How to move catalog from a disk drive, not a restore

[shauntih]

The Windows computer I had Elements installed on died - the OS will not boot and nothing I do makes it work. I was able to access the hard drive from another computer, with it connected as a USB drive. So, I have access to all the files from the old computer, but I cannot open and then back up Elements on the old computer because it will not boot.

Is there a way to copy the files from the old hard drive over to the new hard drive, to make Elements use the old catalog? Everything I've found references using a backup and restore, or converting. I have been able to get Elements installed on the new computer with no issues.

Thanks for any help!

[MichelBParis · Accepted solution]

This illustrates why it's extremely important to use the backup and restore process for the organizer.

Your situation is about the same as the one where you have a backup (or copy) from an external backup tool or even the Explorer for your media files, and where you can recover your catalog folder.

Your original files are copied on a new support media and you run the catalog: all your files are shown as 'disconnected' because the catalog 'knows' that the media files are no longer on the original file.

The only way availalble to you is to run the 'reconnect' function. Even used manually to guide the search, the process is long and painful.

If you choose to create a new empty catalog and re-import your files, you'll lose your tags and captions if you had not 'written metadata to files' before the crash. Even in that case, the version sets, albums or stacks would be lost.

[shauntih]

This is not good news. You are correct - I basically see them in File Explorer on the old drive. The thing I wanted most was the tags, because I spent a great deal of time getting all that working. The stacks were also time consuming. It sounds like I may be better off just starting over. I have most definitely learned my lesson!