Best way to upgrade to PC version 11.5 on new computer

[jebest11]

We are currently using PC version 8.5 on a windows XP computer at our church. We are doing a major "refresh" and moving to brand new computers running windows 8 and will upgrade to PC version 11.5 at the same time. What is the best way to install the PC 11.5 software on a single new windows 8 computer?

1. Install PC version 8.5 on the windows 8 computer, then install the 11.5 upgrade.
2. Backup the 8.5 data from the XP computer, only install the 11.5 on the windows 8 computer, then load/restore the data from the 8.5 backup onto the windows 8 computer?
3. Other options?

Thanks,
John

[tborgal]

John,

Option 2 can not be done because you can not restore a backup from older versions into new versions. What I would do is to install 11.5 on the XP computer and let it update your data from V 8.5 into 11.5. Then do a backup of the data in 11.5. Install 11.5 on the new machine and restore the backup to the new installation.

[NeilZ]

I second Tom's advice ... that is the safest way of doing it.

Some advice about installing on Windows 8 .. DO NOT let the system install to the C:\Program Files(x86)\ directory, this will cause problems with networking the 'server' machine to the clients.

Install to the C:\Powerchurch\ directory...

To do this, when the system asks if you want to install to the C:\Program Files(x86)\Powerchurch\PC115\ directory, just move your cursor to that line and just delete the Program Files(x86)\ and leave the rest.

Also, networking the system is somewhat different than 8.5 .. there is a chapter in the Powerchurch manual that will give you the full details on what you need to share on the 'server' and setup in the client. I'm not sure if it covers the installation on Win 7/8 for the clients, but the same holds true for the installation directory for the client .. do not let the client install files to the Program Files(x86).

[jebest11]

Thanks Tom and Neil. Exactly the information I needed and I'll follow your advice. John