Family Historian User Group

Hi there.

Two days ago my laptop crashed big-time and I could only get it up and running again after doing a reset. This essentially re-installed Windows (version 10), keeping all my personal data, but removing all applications. All my Family History files, folders etc look fine, but I would appreciate some advice now to make sure I do the re-install of FHv6 correctly without overwriting or losing anything.

I have the licence key for v6 - can I just install the trial version and enter the key, or do I have to install earlier versions as we used to have to? I have v2 and v3 on disc, plus registration keys for v5 and v6, but I don't seem to have anything for v4.

Will the re-installation overwrite my existing file structure / data ? It is backed up anyway but are there any further precautions I should take?

I make use of a lot of icons in my diagrams, which are controlled by queries within the Diagram dialogue box. What is the best way of getting these back without have to write them in again? I have Full project backups, plus some charts (fhdx) and all my custom queries (fhq) backed up if they are any use.

Many thanks for your help.
Regards,
Sharon

Mike has done detailed instructions in the Knowledge base.
how_to:family_historian_installation_details|Install Family Historian

I assume you have a V5-V6 upgrade, if so you need to install the V5-V6 upgrade program from the CD or the safe copy you made of the installer, if you did not make one an email to support@family-historian.co.uk asking for a new link is normally quickly answered, just remember to include your full name and the email you purchased on, especially if it's changed since you purchased.

When installing you will be asked for the V5 and V6 licences.

On your diagrams, if you saved them a custom diagram types you should be able to recover them by ticked the default option when you have the custom one displayed. If you did not do that prior to this failure once you have put them back in I recommend doing so, or using Mike's Backup plugin to backup your settings.

Thank you for your help Jane. I had seen the Knowledge Base page you gave me the link to but I was confused by the reference to v4/5 (which I stupidly thought was a version in itself). Thank you for clarifying this for me.

I have read the page carefully and followed some of the links which seem to apply to me but I still can't find an answer to my question as to whether the installation will overwrite the folder structure and data files which were left untouched when I reset my PC. I've made a full copy of the structure and files now just in case.

I'll do the installation today.

Thank you again for your help.

Don't worry, installing the program will not affect your data files.