ML DB crashed... How to migrate Ratings or Podcasts from ML to another version of ML?

[mikkokh]

Is there any way to import Podcats data from Winamp's media library and export data in to different media library copy, or maybe some way to import Ratting data from it and joint them...?

Story:
My current ML is messed up and if I restore my old ML copy witch has lot of defined rattings, I lose all my new Podcasts from Podcast list...
And if I use current 'crashed' DB (Possibly because of stupid loose SATA cable connection of second HDD, where ML DB is located - it's not first time...), I have all Podcasts in list, but no any of those thousands of Rattings.

Time has gone too much, so I could not re-download all those missing Podcasts... They are not in to feeds anymore

So, how to fix this media library database mess?

Help me, please.

[MrSinatra]

I'm not sure I understand exactly what your issue is or what you want to do, however you can:

1. search the forums for "winamp backup tool"
and
2. save ratings to tags if you don't already. just set the option on in prefs and sort by rating and "re-rate" everything.

[mikkokh]

Thanks about hint, MrSinatra.

I was very frustrated, so I decided to create 5 new M3U files from data of backed up media library version... First of them contains all tracks which have one star rating, second contain files which have two stars, and so on... With those, updating of track ratings of another media library was guite easy.

[MrSinatra]

so are you saving ratings to tags now?

and did that allow you to sort out all your other issues?

(I would verify the ratings are actually in the tag via mp3tag or some other app)

[mikkokh]

No, I want to keep the MP3 files better protected with read-only mode.

[DrO]

so I decided to create 5 new M3U files from data of backed up media library version... First of them contains all tracks which have one star rating, second contain files which have two stars, and so on... With those, updating of track ratings of another media library was guite easy.

that is about the simplest way to maintain the details if you don't want the ratings in the files (which is a point of contention as to whether that should or should not happen as ratings are subjective at the best of times e.g. you don't want to and MrSinatra does).


alternatively, you can make regular backups of the local library db with the backup tool (http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?t=317153) so you can get back to a certain point, but depending on the crash and how / when it happens, you'd still potentially loose some of the ratings (though some is better than all). that can also be used for migrating settings (including the library) between installs as long as the media files it references are in the same place between the Winamp installs.


and also make sure you're using v5.666 build 3516 and install the in_mp3 and gen_jumpex dlls from http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?t=156839#known2 as i've not heard of ml corruption issues with the most recent Winamp releases due to a load of work and crash fixes in the newer builds.

[mikkokh]

MrSinatra has already mentioned that backup tool in his reply and I'm now familiar with that.

I have changed my HDD cables to Serial Combo Data & Power Cables and they fit realy steady to connectors.

Thanks about program stability tips, DrO!

[DrO]

was just summarising and making sure there was a link to the backup tool thread (as wasn't one previously).

[MrSinatra]

No, I want to keep the MP3 files better protected with read-only mode.

so you never edit your tags ever?

just FYI, since winamp has enabled saving ratings to tags, I have never, in tens of thousands of ratings saved, had a problem with it [insofar as corrupting the tag/audio/file].

[mikkokh]

so you never edit your tags ever?
...

Mostly when when ripping them from CD with dBpoweramp (all basic tags and Replay Gain tags) and after that with MP3Tag (mostly scanned Album Arts and automaticaly convert track tags from format '5/11' to format '05/11'). Nothing more or less.

Shit happens and if my computer crash when Winamp is updating rating tags, those files are highly at risk to get corrupted.

[DrO]

Shit happens and if my computer crash when Winamp is updating rating tags, those files are highly at risk to get corrupted.

though thats going to be the case with any edits be it from Winamp or mp3tag or anything else. whatever the case, as long as how you handle and treat your files suits your needs then thats the main thing (irrespective of what anyone else thinks should be done ).

[MrSinatra]

Mostly when when ripping them from CD with dBpoweramp (all basic tags and Replay Gain tags) and after that with MP3Tag (mostly scanned Album Arts and automaticaly convert track tags from format '5/11' to format '05/11'). Nothing more or less.

Shit happens and if my computer crash when Winamp is updating rating tags, those files are highly at risk to get corrupted.

to each his own, but why not have a "production" set of files, and a backup set of files?

I am constantly tweaking tags and so on, and saving ratings to the tags saves a lot of time in not having to create workarounds via playlists or smartviews for that purpose. occasionally, I even change a rating if my evaluation of the song should change. one click, done.

if such an unlikely calamity did occur, you could simply go to the backup, and the backups could be set to read only for extra security.

just a suggestion, do as thou whilst.

[mikkokh]

It works if you remark broken files before you update and erase your old backup. Also, if you use same mp3 files with many devices (multiple computers with own copies of them/without NAS + mobile phone or some another player) identification them to same ripped version is not possibly with apps like CloneSpy, so it is hard detect is file damaged or mappy re-ripped/re-tagged because of some issue and be forgotten to update different devices.