Sorting out Movies and Pictures from old folders

[MGCS]

Hey Guys,

I've spent some time recently taking the files from an old machine and placing them on a new one. I took the entire HDD so the end user could have a chance to go through it in case they forgot some data they actually wanted before erasing everything.

My process was simply booting the old OS into LinuxPUP and copying the hard drive data onto a external. I then took the new folder of old data and placed it on the new machine.

Using Picasa to scan the folders for all the media files, I then placed them in in the new pictures and videos directory.

I'm thinking there must be alternate ways of sorting through a file structure to recover a users pictures / movies more efficiently. If you know of a better way, or simply would like to share your own process in doing something similar, please feel free to share!

-Matt

 

[MichaelBits]

Fabs

All you need.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

If not using fabs, the main thing to be sure of is to go to the root of the drive, and into the folder labeled Users, find their username, and copy that entire folder off. Many times most of their data that was on their desktop, their documents, videos, pictures, etc are contained within that folder. My way is not 100%, but if you aren't going to use a 3rd party program, it many times will get you most of the things as well.

 

[cypress]

Fabs for Tech.

 

[MGCS]

Fabs seems awesome at a glace! It's a shame there's no free version, but by the sounds of it I wouldn't be disappointed. Thanks for the tips everyone

 

[cypress]

It's not free but well worth the money. It pays for itself over and over. A must have.

 

[Dave1320]

I looked into fabs and I think it's a great solution. I don't think it will make much money for a guy like me starting out. I won't have enough machines to use all my time. However, once you start getting a lot of machines this could save you a half hour a job and get paid the same. If of course you are on a fixed pricing scheme.

 

[johnrobert]

Fabs will only work if media is in right place many time pictures are all over the place with multiple copies
Even in program files folders and customer does not have a clue where they are
So Picasa would be a good option to find and orginise them
D7 has good backup also

 

[Krynn72]

If not using fabs, the main thing to be sure of is to go to the root of the drive, and into the folder labeled Users, find their username, and copy that entire folder off. Many times most of their data that was on their desktop, their documents, videos, pictures, etc are contained within that folder. My way is not 100%, but if you aren't going to use a 3rd party program, it many times will get you most of the things as well.

I used to do it this way before getting fabs, but I never saved the whole user account folder because it would include AppData, which usually has gigs and gigs of useless data.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

True. Usually you are safe having their documents folder, desktop file, favorites, pics, videos etc and you get the majority of stuff.

 

[frase]

Fabs

All you need.

yeap, Fabs 5 is awesome, not very pricey really for the work gone into it.
THe only thing is some users may put things in stupid places.

Technibble Business Kit v3 has a checklist for these circumstances, great documentation kit.

Always triple check with client before data transfer and make sure they sign off.

 

[SpaceSquad]

yeap, Fabs 5 is awesome, not very pricey really for the work gone into it.
THe only thing is some users may put things in stupid places.

Technibble Business Kit v3 has a checklist for these circumstances, great documentation kit.

Always triple check with client before data transfer and make sure they sign off.

And grab an image using Acronis, CloneZilla, etc before doing OS reinstalls. Something went wrong? Mount the image/restore to separate drive and grab the files.

 

[Davena]

I just purchased FAB on Friday - boy I could just kick myself for not getting it sooner.
Has saved hours of time already.

 

[cypress]

And grab an image using Acronis, CloneZilla, etc before doing OS reinstalls. Something went wrong? Mount the image/restore to separate drive and grab the files.

Excellent tip. I know this has helped me in this past.