Prestige 2.1v Questions

[Richard55]

Background: Macro System Prestige 80g running older versions of Smart Edit v2.1, Arabesk v 1.3d, Bonus Effects v1.0, and Show options v 1.0a. My HD is droping data when Inputing new Video. I would like defrag my HD or update my system to a newer version of OS. In hope to solve my HD issues. Any Help would be appriceated. Thanks
Richard

[jimmeeker]

Hello Richard,

Doing a full install of your existing operating system will in effect wipe your hard drive clean and start it out spanking clean.

Moving up to a later operating system and doing a full install with it will also wipe everything and start you out with a pristine clean hard drive. So, unless your hard drive is actually failing, (which does happen ) either method will fix you up.

Doing a non-destructive update with either the same OS or a later version, will tend to leave any corruption from earlier useage still on the drive and may not give you the clean fresh start that you are looking for.

Just be sure to back up any important projects that you have left in there before you do the full install as that will lose everything that has been on the hard drive up until now. That means everything....titles, music, photos, all archives etc. will be gone and all your additional software programs will need to be re-installed after the OS has been wiped and replaced.

Luckily, on the Generation II machines, the software codes are in the bios and will remain in there after a complete full install. That way you don't have to worry about re-entering all your codes.

Good luck and let us know how it works out for you.

[Richard55]

My challange is this machine was given to me and I don't have software on a disk ect. All I have is a 2.1 update smartmedia update. Can I still do the clean sweep and retain the OS system in place?

[JPaul]

Richard,

Yes, you should be able to do a full install with your Smartmedia card.
Power off, insert card, power on, answer "No" to 1st question, "Yes" to 2nd which will erase all projects/archives but clean up your drive.

If after doing this you still have problems, you may want to consider the hard drive. However, it could also relate to other factors including your footage, what you are downloading it from, cables, etc. But doing a full install is your 1st step. As Jim mentioned, be sure to back up anything you want to preserve prior to proceeding.

[CasablancaExpert]

Richard,

As Paul pointed out - yes,you can perform a clean install (full upgrade) using the OS on the Smart Media Card. You cannot de-frag (de-fragment) your HDD without a clean install of the OS. I should also point out/caution that you should also verify you have the add-on (supplementary) Casablanca software you own and use on either a separate Smart Card or on that card with your OS. Otherwise after you perform the clean install, you won't have those products to install (and automatically activate as Jim pointed out).

Regards,
Chet

[Richard55]

I am using fire wire to download the files, I have been using this system for about 3-4 years and it keep getting worse and worse. Now it will only playback three files that have been on the system for some time. It will not record new files wihout dropping major data.
So if I am reading this correctly the OS is on the smartcard or is I installed someplace where the defrag and clean will not erase it?

[Richard55]

It appears the smartcard only has the add ons on it and not the OS.

[CasablancaExpert]

Richard,

I had thought you had a Smart Card with Smart Edit 2.1. The most recent version of Smart Edit 2.x you can install (without having to pay for the upgrade to a higher/more recent OS) is Smart Edit 2.5.

You might contact your dealer or the MSUS offices in Boulder to see if they could provide you with this OS version. I know at one time you could send in your card to receive installation or pay a small price for a new card with software on it. Trick is, this much earlier OS (from 2003) may be hard to come by.

The office in Boulder is (303) 440-5311.

Regards,
Chet

[Richard55]

Is there anyway I can back up my timeline of video to my cam?

[CasablancaExpert]

Is there anyway I can back up my timeline of video to my cam?

Yes - to back-up your Storyboard (the top track in your Edit window), simply go to the Finish menu, and export to tape. To obtain the maximum quality you are advised to export out via DV (FireWire) to a DV deck/camcorder.

If this is a work-in progress with titles, transitions, etc you will get a composite with all the scenes, effects and audio tracks as one scene. When you import this back into your Casablanca (with your revamped OS) you can even use Auto-split and it will split the scenes back into their original separate scenes if you want! (be cautious I would not advocate this if you have transitions, etc).

NOTE: If you have raw footage still in your scene bin that's not yet part of the finished piece - you can put up a separator clip (I use Color Bars) and then add the raw footage after that... when you get that back in your new project, you can split that out and put it back in the scene bin if you wish.

Hope that helps!

Regards,
Chet