Tip from Rich… 

by Rich Mueller, sales rep in ND, SD, MN, IA, WI, IL, and MI 

It seems that more and more departments are calling on how they should move FH to a new computer, laptop, etc. I tell departments that there really are two parts to this issue. The first step is installing FH on the new machine, and the second is moving the FH data files to the new machine.  

The second part is more of a Windows issue than an FH issue: “How do I move any files from one machine to another?” 

Remember that FH data files need to be the same version as the FH application or you will get an error message when launching FH. Do NOT back up FH from inside FH. Run the FH Backup Utility outside FH with all users logged out of FH. 

To backup your data files on your old machine, do the following. 

• Press the Windows Start button, then select Programs, then FIREHOUSE Software 5. 
• Select the FIREHOUSE Software 5 Backup Utility. Log in when prompted. 
• Check the components to back up. The main directories are the DATA and SYSTEM directories. If you have made any custom REPORTS and/or QUERIES, then make sure these are selected as well. 

Here is where the Windows issue comes in play. What device do I back up my files to? Floppies? CD? Tape? Use Laplink? Internet via email attachments?  Etc. You need to decide based on your circumstances. 

• Once you select a transfer method, enter the path and file name for the FH backup file. Uncheck the Auto-Generate file name. For this example we will backup to a series of floppies. Type a path like this: A:\FHBACKUP.FH5. Most backups will require a number of floppies. 
• Now, go to the new machine and follow the FH installation instructions that came with your FH CD. If you have Windows XP or 2000, the instructions are slightly different than Windows 98. 

Once FH is installed on the new machine, you can now perform the restore procedure: 

• Press the Windows Start button, then select Programs, then FIREHOUSE Software 5. 
• Select the FIREHOUSE Software 5 Backup Utility. Log in when prompted (since you do not have your DATA files on the new machine yet, you will have to use "GUEST" and "DEMO" to log in). 
• Click the Restore tab. Type the path and file name of the backup file that you generated above( e.g., A:\FHBACKUP.FH5). 
• Check Replace Existing Files, then press OK. This restores all the data and system settings you backed up onto the new machine. 
• Access FH at the new workstation. Change the database path to point to your live data, then access the Tools menu Workstation Options option, then click the Local tab and change the Database path to point at your live data directory. 

You have successfully completed the procedure