* importing entire content of FH to new pc

[Laraine]

With apologies that this is so basic.........

Where can I find step by step instructions to transfer my Family Historian contents (all projects) to a new laptop. I do have the disc etc, v.6, and I have installed that on the new laptop this morning.


Many thanks
Laraine

[PeterR]

how_to:move_settings|> Move Family Historian Settings and Projects

[tatewise]

Hi Laraine, I have moved this to the FH General Usage Forum because the Importing and Exporting Forum is, as it says, for "Importing from or exporting to another genealogy program."

Migrating from PC to PC is a popular topic that many find awkward, so don't apologise for asking.
Peter's suggestion is partly correct and cross-refers to the Migration Guide below that is much easier to follow, and achieves the same objective, and gives tips to avoid common pitfalls.

See how_to:family_historian_migration_guide|> Family Historian V5 & V6 Migration Guide for step by step instructions and don't forget the ancestralsources:ancestral_sources_migration_guide|> Ancestral Sources Migration Guide.

If anything is not clear then do ask again rather than guess.

[Laraine]

Thank you to Peter and to Mike.
Now to point 1 of the Standard Migration Steps

"Ensure No files or folders have any X marks
Ensure drive letters such as C: are NOT listed in File Links
If any of these test fail, then stop and ask for help in the Forums"

I think I could be falling at the first hurdle - used snipping tool to copy what I see intending to post it here but can't figure that out either it seems!

[EHerts]

Mike very kindly helped me transfer FH to my new computer earlier this year. I couldn't have done it without his help.

This might help you:
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=14601

[Laraine]

Thanks Eherts! I must admit it is totally "doing my head in" I rashly said I would give one of my laptops to my grandchildren................only using it for FH adjacent to a newer laptop so it seemed sensible. We travel there(600 miles) tomorrow, and I am somewhat regretting my generous offer right now........although eldest granddaughter does need it for school work, I tell myself.

Going to Tools> External File Links as instructed, the first entries in the file structure show
C: and then a diagonal list of file/folder names with X through them! Just what I don't want to see, I believe!

Mind you, I don't think I have ever used a Plug in either, certainly none showing when I click on Plug Ins under Tools, that just says None found.

[Laraine]

HELP please!

As I have already said, I have turned to the Standard Migration Steps, as suggested.
Attempting to follow the first of these
"1) On the old PC use Tools > (Work with) External File Links in each Project and check File Links pane to:
Ensure ALL File Links are listed in Project Data Folder - Media.
Ensure NO files or folders have any X marks.
Ensure drive letters such as C: are NOT listed in File Links.
If any of those tests fail, then stop and ask for help in the Forums."

For my main project the External File Links shows
C: and then a list of Five files, each with a X through the box next to them. There are several others further down with no crosses.
The only guidance in the instructions is that I should ask for help in the Forum and that is what I am now doing!
Should I click on "Auto repair links" box, perhaps?

Many thanks Laraine

[tatewise]

Hi Laraine.
Regarding adding screen-shots see how_to:about#problem_reporting|> Problem Reporting third paragraph about FHUG Attachments.

The File Link X marks indicate that those Media cannot be found on your hard disk drive in the location listed.
So either you have moved your FH Projects or moved/deleted some Media image files.
In your current Project, depending on where they are used, those images/photos will be missing and just have a big X.
(Take a look in the Media Window and check the Media tabs of Individual and Source records.)
Thus, when you migrate to the new PC those Media images will not migrate and will be missing.

Initially, the best thing to try is the Auto Repair Links button as you suspected.
Report back whether that fixes them so ALL File Links are listed in Project Data Folder - Media without any X marks.

You need to download Plugins from the Plugin Store as explained in plugins:about|> About Family Historian Plugins.
Clicking on the Backup and Restore Family Historian Settings blue link in the Migration Guide will take you to the appropriate Plugin Store download page.

[Laraine]

Thanks Mike. I can happily accept that they are links that no longer exist. Sorted

That still leaves me with the query that there is C: showing at the top of the File Links for 2 projects. Does that matter?

[tatewise]

Is that still the case after using Auto Repair Links in each Project?

If the answer is yes, and there are no X marks, then those Media images are NOT in the Media folder within the Project, so will not be so easy to migrate to the new PC.

Are you sufficiently knowledgeable in using Windows File Explorer to move them, from where they are now, into the Media folder of the correct Project?

Then Auto Repair Links should fix them.

[Laraine]

Having gone through all the projects, I am sorry to say that there are still two of them - the biggest ones, naturally - that are clearly in the C: directory. I know that I should be able to move them myself, but I would really, really appreciate some guidance, please.

Laraine

[tatewise]

Laraine to avoid me double guessing, please give some more clues.
Are we talking about a lot of files, or just a handful, or are none of them in the Media folder?

What Windows version are you using? (e.g. 10, 8, 7, Vista)

How familiar are you with using Windows File Explorer - do you for example often Move/Copy files to USB memory sticks?

Where on the C: drive are the Media files located?
i.e. What exactly is the complete folder path from C: down to the files listed in External File Links.
Expand the window to show all the details (use the Maximise button top right or drag any corner) and post a screenshot here using Attachments tab or drag & drop Repeat for both Projects.
Are all the Media files together in one folder or scattered all over the place?

Where are your Projects located and what are their names?
The two screenshots from above will give me that info as long as the Current Project Folder box is included.

[Laraine]

It looks to me like none of them are in the Media folder
I am using Windows 10
I am familiar with Windows Explorer although I do not tend to use memory sticks, although I have plenty, I tend to go from one laptop to the other using Onedrive (365)

This is where the files are:
C:\Users\Laraine\Documents\Family Historian Projects\ALABFAMH
and here:
C:\Users\Laraine\Documents\Family Historian Projects\LILYand FLO

Is it feasible that I have the entire project in there and not just the media files?

I am very grateful to you for giving me your time; very frustrating I am sure. One thought does occur to me, I have a contract with Geek Squad, basically a tech company who can take over the computer with my permission and move it all for me..................if I am totally clear about what I want them to do, and where I want them to move it. Would that make any more sense? Its a 24/7 operation so I could call them this evening.

I will post this now and then attempt to sort out the relevant screen shots.

Many thanks
Laraine

[Laraine]

It looks to me like none of them are in the Media folder
I am using Windows 10
I am familiar with Windows Explorer

Not good news - it has taken no less than 14 screen shots to copy the main project path

[tatewise]

Ok well just post one for each project showing the top part of the External File Links window.
(You can only post 3 per FHUG reply.)

[Laraine]

2017-06-18 (1).png (73.99 KiB) Viewed 11572 times

this is the first screenshot of 14 that represent main project

2017-06-18.png (74.43 KiB) Viewed 11572 times

first screenshot of second project, only one last line missing.

[tatewise]

That is not as bad as I had expected, and only a handful of files are incorrectly located.

For the ALABFAMH Project most Media are correctly located in the Project Data Folder - Media folder as shown from halfway down your screenshot, so only the John A to Augusta...jpg and Myrna Pacquette.jpg need moving.

To do that move for John A to Augusta...jpg file :-

1. Open File Explorer and adjust it to occupy the left-half of your monitor
2. Navigate to Documents\Alabaster\Alabaster\Alabaster Media for FH\Certificates\Marriage\IV as shown in File Links so you can see the John A to Augusta...jpg file
3. Open another File Explorer and adjust it to occupy the right-half of your monitor
4. Navigate to Documents\Family Historian Projects\ALABFAMH\ALABFAMH.fh_data\Media which is your main Project Media folder
5. Then navigate down to the sub-folder where the above file should belong
6. Right-click the John A to Augusta...jpg file on left and choose Copy
7. Move cursor to blank part of chosen Media sub-folder on right, and right-click and choose Paste to add that file to that folder

To do that move for Myrna Pacquette.jpg file :-

1. In left File Explorer navigate to Documents\Alabaster\Alabaster\Alabaster Media for FH\Photographs\IIC as shown in File Links so you can see the Myrna Pacquette.jpg file
2. In right File Explorer navigate to desired Media sub-folder where the above file should belong
3. Right-click the Myrna Pacquette.jpg file on left and choose Copy
4. Move cursor to blank part of chosen Media sub-folder on right, and right-click and choose Paste to add that file to that folder

Now if you use the FH Auto Repair Links button the C: drive paths should vanish and the two files be listed where you pasted them.

When you have done that we can tackle the other project which needs a little more work.

[Laraine]

Thank you once again Mike.

I have followed your instructions in their entirety but, when I return to FH and the External File Links, then press Auto Repair Links, there is no alteration in the layout. Maybe I need to close the program and restart it..............
Can I assume that it is correct, or at least OK, that the whole path actually begins with C: ?
As you are aware, it goes C:\Users\Laraine\Documents etc etc etc From what was said earlier, I thought I had the whole program in the wrong place.

[tatewise]

Sorry, I have double-checked and the Auto Repair Links button is not quite as smart as I thought.

In the left-hand File Explorer please Delete the two .jpg files into the Recycle Bin.
(Where they can be retrieved if necessary, but should not be needed.)

Then use the Auto Repair Links button - (no need to close and open FH).

If you look carefully the Project Data Folder is not in the C: drive, but alongside, and that is perfectly OK.

[Laraine]

Fantastic Mike. Very many thanks! What's more, it actually makes sense to me!

Now that I (we!) have got that sorted, I think I will take a breather for now. The Lily and Flo tree is far less important - it is really just a subset of what I have in the Alabaster tree - the thought of losing any of that one was a matter of concern! One way and another, I think Lily and Flo (the grandchildren in question) can wait a bit longer for a laptop of their own!

Incidentally, and I may well have mentioned this to you previously, we have Scott in my husband's Hake family - in fact he is Stephen Scott Hake - the name having been used as a second forename since Matilda Scott married James Hake in Dulverton, Devon in c 1817. Where are your Scotts from?

Whoops - sorry folks, I can see this is a new thread entirely. I leave it to you Mike to discuss it further elsewhere should you be interested. Once again, many thanks for all your help.

Laraine

[tatewise]

OK, I will be busy tomorrow, so we can resume on Tuesday.

I suspect the LILYandFLO Project has its history in Windows XP?
It has none of its Media files in the Project Media folder!
Also if it is truly a subset, then it maybe can be scrapped?

My Scott connections are much further north.

[Laraine]

Yes, it would likely go back as far as XP ! I think it can be scrapped.
Thanks again for sorting me out ! I think that will suffice for now I will regroup and rethink!

Laraine

[tatewise]

OK, but I suggest you review those folders external to the Projects that are 'related' to FH.
e.g.
...\Documents\Alabaster\Alabaster\Alabaster Media for FH\...
and
C:\Documents and Settings\Laraine\My Documents\... must be inherited from Windows XP, because ever since Vista, that C:\Documents and Settings\ folder has become the C:\Users\ folder, so that whole folder structure needs a review and the files migrated to the C:\Users\ equivalents or discarded.

I presume you understand why Media links based on those absolute C:\ drive paths won't migrate easily to another PC.

Whereas, Media links rooted to the Project Data Folder relative path will automatically follow the Project folder wherever it goes.