Re-Installing Windows

[davesnow]

I will have to re-install Windows within the next three days. What TRAINZ files should I save so that I won't lose any of my routes, sessions, objects, locos, etc.? (I run TRS 2006)

Thank you

 

[Bill69]

I will have to re-install Windows within the next three days. What TRAINZ files should I save so that I won't lose any of my routes, sessions, objects, locos, etc.? (I run TRS 2006)

Thank you

Hi Dave,

Before reinstall backup the folder "local" that's the main one. I also backup my trainzoptions.txt file so I don't have to remodify it after reinstalling. You could also have a look in the editing folder just to chack there is nothing there that is required.

Cheers,
Bill69

 

[davesnow]

Okay. Thanks. Also maybe my Screenshots" file? (If I don't want to lose them...? Right?)

 

[philskene]

Dave --

I've installed, un-installed and re-installed TRS2006 and TC3 several times.

The best approach is:

Delete assets.tdx and assets.bku (the latter is in the Cache folder) - this will force CMP to reconstruct itself when opened.
Open CMP and select "All" assets.
Click on one of the assets in the main pane, then Crtl-A - this will select all of the assets.
Right click on one of the assets in the main pane and select Archive.
Let CMP grind its way through the archival process, saving all your non built in assets, and save the archive file.
After re-installing TRS2006, just drag the archive file into CMP.
Again, it will grind away and install all your assets.

Phil

 

[seeseeme]

Dave --

I've installed, un-installed and re-installed TRS2006 and TC3 several times.

The best approach is:

Delete assets.tdx and assets.bku (the latter is in the Cache folder) - this will force CMP to reconstruct itself when opened.
Open CMP and select "All" assets.
Click on one of the assets in the main pane, then Crtl-A - this will select all of the assets.
Right click on one of the assets in the main pane and select Archive.
Let CMP grind its way through the archival process, saving all your non built in assets, and save the archive file.
After re-installing TRS2006, just drag the archive file into CMP.
Again, it will grind away and install all your assets.

Phil

This is the way I have it set up to save my content and I found it safer then moving the "local" folder. Make sure your search feature is set up correctly to only show Non Built-In, Non Download Station content. The other thing with Archive files is that they can be a long process, while what Phil says is correct I seem to remember something about Archive file should not be to large, I think the Maximum was 2 GB. I grouped all my content into different sections, such as layouts, Residential, Trackside, Rolling Stock and etc. If you wish to do this then try and have the Archive files around 500MB "Maximum", they are much easier to handle this way.

Hope this helps,

Craig

 

[philskene]

Hi Craig --

The filtering system with CMP in TC3 will not archive built-in content, even if it is selected for archiving.

I'd recommend including DLS assets.

You might be correct about the maximum size. I seem to recall a discussion about this. Dave can probably find it if he does a search of the forums.

Phil

 

[davesnow]

...I found it safer then moving the "local" folder. ...

What do you mean "safer"? What could go wrong if I do it this way?

 

[JCitron]

What do you mean "safer"? What could go wrong if I do it this way?

Hi Dave,

Copy and paste the whole Local folder is a lot safer because you're guaranteed to have all your downloaded assets as well as the built-in ones.

The archives are also limited to the 2GB limit due the Zip driver that Auran used. Any archives larger than 2GB can't be opened if they are created. That would be a real bummer if that happened!

So as Craig says, copy the whole Local folder to another drive, or burn it to a DVD. Since my Local folder is bigger than 4.7GB (size of a regular DVD), I copied as much as I could fit on each disk.

The process for restoring the data is very simple. In CMP use File_import, browse for the backed-up local asset-folder, and let it import. It will complain about stuff already there for built-ins, but at any rate your stuff is there in the program. The only thing needed to do then is to commit you assets once your stuff is imported.

Important note though, this process can and will take a long time if you have a lot of downloaded content. Be prepared to do this overnight or at some other time when you are away from your PC.

John

 

[davesnow]

Hi John,

And thanks very much for the advice. I copied my Local Folder to one of my External Hard Drives. Like you, I have a LOT of stuff in it!

Now, this Saturday, when I re-install XP ( and all my other junk) when I finally re-install TRAINZ I should have all my routes! I feel pretty good about it all.

Thanks to everyone for their advice and concerns. All you guys are great to have handy!

 

[seeseeme]

Hi John,

And thanks very much for the advice. I copied my Local Folder to one of my External Hard Drives. Like you, I have a LOT of stuff in it!

Now, this Saturday, when I re-install XP ( and all my other junk) when I finally re-install TRAINZ I should have all my routes! I feel pretty good about it all.

Thanks to everyone for their advice and concerns. All you guys are great to have handy!

I may be a strange person about my "important" files, but I make sure I have two copies of everything. The cost of a disk is not much but the time to rebuild something (layout) is. I would also copy your layouts to a disk or anything else just in case, you do not need to copy the content for your routes, just the files for your routes.

Like I said I may be strange about this but better to be safe then sorry.

Craig