PE 2018 organizer won't include the .tly (tally) file in the backup

[Cliff3f]

I have backed up my PE 2018 organizer many many times. I can only find one instance of the backup including the critical tally file and it is a 2019 backup. I'm trying to update to PE 2023 but without being able to restore a more recent backup I will be looking at a ridiculous amount of time and effort.

All my backups except this 2019 backup are missing the .tly file in the backup. How do I get the 2018 version of PE to correctly backup and include this file?

[Greg_S.]

If you are installing Elements 2023 on the same computer  on which Elements 2018 is installed, there is no need to backup your catalog using the Elements 2018 backup utility.  When you first launch Elements 2023, you will be prompted to use your existing (last used) catalog.  Respond in the affirmative and your old catalog will be automatically converted to the EO 2023 format.

If you are installing on a new computer, there are other ways to deal with the backup failure.

Added:  You may want to download a trial of Elements 2023 since it has been reported elsewhere that Elements 2024 may be coming out shortly.  If you have already purchased Elements 2023, there is usually a 30 day money back guarantee and/or a policy for a free upgrade for users who made their purchase shortly before the release of the new version.  Keep your eyes open on this forum and/or the Adobe.com website.

[Cliff3f]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I am installing PSE 2023 on a new computer. New C drive. Old C drive is now E drive. What other ways can I transfer my photos and their data to PSE 2023 on the new C drive?

Best Regards, Charles C Holt

[MichelBParis]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I am installing PSE 2023 on a new computer. New C drive. Old C drive is now E drive. What other ways can I transfer my photos and their data to PSE 2023 on the new C drive?Best Regards, Charles C Holt
By @Cliff3f

Two problems:

- the restore process will not work without a .tly file. The best you can do would be to create what I call a 'minimal' backup, that is a new backup folder containing only the 'catalog.buc' file renamed to catalog.pseXXdb (XX being the version number, catalog.21db for pse 2023 for instance). That creates a limited set of data, including all tags, captions, stacks, version sets and albums, but not face recognition among others.

- even with that limited solution, in the database, the links would point to the C: drive letter (wrong) and the correct drive internal number (unchanged even if renamed E).

Ideally, that would require updating the sqlite database to the correct volume identification (E instead of C) but I believe the internal serial number of the disk takes precedence over the drive letter. So, maybe worth a try.

[Cliff3f]

Thanks for the advice.  I have no idea how to update the sqlite db. Something like that would make me very nervous.

[MichelBParis]

Try without updating sqlite.

[Cliff3f]

Sorry, I misunderstood about installing PSE 2023 on a new computer. Yes. I installed PSE 2023 on the same computer but on a new C drive while PSE 2018 is residing on E drive. I must have missed something while installing the 2023 version but I just don't remember being asked about the photos or older version.

I'm thinking about uninstalling 2023 and then reinstalling and paying more attention.

Best Regards, Charles C Holt

[MichelBParis]

There has been several reports of missing .tly files.

It seems that most of the time, the reason was closing the backup process too soon. That file is the last one created in the backup folder. I don't trust the end of process notification myself, I always wait more and check if the .tly file is present in the backup folder.

[Cliff3f]

Thanks for your reply.

Best Regards, Charles C Holt