Backing Up Channel Groups, How? (1 Viewer)

[EViS]

How can I backup my channel groups in case I need to reformat my HDD? Sorting 300 channels took an awfully long time and I don't fancy doing it again... Are these all stored in an .ini somewhere?

 

[kuehnch]

Backup the TVServer-Database, that stores all settings of tvserver.
If you use SQLServer(-Express), you are able to do a backup by using Microsofts ManagementStudio (rightklick on the tvlibrary-database on the left tree and you will see maintaining-options like backup,restore...

After a reinstall of your system, you can get back all your settings/lists/sortings/groups.... by restoring the database, that you have stored before.

 

[EViS]

How do I backup the database?

 

[Mew]

Hi Evis

To clarify what kuehnch said:

1 Open Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express
2 In the left pane expand "Databases"
3 Right click on "TvLibrary"
4 Select "Tasks" > "Back Up..."
5 In the "Back Up Database - TvLibrary" window that pops up you should probably leave all the options as they are. You may however want to change the "Destination" by adding a new one and removing the default.
6 Hit "OK" and it will create the backup file.

If you need to restore a database:

1 Open Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express
2 In the left pane right click on "Databases"
3 Select "Restore Database..."
4 In the "Restore Database -" window that pops up you will need to specify the "TvLibrary" database using the drop down in the "Destination for restore" "To database:" if it exists. If it does not I believe it will create it. You also need to amend the Source for restore to From device and select the "..." button to specify the file and location.
5 Hit "OK" and it should retore the database.

As with all backups it is best to try it out, say on another PC if you have one before you need to use it in anger.

I have successfully used backup and restore when changing my HTPC from XP Pro SP2 to Vista. I took a backup before I started, reformated the harddrive and installed Vista and then restored the database.

Warning:
Bear in mind this is a backup of every tablein the database. If you recover it will give you a snapshot at the point you took the backup. This means your EPG may be out of date as well as the list of recorded programs if they have changed (which I guess they would daya to day).

I hope this helps

Mew

 

[Marcusb]

hey Mew, thanks for such a detailed explanation

One further thing is that the backup may still not be useful if the structure changes due to MP enhancements.
If you upgrade an SVN and MP tells you the database has to be recreated, then this wont help.

I'm pretty sure that the backup option in the TV Channels section of the tv server will back up groups too, but I don't use groups so cant say for sure.

Safest option is to use both methods