* Moving to New PC

[canberra100]

A newbie to your forum so please don't shout too loud if I am posting in the wrong area.

I imagined it was fairly easy to transfer software and projects to new PC (which I now have) until I read Mike Collisons post a little earlier. It filled me with a little trepidation.
I am looking to upgrade to V5 iminently from V4. Will it be easier to load V4 on my new PC and transfer everything or upgrade to V5 first, does V5 have better software for this task. I am going for the download option to upgrade, once installed will it be possible to transfer it to a dvd as a back up or is this not allowed.

Many thanks
Peter

[tatewise]

You would be advised to wait until your have upgraded to FH V5 on your old PC, because V5 does have much better features for migrating from PC to PC.

You are wise to consider making a secure backup of the downloaded upgrade file.

See the how_to:index#installation_guide|> Family Historian > Installation Guide and all its sub-sections, especially how_to:reinstall_family_historian|> How to (Re-)install Family Historian.

FH V4 to V5 Upgrade is much easier to install on a new PC because you do NOT have to install earlier versions.

FH V5 has a new Plugin feature, one of which simplifies the transfer of all your customisations and preferences, most of which are NOT stored in your Project folder.

One preliminary check worth doing is to use Tools > Work with External File Links and check all links start Project Data Folder - Media rather than a disk drive letter. This allows the Media to be moved from PC to PC without breaking the file links.

[canberra100]

Many thanks Mike,

I just need to load V4 on the new pc and forget the previous versions, a bonus. It's good to know I can put the v5 download onto a dvd, I just like to see it there infront of me.

One other question, can I change the name of a project without causing too many problems with the files.

Many thanks
Peter

[tatewise]

I think you meant to say "just need to load V5 on the new pc".

The best way to rename a Project is to use File > Project Window, select the Project, and use More Tasks > Rename Project.

Regarding DVD, as the how_to:family_historian_installation_details#installation_archive|> Installation Archive suggests, you should also put your Licence Details (Licence Names and Registration Keys for V4 & V5) on the DVD.

[canberra100]

Many thanks for the advice, onwards and upwards.

Regards
Peter

[tatewise]

You are right to view migrating from one PC to another with a little trepidation.

It focuses your attention on what backups you have in case things go awry, and also highlights the distinction between your document files & folders that can be copied across, and program applications that must be installed, often needing licence keys (where did you save those downloads and licence details?).

Microsoft realise you need some help, so provide a free utility called Windows Easy Transfer to copy all your documents (not just FH Projects) and your Windows user Account settings.

What this does NOT include is your program applications (such as Family Historian itself), which must be installed, nor most of the Windows Registry settings and some other Program Data files.

This is where the FH V5 Plugin Backup and Restore Family Historian Settings comes to your aid.
On your old PC it copies all FH Windows Registry and Program Data settings to your Project Backup folder.
These are copied across with your Projects to the new PC using Windows Easy Transfer or any other file copy method.
Then on the new PC the Plugin can restore all those FH settings to their rightful location.

Also don't forget Ancestral Sources (if you use it, and if not, then why not?) which has Tools > Backup/Restore A.S. Options which offer a similar capability to preserve your settings.