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[glynor]

So, I have a Library Backup that I'm ready to post as a sample for others to check out.  However, before I do, I'd like to be able to strip out my passwords from the settings portion of the backup.

If possible, I'd like to be able to include the settings so that people can use them to check it out in full, but I don't want it to include what they'd need to actually connect to my servers!

So, how can I strip it down without mangling my own install of MC?  Is there some way to dig into the backup itself and remove relevant registry keys, or do I have to do it manually from within MC, and then restore to a prior-made backup?

[glynor]

Hmmm... I see that the settings seem to be included in text INI files.  Convenient.

I imagine I should kill the Machine Settings file.  If it isn't there at all, will MC restore it properly?  Also, what settings under the User Settings INI should I look for to make sure I remove traces of my server setup?

[JustinChase]

I can't help with the password issue, but wanted to say "thanks" for keeping up with this, and I'm still looking forward to it. 

Hopefully it will emphasize the benefits of this kind of thing, and JRiver will make it easier for others to do in the future

[Matt]

Hmmm... I see that the settings seem to be included in text INI files.  Convenient.

I imagine I should kill the Machine Settings file.  If it isn't there at all, will MC restore it properly?  Also, what settings under the User Settings INI should I look for to make sure I remove traces of my server setup?

Sorry, but we don't really have a list of private settings.

The only real one that comes to mind is:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\JRiver\Media Center 17\Internet Authorization

[glynor]

Okay... I hand edited it.

Use this at your own risk!  Especially if you choose to restore the settings.  I have no idea if restoring these settings will work at all, since I hand-edited them.  I made the following edits:

1. Removed the entire contents of Machine Settings.ini (the file is still there, it is blank).
2. Removed all Library-specific settings (including the Library listing under Properties) from the User Settings.ini file.
3. Removed all the File Type specific settings from the User Settings.ini file.
4. Removed the Media Network settings from the User Settings.ini file.
5. Removed the Optical Drive related settings from the User Settings.ini file.
6. Removed the TV Tuner related settings from the User Settings.ini file.

If someone is brave enough to try it with restoring settings (which will give you a better approximation of my setup, with my toolbars and whatnot), let me know if it works.  I'll probably try it in a VM here in a few days, but I have other stuff to do right now.

BEFORE YOU USE THIS, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND:

1. Make a full backup of your existing library (which will include settings).
2. Create a new blank library and switch to it.
3. Restore there.  Probably try it without restoring settings, unless you are very brave.

Also, note:

I did NOT remove some of my "media" from this Library.  This should give you an idea of how the library is set up and works in practice with a full set of files.  I removed a bunch (especially a bunch of my external drives and some of my older stuff), but not everything.  Let me know what you think!  It certainly isn't perfect, and doesn't do everything I'd like, but it serves me pretty darn well.

I did test restoring this without including settings and it worked fine.

Glynor's Example Library (2012-07-18)

CRC32: 8EC46422
MD5: 6D1924835E01812D5C57C56C55E59D0C
SHA-1: D6FE7A38E0412F8C1DD2BC6F61B3DB67A6EADF4F

[glynor]

Thanks, Matt.  I removed sections as mentioned above from the files in the backup itself, and then re-zipped it.  Any idea what MC will do when it encounters this?  I'm hoping that it will ignore (preserve existing settings) for any missing sections, but I (obviously) don't know.

Like I said, I can try it in a VM eventually, but not now.

[Scolex]

Not sure if this will have an effect or not but you might want to redo the zip since you have everything in a folder inside the zip instead of it just being Settings folder and the library files like a regular backup.

[glynor]

Not sure if this will have an effect or not but you might want to redo the zip since you have everything in a folder inside the zip instead of it just being Settings folder and the library files like a regular backup.

Ahh... 7zip did that by default.  Yep, hold-on (though I did try it and it worked).

[glynor]

Okay.  I re-zipped it and re-uploaded it.

[JimH]

Okay.  I re-zipped it and re-uploaded it.

That worked.   I could load your library.  I was also able to restore the backup I made.

[Scolex]

I opened the zip file and replaced your settings folder with the folder from my most recent backup and everything loaded without a hitch.
I think I will create a portable install using your library so I can look at some of your settings while having my library loaded.
Thanks for your time and effort.
Is there a simple way that you know of to systematically backup views and smartlist settings?

[MrHaugen]

Restore of settings worked fine. Thanks for the work you've put into this, Glynor. It's nice to see how others have done it.

[glynor]

Is there a simple way that you know of to systematically backup views and smartlist settings?

There's a way to transfer them from one Library to another.  It isn't exactly easy, though.

I'm calling this "beta" and when I'm done and/or I get some feedback, I'll post some demos and instructions.

Restore of settings worked fine. Thanks for the work you've put into this, Glynor. It's nice to see how others have done it.

Thanks for checking.  Good sign.