* Installation on a new computer

[Robert129]

I have been fortunate to have received a new laptop as a gift

On my existing machine I have v5 and the updates and all CD's prior plus the keys.

I have just downloaded v4 from the web and all was fine until it asked for "Licence Name and Registration Key" exactly as given to you. I have checked my e-mails and cannot find any communication to me with that information.

I put my name in (Christian and Surname) and the key several times but I get an error message that one or both are incorrect.

I have tried the Key with and without the hyphen separating the groups and hopefully made sure that I have entered a zero.

Am I doing something wrong as I was then going to update to 4.1.3 and then v5 and all the updates.

The new laptop does not have a disk drive or a connection for an external one.

All help will be gratefully received.

[tatewise]

You only need to install the V4 to V5 Upgrade but with both the V4 & V5 licence details.
It is very important to keep those details safe because you have paid good money for them.

See the how_to:index#installation_guide|> Family Historian > Installation Guide for full details.
Especially the how_to:reinstall_family_historian|> How to (Re-)install Family Historian.
( I wish I had £1 for every time I've given that reference. )

Do spend some time reading through the advice thoroughly.

There is even advice about what to do if you have lost your licence details.

Also how to transfer all your Project data and customisations from PC to PC.

[Robert129]

Thanks Mike.

I do have the v4 CD and Key and v5 CD and key but the laptop I have just been given has no disc drive. It has installed v4 on the new laptop from the net but will not recognise my name or the Key.

I have read the link reference and it reads to me as if I have to install a CD. Am I missing something?

Robert

[tatewise]

When you say FH V5 CD I presume you mean V4 to V5 Upgrade CD.
But if it is a Full FH V5 CD then you should be able to download the FH V5 Free Trial and enter the V5 licence details into that.

Otherwise, I think you should be able to use your old PC to copy the entire V4 to V5 Upgrade CD onto a USB pen drive memory stick, and then perform the install on the new laptop from that.
You may have to locate a setup.exe file or upgrade_fh_v4_to_v5.0.7.exe or similar on the USB pen drive and run that.

Alternatively, beg, borrow, or buy a USB external CD/DVD drive.
You will need one for any other CD/DVD based software you may need to install.

Are you sure what have been given is Windows PC laptop, and not a netbook or tablet?

[Robert129]

Mike
Yes it is a V5 Upgrade I will try the loading onto a usb stick/ external hard drive and inputting from there. But if the new laptop is not accepting my name and key surely V4 has not properly loaded?

Will I not have a similar problem if I try to upgrade V5 over the top of V4

I believe it is a laptop as it is a Dell Vostro and works off Windows.

Robert

[tatewise]

As I said:
"You only need to install the V4 to V5 Upgrade but with both the V4 & V5 licence details."
You do NOT need to install FH V4.
Do spend some time reading through the advice thoroughly where it says

Unlike previous Upgrades, the Upgrade V4 to V5 product does NOT need the preceding Versions to be installed. It only needs the Upgrade V4 to V5 Licence details, and the previous Full V4 or Upgrade V3 to V4 Licence details.

[Robert129]

Mike

Have done exactly as you say.

Installed the free v5 download from the website and all went well until it asked for my name and key. V5 is easier to read as it has a diagonal line through circles to differentiate from zero's and "O's" I have tried the key with and without the separating hyphen between the groups but still no success.

Having re-read the guide and flow chart do I need to enter the v4 upgrade key as well and if so before or after the v5 key?

I am sure that the answer is simple but it is defeating me at the moment.

Robert

[tatewise]

Jan 02 Robert said

Yes it is a V5 Upgrade I will try the loading onto a usb stick/ external hard drive and inputting from there.

Jan 03 Robert said

Installed the free v5 download from the website

Robert please stop hopping from one strategy to another.

YOU CANNOT INSTALL THE V5 FREE TRIAL that only works with a FULL V5 LICENCE.

YOU MUST INSTALL V4 TO V5 UPGRADE CD with the UPGRADE V5 LICENCE and the V4 LICENCE.
It will automatically ask for them both as part of the installation process.

BUT AS YOUR NEW LAPTOP HAS NO CD DRIVE YOU MUST USE THE USB PEN DRIVE OR EXTERNAL CD DRIVE METHOD.

YOU DO NOT NEED TO INSTALL V4.

[Robert129]

Mike

Sorted. Thanks for your help. unfortunately not all of us are as technically competent or computer savvy as others so it may take us longer to appreciate the process.
Robert