FH and Windows 8.1

camdave · Post by **camdave** » 24 Jan 2014 11:00

We have used FH for around five years and I understand that Version 5 is compatible with Windows 8. We are about to purchase a new PC with Windows 8.1 and intend installing a fresh copy of the program from a new CD, not upgrading.

Has anyone had any issues with 8.1?

Thanks

Post by **ColeValleyGirl** » 24 Jan 2014 11:19

I'm running windows 8.1 and FH 5.0.9 and have had NO issues.

You might find it helpful to review Move Family Historian Settings & Projects if you haven't already done so, to ensure all your settings and data are transferred to the new PC as you would wish them to be.

YouTube · Post by **Jane** » 24 Jan 2014 11:23

If you already have a V5 upgrade license, you don't need to install the earlier versions any way.

I have been using 8.1 for a while with no problems with FH, Windows 8 how ever can be a bit of a shock to the system. If you are not buying a touch screen PC, you might want to check out: http://www.howtogeek.com/167013/how-to- ... esktop-pc/

camdave · Post by **camdave** » 24 Jan 2014 12:49

Thanks for the prompt and informative replies. This is my wife's PC (I am stuck with Vista for a while). However, I will have to set it all up and then she can have fun learning how to use 8.1!

Post by **tatewise** » 24 Jan 2014 14:09

Just to clarify what Jane has said - if you already have a V4 to V5 Upgrade CD/download there is no point in wasting your hard earned cash on a CD.

Your V4 to V5 Upgrade Licence allows you to install on two PC.
You do NOT have to install any earlier versions on W8.1, just the V4 to V5 Upgrade CD/download.
Then finish off with the Free V5.0.9 Download.
See how_to:reinstall_family_historian|> How to (Re-)install Family Historian for full details.

If you and your wife want to share settings and projects, etc, then the following should be helpful.
fhugdownloads:contents:dropbox|> Utility ~ Dropbox or fhugdownloads:contents:microsoft_skydrive|> Utility ~ SkyDrive
how_to:move_settings|> Move Family Historian Settings & Projects
Plugin Backup and Restore Family Historian Settings

YouTube · Post by **Jane** » 24 Jan 2014 14:43

Just a note on the FH licence. It allows for two computers ONLY when they are for your own personal use and not used concurrently. If you your wife is using the program rather than you, you will need a second licence.

Post by **tatewise** » 24 Jan 2014 15:16

Yes, the key paragraph is:

you may install it onto 2 computers (and no more than 2) if both computers are owned and kept by you, and no more than one person ever uses the software at any one time.

See C:\Program Files (x86)\Family Historian\Program\Licence.txt for full details.
So the important phrase is: both computers owned and kept by you.
If you can claim that you own and keep them both (but let your wife use them), and that your wife, or you, or any other person, only use FH one at a time, then I would say that falls within the terms of the licence.

camdave · Post by **camdave** » 24 Jan 2014 16:15

Hi again,

Just to clarify my thoughts. We do not have the V4 to V5 upgrade so I intended to buy the boxed version and do a 'clean' install. The difference in cost between the upgrade and full CDs is about £12.50; probably worth it as I will be installing a lot of new software anyway.

I note the comments re. the licence.

David

Post by **tatewise** » 24 Jan 2014 16:32

Sorry, we assumed you already had Version 5 because your Profile on the left says so.

Depending on how you interpret the Licence terms you may have to buy two copies which increases the cost, but have a look at Want to give Family Historian as a Gift? (10942) and follow the link to the Calico Pie FH website where multiple licence downloads are offered at a discount.

Providing you keep a safe backup copy of the download files (on a CD if you like), the boxed versions rarely offer anything extra.
See how_to:reinstall_family_historian#installation_archive|> Installation Archive.

There is NO difference between a Full Licence install and an Upgrade Licence install as regards its "cleanness", whether from download or CD. The software is identical. It is only the way the licence is handled that differs.
See C:\Program Files (x86)\Family Historian\Program\Licence.txt for full details.

If the Software is an upgrade product (either purchased as such, or made available by Calico Pie as a free upgrade) that upgrades a previous version of Calico Pie Limited software, you must possess a valid license to the previous version. If the previous version was itself an upgrade, you must possess a valid licence to the version it upgraded, and so on for all prior versions. That is to say, if the Software is an upgrade product, you must possess a licence to all previous product versions from which this product is directly, or indirectly, an upgrade.

camdave · Post by **camdave** » 24 Jan 2014 16:43

You've just beaten me to it;
I logged on to say that having read the full notes re. installation and as has been said an upgrade CD would be OK unlike the old versions where the software must be pre-installed to enable an upgrade.

That's £12.50 saved - thanks.

Post by **tatewise** » 24 Jan 2014 16:48

The FH website download is £22.99 - can you beat that?

camdave · Post by **camdave** » 24 Jan 2014 18:21

Thanks again - once I get the new PC sorted I will buy the download, even more money saved!

David

RichardBtn · Post by **RichardBtn** » 06 Feb 2014 00:52

Coincidentally have just installed FH on my new Windows 8.1 PC. It was a convoluted process involving a special piece of software to allow me to install my original FH 2.1 CD-ROM, followed by my FH 3 CD-ROM then an upgrade patch from 3 to 4.1 (with registration keys all along the way). However, it seems to have worked and I have successfully opened my main file with FH 4.1 running fine under Windows 8.1. Are there and advantages to FH 5 that makes it work better under Windows 8.1 or am I okay sticking with 4.1 for a while?

Post by **tatewise** » 06 Feb 2014 11:10

One of the biggest advantages of FH V5 on any version of Windows, not just 8.1, is that it avoids that convoluted process.
You just install the V4 to V5 Upgrade and enter both the V4 and V5 licence keys and the job is done.
To me that alone is worth £22.99.

Calico Pie have had to fix some issues in FH V5 with Windows 8.0 & 8.1 and would continue to do so, but I doubt if they would fix similar issues with earlier FH versions.

The other big advantage of FH V5, again on any PC, is that it supports Plugins.
When transferring from PC to PC you need to copy not just your Project data but also all your customised Preferences, Diagrams, Reports, Queries, Records Window Columns, etc, etc.
The FH V5 Plugin Backup and Restore Family Historian Settings simplifies that task for you.

RichardBtn · Post by **RichardBtn** » 07 Feb 2014 00:52

Thanks for the useful information, much appreciated. You say I just need to install the V4 to V5 upgrade, is that only if I have a full copy of V4? As I said, my full copy of FH is v2.1.8 and I'm forced to start with that before I can install my updates. Would that be the same under v5? Again, thanks for your help.

BillH · Post by **BillH** » 07 Feb 2014 00:58

You only need the key that you got with the V3 - V4 upgrade and the key you got with the V4 - V5 upgrade.

You do not have to install any prior versions, just install the V4 - V5 update and enter the two keys.

See how_to:reinstall_family_historian|> How to (Re-)install Family Historian.

Bill

Family Historian User Group

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