copying large folders of music/movies - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

boink · 07-11-2010, 01:47 PM

hey all, so my drive was getting full and I hooked up a new seagate external drive (1TB) yesterday.
I had a folder of movies that was just over 700gb of movies I wanted to move onto it.
so I just copied and pasted it to the new drive, rather than cut and paste, I figured I didn't want to cut it just in case something happened during the transfer.
and it did...heh. my computer beeped and went off with 15 min to go on the transfer (according to the transfer indicator box anyway)
at least I think there was 15 to go but I did walk away from the comp for the moment it beeped and went off.

so, now I'm wondering, was this a dumb way to move large amounts of data.
with so many files I'm wondering how to check what might not have gotten transferred properly, aside from checking one by one ?

I just did another transfer of 67.8gb and after it was finished I checked properties and they both have the same file and folder count, same 67.8gb.
I think it's all fine but I suppose I'm a little paranoid...

so I just wonder what the best way to do this kind of thing.
usually I take some time and transfer/organise smaller chunks like 10gb or so but I've been busy lately and things piled up.

before I delete the originals I want to be sure I got everything copied properly, so I thought you guys might have a process for this.

thanks for your help

spindles · 07-11-2010, 03:51 PM

I would use a comparison tool like Beyond Compare (Beyond Compare - The file compare, folder compare and remote directory compare utility from Scooter Software) to check the source and destination folders are the same.

I'm not sure of the best way to copy it but I'd probably do what you did (copy and paste) or use xcopy from a cmd prompt.

telekinetic · 07-11-2010, 05:55 PM

I like using Teracopy for large copies...it keeps going and just logs errors, and you can preprogram various behaviors for if it runs into errors or finds duplicates. Easy to use, too!

Copy your files faster with TeraCopy

heyal256 · 07-11-2010, 05:57 PM

you can try using robocopy (either built in or can be d/l from ms).

Here is an article describing it.
Robocopy Syntax, Command Line Switches and Examples My Digital Life

boink · 07-11-2010, 06:01 PM

Thanks guys. I'll look into those tools right away.

flat5 · 07-15-2010, 06:14 AM

I have TakeCommand installed so I'd use that.

07-11-2010, 01:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
boink Addict Location: Seattle	copying large folders of music/movies hey all, so my drive was getting full and I hooked up a new seagate external drive (1TB) yesterday. I had a folder of movies that was just over 700gb of movies I wanted to move onto it. so I just copied and pasted it to the new drive, rather than cut and paste, I figured I didn't want to cut it just in case something happened during the transfer. and it did...heh. my computer beeped and went off with 15 min to go on the transfer (according to the transfer indicator box anyway) at least I think there was 15 to go but I did walk away from the comp for the moment it beeped and went off. so, now I'm wondering, was this a dumb way to move large amounts of data. with so many files I'm wondering how to check what might not have gotten transferred properly, aside from checking one by one ? I just did another transfer of 67.8gb and after it was finished I checked properties and they both have the same file and folder count, same 67.8gb. I think it's all fine but I suppose I'm a little paranoid... so I just wonder what the best way to do this kind of thing. usually I take some time and transfer/organise smaller chunks like 10gb or so but I've been busy lately and things piled up. before I delete the originals I want to be sure I got everything copied properly, so I thought you guys might have a process for this. thanks for your help __________________ when you believe in things that you don't understand, then you suffer. Superstition ain't the way.

07-11-2010, 03:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
spindles Mine is an evil laugh Location: Sydney, Australia	I would use a comparison tool like Beyond Compare (Beyond Compare - The file compare, folder compare and remote directory compare utility from Scooter Software) to check the source and destination folders are the same. I'm not sure of the best way to copy it but I'd probably do what you did (copy and paste) or use xcopy from a cmd prompt. __________________ who hid my keyboard's PANIC button?

07-11-2010, 05:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
telekinetic zomgomgomgomgomgomg Location: Fauxenix, Azerona	I like using Teracopy for large copies...it keeps going and just logs errors, and you can preprogram various behaviors for if it runs into errors or finds duplicates. Easy to use, too! Copy your files faster with TeraCopy __________________ twisted no more

07-11-2010, 06:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
boink Addict Location: Seattle	Thanks guys. I'll look into those tools right away. __________________ when you believe in things that you don't understand, then you suffer. Superstition ain't the way.

07-11-2010, 05:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
heyal256 Not so great lurker Location: NY	you can try using robocopy (either built in or can be d/l from ms). Here is an article describing it. Robocopy Syntax, Command Line Switches and Examples My Digital Life

07-15-2010, 06:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	I have TakeCommand installed so I'd use that.