* Cannot get two computers to match

[donone]

I have been away for over a year and cannot remember all the terminology, please excuse.
Laptop Windows 7 : Desktop Windows 8.1. FH 5.09 on both. Backup & Restore Plugin 1.8 (Tatewise)
For the same project, loaded from the same source the laptop shows everything as I left it. The new Desktop PC shows 'bare bones' FH.
I used the Backup & Restore FH Settings Plugin on the laptop and then restored on the Desktop.
I received an error during restore suggesting that no version information was saved in the backup.
The folders under Data/Calico Pie seem to now be the same including Plugins (don't know if they installed??)
Running the project from Desktop does not show, in the Individual Records window, the extra flag columns I had added.
Unfortunately I cannot even remember how I did it on the laptop to begin with.
I presumed that the backup of settings (which did not appear? to save registry keys) would set the two FH programs to identical settings.
1. Is there some other settings that do not get transferred that could account for my problem?
2. Could some kind soul give me a hint to save me probably a week of relearning everything from scratch.
What I really need is a way to get both copies to be identical.
Thank you.

[Edit] In the Dos window I also receive UNC paths not supported (I use a NAS to store data and backups). I thought I read that NAS is supported.

[tatewise]

Hi danone.
Some FH settings such as Record Window Columns and Diagram Defaults are stored in the Windows Registry.

If you ran the Plugin Backup and Restore Family Historian Settings with its default Options, then the RESTORE tab Registry Data Keys button would have been greyed out, and thus prevented restoring the Windows Registry settings.
This is because some users are naturally nervous about writing to the Windows Registry, but the Plugin only writes the same settings as FH does itself.

So you have two options:-

(1) Play safe - do NOT Restore the Windows Registry settings - but transfer all the missing settings from laptop to desktop manually.
See how_to:understanding_scope_of_features#windows_registry|> Understanding the Scope of Features > Windows Registry for details of these settings.

(2) Bite the bullet - use the Plugin, and on its Options tab, tick Allow Restore Registry Data, then the Restore tab will let you use the Registry Data Keys button.
Take care to follow the popup instructions, because the Plugin and FH must be closed before the final step, otherwise the Windows Registry will not get updated.

The fact that all the Plugins have been restored (and presumably appear in the FH Tools > Plugins window) suggests that the NAS access worked.
Have all your custom Diagram Types, Reports, and Queries also been restored?
NAS should be supported, but as I do not have any NAS devices, I have relied on others to confirm it works.
Exactly what is the full path including device name that you entered into the Plugin Choose Backup Folder and is displayed in Status against Backup Data?

[EDIT]
If you cannot get NAS to work, then simply copy the entire Backup Data folder to any local drive, and run the Plugin using that local copy.

[donone]

Thank you for your assistance.
I did select to backup/restore registry. On restore I got this message...

2014-01-30_164950.jpg (69.02 KiB) Viewed 12592 times

so I did not get the popup that you mentioned. You can also see the path to the NAS. I then exchanged the path for a mapped drive pointing to the NAS with the same result.

As for the backup I got these messages...

2014-01-30_164446.png (62.94 KiB) Viewed 12592 times

2014-01-30_164522.png (44.85 KiB) Viewed 12592 times

The final message (I could not attach more than 3 images) with a stack trace indicated that ...\registry.keys: no such file or directory exists. Presumably because the registry keys were not saved.

Any further assistance would be appreciated.

[tatewise]

All the indications are that the NAS drive is working OK (but there may be a timing issue mentioned later).

I also note that you have chosen to Utilise Dated Sub-folders via the Options tab.

If a Backup fails as shown by your last screen-shot, then any Restore from the same folder will also fail, just like your first screen-shot.
The date-time stamps on the screen-shot file-names suggest that this may be the case.

It is essential that identical FH Versions are installed on both laptop PC and desktop PC.
Also the Computer Name of the two PC must be different.

The sequence of operations should be a successful Backup on the laptop PC, then a Restore on the desktop PC.
Has the Backup operation ever succeeded in the past, or is this your first use of the Plugin?
If the Backup persistently fails to save the Registry.keys to the NAS device then it may be a timing problem.
Try performing the Backup to a local laptop drive based folder, then copy the folder via the NAS drive to a local desktop drive, and run the Restore from the local desktop drive folder.

Please check the following using Windows Explorer:
The Backup Data folder such as \\NAS310\...\FH Settings yyyy-mm-dd\ should contain a Family Historian folder.
That should contain folders equivalent to C:\ProgramData\Calico Pie\Family Historian\ plus the two files Registry.keys and Version.data.
This last file if opened with a plain text editor such as Notepad should contain the text Version 5.0.9.3
Presumably you will have several similar dated sub-folders of backups.
Try choosing one dated earlier than today.

The only other point worth making is that the Plugin has not been tested by me on Windows 8.0 or Windows 8.1 and I have assumed that the Windows Registry structure for FH details has not changed.

[donone]

Thank you again for assistance.
Both FH versions are the same. Computer names are different.
I did discover that the NAS was on a different network workgroup from the laptop. As it turned out that made no difference because the plugin still did not work over network.
I tried a mapped drive for the NAS and that didn't work either.
I took your advice and copied the backup from laptop local drive to PC local drive and all went well!!!

I selected dated sub folders to avoid overwriting any previous backup that may be saved.
It is the first time of using your plugin (thank heaven for it).

I noticed, as mentioned, that the DOS box says that UNC is not acceptable and that it seemed not to like the fact that the project folder (at the time of opening your plugin) was on the NAS (\\nas310\...) which is where I keep and work with the project to be common to both laptop and PC. It automatically reverted to 'Windows'.
You may also be interested to note that it is difficult to know when the job is finished...
89 files were processed and all stopped leaving the Close key lit up as if it could be pressed. It then went on to complete to 210 files and the dialog looked the same as before. May I suggest greying out the Close key and disabling it until completion.
So all went well and Restoration was also fine including registry keys. I tried from the laptop direct using shared folder but failed (simply?) because I forgot to give write privileges to the share. (I suspect it would restore from the laptop as a shared folder).

Thank you again.

[tatewise]

Thank you for the feedback, and I understand all your explanations.
I agree the main dialogue should be disabled while the Backup or Restore is incomplete.
Usually everything happens so quickly it is not significant, but when things go awry or are slow then it matters.

I would like to try and get the NAS capability working, so would you be prepared to help?

The problem is not related to simply copying files to the NAS, but to running the Batch File in the Command Prompt window to Export the Windows Registry keys.
If I can understand what is going wrong, I may be able to come up with a solution.

The first step would be to run the Plugin, and on the Options tab tick Enable Diagnostic Mode.
Choose a folder on the NAS device and perform a Backup.
The black popup Command Prompt window should stop with Press any key to continue ....
Please expand this window as much as possible and post a screen shot of its contents.
Finally press any key to close Command Prompt window, untick Enable Diagnostic Mode, and close the Plugin.

[donone]

Very happy to help.
Screenshot attached.
I did this on the PC not the laptop.
You will observe that it appears to have worked OK except for not finding a file (line 1) and the message outside the box showing some more missing files.
I do not understand that, but it looks like you do NOT have a busy weekend ahead!!
If it works here then the fault must be something to do with the laptop not the plugin.
My PC is a fast PC (3GHz) and the delay is noticeable but only 2 seconds. On the laptop (1.2GHz) and old, about ten seconds.

I feel sure you are relieved at this outcome, if there is anything else please ask.

2014-02-01_183803.jpg (153.3 KiB) Viewed 12514 times

[tatewise]

That is indeed a good outcome.

The File not found message is expected if you have not created any Custom Diagram Types.

The external image files cannot be found message relates to icon or background image files referenced by customised Standard Diagrams.
If you use the View Image List button it should list which Standard Diagrams reference which missing files.

It does look as if the slow laptop PC has triggered the Plugin time-out (about 8 secs) on running the Export Registry Batch job, when accessing the NAS drive.

I would like to try either a longer time-out, or a different Batch job technique, to get the slow laptop working with the NAS drive.
I will be in touch when I have decided exactly what to try.

[donone]

OK ready and waiting. On Monday night I disappear for a week so either before or after.

[tatewise]

For your own sake please check the external image files cannot be found message.
It seems as if on the laptop PC you have used Diagram icon images or background pictures that are NOT in the C:\ProgramData\Calico Pie\Family Historian\Icons folder.
These have NOT automatically transferred to the desktop PC because identical file paths do not exist.
See the ImageList.txt file and the image files in the Backup folder for details.

The simplest test on the laptop PC would be to increase the Export Registry keys time-out.
Please use FH Tools > Plugins and click the More>> button so extra buttons appear on the right.
Select the Backup and Restore Family Historian Settings Plugin and click the Edit button.

In the editor window use Edit > Go To Line > 935 and click OK.
That line should read: fhSleep(200,100) that pauses for 200ms and is repeated at least 40 times.
Please change it to: fhSleep(2000,100) so it pauses 2000ms = 2secs giving at least 80secs time-out.
Then use File> Save and close the editor window by clicking its red X top right.

Now run the Plugin on the laptop PC with the Options tab Enable Diagnostic Mode ticked and using the NAS device for backups as you did from the desktop PC.
Hopefully the long time-out will allow everything to work OK, and you can simply Press any key to continue ... to close the Command Prompt window.
If there are any errors reported then please take screen-shots if possible.
Thank you for your help.

[donone]

Sorry for the delay.
Thank you for the warning, I will locate the files and sort it.
Your change solved the problem with the laptop thank you and Registry keys were saved; to NAS.
The only problem was the missing icons, which will be a simple job now that I know.

Ant test in future please feel free.

[tatewise]

So it seems it is just a timing issue with a slow PC - NAS access.
Could you give me some idea of how long the Export Registry Command Prompt lasted.
It must be some time between about 8 secs and 80 secs.

In any case it certainly gives me some ideas for future Plugin improvements - thank you for your help.

[donone]

Sorry for the delay, I have been away, and today I am in and out but will monitor this.
Windows 7 Laptop to NAS.
I don't know if timings can be relied upon because of the security prompt that appears twice during the backup.
The time was 30sec and at the end I discovered as before that I could not move the main AS window. Investigation showed that it was because another window was still open but it was either off screen or behind the main one. It was entitled External Image File and my only avenue was to close it from the taskbar.

The security prompt was due to no signature on the .bat file. It appeared when first run and OK allowed the command prompt to open, leaving the 'press any key...' message, which I do not respond to.
At the end of the backup the registry part then brings up the security prompt again, OK clears to the second command prompt then I start counting cursor flashes and it tells me of the missing file/s as previously discussed (I haven't had time to clear that up yet) and then at 30 flashes (about 1 sec each) the registry information flashes and completes quickly once the first registry message appears. Then I get the freeze due to the hidden window.
I do not have the laptop set for two screens with only one present so it is not the cause.
If you require anything else please let me know.

[johnmorrisoniom]

Did you realise that you can use the key combination "ALT+TAB" to change focus. This will usually bring any hidden windows to the front. I quite often have this problem with the "retain data" and "Donate" pop ups on closing AS if I have switched focus to another window in the meantime.

[tatewise]

Not only can you use Alt+Tab but simply clicking the Task Bar Icon for the window (as ringed in red below) should bring it to the fore. Scroll this image down to see it all.

BackupAndRestore.png (75 KiB) Viewed 12376 times

All popup windows such as External Image File, below the main Plugin window, should overlap it slightly, not hide behind it.

I have produced an interim Plugin V1.9 that can be downloaded from my SkyDrive via Backup and Restore Family Historian Settings - V1-9.
It has a slightly different name, so will install alongside the current Plugin V1.8, but uses the same settings.

You will see from the image above that its Status panel is slightly different.
The Plugin now handles Tutorial Files and per User Plugin Data settings.
It also implements some new techniques to improve support for NAS drives:
The Close Plugin button is made inactive until the Backup/Restore is complete.
The Command Prompt Registry timeout has been extended to at least 30 seconds (hopefully long enough).
The Command Prompt .bat file is now always executed from the local C: drive to avoid the security prompt and should run faster.

Please let me know how you get on with it.

[johnmorrisoniom]

Mike FYI, clicking on the task bar icon does not always bring a hidden pop up window to the front, just gives the focus to the main window, whereas ALT+TAB brings the pop up to the front.

[donone]

Thanks for the advice. However, clicking the taskbar icon brings up the three window images one above the other and clicking the desired one works for two but not the one in question. I am not in a position immediately to try the alt tab but I cannot see any overlap.
Anyway I will try the 1.9, probably tomorrow, which sounds good.
Thanks for the responses.

[donone]

Pleased to report that v1.9 worked perfectly with both diagnostics on and off. All settings saved OK to NAS mapped drive.
It took 25 seconds from reporting the missing files (of previous discussion) to completing the registry backup.
Anything further , let me know.

[tatewise]

That seems to be a great outcome.
I presume that putting the Command Prompt .bat file on the local C: drive avoids the security prompts?

You say the Command Prompt Export Registry batch job ran for 25 seconds AFTER the External Image File message box appeared, but how long did it run BEFORE that?

Nevertheless, in Backup mode, the External Image File message box should NOT appear until after the Command Prompt Export Registry batch job has finished. So something is still not quite correct.

I have a modified Plugin V1.9 that can be downloaded from my SkyDrive via Backup and Restore Family Historian Settings - V1-9.

Could you please run this in Backup mode to see if the Command Prompt Export Registry batch job finishes BEFORE the External Image File message box appears.

Could you also try this Plugin in Backup mode on both your slow XP laptop and the faster desktop PC?

Thanks again for all your assistance.

[donone]

This will be done sometime tomorrow, but meanwhile I reran the plugin and seem to have the original RED error shown my much earlier post.
I am not sure what is wrong. I looked in the registry and could not find HKLM...FH\2\preferences but could find it under HKCU.
Although it was very fast, the first cmd window something like HKLM query something /s I would swear says 'not found' as it disappears.
It would be so much better if FH did not use the registry in this way and used a file so it could run from a usb memory stick.

I presume I should leave that cmd prompt until the end before pressing a key.
As I say I will look into it tomorrow and try making copious notes.

[tatewise]

I presume you mean the Registry Export Error, which confirms what thought that the timing is still a bit dubious.

The Windows Registry is quite mysterious.
If you have a 64-bit PC then the key is actually:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Calico Pie\Family Historian\2.0\Preferences
but the Wow6432Node part is automatically inserted by the REG EXPORT command!
( It means Windows on Windows 64 / 32 bit Node )

Yes, let the Command Prompt window finish before doing anything else, except of course pressing any key if Enable Diagnostic Mode is ticked.

[donone]

Hello again.
I will do the test on the desktop computer after this.
New day, no errors with 3 attempts as below, something must have gone wrong yesterday that a restart may have solved if I had done so.
Used the newest version, on the laptop, Windows 7.
Cmd prompt, 4 secs to 'press any key'. Did so.
Main dialog... diagnostics off... Backup path on NAS direct (not mapped drive).
Pressed Backup
Message 'data already exists (on NAS) almost immediate. Pressed YES.
Cmd prompt.
2 secs to 'File not found' twice i.e. NAS Backup path... Diagrams\Custom\*.fhd* This folder is indeed empty as it is in the C drive ProgramData\Calico etc.
25 secs to operation complete message
2 secs to Registry.keys-1 and -2 messages then 'press any key'

I did not press a key because I was writing notes, but after a while the message 'External Image File' Notice appeared anyway, as it had on an earlier test when I did press any key.
The external images are icons that reside in a sub folder to 'Public' which resides alongside the proj file on the NAS.
The Registry holds that data correctly and the path shown in the log for this dialog shows it correctly but indicates presumably that the icons cannot be found.

I re ran the test but this time using the proj data from a memory stick but still backed up on the NAS, Perfect again and perhaps you would not expect any difference anyway.

Does *,fhd* errors (2) indicate that my project should have some diagrams and they are missing?
Why does the message refer to them as missing from the backup location rather than the C drive data area?
Why can the icons not be found?

[donone]

Test run on Desktop PC Windows 8.1
Set up as before, direct to NAS, no diagnostics.
Cmd prompt almost instant to 'press any key'
Main dialog Pressed Backup
During this I got two new messages about keeping or deleting old files etc. Kept all new files.
Instant to files not found.
6-8 secs to operation complet, messages then flashed by, presumably Registry.keys-1 -2
Cmd prompt window closed without any key press and it was so fast I could not see that message anyway.
Closed plugin main dialog.

I hope this is of use.
I think yesterdays error must have been a fluke, the computer had been on all day and maybe something got stuck, switched, locked or one of a thousand other things that happen all the time.

[tatewise]

That all appears very satisfactory, and thank you for the notes and timings.

I have two comments below, one on Enable Diagnostic Mode and one on External Image Files.

(1) Enable Diagnostic Mode
If this is ticked, then every Command Prompt window should say Press any key to continue . . ., and in V1.9 you have 2 minutes to respond (but in hindsight I realise that there should be no timeout in Diagnostic Mode).
If this setting is NOT ticked, then every Command Prompt should run to completion, or the 2 minute timeout expires with a Plugin Registry Export Error message.
The Plugin remembers this setting, and when next run will apply it to every Command Prompt window until changed.

In your notes you sometimes had "diagnostics off" and yet still got the "press any key" message.
That is mysterious, because I have never experienced it, unless with a Command Prompt error message.

(2) External Image Files
The File not found message for non-existent Custom .fhd files is OK.

The Plugin is searching all Standard and Custom .fhd files, and the Registry Core Diagrams, for references to Box Icon and Diagram Background image files.
Any such files NOT in the C:\ProgramData\Calico Pie\Family Historian\Icons folder must be copied to the Backup Data folder separately so they can be restored later.

It searches the .fhd files in the Backup Data because those are what could be restored, even if they no longer exist in the C:\ProgramData\Calico Pie\Family Historian\Diagrams folders.

A big problem with such files is that they are referenced by full explicit file paths.
This is usually OK when restored on the same PC as the backup, because those file paths will usually still exist.
However, when restored onto a different PC, those file paths will probably NOT exist, so the files must be restored and the Diagrams adjusted by hand.
See plugins:help:backup_and_restore_family_historian_settings:the_faq#are_there_any_limitations_to_using_the_plugin|> Plugin FAQ for more details.

[donone]

Thank you for the added useful information. For the present at least I am OK with what you have explained and my situation, which was of course resolved at the beginning of this.

I have rechecked and all the tests I did today were with diagnostics off. I did not get the error you speak of.

If there are any other tests you would like, now or in the future please do not hesitate to ask.