Family Historian User Group

My old computer is grinding to a halt and I am about to take possession of a new laptop. I know folks are going to say that I should have archived the various upgrade downloads etc - but I can't find much. I have a CD from way back of v3.0.0 upgrade, an upgrade CD to v3.1.2, then a long gap to an email this Feb from Calico Pie with the Licence Details for Family Historian 6 Upgrade (Download) (v5 to v 6.0.0) including a link to the .exe file (which I didn't keep a copy of!). I did keep a copy of the upgrade from v6 to 6.0.4 for what that is worth.
So a bit of a failure - but what do I do to get my copy of v6 onto the new laptop? Can I copy across all the program files - will it work from the exe. file there?

Martyn, what can I say? You knew what to archive, but didn't do it!!!
No, you cannot copy the program files, but must install from the downloaded .exe file you say you have not got.

However, things may not be all that bleak.
At worst you may need to buy a brand new licence for FH V6.

However, to install your purchased FH V6 upgrade on a new PC you only need 3 things (the old CD's are redundant):

• The download FH V6 .exe installation file.
• The FH V6 licence details (that you have).
• The FH V5 licence details.

You need to Email Calico Pie as advised in how_to:family_historian_licence_problems|> Family Historian Licence Problems to obtain your missing V6 download and missing V5 licence details. Give them as many details as possible about both your V6 and V5 purchases.

The full installation advice is in how_to:reinstall_family_historian|> Family Historian Installation Advice.
To move from PC to PC use the how_to:family_historian_migration_guide|> Family Historian V5 & V6 Migration Guide.

If your old PC is in danger of failure, it is urgently much more important that you backup your FH Projects and Customised Settings as identified in that Migration Guide by using the Backup and Restore Family Historian Settings Plugin NOW, and then backup the Family Historian Projects folder to external media NOW! If you do not do that, and lose your data, then Calico Pie or a new V6 program will not help you.

This may sound smug, but it is because of this very problem that I buy the CD's and keep them safe. I then use the "How to (Re)install..." from the KB on new PC's/Laptops.

Good luck.

Roger

Roger,
If you backup the downloaded installation .exe file and the Email containing the licence details onto a pen-drive memory stick or a writeable CD, then they are just as safe as buying a CD, but significantly cheaper. Nevertheless, it is quite common for users to say they have lost the CD &/or the printed licence details that came with the box, so that method is not foolproof.

Since FH V5 you only need to keep the latest purchased version installation file (not the free upgrade) and the last two version's licence details.

Furthermore, if the download and licence details are archived as advised in how_to:family_historian_installation_details#installation_archive|> Family Historian Installation Details > Installation Archive then they should be included in your regular Documents backup regime as suggested in glossary:backup_and_recovery|> Backup and Recovery. I believe this method ensures that ALL your important documents, including Family Historian Projects & Customisations, and Installation Archive, are preserved together.

I am suitably admonished - and will change my habits on archiving licence details etc! Many thanks for your advice, Mike, and also many thanks to the good folk at Calico Pie who have sent me a new temporary link to re-download the software.

It is great to have such a responsive forum - and a good company behind the FH software!