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Mike952

Gents,
My Linux Mint (LM) 20.3 (MediaCenter) recently began malfunctioning. After some struggles to repair, I've elected to move to LM 21.3. I have quite a few addons and configurational tweaks to my associated Kodi (20.2 I believe). Is there a way to migrate my existing Kodi to the new instance of LM?

I currently have two 128GB SSDs dedicated to the LM OS. Drive 1 contains the old LM 20.3 and associated programs. Drive 2 contains the new LM 21.3. A quick glance at the two file systems seems to indicate that Kodi is stored differently on each. Before I begin the arduous task of fully configuring a new Kodi instance, thought I'd ask if anyone has a slick way to simply migrate my current version.

Thanks for your thoughts,
Mike952

OK, been doing some Googling. It sounds like migrating my current Kodi configuration(s) to my new Kodi is simply a matter of copying three files (addons, media, and userdata). The caveat is both Kodi versions need to be the same. Currently my original Kodi is 19.3 and my new Kodi is 20.2. I took a chance and attempted file transfer anyway, and it did not work. I'm guessing that differences in 'file structure' breaks much of the links. So, looking for some advice. If this approach has any chance of working, I assume I'll need to either upgrade to 20.2, or downgrade the new instance from 20.2 to 19.3.

Thoughts/recommendations?
Mike952

gujal · 2024-01-30, 07:53

it all depends what you installed, if you used team xmbc ppa then all the stuff is in in a single folder ~/.kodi You can just copy that folder to you new install and would work

If you went and installed flatpack on your new install, then it will be different structure.

Just live with 20.2 and team xbmc ppa and you are good moving from 19.3 to 20.2, as on the first launch Kodi 20.2 will see that the databases are old and will upgrade them to 20.2 compatible version

Mike952 · 2024-01-30, 16:49

Thanks for the response gujal.

I did attempt to simply move (19.3) files to (20.2). No go. Most front-end structure appeared to be intact, but links to actual video and/or music files appear to be broken.

My (new) Kodi (20.2) install was sourced from team xbmc ppa, and files are located in '~/.kodi' as expected.
My (old) Kodi (19.3) install was likely sourced from flatpack, and files are located in '~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi'.

My fear (prompting my questions) was/is that the different file structures will render a migration of files impossible.

Am I 'hosed'? If so, I guess I chalk this up to 'lesson learned' and move forward.

Thanks,
Mike952

gujal

if you were on 19.3 flatpack then move to 20.3 flatpack and the directory structure would be same and would work

https://flathub.org/apps/tv.kodi.Kodi

Mike952

Thanks gujal. I'll give it a shot.

Is there a protocol available for upgrading using flatpack?

Or, do I simply install (with flatpack) and transfer my userdata to the new installation?

A little guidance is appreciated.

Mike952 · 2024-02-02, 05:35

As it turns out, the SSD containing my original build continues to spiral downward. Last attempt, I was unable to mount/access original Kodi files. Kinda renders my questions (above) moot.

Short solution: All data (e.g., movies, videos, music, etc.) is stored on a separate HDD, and is in tact. Rather than continue to wrestle with the Linux Mint (20.3) boot SSD (containing Kodi 19.3), it is easier to just rebuild some of the Kodi Library links in the new installation. Movies, TV, and Music Videos are already back. I have lost a couple of playlists that will need to be rebuilt. And, I'm currently struggling to re-connect some of my fanart with my music. As I recall, originally that was a little confusing. I'll likely have some follow-on questions for the forum.

Anyway, cut my losses, and moving on.

Thanks for your kind assistance,
Mike952