This page updated 9 Jan 2012
Version note: Applies to TMG 8
TMG 8 is a totally separate program from TMG 5, 6, or 7. That means you can have both the new version and older ones installed on your computer at the same time – there is no need to uninstall the old version before installing the new one.
In fact, users should not remove there prior version until they have successfully transferred all existing Projects and customizations to version 8.
By default, TMG 8 is installed in a separate location from earlier versions if one exists on the computer (the default is C:\Program Files\The Master Genealogist v8, or, if you have a 64-bit version of Windows, C:\Program Files (x86)\The Master Genealogist v8). If you choose a different installation location than the default, be sure to not use the same folder that was used to install an older version.
TMG 8 by default creates new folders for Project data and for configuration files created when you make various settings within the program. Wholly Genes recommends that users storing their data in custom locations also create new folders for TMG 8.
The easiest way to transfer existing Projects and configuration data to TMG 8 from from TMG 5, 6, or 7 is to create a backup of their project in the older version, and then Restore the Project in TMG 8. If you have customized features such as layouts, report definitions, toolbars, etc., they can also be transferred to TMG 8 by using Backup and Restore. Doing so automatically places the various files in appropriate locations. The section below provides suggestions on how to best do that.
The default file locations used depends on the operating system installed on the computer. For example, all user data – Project files, backups, exhibits, report definitions, report outputs, filters, accents, etc., are stored in the following folder, or a sub-folder of it:
|
Operating
System |
Default Folder Location
|
|
Windows Vista
Windows 7 |
C:\Users\{user}\Documents\The Master Genealogist v8 |
|
Windows XP
Windows 2000 |
C:\Documents and Settings\{user}\My Documents\The Master Genealogist v8 |
This places these files in the "The Master Genealogist v8" subfolder of the normal "Documents" or "My Documents" folders used by most familiar applications.
For advanced users who might have reason to care about such things, certain configuration files, such as layout and toolbar files, button images, and frames, are stored in one of the two locations listed below for each operating system:
|
Operating
System |
Default Folder Locations
|
|
Windows Vista
Windows 7 |
C:\ProgramData\The Master Genealogist v8
C:\Users\{user}\AppData\Roaming\The Master Genealogist v8 |
|
Windows XP
Windows 2000 |
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\The Master Genealogist
v8
C:\Documents and Settings\{user}\Application Data\The Master Genealogist v8 |
If you have one or more Projects created in a prior version that you want to use in TMG 8, you will need to create a Backup of each one in the older version, then restore it in TMG 8. Accents and Filter definitions are considered part of Projects and can be transferred with them.
If your Project includes external Exhibits, be sure to review the comments below about transferring them. If your exhibits are internal they are automatically transferred with the Project files.
If you have customized such items as Layouts, Toolbars, Report configurations, and Backup/Restore configurations that you want to use in TMG 8, you need to create a Backup of them in your older version, and Restore them in TMG 8. Note that you can include both a Project and the customizations in a single Backup. If you will be transferring multiple Projects there is no need to repeat these customized items with each Project; you only need to transfer them once.
Because of conflicts in certain information between TMG 8 and prior versions, the settings made in Preferences > Program Options cannot be transferred by the Backup/Restore process. The best way to transfer them is to open TMG 8 and your prior version at the same time, open Preferences in each, and compare the setting in the two, making changes in the new version as you like.
The first step is using the Backup wizard in the prior version to create the latest backup of your files. Open the Project you want to transfer. Then use the File > Backup command to open the Backup Wizard:
At Step 1, choose "Backup All" to transfer both a Project and your customizations, such as Layouts, etc. Choose "Backup Project" to transfer only a Project.
Click Next to advance to Step 2:
Note the location where the Backup file will be placed in the "Select backup file" field, so you can locate it later when you use it to Restore in TMG 8. If you prefer to place it in some other location, uncheck "Generate archive name automatically" and either type in the desired location, or click the [ ... ] button to navigate to the desired location.
Click Next to advance to Step 3:
To transfer the Project, use the items in the "Project items" box:
Always check the "Project data files" - those are your actual Project files.
Default Location – If you have external exhibits that are located in a single folder in the default location for the prior version, be sure check "External exhibits."
Another Location – If your exhibits are located elsewhere and you want to keep them in their current location, leave this item unchecked. The restored Project will access them where they are.
Tree of Folders – If your exhibits are located in a tree or in multiple folders do not check this item. The Restore process will place them all in a single folder, in the process overwriting any files with duplicate names.
To transfer configuration settings you have made in your prior version, check the appropriate items in the "Program items" and "Advanced items" boxes. Be sure to include all custom items you have created and want to transfer, but observe the following cautions:
There is no point in checking Preferences > Program Options, because they cannot be Restored in TMG 8, as explained above.
It is best to leave unchecked items you have not customized to avoid unnecessary "Overwrite this file" warnings when restoring. For example, if you have not created any custom toolbar icon images, do not check the "Icons for custom toolbars" item.
If you have created a custom Language, it is probably better to use the Export/Import feature on Languages to transfer them to TMG 8, rather than checking the "Language translations" item here. That maintains the new translations for all the standard languages. For more on this see my article on the Language Module.
You should not check the "Web search config files box," since that feature has been considerably revised in TMG 8.
After all the items you want to transfer are selected, continue through the Wizard and complete the backup.
Next, open TMG 8, and use the File > Restore command to open the Restore Wizard, observing the following points:
When the Select Backup screen opens, find the backup you made with your prior version. This screen opens to the default location for TMG 8 backups, so you probably need to navigate to where the Backup was placed. It will be in the location specified in Step 2 of the Backup process, as described above.
At Step 1, select the type of Restore that corresponds to the Backup you made in your prior version – "Restore All" or "Restore Project."
If your backup includes Exhibits, the exhibits restore path will be set to the default TMG 8 exhibits folder. You can customize this path if you wish.
Finish the Restore, wait as TMG 8 makes the necessary updates to the files, and your Project is ready for use.
If you have additional Projects you want to transfer to TMG 8, repeat the Backup and Restore process for each of them.
Advanced users can open Help, click on the Index tab, and find the topic "Data File Storage." That article and the linked pages provide information about some advanced options.
The Second Edition of my sell-out book, A Primer for The Master Genealogist, is now available.
Details are can be seen here.
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