hp60md:

You have to understand that unlike Access, the database files you keep referring to are SQL databases. But, they link or work with the SQL Server Express engines. You can but should NOT simply move the folder or databases witout disconnecting these.

If you feel comfortable that ALL of your data is on your laptop, go to the Vista machine that you want to install your main program on. Uninstall everything AC. Uninstall the program and any databases. Go to the other machine. Uninstall everything AC.

Now go to the machine that you want to be your main machine. Install V4 just as you would for the first time, SQL Server and AC, everything. When it gets to the part of migrating data, don't. It should be a virgin install as if you haven't even started your practice yet.

Now go back to your old laptop and go to the AC folder. Right click on Amazing Utilities and choose Run As Administer. (If that option isn't available, then just left click -- AC recommends elevating it to admin status). You will see the goofy IT guy and the three selections. Ignore Mr. IT and the three selections. At the top of the window is Advanced Options. Click on this and then select: Detach and MOVE databases. It will give you an opportunity to browse and move them. I would browse to your "main computer" and move them to the desktop. If you can't move them there, then move them to an external hard drive. If you don't have one, buy one. Today. At Best Buy or Staples or somewhere!

You could have moved them directly to the AC folder on Vista, but then you are committed to that working correctly. With them on the desktop or external drive, you have your data and can play with it as you need to. Technically, you can connect that folder to the SQL engine on your Vista using Amazing Utilities there. So, that is one option. Just put the folder your moved with the databases on the Program Files or the root drive and you're good to go. The second option is to now copy and paste the "free" databases to the brand new AC folder on your main computer and let them overwrite the databases there. Either way, you will need to let Mr. IT guy reconnect the databases to SQL Server. The files you need, which will of course be in the folder you moved are the three databases with both the .mdf and .ldf files, Data001, Illustrations and ImportedItems. You may need to manually move your Imported Items.

By the way, once you move the databases from your old laptop to the new Vista machine over the net or to an external hard drive, then back it up to 50 DVDs or external hard drives. I am exaggerating here, but you get the point.

Once everything is working on your new setup, then uninstall everything AC on the laptop and reinstall and connect.

It really would help to get either XP Pro or Vista Business or Ultimate. Home belongs at home.

Also everyone should stop thinking in terms of backing up AC only. Backing up AC is an afterthought, a bonus, and a quick way to restore. I hate to say mission critical, but it is. BACK UP YOUR ENTIRE SYSTEM. Back it up multiple times in multiple places. Backup your "server" every night. On top of that, backup AC and other small modules you may have. And, with SQL, I, personally, would never upgrade or make a major change with only the AC generated .enc file. I need something I can SEE.

FYI: The Amazing Utilities will also allow you to detach and move the whole folder. This is another option, but I think hb would do better moving just the databases.

Bert
Pediatrics
Brewer, Maine