Merge or Rebuild Database?

[gd123]

Since Skybird has edited on both computers simply using a copy of songs.mdb will only trade one problem for another. If Skybird is using a single external HD between two computers, then yes, using a copy of the database would be the quicker easy way to keep up-to-date, but the problems need to be fixed first.

Yes, at this point, since KMAs were Edited when the External Drive was attached to the Home Computer, the Songs.MDB was updated with those EDITS.

At that point, the Songs.MDB was not copied to the Laptop.

Then, it was decided to use the Laptop to EDIT KMAs, which updated info to the Laptop's Songs.MDB.

At this point, you have two separate Songs.MDBs with, possibly, different information in them.

So, you have no choice but to Rebuild your DB on which ever Computer you choose. Then, you can copy the newly rebuilt DB to the other Computer.

So, when I edited on 1 computer, the mdb on that would be updated. Is that correct?

Yes

If editing only changes the header of the kma file that on the external drive, then how does the MDB on the C: drive know that I've edited a song?

Because EDITING a KMA (Song) updates the Songs.MDB automatically, but ony for that Computer. I would suggest using only ONE Computer to do your EDITING.

So, it sounds to me like if editing actually changes the kma header itself

This is correct.

when I copy ALL kma files to 1 folder on my new computer & rebuild the MDB, the new MDB should show ALL songs including all edits, regardless of which computer I used to edit the individual songs. Is that right?

Correct

After you have copied all your KMAs to the new Laptop Internal HD and built the DB, in the Future, I would use a file utility program that has the ability to compare files. Then, only newer/changed files would be copied over verses having to copy ALL the KMAs.

Nowhere in Skybird's posts do I find any indication of a "degraded header".

Unless Shybird didn't use the SAME Folder designations in the Build Songs Database Window on Both Computers, I can't see how there would be Truly Duplicate BookIDs, which is what she was concerned about.

Therefore, during the rebuild of a DB on ONE EXTERNAL DRIVE sharing known and SAME Folders, in each Computer, Duplicate BookIDs are NOT possible. If "Duplicate" BookIDs are flaged, by Hoster, during a Rebuild, and listed in a Duplicate BookID TXT File, what would be the Alternative explanation in a "NOT Possible" scenario. The ONLY explanation is that Hoster found Songs that it COULD NOT PROCESS. The ONLY thing Hoster READS is the HEADER during a REBUILD...if Hoster CAN'T READ the HEADER, then the HEADER IS DEGRADED.

One thing for sure, if the SONG ain't listed in the Songs.MDB...it CAN'T BE PLAYED.

[Skybird74]

GD123, Thank You so much for taking the time to answer each of my questions separately. You figured out my problem exactly and I will follow your advice. What "file utility program" would you suggest that I can use to compare my new MDB with the old one?