Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Updating main PC

We are planning to upgrade our current main PC (WinXP pro Quad core, 4 RAM, ) to a newer Win 7 pro, Intel 7i, 12 RAM next week.
We have 9 client PCs in the TCP/IP network.
We have an IT person helping us doing the upgrade.
We have 3 interfaces running (2 labs and 1 Practice management) running.
Any special considerations to be take into account?
Any tips.
Would it be as easy as copying the whole AC into the program files of the new PC?

I have successfully used these steps:
1. Use Amazing Backup (in the AC folder) to create an .enc file on your present main computer (including Imported Items).
2. Do a fresh "main computer" install of AC on the new main computer.
3. Start AC, and go thru the steps to create a new AC account (this acct is merely a space-holder on the new computer, no real info is needed, since it will be overwritten by the .enc file containing your actual practice database).
4. Run the Backup Restore Utility on the new computer (in the AC folder) to install the backed up database (.enc file) you created in step 1.
5. Use Amazing Utilities (in the AC folder) on each client computer to Reset Path. Then start AC on each client and navigate to the new main computer's AC database
6. When everything is working, repeat step 5 on the old main computer (so you don't in error enter data on the old database).

You will have to go through install/update each of the interfaces- with PAML you have to have them send you the program/information to install it so that it will download to your new computer. If you forget and continue turning on the old computer it will continue to download the labs onto the old machine in the old directory.

GAMA,
Please listen to John and Steven. Whatever you do, do NOT just try to copy your AC file.

Dr. Arjona,

I agree with everyone. Moving the SQL databases isn't always the best way to go. If you do, then either turn off SQ Server (Amazing Charts) in services or do it using the Amazing Utilities. You could also use SQL Server Management Studio, but I doubt you would be familiar with that or you would't be asking this question.

John is dead on, but I would add a couple of things. For some reason, and I don't know why, AC will ask for the database tuner even though you are not updating. I would do the following.

1. Make the backup as John said
2. Put the appropriate database tuner and the .enc file on the new computer.
3. Do NOT do anything with your old system. If you screw it up, you want it sitting there. In fact, you can leave it there for awhile.
4. Once you are ready to install, it is a good idea to physically disconnect the new computer from the network. Disconnect the Ethernet cable. Given the .enc file will likely contain the old .xml file with a path to the old computer, I suggest you install on a standalone computer. I have seen this happen several times.
5. After setup, reconnect the server.
6. I do think I have a better way than John to connect all your clients. Rather than change the path with the Amazing Utilities or by right clicking on the login screen, either remove the .xml file from the old AC folder or, even safer, rename the Amazingcharts.mdf to .old. This will force every client computer to come to the screen where it makes you find a path.
7. Remember, without the .xml file or a properly names SQL database, no one can accidentally read or write to the old computer. This will allow you to keep it for a few days.

Thank you all for the reply
Bert you are correct, I don't know what the SQL Server management Studio is, and you can call me Romel.
I will make sure our IT guy reads your replies
Thank you.

Well SSMS is a free download for Express, and allows you to do anything and everything to SQL. But, you do need that little thing called the username and password.