Metadata and Library Prefs missing after a Migration from iMac+External to DS718+

[johnforz]

Server Version#: Synology DS718+ running DSM 6.2.2-24922 Update 2
Player Version#: Plex Pass PMS Version 4.0.1

Hi,
New to posting here, so apologies in advance for any clumsiness:

I recently setup a new Synology DS718+ to run as a Plex Media Server.
I followed the steps listed on @trumpy81 “Synology FAQ’s … Read This First!” post (which has been incredibly helpful!).

All media is loading from the new NAS location, but it appears to have rebuilt the database; that is, when I view media by “Date Added” it is not retaining the order in which the media had been loading on my previous machine, and none of the customizations I made (such as applying poster images/covers, etc.) seem to be coming over.

I’m hoping this is as simple as bringing a Preference file over (I only copied “Application Support/Plex Media Server” as per the Q25 Migration steps in Trumpy81’s post), or possibly restoring to a previous database backup (though this seems like it should have just used what was in the folder I copied over).

Thanks in advance for any help - Logs attached.
Plex Media Server Logs_2019-08-07_13-42-34.zip (5.5 MB)

[ChuckPa]

It sounds like you forgot to turn off all the Automatic scanning and Empty Trash options in Settings - server - Library before actually moving the metadata over.

If this is not done, what actually happens, as clearly indicated in your logs with all the photos you transferred, Everything was dropped because PMS didn’t find the files at their old location and now, on the Synology, in their new location, PMS is finding them as if they are new files. This is the correct behavior because technically the file never existed at that location.

Do you still have the data on the previous system to attempt this again and would you be willing?
The data files themselves can remain but all the metadata from the original system will need to be migrated again.

How would you like to proceed?

[johnforz]

Interesting. I had definitely turned off “Automatic Scanning” “Partial Scanning” “Periodic Scanning” and “Empty Trash after Scan” as per Trump81’s steps, but maybe i re-enabled them before the Library scan was complete or something?

I suppose I can redo the process; it took a long while to load the 52gig down from Crashplan and onto the NAS - I also got a lot of errors/interruptions when trying to replace the whole folder on the NAS, so the process was kind of a pain… but if that’s my only option, so be it!

Restoring an older database wouldn’t correct this at all? Fwiw, I hadn’t modified the server in a bit because the old machine was out of order–As stated above, i am retrieving the folder off a cloud backup system (Crashplan).

Thanks for your help!

[ChuckPa]

We can do this in an asynchronous sort of manner.

1. On the iMac, Verify the settings are off. If they are still on (you forgot to save the changes?) you’ll need to somehow perform an incremental update after making those changes.

Once confirmed we’re safe to proceed.

1. Create a “Reload” share or some place safe to work on the NAS.
2. Download the files again (52 GB isn’t that much … hahaha) but drop into the “Reload” share.
3. We will then create the resultant directory structure Synology is looking for.
4. lastly, we’ll move it into position.
5. With the media in it’s new home and ready to go,
6. We’ll start moving the shares (EDIT folders), one at a time.
7. When all are done, we can then re-enable everything.

[johnforz]

To your first point:
The iMac is the old machine, and is completely dead, so I’ve been pulling the PMS Application Support folder down from Crashplan. When i ran the Plex install on the NAS it prompted me to set up a new server. I named this the same as the old one, disabled those “auto” settings, and relinked each media library to their new NAS locations. Then I deleted the old “unavailable” server. Will this be a problem?

For steps 1-7 on your second point, I think I follow:

I’ll pull down the old Application Support folder again and store in on the NAS (not in the “Plex” folder). I realize 52GB isn’t huge, but for some reason it took almost a day to get it from Crashplan onto the NAS due to all of errors I got when trying to overwriting the default Plex Application Support folders - so I think your plan of the “reload” directory structure will help.

The Media is ready to go on the NAS in it’s own share location.

Before I begin this process, I should stop Plex from running on the NAS, yeah? Do you think an uninstall/clean install will be necessary?

Thanks again, going to begin the download now.

[ChuckPa]

Part of what happened / reason for this problem was you overwriting. Thank you for sharing that.

That’s a BIG no-no.

When downloaded again, I feel better about getting this working.

[johnforz]

I’ve got everything downloaded except the massive “Plug-in Support/Databases” folder. I guess Crashplan’s servers are just really slow.

Is it necessary for me to pull down all of the old Database archives, or can I just pull the individual file that I want to restore Plex back to? like: “com.plexapp.plugins.library.db-2019-05-08” for example.

[ChuckPa]

From the Plug-in Support/Databases directory, you do not need the older backups.
Only the most recent / current is required.

You will need to re-run all the scanning and cleanup when this is all done so anything out of sync will be remedied.

[johnforz]

OK, I have the entire PMS folder inside of another share on the NAS (screenshot below). A few questions:

At this point, should i stop Plex from running on the NAS, and disable all of the auto-scan settings?

1. We will then create the resultant directory structure Synology is looking for.

The restored directory is pulled straight from the old PMS install so it should be the same as the one that’s currently running on the NAS. Is there something else I need to do here?

2. lastly, we’ll move it into position.

This is where I’ve run into problems in the past when trying to overwrite the existing Plex directory, or trash it to replace with the new one. Constant “file is in-use” errors and hiccups. What method do you recommend? Sorry if this is obvious and I’m just stupid!

4. We’ll start moving the shares (EDIT folders), one at a time.

Similar question to above - so I should move the nested directories (“Metadata”, “Plug-In Support” etc.) one-by-one? If overwriting is a no-no, how am I replacing the existing directories that are in the current Plex share?

[ChuckPa]

This is going to be a delicate procedure and, when the time comes, you will need to take certain steps as quickly as possible to preserve media (just in case)

The process will involve.

1. Stop Plex
2. Open another File Station window
3. In that window, drill down into the Plex share, until you see “Plex Media Server”
4. Rename it to “Plex Media Server.old”
5. Now copy the “Plex Media Server” directory from “Johns Files” to this “Application Support” directory. (let it take all the time it needs)
6. Right-click “Plex Media Server” → Properties.
7. Change the ownership to user plex and "Apply to this folder, sub-folders, and files.
   
   
8. Click the Permissions tab.
9. Verify user plex is allow of R/W access. If not, change it and again Apply to this folder, sub-folders, and files

Now we are going to prepare to get into the Synology at the moment it becomes available so you can minimize metadata loss (worst case scenario)

1. Open a new browser window
2. In it, type http://ip.addr.of.syno:32400/web – DO NOT CLICK ENTER yet
3. In Package Center - Start Plex
4. The moment it starts, Go to that other browser window and click ENTER
5. it may take a moment to respond so keep trying
6. The moment you get into the synology, verify it’s actually looking at the Synology server (upper left corner)
7. Cancel any scans running.

Now you can properly migrate again

1. For each share which contains media:
   a. Control Panel - Shared Folders
   b. EDIT the share
   c. Permissions tab
   d. Make certain user plex has Read-only or Read/Write permission (so it can see your data)

2. Now follow the process here of adding the new locations (where they are on the Synology) to complete the migration and retain metadata

Moving your media and keeping the metadata - The TL;DR

Moving your media and keeping the metadata - The TL;DR This Tip / How-To, while tagged for Linux, is applicable to all PMS platforms. Preparation Turn off “Empty Trash after Library Scan” Turn off “Automatically Update my Library” Make all the moves Move your media Make any configuration changes or physical media file moving you need to. When you are done, proceed with the actual PMS configuration change Updating your PMS configruation Edit each library section - Folders - ADD the new l…