Family Historian User Group

I have just replaced my Laptop with a Net Book with no disk drive and would like to install Family Historian on it.  I have the disk for Version 2.1 and the Upgrade for version 3.0.0.  I have tried copying the disk on my external hard drive, but I can't get the programme to install.  Any ideas?

ID:6340

If you still have access to another computer on the same network that has a cd drive, you can share the CD drive, then install across your network.

When I got my netbook, the first think I did was to get a usb DVD writer. First reason was so I could make copies of all the recovery disks, second was to load software I only had on CD/DVD [smile]

If you can get access to another hard drive via a network, you could make .iso copies of your disks to a shared network folder, and then mount them on your netbook using freeware utilities (e.g. MagicIso).

Another possibly cheaper solution is to buy a Family Historian Full V5 (Download) for £36 from Calico Pie website.

This could be directly downloaded to your Net Book, or copied from any other PC using a USB pen drive/memory stick.

You get all the new features of FH V5 into the bargain.

I do have access to another Windows 7 computer with a CD Drive, but I can only share files not the drive. I have copied the CD to a file on the other computer, but it still won't load.

I do not have access to a usb CD Drive and I don't want FH 5, as I am very happy with the version I have.

If your Windows 7 PC is 64-bit you may be running into the problem explained here How to Install on 64-bit Windows 7.

Assuming your Netbook is 32-bit then try copying the setup_fh_v2.1.exe (or similar) file to the Netbook and run it there.

Then do the same for the upgrade_fh_to_3.1.2.exe (or similar) file.

If you can share Files then you should be able to share its CD Drive.
Right-click on the Drive letter and choose Share with > Advanced sharing or choose Properties > Sharing tab.
Then follow the Advanced Sharing options.

Assuming you have an early version of V2 and 64bit windows on the net book then you will need to use a CD backed installer and you will need a CD drive to do this.

Another way would be to use some CD burning software on your other PC and create an ISO image of the install CD. Then use a programme such as PowerISO on the netbook with the iso image you have just created stored on a memory stick and do an install from there.

The Laptop with the CD Drive is 64-bit as is the Netbook. FH is version 2.1.6 and I have downloaded the Installer.

I am having trouble sharing the CD Drive of the Laptop, I have done as suggested and the Laptop shows the Drive as being shared, but I can't find the Drive on the Netbook and when I insert the CD it just comes up on the Laptop.

Joan, can you remember how you set-up shared Files between Laptop and Netbook?
It should be similar for the CD Drive.

I am not familiar with Netbooks, so can anyone else help?

Tatewise, I have done that but the CD Drive does not appear on the Netbook with the other files and folders.

These instructions are for Win XP, the names under W7 may be slightly different, I haven't got my W7 machine handy.

If you open windows explorer on the netbook.
In the left hand pane click on 'My Network Places'
Choose 'Entire Network'
Choose 'Microsoft Windows Network'
Your desktop machine should be shown under one of the workgroups shown, as should your netbook.
Navigate to the desktop machines folder, and the CD drive should be showing (as will all shared folders).

Make sure the disk is in the drive on the desktop, and cancel the installation when it starts , but leave the disk in the drive, and you are ready to go

I have now managed to get my Windows 7 Desktop CD Drive to be accessed from my Netbook, but when I run the CD Backed Installer from my Netbook, even though I can see the files on the CD I get a message on a small window called CD-Backed Install 'CD not found. Retry' then a message Installation Failed.

As I said I don't think the CD backed installer will work with out a physical drive, but you could try installing http://www.slysoft.com/en/virtual-clonedrive.html on the net book and creating an ISO from your CD on you desktop (most CD burning software can do this) and then using that.

Personally I would have thought it would be easier to just buy a new copy of V5 and install that on both computers.

I bought a netbook last year and immediately realised how much I missed the CD drive. Three days later and £6 less in the bank and Amazon delivered a nice little unit that is doing everything I need re ripping CD's, downloading programs etc.
Dagwood