* Backup/Restore options

[Robert]

I would appreciate advice please on the various backup options available in my copy of FH v 5.0.11. I want to be able to protect my work in the event of a complete loss of computer functionality.

If I need to replace my computer I do have a CD to reload FH on a new machine. However, which of the various backup options - (i.e.) Small backup (Gedcom only), Medium backup (Project File and Project data subfolder only) or Full backup (Entire project folder) – do I chose to save to a USB drive now to be able to restore this on a fresh copy of FH?

I am not altogether clear what data is/is not included in the various backup options and specifically, what the difference is between a medium backup (project file) and full backup (‘entire’ project file).

Thank you

Robert

[tatewise]

Robert, first a little housekeeping, nothing to do with your question, but your Profile on the right of your posting.
Click your username Robert top right of this web page and choose User Control Panel.
Then on its Profile tab, select your Family Historian Version 5, and scroll down to click Submit.
Thereafter you do not need to remind us which version of FH you have.

As a general overview see glossary:backup_and_recovery|> Backup and Recovery which is one of the topics from how_to:key_features_for_newcomers|> Key Features for Newcomers.

In FH click Help > Search Help, enter Backup, click List Topics, and display the Backups entry, which describes the three backup types. If that does not make any sense to you, then ask here again.

The best way to understand what needs preserving, should you need to replace or rebuild your PC, is to inspect the how_to:family_historian_migration_guide|> Family Historian V5 & V6 Migration Guide, but only follow the steps applicable to the Old PC or Both PC.
Effectively, you have already completed Version 5 Migration Steps from A) to D), but make sure that not only you have your installation FH V5 CD but also know the V5 licence key, and if it is an Upgrade from FH V4 that you know the V4 licence key too.
Focus on Standard Migration Steps from 1) to 4) as the later steps are for New PC.
What is important is the consideration of Media files, and the preservation of preferences & customisation settings that most users overlook.

You will see that none of the FH built-in Project Backup options are used at all.
This is because users often have more than one Project.
e.g. Family Historian Sample Project and a main Project and perhaps subtree small Projects.
Each would need a separate FH built-in Project Backup and each would need copying.
Whereas by copying the entire Family Historian Projects folder it is all done in one go and includes the crucial backup of customisation settings that are NOT included in a Project Backup as explained in glossary:backup_and_recovery|> Backup and Recovery above.
That advice also emphasises that you should consider all important documents, not just FH data files, and to use backup media external to your PC.

[Robert]

Hello Mike,

Thank you for your reply.

Gosh, this is confusing – unnervingly so for a less experienced computer user!

I’ve read what you have said and read where you suggest and come to the conclusion that I need to undertake the following – but please correct me if I’m wrong.

On my current computer go to File > Backup/Restore > Full Backup (Entire Project Folder) and save to an external drive (i.e.) USB ‘stick’.

On a new replacement computer load FHv5 from CD then File > Backup/Restore > Restore Backup (from the USB ‘stick’) Then go to http://www.family-historian.co.uk/downl ... ad-archive for an upgrade to FHv5.0.11

From your notes I have one concern. I have the product key for my copy of FHv5, but I do not have this key for any earlier version; I first purchased Family Historian in 2003 (?) but only upgraded once (to V5 in 2010).

Robert

[tatewise]

Robert, we seem to have got our wires a little crossed, and yes it can be a little confusing.
Originally you asked about creating backups in case you needed to replace your computer.
Now you are describing actually migrating to a new replacement computer.

Can you please clarify whether you just need insurance backups, or whether you are actually migrating to a new PC now.

Certainly File > Backup/Restore > Full Backup (Entire Project Folder) is one important backup.
But just as important is the Backup and Restore Family Historian Settings Plugin to preserve all your preferences and customisation settings.
It is also important to work through the steps 1) to 3) in how_to:family_historian_migration_guide#standard_migration_steps|> Standard Migration Steps to ensure everything will migrate successfully when that day comes.

If your first purchase of FH was in 2003 then it would have been Version 2.
See how_to:about#version_history|> Version History.
You could NOT have updated to Version 5 in 2010 as it was not released until Mar 2012.
Nevertheless, if you updated from Version 2 directly to Version 5 you would have bought a Full Licence and not an Upgrade Licence that was only valid if you had Version 4 previously.
So you will only have need for the one Version 5 licence key.

[Robert]

Hello Mike

I wish to have a backup (and update it frequently) of my family history work which is then safely stored on an external drive in the event that sooner or later (probably sooner) my aging XP computer crashes and is beyond repair. So I guess you would call that an insurance backup.

If I’m correct, you are suggesting that, in addition, to backing up the Project Folder (see my previous submission), I also download the Backup and Restore Family Historian Settings Plugin and backup the preferences and customisation settings.

Come the day I replace my computer, in addition to restoring my Project Folder (as above), I download this Settings Plugin onto the new PC to restore my preferences and customisation settings.

I seemed to have the dates wrong; I purchased v5 in 2012!

Thanks again.

Robert

[tatewise]

Hi Robert, yes, that is essentially correct.

But do perform the Standard Migration Step 1) to ensure all your Media are included in the Project backups.

The Plugin backups are crucial because none of your customisations are included in Project backups.

The recommended method is a slight variant on what you have described.
The Plugin backups should be located in the ...\Documents\Family Historian Projects\Backup folder, so they sit alongside the Project folders.
Typically you will have more than one Project, even if one of them is only the Family Historian Sample Project.
You would have to repeat the File > Backup/Restore > Full Backup (Entire Project Folder) on each Project.

So it is usually easier to backup the entire ...\Documents\Family Historian Projects folder to some external media, and that will include the the Plugin backups and every Project folder in a single operation.

Likewise, on the new PC, copying that one folder onto its internal drive will restore everything you need in one go.