* Moving to a new PC

[Paws]

I'm struggling to move my FH trees to my new PC. I've downloaded FH itself and updated to 6.2.2 OK, my problem is understanding how to get my trees set up.

Reading the FH 5 and 6 Migration Guide on the FHUG knowledge base it seems I have to copy the FH files themselves to the new PC, rather than using the backups I did on my old PC - is that right?

It's really confusing me, because if something drastic had happened to my old PC and I wasn't able to go back to copy the FH files how would I ever be able to move my trees? Should I be saving copies of them as well as doing an ordinary backup? I feel I'm missing something here.

[Jane]

As long as you were doing "FULL" project backups you can use the File>Backup Restore>Restore option to restore them.

[Paws]

Thank you - worked perfectly. I was trying so hard to do it right by reading the Migration guide before I did anything I confused myself!

[tatewise]

There are several points raised there.

1) Backups

The important thing is that those Full Backups are probably on the same disk on the same PC as your FH Projects.

So as you say if "something drastic had happened to my old PC" then BOTH the Full Backups and your FH Projects would be lost for ever.

Therefore, yes, you must "be saving copies of them as well as doing an ordinary backup". See glossary:backup_and_recovery|> Backup and Recovery for full details of using external backup media.

2) Migrating PC to PC

Have you ever customised Diagrams, Reports, Queries, Plugins, Fact Sets, Focus Window View, Records Window Columns, Tools Preferences, etc?

If so, then just migrating your Full Backups or FH Projects will NOT migrate those customisations.

You need to use the Backup and Restore Family Historian Settings Plugin as described in how_to:family_historian_migration_guide|> Family Historian V5 & V6 Migration Guide to migrate those customisations.

3) Other Topics

The reason the how_to:family_historian_migration_guide|> Family Historian V5 & V6 Migration Guide talks about copying your FH Projects is that many users have more than one Project that will migrate in one copy operation of the Family Historian Projects folder. It is also guaranteed to be the latest database.

Whereas, each Project would have to be Backed-up and Restored separately using the the Full Backups method.

Do you intend to continue using both old PC and new PC with Family Historian? If so have you considered how to synchronise them?

[Paws]

Yes, I expressed myself badly - I backup to a portable hard drive and a USB stick, just to be absolutely sure!

I've managed to copy over the plug-ins etc.

I won't be synchronising the two laptops - the old one is on its last legs and expected to die very soon!

[tatewise]

OK, that is more reassuring.

When you say you have copied over Plugins, etc, I suspect you mean you copied:
C:\ProgramData\Calico Pie\Family Historian
As described in glossary:family_historian_program_data_folder|> Family Historian Program Data Folder.

Be aware that does NOT include all customisations and preference settings, as many are held in the Windows Registry.
See glossary:family_historian_program_data_folder|> Family Historian Program Data Folder under Tools Preferences, Core Diagram Settings, and Record Window Columns which include techniques for migrating, but the Backup and Restore Family Historian Settings Plugin does it all for you.

[Paws]

Thanks Mike, it looks like everything I need has been copied over - I hadn't done a lot of customisation. I'll have another look to make sure nothing's missing before I retire the old laptop.