StableBit DrivePool Q4142489

Seed a StableBit DrivePool Pool with existing content.

When to Use

If you have a lot of data on your disks and you don't want to spend the time copying it over to a new "disk". You can use this procedure to move the files directly onto the pool.

This is an advanced procedure. Only proceed if you fully understand every step below.

Please have backups of all your data.

If you are not sure about this and still wish to do this, then please contact Support, so we can set up a remote support session to assist you.

Steps

1. Add all the drives with data that you want to pool to a StableBit DrivePool pool
   • This will not format the disks, nor will it delete or otherwise alter the existing contents of the disks in any way.
   • This will create a hidden "PoolPart.xxxx" folder on each disk.
2. Stop the StableBit DrivePool system service.

   To do so, run "services.msc", and find the "StableBit DrivePool Service". You can right click on it and stop it that way, or select it and click the "Stop" link in the left-hand sidebar.

   • Note: This is necessary, as we will be moving around files. But if you have realtime duplication or immediate balancing enabled, this will start moving files around and duplicating as well. That is not what we want. We want to move everything first, and then let DrivePool do it's thing.
3. Expose hidden folders in your file manager of choice (Windows Explorer, or Total Commander, etc...).
   • This can be done by enabling "Show Hidden Files" in Explorer/Windows.
4. Now go to each of the drives, and move the contents of the disks into the "\PoolPart.xxxx\" folder, on the same disk.
   • For example, find the "G:\Files\" folder, and move the "Files" folder to "G:\PoolPart.xxxx\".

     After doing this, you should have a "G:\PoolPart.xxxx\Files" folder. And you may notice that it immediately shows up in the pool.

   • Repeat this for each disk in your pool
   • Once you've done this, you should see all of your content in the Pool directory.
5. Reset StableBit DrivePool's settings store if you're using StableBit DrivePool v1.X:
   • StableBit_DrivePool_Q2299585
6. Start the StableBit DrivePool service.
7. Reset StableBit DrivePool's settings store if you're using StableBit DrivePool v2.X:
   • StableBit_DrivePool_Q2299585B
   • This will verify the duplication integrity of the pool and re-measure all the files.

You're done.