Steps to move to new PC

[Ricknextpvr]

I was considering switching my old Windows 10 computer to some form of Linux.  I have since decided to not do that, and instead I'm probably moving to a mini-PC with Windows 11 on it.  Still researching that.

In advance of doing that, I'm wondering if there is a tutorial specifying the EXACT steps to move a NextPVR installation from one Windows box to another, so that everyone continues to work in the same way.  To be clear, I'm looking for more than "copy the ____".   For example, in the past when I had an issue, I might have been told to copy the XXX.XXX file.  I did that, and no change.  Then I was asked "did you also copy it to this subdirectory"?  Answer - no, because I didn't know to do that.

I did this many years ago when I setup a NextPVR box at a summer cottage, but that was many years ago and many versions ago.  

I know I will need to setup my HD HomeRun devics on the new computer (I have 4, using 2 of them on my current setup, so I'm probably going to use the 2 new ones on the new computer and then swap the entire installation out).  I did recently have an issue where Martin helped with my discovery of NextPVR looking for a no longer in place HD HomeRun box, so I'm assuming that will be easy to figure out now.

So, is there a step by step process to move NextPVR from one Windows computer to another?  Specifically, moving the programs setup to record, and the existing recordings, top the list, but having the same features and defaults selected would also be important.  I have not yet upgraded to the latest version, but probably would do that in the process.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

[mvallevand]

I know you want more but if you only have HDHR tuners it really is just and restore to the new one (after installing and stopping the service)

In a time you aren't recording

- Install and get NextPVR and NextPVR.exe working recording and play on your new PC.
- stop both NextPVR service on the two PCs
- backup your old C:\Users\Public\NPVR-data to a USB drive or large sync It can be large though because of the meta art
- copy those back to your new PC.
- modify config.xml so you don't lose recording in the new database

Code:

.
    <AutoRemoveMissingRecordings>false</AutoRemoveMissingRecordings>
    <NoRemoveWhenTreeMissing>true</NoRemoveWhenTreeMissing>

- This is important recordings would need to be mirrored to the exact same directory names unless you are using a share.

- restart the service on the new machine and disable it on the old on.

- change all IP clients to use the new machine

Martin

[Ricknextpvr]

Thanks Martin. Can you further explain the last step?

[mvallevand]

I don't know if you use remote client like Kodi or UI clients or just NextPVR.exe it might not be necessary

Martin

[Ricknextpvr]

I don't use any remote clients.

[mvallevand]

OK

For recording based on your other thread if you get an external copy recordings to the exact folders you have on the new machine

- open c:\Users\Public\NPVR-Data\recording-backup.xml with notepad and change the drive letter of the recordings to the drive letter of the external drive.
- import that file using the web server Settings->General Import Recordings
- change the recording directories to point to the new drive if you want.
- enable <AutoRemoveMissingRecordings>true</AutoRemoveMissingRecordings> to get rid of duplicates.

Martin

[Ricknextpvr]

I think I follow that. Thank you.

[Ricknextpvr]

Can NextPVR be setup with Windows to use a library, i.e. some media files are on drive M (internal) and some are on drive X (external)? I will probably use the internal drive to record shows, and then, maybe once a month, move any unwatched shows to the external drive where older shows are stored.

[mvallevand]

Yes, you setup multiple recording directories and NextPVR has a built in function to Archive from one directory to the other. Why drive M: and not drive C:

However you will want AutoRemoveMissingRecordings>false</AutoRemoveMissingRecordings> to do this if X isn't always connected.

Martin

[Ricknextpvr]

From the early days, I setup every computer with a partitioned drive, C for OS and programs, M for data, or for a long time 2 separate drives. Backup drives are G.

I realize having separate drives are no longer a thing (my new PCs are a single NVMe, but old habits die hard.

Where can I find info on the auto archive?