backup versus GED file save

jsphillips · Post by **jsphillips** » 19 Mar 2012 11:12

I often travel with my laptop to friends to discuss genealogy.
I have 2 computers a standalaone with FH 4.13 and a laptop with FH 4.13.
I always add data and photos to the standalaone and periodically need to then update the laptop.
I have tried saving a GED file on the standalone and then importing on the laptop.
Occasionally I have done a backup from the standalone to a memory stick and then restored to the laptop.
Both ways copies the data and all files correctly but neither seems to copy the media over
What am I doing wrong please ??
I need to mirror my FH setup identically from the standalaone to the laptop
Thanks

John[smile]

ID:6021

Merenwen · Post by **Merenwen** » 19 Mar 2012 11:44

John,

I have the same setup. I have FH on my desktop and laptop. It's more common than you think and most people use a program/service called dropbox. But you can use a memory stick just as well (I do), provided you coppy all the files in the project folder, not just the ged.

I assume you are familiar with the setting transfer from here: http://www.fhug.org.uk/wiki/doku.php?id ... e_settings

As to the actual project, that is bigger than just the ged file. Issues with ged files, media and back-up has been discussed in details here: http://www.fhug.org.uk/cgi-bin/index.cg ... y&num=6007

johnmorrisoniom · Post by **johnmorrisoniom** » 19 Mar 2012 12:03

I run a similar setup, but have moved my FH projects folder to a 'Dropbox' folder.
This means that the gedcom, project file and all media are always available from both computers.
It is only the contents of the calico pie settings folder that needs copying. I use Microsoft synctoy to do this (or Live Mesh if you have windows 7)

sdl180 · Post by **sdl180** » 19 Mar 2012 12:18

I used a laptop, standalone PC, and I sometimes download source information from a different PC. As I don't always have access to the internet from my laptop, I have my genealogy data (including the Family Historian Projects folder) on a portable hard drive, plugged into whichever PC I am using, which I backup occasionally on the main PC. The only synchronizing I do is the FH settings which I don't change often.

Steve

jsphillips · Post by **jsphillips** » 19 Mar 2012 21:12

Thanks all kind souls.
I want to backup my project file onto a memory stick and then copy into laptop.
I assumed from help that this file might be in My documents/Family Historian
There is a folder therein with a fh end.
I have 4 proects but there only appears to be one project file which contains the various project GED files.

I only want to backup and then copy the 1 project to my laptop which should contain the media files. I do not want to use Dropbox just a memory stick.
Thanks
John[confused]

Merenwen · Post by **Merenwen** » 19 Mar 2012 22:41

I use memory stick at the moment. Trouble is that I keep forgetting to pack the thing and end up with a laptop with an out-of-date file!

If you do want to go for the memory stick, the trick is to find the file the media is residing in. Did you let FH copy the media into the project? Or did you link it? If you open the project so you can see all the images ok and go to Tools-> Working with External Links... what do you see? What folders is it listing? Those folders are the ones your images are in and those are not backed up in the FH back-up as far as I know.

pwe · Post by **pwe** » 19 Mar 2012 22:42

John,
Your project will, by default, be stored in 'my computer' 'Family Historian Projects'
When I wish to transfer a project to a memory stick I insert the memory stick. Then I open the folder 'Family Historian Projects'. I then right click on the project I wish to transfer and then select 'send to' and then 'USB device'
Works for me.

Peter E

Post by **tatewise** » 19 Mar 2012 22:44

The easiest way to copy a Project is to use File > Project Window, select the Project, then use More Tasks > Copy Project.

Then choose the Location for Copy by using Browse and selecting your memory stick.

There is one gotcha, which is the memory stick must already have at least one root folder (e.g. Family Historian Projects).
You must Browse to this folder, not just the drive letter (e.g. F:) which will NOT work.

All the above assumes you have self-contained FH V4 Project structures.
If not, then none of the copying methods will work satisfactorily for media that is not in the Project Media folder.

BTW:FH V4 Backups NEVER include any media image files wherever they are, not even in the Media folder.
It ONLY backs up the GEDCOM.

Merenwen · Post by **Merenwen** » 19 Mar 2012 22:49

Sorry John, just read your other post in Dagwoods thread. You have your media linked and not saved in the project. That's why the copy of the project folder does not transfer the images.

For the images to show on the laptop project, you must copy the images as well as the project from the desktop to the laptop. Then on the laptop, go into the Working with External Links and re-map to the correct folder on the laptop that the images are now in.

jsphillips · Post by **jsphillips** » 20 Mar 2012 14:15

Thanks all
I did it per Tatewise
I created a folder on memory stick called 'Family Historian Projects'
I then selected Project window ..more tasks..copy project ...browsed to my new memory stick folder 'Family Historian projects' and IT COPIED ALL.
Now how do I create a Brand New Project with this on the laptop ...with a brand new Project name. That is each time I do this copy from standalone to Laptop I want a new project..and then when successful I can delete old projects.

I have tried and it keeps saying for me to browse to combine data into existing...Al I want is a COMPLETE facsimile including Media onto my laptop
Thanks
John
[confused]

Post by **tatewise** » 20 Mar 2012 14:57

There are several alternative methods to get a Project from memory stick to laptop.

1) Use Windows Explorer and copy the entire Project folder from within Family Historian Projects on memory stick to My DocumentsFamily Historian Projects on laptop (or wherever your Family Historian Projects folder is located on your laptop).

2) Use FH File > Project Window > More Tasks > Project List > Choose Location for Projects then Browse to the memory stick Family Historian Projects folder. This should list your Project so you can use More Tasks > Copy Project and choose Location for Copy as your My DocumentsFamily Historian Projects folder on laptop (or wherever your Family Historian Projects folder is located on your laptop). When the copy is finished, use File > Project Window > More Tasks > Project List > and reset to your Family Historian Projects folder on your laptop.

3) Use FH File > Project Window > New Project and Browse to the memory stick GEDCOM .ged file and follow the process. This will create a Project from the GEDCOM and all linked Media image files, but any other project files will NOT be imported.

jsphillips · Post by **jsphillips** » 20 Mar 2012 15:19

thanks will try that
It is a pity that an automatic backup of project file to memory stick cannot be set up and then on receiving new drive an automatic restore of total project file. similar to Backup but not GED but complete project file !!
Wish list future perhaps
Thanks again
John
[smile]

YouTube · Post by **Jane** » 20 Mar 2012 15:42

The backup restore in V5 has the option to backup and restore the entire project folder, but personally keeping the folder uncompressed and using a good sync tool is generally quicker if your Project is of any size as media does not tend to change once added.

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