Lost files in Lightroom

[jerry12953]

All the files on my external hard drive have now got little question marks on them.

What I think may have happened is that the letter describing the hard drive has changed from I to J, thus making all the files inaccessible.

I believe this has happened before, and I got in terrible trouble trying to retrieve them all.

Has this happened to anyone else, and what would be the best way of dealing with it?

jerry

 

[Chappers]

You can re-link the files simply and easily. All you have to do is let Lightroom know where the files are.

Select the root directory within the Lightroom Library pane. Now right click on the folder and 2/3 of the way down you'll find "Update Folder Location" option Select this and navigate to the new location of the folder. Lightroom will now update the data in it's database and the "?" should disappear

 

[jerry12953]

Thanks John.

I'm thinking aloud here, but it's the same process as finding the odd lost file, carelessly moved outside LR?

And why and how should the drive letters have changed anyway to cause this problem?

 

[Chappers]

Yes it's a similar process to finding lost files but a "bulk" version.

As to why the drive letter changed , could be a number of reasons especially if it's an external drive. If it is leave it connected and it should come up with the same drive letter. You could try naming the drive that may help as well..

 

[jerry12953]

Yes it's a similar process to finding lost files but a "bulk" version.

As to why the drive letter changed , could be a number of reasons especially if it's an external drive. If it is leave it connected and it should come up with the same drive letter. You could try naming the drive that may help as well..

Thanks mate....

Always rely on you for a sensible answer!

 

[boyfalldown]

Yes it's a similar process to finding lost files but a "bulk" version.

As to why the drive letter changed , could be a number of reasons especially if it's an external drive. If it is leave it connected and it should come up with the same drive letter. You could try naming the drive that may help as well..

you can also reasign it back to the 'correct' drive letter via windows.

 

[jerry12953]

I think I've realised why the drive letter changed from I to J.

I imported files from a portable viewer/storage thingie, which grabbed the letter I, for some reason.....