Backing up Trainz... how?

[Neferdias]

So my harddrive exploded on my computer. Since i use two harddrives... a small one for windows, and a second larger one for all my information my Trainz stuff was uninjured. I couldn't find a small SATA drive worth purchasing so instead I bought and external drive (to use with my entire network) and would like to back up all of my created sessions, maps, and content to reinstall onto the drive once i have formatted it and installed windows onto it.

The problem is... i don't know what to back up. I can't find any physical files that i recognize or any content that i created myself in the primary Trainz folder (which is the steam apps file, because i bought it through Steam).

Should i just copy the entire Trainz folder to replace over top of the fresh install once i put Trainz (through Steam) back onto the computer? Or is there a way to back up my maps and content libraries through Trainz itself?

Help?
Thanks,

 

[seeseeme]

I am thinking you have 2006/2009/2010 so you would only need to back up the "local" folder. In this folder are many other folders with all your downloaded and created content and layouts (with strange names), so just copy it over to the external Hard Drive. I would not worry about the actual software as you still have the disk for that. It may take some time depending on how much content you have.

I am about to purchase an External Hard drive as well, even though I have 2 internal ones, and do the same thing. Better to be safe then sorry

Craig

 

[Neferdias]

Does that also include all of the stuff i've downloaded as well? Or is there another folder?

 

[EdrickV]

The Local folder should contain stuff that you added to Trainz, either by downloading and installing it, or by creating it. There may also be an Original folder, and I'd back that up too because I think it may install some stuff into it and use it from there.

Edit: Oh, if you save any in-progress Driver sessions, those will be stored in the TS2010\Cache\Sessions\ folder.

 

[GeorgeCW]

Quick? I think I've got a drive going belly up, (Nvidia raid with backup).#2 drive shows a low level format error - that doesn't sound good, and all of a sudden I'm loosing some program functions in windows. Can I backup my trainz stuff or is it better to reinstall stuff,thinking of going to windows 7 if the drive has to be replaced.

 

[Approach_Medium]

Create archives of your routes and any content you have created or modified.
When creating the archive, make sure the option to include all dependent assets is ticked.
When prompted for a location for the archive, choose your removable drive.

I have found though, that with TS2010, CM3.2, when selecting file(s) to archive, the file names are included in the New Archive window, but the Archive button is greyed out. You might have to select the files again, and click archive to bring up a dialog that lists all of the file that will not be archived because they are built-in. Close that dialog, then you will be able to click the Archive button in the Archive window.

Hope this helps.

FW