Maybe A Bit OT: Migrating LR 1.1 To A New PC

I checked the stickies and didn't see this particular issue so I hope someone here can help me out (I know, which way did I come in...?)

I'm currently running LR 1.1 on an AMD 2100+ / 1Gb RAM-powered dinosaur and I'm getting an new Dual Core 2.13 w/ 4Gb RAM.

All my images live on external drives with only the library info recorded in the My Pictures folder on the C: drive.

I'd really like to just be able to re-install LR on the new box, restore the library info and "Bob's yer uncle..."

Is this possible?

What files/folders do I need to copy to a safe place to be able to do this?

TIA to all who care to help!

Yes, this is possible - I just rebuilt my PC and added another drive at the same time and had to go through this. You definitely want to grab the Lightroom directory under My Pictures. You'll also want the directory c:\Documents and Settings\user\Application Data\Adobe\Lightroom as it contains all of your templates, presets, etc.

I don't keep any of my images on external drives (except backups), but I would imagine you'll need to make sure these drives still have the same drive letter mapping when you set up your new machine.

Thanks Rick.

I think (through just digging around) I managed to find the files you've pointed out.

I apprecieate the response.

Why not just export your catalogue to an external hard drive, install lightroom on the new PC and then import your catalogue on your new PC.

I would think the links to your external drive images should be preserved by this too.

othomas wrote in post #3606553
Why not just export your catalogue to an external hard drive, install lightroom on the new PC and then import your catalogue on your new PC.

I would think the links to your external drive images should be preserved by this too.

That probably would work wouldn't it...?

Sorry if I seem dense on this subject but I'm only in my first week of using LR. In fact, the new PC issue is even an issue because I've found I needed a serious horsepower upgrade to get LR and CS3 to run reliably.



Thanks for weighing in.

othomas wrote in post #3606553
Why not just export your catalogue to an external hard drive, install lightroom on the new PC and then import your catalogue on your new PC.

You won't get your templates and other customization, such as Identity Plate changes, etc., unless you grab the Application Data directory.

P.S. - It's also less work to just copy the directory over than to do the export/import.

rfreschner wrote in post #3605623
Yes, this is possible - I just rebuilt my PC and added another drive at the same time and had to go through this. You definitely want to grab the Lightroom directory under My Pictures. You'll also want the directory c:\Documents and Settings\user\Application Data\Adobe\Lightroom as it contains all of your templates, presets, etc.

I don't keep any of my images on external drives (except backups), but I would imagine you'll need to make sure these drives still have the same drive letter mapping when you set up your new machine.

Exactly, but they don't necessarily have to have the same drive letter. When you open LR and LR can't find the folders of which your images are stored they will appear red. You can then tell LR where the folders are located and it will make the changes.