theHTPC.net

This is the final installment in MyMovies default location ‘hacking’ – moving the FileStorage share to another location.

The FileStorage folder contains the Covers and Photos directories, which are pretty self-explanatory.  There’s also a SQL database transaction file in there, but we don’t need to concern ourselves with that (just don’t delete it).  The FileStorage folder is a share that is necessary for HTPC clients using the MyMovies plugin to read and write cover and actor images.

If you’re here reading this, then you have a reason to be reading it…you are interested in moving this folder somewhere else.  If you have a dedicated SQL server like I do, then it doesn’t make much since to force us to use the default location.  We probably have a faster drive or array available that is also backed up regularly.  The instructions I’m about to include will allow you to take advantage of that.  Coupled with my previous entry on moving the database, you might be introducing MyMovies to a nice performance gain.  My instructions will be using Windows 2003 Server, but I’ll try to use environment paths that should be about the same for all Windows OSes.  A couple of notes before we begin:

1. There is no support offered with this modification.  If you screw anything up, no one is going to help you.  Not me and especially not the MyMovies forum.
2. I will not respond to questions regarding this guide.  You either want to do it or you don’t.  I’m not currently running MyMovies using this or the database modification.  I have in the past, however, and I performed each of the tutorials as I wrote them.  So, I know they work – for me.
3. I don’t consider either of these guides as very technical, but I also don’t recommend them to anyone that doesn’t specifically know whether or not they are going to gain an advantage by do doing it.  If you don’t know if this will benefit you, then it probably will not.

Let’s get started…

1. Backup your MyMovies database using Collection Management.
2. When backup is complete, close Collection Management and then close the MyMovies Tray Application by right-clicking and choosing Exit.
3. Right Click MyComputer on your Desktop and choose Manage (Computer Management).
4. Expand Shared Folders in the left pane and select Shares.
5. Locate the MyMoviesFileStorage$ share in the right hand share pane, right-click on it and choose Properties.
6. Check the Share Permissions tab.  It should read Everyone/Full Control.
7. Check the Security tab.  Mine says Everyone\Modify and SYSTEM\Full Control.  If yours says something different, WRITE IT DOWN.
8. After you are positive that you have recorded all share and user/group permissions, close the properties box, right-click on the MyMoviesFileStorage$ share and choose Stop Sharing.  It will ask if you are sure, so go ahead and click on Yes.  The share will disappear, so don’t freak out.
9. Next, open an Explorer window and browse to %ALLUSERPROFILE%\Application Data.  Right-click and Copy the My Movies folder.  DO NOT cut it…we want to maintain the original folder structure in case you screw this up.   Browse to the new location you have chosen (preferably a faster drive than you are moving from) and paste the contents.  Depending on the size of your collection, this may take a little bit (mine is around 1GB).
10. Now that the folder is moved, we are going to do some registry editing, so go to Run and type regedit.  The registry editor should open.
11. We want to browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\My Movies.
12. Once there, left-click on the My Movies key and look over in the right pane.  There will be  FileStorage string value.  Double-click on the FileStorage string value and this is where we will put in the path to your new FileStorage location.  Put in the full address of the new location for your FileStorage directory.  If it is a network path, use a mapped drive or you will not be able to complete these instructions.  I don’t recommend using a network location since you’ll be introducing latency (two network hops to get to the location).  Click OK to save the change and close regedit – you’re done with it.
13. Go back to the Computer Management console (you didn’t close it, right?).  You should still be in the Shares pane.
14. Right-click on Shares and select New Share.  The Share a Folder Wizard will begin.  Click Next and then browse to your FileStorage folder.  Click Next and for Share name put MyMoviesFileStorage$, click Next and for Permissions choose Use custom share and folder permissions and then click the Customize button.  Look familiar?  It should.  Make sure that Everyone\Full Control is in for the Share Permissions tab and then recreate your previous Security tab settings.  Click Finish, click OK and your share is now created.
15. To ensure that you’re configured correctly, go back to %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data and rename the My Movies folder to My Movies 2.
16. Fire up Collection Manager.  Fire up MyMovies on one of your HTPCs.  If you have cover and actor images, then you’re golden.  If not, undo everything by reversing these directions and re-entering the default info because I’m not troubleshooting.

That’s it.  You should now have the MyMovies database and FileStorage folder at a new, preferably faster, location.  Enjoy!