Windows server system drive died. Content drives ok. New win 10 computer…help!

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
1

Hi guys,
I have an extensive Plex content library. Worked great on Win 7. However my system drive died and needless to say, I can’t get any registry entries off the old drive.
I bought a new I7 laptop w/ 16 gigs to replace it. But because of the size of my library, I’m petrified of making any avoidable mistake in transferring my server to the new computer insofar as Database loss or claiming my server on the new computer… All of my content and their respective backup drives are fine….Phew!

Because the failure occurred suddenly, I don’t have any of the registry stuff copied. And it’s now unavailable.

However, I did backup my server “database file” to one of the data drives. So that I do have… I also copied any Plex folders in the system folder that had “ Plex” in the name of the folder. I don’t know anything as far as their relevance to a new install and recovery on a new computer.

My question is,… Do I have enough data from the “server backup file” to resurrect my server to its prior working status with the metadata content remaining intact with that “backup file”?..… If so great! ……. Where do I put that backed up file/ folder?... and when in the new server install do I transfer it to its proper location?

Did I do myself any further good by saving those additional Plex system folders? Or are their contents “rather irrelevant” to a new install on the new computer?

I guess what’s most important is, what is the exact sequence I should install the server?, transfer the Plex backup file? claim my server? And finally,….Connect my drives to the new computer? … and add any of those old system files to the “new system folder”?etc.etc…to achieve the optimal possible result without “flaming something out” because I used an improper sequence of steps.

I feel like such a paranoid moron in asking these questions, but like I said, I’m scared to death that I’m going screw something up, and have to start all over, which would probably mean days of rematching missing or now incorrectly matching of metadata that I had to really massage into getting a near 100% matchup over 2500 movies and 40 Tv Series… For now, …I’m not going to get into any music questions here because it’s still all made up of largely “incorrectly Plex protocol named files for proper Plex file recognition to create accurate metadata…… I’ll do that later.

Now I’m just hoping to rescue as much as I can (Hopefully all) of my video content as possible without screwing up any shot at recovering my movie, and Tv show meta data from that backed up database file if I screw up anything during the new install, claiming, or “ reclaiming” my server on the new computer and the exact sequence of steps during the new install.

I’m moving from windows 7 to windows 10. Are there any tweaks or adjustments I need to make to the OS before during or immediately after the new server install?

Lastly, is there a preferred browser to use for the server?….as I’d really like to avoid having to use Microsoft edge or anything from Google for obvious privacy reasons. I was using Firefox and Pale moon before, and for all practical purposes, they worked quite well. But if anyone knows of a more compatible and or more private browser, I’d be grateful for your input.

Again I apologize for being such a paranoid Peter about all this, but I worked for several years getting my Plex server to a really stable and enjoyable state, and I think I’m addicted to having it around!...because I fell like a lost dog without it, because I’ve procrastinated on reaching out for help from you guys for about 4 months now, and I’m starting to “jones out” regarding its simply not being there for me,… as I probably spend 4-6 hours/ day on Plex…… at least,…. I did.

Thanks in advance for your help in resolving my issues.

Sincerely, Patrick

2

The Plex data folder is not located in the system folder. Whatever you copied from there will unfortunately not be helpful.

That will give you at least the structure of your libraries back.
However, custom poster selections, uploaded posters and subtitles, results of the various analysations which Plex is performing are lost. Because these are not stored in the primary database file.

Do you have information about where your media files were stored?
To make the biggest gain from your backup, you better make each media file accessible under the exact same drive letter, folder name, and file name that it had on the dead server.

Your best strategy would be to install Plex server regularly. Claim it and point it to a very small collection of media files – just enough to test its proper function.
Once you’ve verified its principal function, you can try and restore the database file.
If you backed it up properly (i.e. while the source server was stopped), you should see your old libraries after the next server start.
However, no posters will be in there, and all the analysis will have to be repeated.

3

Hi Otto!

Hey, thanks a million for your help and feedback. I’m already taking half the tranquilizers I was before I reached out​:pill::rofl:.

Seriously though, I am so grateful for your guidance,…… at least I have some conception as to where to start…. Which I haven’t yet because I’d like some further guidance in my back pocket before I plunge in and pray​:pray::rainbow:.

I’d like to get some guidance on a couple of other things that I either didn’t elaborate on enough for you to give a clear answer on and I’m going to double check on :

a) such as,…the exact originating location of the folders that I saved to a different disk as I sensed the “dead drive” was perhaps ailing.
If memory serves me correctly (and I’m on an IPad now away from my home , so I can’t check) it seems I got a whole lot more information ( folders off the drive) than I may have originally alluded to)……., as I remember there were quite a few of them ( folders and sub folders) than you seemed to think would otherwise have existed in the system folder than might have existed or have been available from just the system folder alone. ………So I may have pulled “ everything off the computer from the entire drive that had “PLEX” in the name, including those in user/ app data, because there were a larger number of folders that I recall having copied than you talked about being “ relevant”. So I’ll check……. …… but because it was a while ago (September)I don’t remember exactly what they are (named) , or where I got them from, as my main attention was……just get everything “PLEX” copied off the main drive possible because of my growing sense of uncertainty about the drives health. So that’s that piece of it…. That being said, can you advise me as to the “names of the folders” and what the “file contents” I should be looking for to “cheer about” if I’ve got them? (I.e. folders containing my metadata, posters, and any other critical database content information regarding files/folders)
b). Getting back to my transition from Win 7 to Win 10, are there any preparational tweaks, or registry adjustments that I should make before I do the new server install and claim my sever on the Win 10 computer that might help ensure the highest likelihood of the transition sliding right into place.
c). Browsers to run as my default PLEX server browser, that are likely to 1,) perform most efficiently and reliably , and 2.) that afford a greater spectrum of privacy protection than others( please don’t say Google or Edge) …… I know you guys have to have some experience , and thereby an opinion on those browsers insofar as “ No way! / good / better / best”.

And to answer your question regarding recognition of my multiple server content drives, …. Yes all of the drives have specific names( I.e. server 1 main / server 2 main/ server 3 main, etc) along with a consistent folder structure within each drive mapped out for instance as ( Media folder > Movies folder / Tv shows folder and sub folders / music and subfolders/ documentaries/ “other”. /)…. etc… This structure is identical across each and every drive. And all of those drives and their respective folders were meticulously manually added to the “add folder location” to their desired referencing “category title” set up in Plex as categories in the category sidebar :nerd_face:

4

This post has a screenshot of how a typical main Plex data folder is looking like [HowTo] An extended guide on how to move the Plex data folder on Windows
(Further down, as “Addendum 2”)

Use Google Chrome. For running the Plex web app, that is, which you will be needing at least for initial set up and claiming your server. Once that is done, you can switch to use the dedicated Plex for Desktop app, instead of the web app.
Whatever you want to use to surf the Internet is a wholly different thing.

5

Thanks Otto!

Hmmm? Im just a little confused on your answer here. a) can I use Firefox as PLEX web App? And I’ve never used the PC version of the PLEX “server app” on my PC as my PC is not located anywhere close to where I watch TV. so I just run it on my IPad, Apple TV, XBox, and fire stick, while leaving the PLEX web browser page in FireFox as my main PLEX GUI and utility interface on my PC…

I’m not sure if I’ve ever even opened the WINDOWS PLEX APP….? Should I be using it instead of the Browser once I’m set up? Is it any safer from attacks or exploitation than the browser ?

6

Yes.

Your server only is represented by the tiny Plex task tray icon, when running on Windows.

I was not talking about the server app. Only about the client app (which by default happens to be the Plex web app).
If you feel strongly about avoiding Chrome browser, “Plex for Desktop” should allow you to avoid it, as it looks exactly the same as the web app, while having superior codec support and playback performance. It has to be installed separately from the server. It can be installed on the same machine as the server, as well as any PC or Mac that you are using to watch content from your server.

Since Plex for Desktop is not a web browser, it cannot open malicious links. So yes, that makes it safer.

7

This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.