Server Version#: 1.43.0.10231
I have a corrupt install and need to backup my user data and preferences. I already have the “Preferences.xml” from /var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server but I can’t figure out where the managed user info is stored. Since the install is corrupt I don’t know how much i can trust a full backup of that directory like is suggested in older posts. Kind of leaning towards copying the directories/files necessary from my other server and importing my Preferences.xml file from the original install. Assuming that is all I need to change to keep my original system name, claim to Plex account, etc.
Also, will I need to send invites to those who have their own Plex account again or will that remain since I have 2 Plex servers and one will still be online while I fix the other?
Why do you write that the installation is corrupt? Do any error messages appear on screen? Anything in the server log files?
If you see messages about database corruption, run DBRepair for Plex Media Server. https://github.com/ChuckPa/DBRepair
Regarding backing up the system…
Managed users are part of your account. The information is stored at plex.tv.
You’ll want to use tar to make a backup of the Plex Data Folder. It will preserve ownership and permissions.
See https://forums.plex.tv/t/linux-tips/276247/7.
Already ran the dB repair tool, that was the first thing that said corrupt. Been experiencing some very weird issue exclusive to only this Proxmox container. The network connection keeps dropping within the container, but other containers using the same network bridge have been running fine. I have Webmin installed so I have a few graphic tools available when I just don’t feel like using the terminal. Well when I try to use it to access files it complains of potential data corruption.
I know the preferred way to backup an install is to just grab the whole data folder, done that quite a few times over the years, but if I have data corruption then doing that would only introduce the same corruption into the new install. Which is why I had asked if there was somewhere I could get the data I need. Also it never hurts to know alternative means to backup specific info outside of the shotgun approach.
Preferences.xml has the information that uniquely identifies each server to plex.tv. So definitely keep it when moving to the new server. Note that you cannot simultaneously run two servers with identical Preferences.xml files. Otherwise, they will appear as the same server to plex.tv.
Accounts with whom you share access, including managed accounts, are stored with your account at plex.tv, not on the server itself. You will not have to re-invite them. They should also still have access to the same libraries, etc. (i.e. nothing changes for them). Worst case is you have to re-share libraries and they have to re-pin them (Last time I moved PMS to a new system I messed something up and had to re-share libraries).
Enable Sync Watch State & Ratings for your account. Have anyone you share with enable it on theirs as well.
If your other server is working fine, you can use the Plex Data Folder from it and use the preferences.xml from the current server. Verify that Settings → Library → Auto Empty Trash disabled. The setting is stored in the preferences.xml file, so you can edit it manually if needed (autoEmptyTrash=0, Advanced, Hidden Server Settings).
All very good information. I keep my server settings identical so it should be pretty straight forward to drop the backup Preferences.xml into the copy of my other server. Appreciate the help.
