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DeonH
DeonH
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Why can I not move files in LR from 1 HDD to another

May 15, 2012 11:47 AM

Hi there.

 

LR 4

 

I need to move a bunch of pictures located in different sub-folders on Drive C: to my new 2Tb Drive D:

 

I try to move it in LR via the import function with MOVE. But, they are all greyed out (not selectable) and when I try to move 1-by-1 by right-clicking on a picture, a message is displayed telling me that the picture is already in the catalogue. I know it is already in the catalogue. All I need to do is to move it to another HDD.

 

How would you do this? I have just thought of deleting all files in the catalogue and import them then, but it just does not feel right.

 

Your suggestions will be very valueble.

827 Views   7 Replies   Latest reply: DeonH, May 16, 2012 12:04 PM
 
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  • johnbeardy
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    1. johnbeardy,
    May 15, 2012 12:08 PM   in reply to DeonH
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    Are the files already in Lightroom?

     

    If so, that's why they are greyed out.

     

    Do not use import.

     

    • Review your backups – if something did go wrong, would you be able to restore and get everything back to where you are now? If the answer’s not an emphatic “Yes”, you should sort this out before going any further.
    • In your Lightroom catalogue, in Folders, click the + and add a new folder on the new drive
    • Still in Lightroom, now drag folders from your existing hard drive and drop them on the new drive.
     
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  • DeonH
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    2. DeonH,
    May 16, 2012 9:32 AM   in reply to johnbeardy
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    Hi John and thank you very much for your reply.

     

    The files are already in the catalogue. I'm getting confused. I do as you have suggested in your 2nd bullet. I add the folder and it is there. I don't manage to get a hold on the 3rd bullet. The drag part ... are the folders which I have to drag to the new drive on the right hand side of the screen? I'm so lost in this and all I need to do is to move my catalogued folders to the new drive. Sorry for my stupidity but I will really appreciate your help.

     

    Best Regards, Deon

     
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  • web-weaver
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    3. web-weaver,
    May 16, 2012 9:52 AM   in reply to DeonH
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    Do you see your new @TB drive D in LR? If yes, create a new folder there as John said. In Grid View on the left side is the folders panel. You create the new folder in the folders panel. Right-click where it says "D:" and select <Create folder inside D:>.

    Then still in the folders panel drag-and-drop the folders from your old drive C to the new folder you just created on drive D.

     

    But as John advised make a backup of your catalog first. Go >Edit>Catalog Settings and at the bottom of the General tab select <Every time Lr exits>. Then close Lr and the backup dialog will appear. Choose a location for your backup - maybe your new external drive and create the backup. Lr will close down after that. Re-open Lr and do the move of the folders as described above.

     

     

    PS: Do NOT use the import function. You said "is it on the right side?" No! that's in the Import dialog. Cancel import and go to Grid View. the folders panel is on the left side there.

     

    Message was edited by: web-weaver

     
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  • DeonH
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    4. DeonH,
    May 16, 2012 10:51 AM   in reply to web-weaver
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    Thank you very much for your reply. Fortunately I have set LR to make a backup everytime I exit LR.

     

    I will do as you have suggested and try again ... maybe with some screen shots.

    For some reason, under folders on the left, all my folders are displayed in year-folders. Is there a way I can have it displayed by folder name and not by year?

     

    Thank you for your time & effort - I really appreciate it.

     

    Best Regards.

     
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  • DeonH
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    5. DeonH,
    May 16, 2012 11:13 AM   in reply to DeonH
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    Thank you very much guys. I think I have managed. Everything OK.

     

    Your suggestion,please: Is it better to order by folder name or date? I had everything in my Picture Library ordered in different folders. Example:

    2010

    ->Holidays

       ->Kruger National Park

    2011

      -> School Sports

        -> Athletics

    and so on.

    Is it better to have LR order it according to date and for me to tag all my pictures with keywords?

     

    Thank you once again. I really appreciate your help & guidence.

    Deon

     
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  • johnbeardy
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    6. johnbeardy,
    May 16, 2012 11:27 AM   in reply to DeonH
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    Yes, date order, and put time into keywording.

     

    Leave the existing folders as they are, and just get new photos into a data-based system.

     
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  • DeonH
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    7. DeonH,
    May 16, 2012 12:04 PM   in reply to johnbeardy
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    Thanx John. Appreciate your help and advice.

     
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