database following this tutorial at DigiScrapInfo Using Export or Import Feature to transfer Databases to other computers (http://www.digiscrapinfo.com/joomla/component/content/article/52-updating-or-transferring/189-using-exportimport-feature-to-transfer-databases-to-other-computers).

On the Desktop computer, I plug in my EHD, and create a folder called 'My Stuff'. I then copy all my scrap folders (including the exported database), keeping the same file structure, onto my EHD. Once that is all done (it can take a while :D ), I unplug my EHD and plug it into my Laptop.

I continue with the tutorial, starting with deleting the existing database on the laptop, and then starting the import process. For the drive mapping, these are my settings:

http://cdn-1-service.phanfare.com/images/external/1466784_1419796_58837688_Full_3/0_0_73ca9135ec13985ba708b925052a0a41_1

The Import wizard completes the import and optimizing the database. ACDSee restarts, and I now see all my categories. I can do a successful search (at least that is the way it looks):

http://cdn-1-service.phanfare.com/images/external/1466784_1419796_58837690_Full_3/0_0_9b23664bc938db0aa76ced10bce93128_1

But if I right click on an item, and select Go To File I get (note the file path ACDSee displays F:\Users\Kathleen\Documents\+DigiScrap\Elements, Kits, ETC\French Flirt Page Kit does not really exist):

http://cdn-1-service.phanfare.com/images/external/1466784_1419796_58837689_Full_3/0_0_03bc9ffabc3abd4d9bcb48bf3081d9ca_1

And if I double click an item, I get:

http://cdn-1-service.phanfare.com/images/external/1466784_1419796_58837687_Full_3/0_0_2c636eb15bb1cec0f0bde2e33297052f_1

Now if I close ACDSee, and create the file path (in other words, create the folders where it thinks the files are) that ACDSee is looking for, and move my files, then ACDSee works like it is supposed to knowing exactly where to find my files.

I probably scrap 20% of the time on my laptop, so although this is an inconvenience, I can work with it. It is a pain to have to move the files every time I go through the process of exporting the database and updating the files on my EHD. But the real pain is Opening files and/or Placing them in Photoshop, I have to go through the lengthy file structure many times!

I suspect that somehow the expected file path has to do with the default location of My Documents on the desktop, but I'm not sure how to change it.

So, I'd love any ideas on how to get ACDSee pointed in the right direction without the additional file manipulation.

[sherryva]

this isn't my strong suit- but have done it twice- when I did this- I had to also go to my laptop version of acdsee- tools - options- database- and changed the default location of my laptop acdsee database to the shared location-

I also had to copy my scrap supplies to my ehd through the acdsee program or it couldnt find them with the standard cut and paste windows method. I didn't use this tutorial- I used a different one on their site for sharing the data base- between 2 computers it didn't involve importing and exporting. I had the added snag of one computer was vista and one was xp so there were additional steps.

Maybe if you scan the other tutorial for sharing the database you might learn something additional- you are so close... there is no reason you should have to remap anything.

[sherryva]

http://acdsystems.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/acdsystems.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=934&p_created=1216818979&p_sid=LFaghloj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9NzIsNzImcF9wcm9kcz0wJnBfY2F0cz0mcF9wdj0 mcF9jdj0mcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9ub CZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PXNoYXJlIGRhdGFiYXN l&p_li=&p_topview=1

This is the tutorial I used to share (not transfer) my database between an xp and vista computer.

Good luck, your are so close.

[Meryl]

Gosh, Kathleen, you are the queen posting exact details! I only wish i could help! I have posted, again, at digiscrapinfo, hope someone chimes in!

Thanks Sherry, you are always so very helpful - great info!

[hejeva]

Hi Kathleen,
If your files are always going to reside on the EHD, its best to set it so that ACDSee's on each computers shares the database, rather than keep moving it. Follow the help that Sherry gives.

Also, when you copied your files on your desktop, you need to copy the files from within ACDSee. I am not sure if D: drive on the desktop is an internal hard drive or external hard drive. On your desktop, copy all the files to the EHD from within ACDSee so ACDSee sees where they are going.

And your way would have worked if you copied your files to the EHD with acdsee and the mapping wasn't quite right. The incoming drive serial number should match the local drive serial number. Typically ACDSee picks up this automatically assigns it.

Any many times you will get duplicates in this process. Its easy to remove them later so don't panic about that.

[kaylaugh]

Thanks for the additional details. I see now what you're trying to do.

Two things...the drive mapping part is where you should be able to tell ACDSee that drive letter C (or wherever the stuff was located) on the desktop is now drive F (or whatever drive letter you copied the files to. In theory this should work to tell ACDSee that everything it thinks is there really is there, just to subsitute the drive letter. But it's tricky and if there's even a letter difference, or space or lack of one...and the file structures don't match exactly then it throws the whole thing off.

Here's another way to accomplish the whole thing, the only difference is you must connect your EHD in order to scrap. But you can store everything once and let both computers share one database location. It's easier to maintain since you're not synchronizing two computers and updating databases back and forth (which can get complicated if you tag on both computers...remember xp to vista is tricky, in a dual database setup we recommend tagging only on the vista then updating that one to the xp.)

So you can keep using both computers with databases in the default locations on both. Go to Database|Database Maintenance, let all the info load (takes some time!) then find the highest folder level containing your stash and select it. Click on the Change Binding button and tell ACDSee that your stash is now at the new location and use the dialog to show it where your new top level folder is located on the laptop. This works as long as the rest of the file structure is IDENTICAL. Make sense?

OR

If you want to work from the EHD on both computers and use a shared database, use this tutorial (http://www.digiscrapinfo.com/joomla/acdsee-resources/acdsee-photo-manager/common-questions/52-updating-or-transferring/191-2-computer-how-do-i-use-acdsee-photo-manager-on-2-computers-with-the-same-digital-kits-on-a-ehd).

Hope that helps.
Kristi

[Kathleen]

Thanks for the responses!

The D drive on my desktop (an internal hard drive) is where the "permanent" home for my stash will be. It offers faster read/write speeds, is more stable, and more accessible for back-up.

I only tag on the desktop (XP) so it is the main database. And I really only tag about 4 times a year, which gives me a good reason to dump all my files in yet another location for back-up.

Based on the above, I don't think I really want to share the database.

In the past, when I would copy the files from my desktop to the EHD I indeed did that through Windows, so I am trying that now through ACDSee. I'll report back if I have different results.

[kaylaugh]

ok, sorry I seem so dense...copying inside of acdsee will bring all the tagging with it, copying with windows explorer won't. You can try it and see what you think of the results. I'll be happy to help with getting your system set up the way you want and I'll try not to be so dense...lol! I should really stop trying to answer questions before breakfast...lol!

Kristi

[Kathleen]

UPDATE ... SUCCESS!!

First, I copied my files through ACDSee to my EHD, and then tried the database export/import again. Still the same results as above.

Then I went to Database Maintenance, and started looking for orphaned folders. Once I found them (let me tell you, not in the expected place!), I changed the binding and now all is right in the world! I followed the workaround in this tutorial (http://acdsystems.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/acdsystems.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=16&p_created=1215610693).

I still don't understand why it doesn't work right from the start. If I had any spare change, I would bet money it somehow has to do with my default target location of 'My Documents' being different. But it doesn't really matter as mentioned earlier I only do this a few times a year.

Thanks to everyone for the tips and assistance!!

[Meryl]

Kathleen, I am so glad you are now all sorted out - things like this are soooooo frustrating! Guess we have all learned stuff through it.

Thanks for coming over Kristi!

[faerywings]

Kathleen, just saw you first post-- so glad that things worked out. This has happened to me too, and I have to ask dh for help.