How to Use Expressions Media to help file migration

[rebeccaj]

I'm duplicating files from an XP machine to a new Vista machine. When this is done and I'm confident I've moved over the files, they are intact/not damaged, and backed up in two different places, I'm going to declare "done". (I'm not going to delete anything from the old computer for months, if ever.)

I've purchased and installed Expressions media, but haven't used it other than to create a catalog.

Is there a way to use EM to compare all the files on the old machine and all the ones on the new machine, and see if there are files that I've missed in the transfer? Can I use EM to "validate" files so I know they aren't damaged?

If there is another approach or tool to use, please recommend it to me.

Thanks,

rebeccj

[peterkrogh]

Rebecca,
This can be a complex, multi-step process (particularly the validation part). Or it might be simple.
I write a good bit about this in the new book.

If all you want to do is a transfer of the files, I suggest using a Validate Transfer.

http://thedambook.com/blog/?p=13

You can also use ImageVerifier.

Oftentimes, you will want to do some other work at the time of migration.  That's where it might become complex.

Peter

[BoglePhoto]

Peter:

Is there a certain level of Syncback you recommend?
 
I understand it is good for migrating files, but don't you suggest that once the derivatives are done, or the original dngs are done, they be manually copied (copy and pasted) to the other drive, or use a program such as syncback?

Still trying to figure much of this out, and EM2 has been helpful, and I look forward to your workshop on the same on the 19th.
 
Acronis TI has been frustrating as a restore program, in that the images it creates are very large, and it seems to be building the same files over and over again. I wish these programs came with better help guides or booklets that describe how to accomplish certain goals.

Bill Bogle, Jr.

[peterkrogh]

Bill,
I've been using the free version. Robert Edwards suggests one of the pay versions, but I can't remember exactly why.

I first used an older version of Acronis, and only recently tried the current version.  I found the older one to be simpler and more reliable. 

Peter

[rebeccaj]

Peter,

I've already copied the files from one hard drive to another - now that the files are on their destination drive, is there a way to verify integrity other than having Bridge (and myself) examine every folder?

Going forward, I think a copy verification program is a good thing. Does Image Ingester do anything of that nature when it copies files from a capture media to a hard disk? I think not - and at that point I always examine the file with Bridge.

Rebecca

[peterkrogh]

Rebecca,
If the files have been copied already, you can use Expression Media to check that the same number are in both places.  Make a catalog of each drive and open the catalogs side-by-side. You can examine by folder, file type, dates, etc.

No, ImageIngester does not do a validated transfer (a different kind of validation - visual inspection - is more important the first time you download the card.

You can use Syncback or Chronosync to validate transfers:
http://thedambook.com/blog/?p=13

Peter

[rebeccaj]

Peter,

I'll use EM to compare the two catalogs for my currently transferred files and either SyncBackSE or Pro to perform validated file transfers in the future. SyncBackSE and SyncBack Pro are Vista Compatible.

Thanks,

Rebecca