Okay, I'll admit I don't know what a drive image type backup is.  But the ideas seem very cogent.  Can you use the Win8.1 and Win10 backup programs and a 1 TB extension drive?  Would that do? From: Rick Van Dusen via <tmg@rootsweb.com> To: tmg@rootsweb.com Sent: Monday, October 5, 2015 12:18 AM Subject: Re: [TMG] New Computer Both repeating what I said and what Bob said: I'd recommend in this scenario, making a backup set (preferably a drive image) of the machine upon purchase (with Win 8.1--what I said) and immediately after the installation of Win 10 (what Bob said). This will give you relatively pain-free options should you have a problem. I'd also want to create a drive image backup after the machine is set up and running the way you want it (all apps installed and customized). Again, this will save you from hours or days of work and downtime should you have a catastrophe. Rick Van Dusen On 10/4/2015 7:10 PM, Russell Dorr via wrote: > That's good advice, and I will take it.  It seems my hard wire experiment is working thus far so I won't need to run out in a panic to purchase a new computer.  I'll get a new laptop with Win8.1 then upgrade immediately to Win10 before installing TMG, SS and any other programs. > Thanks again! > Bud >        From: Rob Geldart via <tmg@rootsweb.com> >  To: tmg@rootsweb.com >  Sent: Sunday, October 4, 2015 9:48 PM >  Subject: Re: [TMG] New Computer > > I had Win 8.1 on my PC for some time, but the upgrade to Win10 was truly > seamless, other than taking a fair amount of time. > I don't recollect that any programs needed to be reinstalled. And all my > folders were where I had them in Win8.1 > > However, I would agree with Rick's advice to install Win10 before > installing other programs. And create a backup disk. > > Bob > > On 10/4/2015 8:23 PM, Russell Dorr via wrote: >> I really appreciate all the support.  I have just hard-wired my internet connection to the router to see if that helps my access problem.  I am hoping it is my wireless card that is failing.  This will prove it...or not.  In any event, my computer is over six years old so I am definitely going to replace it.  I just talked to my son-in-law who is IT sharp, and he told me that Win10 is not yet available on the laptop he wants to get for me.  He can get a good laptop with Win8.1 and upgrade so if my direct internet hookup doesn't work, that's what I will do. >> Question: If I'm forced to purchase a new computer with Win8.1 immediately and I install TMG on it, what happens when I upgrade to Win10?  Is that a big problem? >> Thanks again for your support! >> Bud >> The TMG archive is found here: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index/TMG/ >> Instructions on how to subscribe to TMG: http://lists.rootsweb.ancestry.com/index/other/Software/TMG.html >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to TMG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> >> -- >> Bob Geldart >> Maynard, MA >> <BGeldart@verizon.net> > > > The TMG archive is found here: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index/TMG/ > Instructions on how to subscribe to TMG: http://lists.rootsweb.ancestry.com/index/other/Software/TMG.html > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to TMG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > The TMG archive is found here: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index/TMG/ > Instructions on how to subscribe to TMG: http://lists.rootsweb.ancestry.com/index/other/Software/TMG.html > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to TMG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > The TMG archive is found here: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index/TMG/ Instructions on how to subscribe to TMG: http://lists.rootsweb.ancestry.com/index/other/Software/TMG.html ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to TMG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Until my recent upgrade, I used a third-party program for this. My current Lenovo backup does, I believe, make an image. Beyond that, I don't know what's currently available. But here's what I'm talking about: There are basically two ways to copy the contents of a drive: 1. File-by-file. The result is that you have a copy of each file. This will save your files (good for saving/backing up your work), but a restore to a blank drive will not necessarily put the files back where they were. 2. Drive image or bit-by-bit. Every bit of data on the drive will be copied in a stream. A restore will put it all back "where it found it". This is necessary for files (and non-file data) which the operating system (or lower level function) uses to start the computer. The hardware will look for this data in a certain exact place on the computer, so it must be there and not somewhere else, or it won't work. When you put your Windows (or Mac or Linux) DVD in its drive and boot from it, that disk will begin its work by putting these bits onto the harddrive, so that it will be capable of booting the system thereafter. If you have an image of the drive, you can boot from a CD/DVD (my software has a bootable disc; the Lenovo makes the backup discs bootable) and simply restore the whole drive at once. If you have a file-by-file backup, you MUST reinstall the OS before copying files back, which takes longer and might lose some of your preferences. (You might also end up having to reinstall all your software.) But a file-by-file backup will probably save all your *data* successfully. Rick Van Dusen On 10/5/2015 5:25 AM, Russell Dorr via wrote: > Okay, I'll admit I don't know what a drive image type backup is. But the ideas seem very cogent. Can you use the Win8.1 and Win10 backup programs and a 1 TB extension drive? Would that do?

I think there is a big gap opening up between the experts and the busy but simple minded users who prefer to leave operating systems alone. I agree that one should read Terry's advice. But I think that there is a danger of over complicating the whole process. I did do a couple of things wrong but they were rectified and explained to me by experts on the Wholly Genes Forum in the section on TMG 9 - I suggest that you read those threads. You should have no need to worry about Windows 8 and 10. I bought a Windows 8 lap top. I copied the exe file to a stick, then to the new computer and installed TMG just as one would to any new computer. Like you, I was anxious about the upgrade to Windows 10 and arranged to have professional help from my seller. There was no need. Microsoft are rolling out the upgrade. I registered for the upgrade (from the lap top in question) and then waited until I was notified that my turn had come. The upgrade reinstalled all my software including TMG 9 complete with its serial number and files. All the software was installed just as it had been in Windows 8. As you can see from the threads on the Wholly Genes forum - there are three things that might go wrong. First, your new installation may repeatedly forget its serial number. When you want to open the software after boot up you need to right click on the icon and select run as administrator. Then enter your user name and serial number which will then be remembered. There is a kind explanation of why you need to do this on the Wholly Genes forum. It is the result of added security on the later issues of Windows, ensuring that significant alterations are made only by someone who actually identifies themselves as the administrator for that session. Next you may lose your custom settings for the TMG layout colours etc. etc. You need to transfer these by making a back up file ***.sqz that includes settings and data anbd then restoring it in TMG on your new computer. I did nothing to change the settings on the new computer and made no attempt to reproduce the paths I had previously used in Windows 7 when moving to Windows 8. I have customised task bars and lay outs - and if you too have these, you will find the Wholly Genes forum has the guidance I was given for copying them to the new computer. Again I used a memory stick and pasted them into the directory which already held the TMG files of the same type. It is helpful if you set your Windows to show the file type extensions. The default is to hide them. The final glitch may affect backing up. It is a result of the new paths (file arrangements) on the new computer. You need to alter them for each project by going into the File / Current Project Preferences/ Advanced and clicking on the dots in the back up line. One is offered the same opportunity to make an alteration to the back up destination if one chooses to back up on exiting the Project - but doing it at that moment has no effect. You have to do it via the file menu. I made no other alterations and it could well be that there will be some other details that need attention. But my policy is to leave the new Windows (8 first and then 10) to arrange things in its own way, to let it install itself and not paste in whole new directories. May be it was because I accepted the defaults that the subsequent automised upgrade to Windows 10 was problem free. Minor details of TMG installation are simple to rectify but fiddling about with the operating system is a different matter. I never made mirror images and dont understand what they are. I did however copy and or back up all my projects. If something does go really wrong, most modern computers have an option to return them to factory settings. I hope this is helpful and will reassure you. Evelyn Wilcock Genealogy site at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wilcock/