* New computer and upgrading from Version 5.0.11 to Version 6

[EHerts]

I am about to buy a new computer which will run on Windows 10.

I have a disk for Family Historian 5, which states it is for Windows 7, Vista and XP.

When I get my new computer I'd like to upgrade to the latest update of Version 6, which won't be the same as buying Version 6 new.

How would I do this if my new computer doesn't have any of the earlier Windows versions? I regularly back up my tree as a Gedcom file, but it is the program which could be a proble.

[tatewise]

I am glad you have thought about this beforehand.
See the how_to:family_historian_migration_guide|> Family Historian V5 & V6 Migration Guide for full details.
If anything is not clear, then do ask before you start.

BTW: FH V5 will run on Windows 10 as stated in how_to:about|> About Family Historian.

Recent upgrades do not need earlier versions installed, but do need both the current and previous version licence keys.

The migration works best if both PC have the same FH Version installed.
So, I suggest you upgrade to FH V6 on old PC and new PC as per the guide.

You will need to transfer your entire Project structure NOT just the Gedcom, especially if you have Media images.

You also need to transfer all your customisations by using the Plugin as per the guide.

If you use AS then follow the ancestralsources:ancestral_sources_migration_guide|> Ancestral Sources Migration Guide.

You may want to synch your two PC afterwards.

[EHerts]

Thanks for your reply and the helpful information. I'll read it all and if I have any more questions I'll post again.
I'm not very good on the technical stuff, so I might need some guidance.

[EHerts]

I now have my new computer set up and Version 6.2.2 is installed on the new computer and the old one.

Do I now proceed to the Standard Migration Steps?

[EHerts]

I have been reading the instructions and I'm pretty sure I'm going to need guidance with this! I have been putting off doing this but I can't live without my family tree on my new computer.

[tatewise]

Happy to help, but exactly what guidance do you need?
Which steps are causing you a problem, and why?

[EHerts]

Just lack of confidence about what I shall be doing, really, Mike.

I'm going to have to disconnect my new computer first then re-connect the old one do do step 1. The File Links pane is the first thing I have to look at.

[tatewise]

What do your mean by "disconnect my new computer first then re-connect the old one"?
Can you not run them both together?
What are you disconnecting and connecting?

[EHerts]

I've only got one monitor so I've had to disconnect the new computer to work on the new one.

[EHerts]

I've just downloaded the Plugin Backup and Restore Family Historian Settings to the old PC.
I see I have to do the same for the new PC.

The next step after this is to run the Plugin on the old PC. Can I do that now before I switch over to the new PC again?

I have a Mirror Drive (J drive) where I have most things stored so would this mean I don't need to have both computers on concurrently?

[tatewise]

OK, understood.

So perform Steps 1, 2 & 3 with the old PC connected up.

If you use Ancestral Sources then see ancestralsources:ancestral_sources_migration_guide|> Ancestral Sources Migration Guide.
Use Tools > Options and ensure the three AS Folders are on Mirror Drive (J drive).
Use Tools > Backup A.S. Options to save its settings to Mirror Drive (J drive).

You don't need Step 4 because your Mirror Drive (J drive) carries the FH and AS files across.

Then perform Steps 2, 5, 6 & 7 with the new PC connected up.

You don't need Step 8 because you have only just upgraded to FH V6 with Internet Data Matches.
You don't need to consider synchronisation

If you use Ancestral Sources then:
Use Tools > Options and ensure the three AS Folders are the ones on Mirror Drive (J drive).
Use Tools > Restore A.S. Options to restore its settings

[EHerts]

Mike, many thanks for your assistance. That sounds not too difficult.

I'll try to do this later today. I can't do it now because I'm booked to watch the Findmypast Webcast at 4pm today on Social History for Genealogists, so I will have to wait until it is finished.

[EHerts]

I have installed the plugins on both computers but neither are giving me the prompt to run.

I click on where the plugin is downloaded and it tells me the plugin is successfully installed but no more. How do I run it, please?

I have to say I know nothing about plugins!

[davidm_uk]

Having installed the plugin you then run it from within FH. So open FH with your project then Menu....Tools....Plugins then select that plugin from the list and click Run at bottom left of the Plugins window. Follow the instructions. Don't forget to open the Options tab and set where you want the backup to be saved.

[EHerts]

Thanks, David.

Do I have to do this for each individual project as I have several?

[davidm_uk]

I "think" that the settings are common to all projects for the same user account on a PC, but some might be different if you have more than one user account.

Assuming that all our your projects are under your user login account then you only need to save them once, but maybe best to wait for Mike to confirm this (while I regularly use that plugin to backup my settings, I've never had to use it to restore them).

[tatewise]

Sorry, it never occurred to me that in nearly 4 years you had never run a Plugin.
Yes, you only need to run it once, as all settings are shared. (Unless you use FH from more than one Windows User Account.)

See plugins:index|> Family Historian Plugins which is one of the topics in how_to:key_features_for_newcomers|> Key Features for Newcomers that may be worth a look through.

I presume that the Tools > External File Links were all OK?

Are you happy with the Ancestral Sources migration?

[EHerts]

I'm having real problems with my old computer and have only just managed to open Family Historian. I have the Options tab open but nothing seems to happen when I click on the Choose Backup Folder tab. I have a view with 4 option starting Utilise dated sub-folders .
Not sure what to do next.

[BillH]

EHerts,

Hope I can help. Choose Backup Folder is not a tab, it is a button. Down below you can see which folder will actually be used for the backup. If you don't want to use that folder, then click on the Choose Backup Folder button and you can select the folder you would rather use.

[EHerts]

Thanks, Bill. I have done that.
What do I do next?
Elizabeth

[BillH]

Hi Elizabeth,

As far as the options go, Utilise Data Sub-folders allows you to keep multiple copies of the backup. Each backup folder has the date appended to the end of the folder name. If you want to use this, then tick that option. Otherwise each time you backup it will overlay your previous backup.

I would tick Allow Restore Registry Data so that all Registry items can be backed up and restored.

Leave the other two options un-ticked.

On the Backup tab, click on BACKUP all Family Historian Custom and Preference Settings. This will back everything up into the folder you specified in the options.

[EHerts]

Do I return to the Backup tab and click on the green box sayinf BACKUP all Family Historian Custom and Preference Savings?

[BillH]

Yes. I just want to make sure... you do have version 6.2.2 running on both computers, is that right?

[EHerts]

I have done that with my main tree open. I have several other tree projects for other people but if I have understood what was written above I don't have to do each one separately.

Many thanks for your help, Bill. I really didn't know what to do.

[EHerts]

Yes, both running 6.2.2.