New to VBA - love it, but...

**micasa2001** · 10-10-2009, 09:40 AM

This software/OS is fantastic, just what I was looking for. I started off setting up an Ubuntu server, but I ran across VB after I had alreay installed the Ubuntu serve and went with VB instead. I have two Squeezeboxes (pre-Logitech version) that I've been using, but wanted to set up a low power-usage server for the music files and other media. I have a Foxxconn box with an Atom processor (765), a 1 TB HDD from Samsung (spinning at 5400), and 1 GB of memory (wanted to minimize power draw - yeah it's not much, but it's something).

So, the installation went great, very easy, I'm able to access the Vortexbox from my XP machine, and I can view the file system, but...

I'm trying to transfer my existing music files from an XP machine to the VB. I followed the documentation instructions, but when I attempt to drag and drop I get an "Access Denied" message.

Couldn't find the answer to this in the documentation. Nothing comes up under "Access denied" in the forums.

The files exist on a secondary drive in the XP machine. I wonder if it would be easier to plug it into the VB machine...well, I imagine it would be. But, that would involve command line stuff. I prefer using a GUI as my working memory isn't great and I'm a very visual person. I do much better when I can see objects. And, I still might want to transfer files from the XP machine in the future, so it would be good to figure this out now.

I am running Norton Security Suite on my XP machine. I checked the "Network Security Map" and the Vortexbox is listed as "Shared" and trusted.

Ideas?

COuld it be the security suite? Did I miss a remote login step?

Thanks in advance.

Mike H

**dec** · 10-10-2009, 10:09 AM

The only advice I can offer is to make sure you are trying to copy your files to the vortexbox/files/music folder.

If you just go straight to the 'music' folder then it is designed to be read-only.

Anything you put into the files/music folder will appear in the basic /music folder - but will be read-only.

I think it's been designed that way so that you can point your music streamers/playback devices to the read-only folder therefore preventing any unintended deleting of files!

I hope that's clear and makes sense?

Sorry if that's what you were already trying.

You shouldn't need to do anything additional to allow drag-&-drop file transfer. Just bring up the Vortexbox in your 'My Network' (or whatever it's called in WinXP - I forget, sorry!) and go from there!

If that still doesn't work it may be worth trying to disable your Norton software temporarily, purely to see if that makes any difference.

Good luck!

**micasa2001** · 10-10-2009, 10:16 AM

Thanks DEC - I knew it would be something simple. Now I need to decide if I am going to do this over the network or within the VB. I have about 200 GBs of music. The network is 100mbs tops. Lets see....dosk to dosk or over the network...what would you recommend?

Mike

**andrew** · 10-10-2009, 10:28 AM

Transferring the files over the network is the fastest and easiest.

**micasa2001** · 10-10-2009, 10:40 AM

Thanks Andrew and DEC - files are transferring, I'm up to the B's in my FLAC files. Haven't started all my MP3's and WAV's. Might take a while.

I appreciate your quick responses.

I also just auto-ripped a disk, but apparently it was not yet in the DB (it's a compilation put out by a local radio statio here in Portland, KINK0FM).

Mike

**HalfBit** · 10-10-2009, 10:43 AM

Hi Mike,

Welcome.

I use XP or Vista over the network to rip, refine tags, backup, and restore the music files directly on the VortexBox Appliance. I attach a 1 TB Western Digital My Book USB drive to the Windows machine to make backups. When they are complete, I disconnect and power down to preclude most of my stupid mistakes. I use a compare and sync application to only update changes after initial creation of the backup. I have two of these drives and alternate them to ensure I don't trash data I have developed over years. I have a little over 300 GB of music, and that complete backup requires approximately 8 hours, and when a restore is necessary (way too often), it takes about that time too.

I do not know of a method for VortexBox to import music with local connection of the disk your music is on now. Someone here may be able to offer a method. If available, it would certainly be faster.

Will some linux guru post a discussion about the method the same data is referenced as read-only and aliased as writable. I know how to get at it from Windows, and I would like to know a few details on the methods and commands used in Linux by VortexBox.

To make dealing with music on the VortexBox easier from a Windows box, I have used the Windows Explorer Tool, Map Network Drive, referrencing the VortexBox from Network like this:

M: maps to \\VORTEXBOX\music This is the read-only access to music subdirectories.

W: maps to \\VORTEXBOX\files\music This is the writable access to the same music subdirectories.

Hope that is helpful,
HalfBit

**dec** · 10-11-2009, 12:38 AM

Mike -

When you have a disc that isn't recognised I find a good program to use is MP3Tag. Just install it on your Windows machine, you can then navigate to your Vortexbox /files/music/flac folder and manually tag the 'unknown' album.

Also Album Art Downloader is another great free program for getting cover art when it is not correctly downloaded. Again, just install on your Windows computer and insert the artist & album name and hit 'search'. It'll bring up a load of potential thumbnails to use - I just then right-click and save-as to the correct location. You can change the default location to your vortexbox/files/music/flac folder to save time as well.

Hope that's useful?!