Problem with backing up catalog in Elements Organizer 12 - help please

Question

I am trying to do a full backup of my catalog in Organizer 12 (this is the first time have tried backup) and it is coming up with 0 bytes of data and gets error message 'Error encountered while writing files'.   I have 1000+ files that I have imported to the organizer (with many 1000's to go), and I have used the Organizer to move photos/video around -- so I would think they are in the catalog. (I was trying to put the backup on the C drive -- is that causing any problem).
Elements12 is the first installation on this computer (using Windows 8.1). I have used previous versions on another computer (v3) and was able to handle everything on DVD's. 
Also, is there any way to backup just the catalog (location of files, tags, metadata, comments, stars, and thumbnail etc), and not the full files?  I will have over a terabyte for sure.  Otherwise I will have to get another external hard drive to backup the catalog to. But I already backup all the photo/video files to an external hard drive.
I want to get all ironed out before I started extensive organizing and tagging, etc.  I MUST be able to get a usable backup catalogue before I can spend the time I plan.
Thanks for any help;-)
photocrazy12(aka Barbara)

Answer 1

photocrazy12 a écrit:
I am trying to do a full backup of my catalog in Organizer 12 (this is the first time have tried backup) and it is coming up with 0 bytes of data and gets error message 'Error encountered while writing files'.
The first stage of the backup process tells you what is the size needed for the backup: how much space do you need ?
(I was trying to put the backup on the C drive -- is that causing any problem).
It's not recommended for safety and speed reasons, but that's not a reason in itself for your problem. The general rule is that you must store the backup on a separate folder; you must have enough free space (twice the size of the above calculation is recommended).
Also, is there any way to backup just the catalog (location of files, tags, metadata, comments, stars, and thumbnail etc), and not the full files?  I will have over a terabyte for sure.
Yes, simply look for the locataion of your catalog in the Help menu, System Information, and copy the whole folder somewhere. Simply look at the total size of that folder.
I will have over a terabyte for sure. 
Otherwise I will have to get another external hard drive to backup the catalog to. But I already backup all the photo/video files to an external hard drive.
If you already have a backup from an external software, be sure to have also a copy of your catalog, as mentionned above. But restoring to another computer or drive won't be easy and you'll have to 'reconnect' all your files. That's why the integrated backup system is highly recommended. I'd recomment using another external drive for that purpose.