I have the BEST idea for using PAF on your laptop and syncing with your desktop. I got the idea here.. PAF will install on to a pendrive. I gave my wife as a present a pendrive as a present with PAF already installed. She takes it to the FHC, or plugs it into her laptop or her computer at home. We have PAF 4 and 5, and PAF Insight on the pendrive and have plenty of space. On 7/30/05, Dick Cazier <dcazier@comcast.net> wrote: > Gary and Rollie, > Thanks to both of you for your very clear and concise instructions and > comments. > Dick > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Gary Templeman" <gtempleman1@comcast.net> > To: "Dick Cazier" <dcazier@comcast.net> > Cc: <PAF-5-USERS-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 2:25 PM > Subject: Re: [PAF-5] ?moving PAF to new computer > > > > See inserted comments. > > > > Gary Templeman > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Dick Cazier" <dcazier@comcast.net> > > To: <PAF-5-USERS-L@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 12:31 PM > > Subject: Re: [PAF-5] ?moving PAF to new computer > > > > > >> Hi Group, > >> Somehow I missed this thread or deleted it, thinking I didn't need to > > worry > >> about it. I have now purchased a laptop computer to take with me on > >> research trips. So I need to transfer/copy, or whatever term is > >> appropriate, my master file (over 32,000 individuals) from my tower > > computer > >> to my laptop. Both computers have Windows XP Home Edition, with Service > >> Pack II installed. My need for help is about the following items. > >> > >> 1. Downloading PAF5. I have the setup file still on my tower computer > >> desktop. Should I transfer that file to my laptop and install from > >> there, > >> or is it better to go directly to the website and download from there? > > > > If you have a broadband connection it is probably a wash, but with dial-up > > it will definitely be faster to transfer from the desktop to the laptop. > > The > > file is the exact same file, so the source doesn't matter. The choice is > > totally your preference. BTW, I suggest making a folder on the hard drive > > (NOT on the desktop screen) called downloads, and store all the downloaded > > program installation files in sub-folders within the download folder. That > > will help uncluttered your desktop screen, and saving the install files > > means you don't have to navigate to the web site and download over again > > should you need to re-install (unless a program has been updated). > > > >> > >> 2. Moving Data from one computer to the other. I plan to put my entire > >> database on the laptop initially. I want to be able to add information > >> to > >> either one; mostly the laptop, while traveling for research purposes, and > >> then transfer it to my tower computer. I know there has been much > >> discussion concerning the importance, or lack of importance, of RINs and > >> keeping them the same for each individual when info is transferred. > >> Until > > I > >> actually experience transferring and adding new data, then transferring > >> it > >> back to the other computer, I'd like to keep existing people with > >> constant > >> associated RINs and newly added people winding up with the same RINs > >> after > >> transfers in either direction. I'm afraid transferring the data via a > >> GEDCOM won't maintain the RINs like I want them to. > > > > Correct. Go to File_Backup and make a backup file, then take that file on > > a > > CDE, flash drive or the multiple floppies to the laptop, start PAF 5 and > > go > > to File_Restore. Select the file you just created (say, cazier.zip) and go > > through the restore process. It will transfer EXACTLY as you have it now, > > RIN's, etc. Remember to also manually transfer any folders of multimedia > > to > > the exact same path on the laptop if you want the links to work. > > > >> > >> Can someone give me baby step instructions on what kind of files to > >> create > >> and how to transfer them. My tower has a CD-RW drive and my laptop has a > >> DVD-CD ROM drive. I also have a 3.5" floppy drive in each computer, but > >> using a backup file still takes more than one disk to hold the data. > >> > >> Thanks for your help. > >> Dick Cazier > >> Lakewood, Colorado > >> USA > >> > > > > The biggest potential problem I see is in keeping the data in sync. If you > > accidentally take a backup from the computer with older data and restore > > it > > on the one you have been using for data entry, all the new data will be > > wiped out. Even having a historical backup will not replace the lost > > entries. While it is possible to use something like PAF Insight to keep > > things in sync, it is definitely safer to pick one computer and stick with > > it, or be absolutely religious in keeping a record of which computer has > > the > > most current information if you do not want to be doing the same data > > entry > > 2 or more times. > > > > Gary > > > > > > > > ==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List ==== > PAF-5-USERS Mailing List Archives > http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/PAF-5-USERS/ > >