| 4HPlus! and FairPlus! are upgraded
regularly to provide added features, fix bugs, etc. While upgrading
is always beneficial, and at times necessary, the upgrade process
can be a risky process, if not done correctly. In fact, some problems
created during a failed upgrade process may not show up for a year.
However, done correctly, the upgrade process can be smooth and trouble
free.
Please note that the upgrade process will vary greatly, depending
upon the size of the upgrade, the length of time since the last
upgrade, the size of your data files, the speed of your computer/network,
etc. The following are some general rules to follow in any upgrade,
although not all upgrades will be as lengthy and involved as others.
There are three steps to the upgrade process:
- Downloading and running/opening the file
- Unzipping the upgrade file
- Processing the upgrade
STEP #1 - Downloading and running/opening the upgrade file
- Using a web browser (like Internet Explorer) access the upgrade
file via the main
4-H Software page
- When you click on the Download link for the upgrade file, your
browser should present you with options of what you can do with
the file. Choose to [Run] or [Open] the file.
STEP #2 - Unzipping the upgrade file
- Running (or "opening") the upgrade file will start
the WinZip self-extractor - accept the defaults by clicking on
[Unzip].
| NOTE: |
If you are running 4HPlus! or FairPlus! on a network,
the instructions are a bit different.
-
If the network is peer to peer, you will need to upgrade
ALL machines that are sharing data.
-
If you are running the 4-H software on a file server,
you will need to change the default [Unzip to Folder]
path. Simply delete the "C:\" and replace it
with the appropriate drive letter for your network (i.e.
F:\). DO NOT alter the rest of the default "Unzip
to Folder" path. Click on [Unzip] to finish
the process.
-
If you have questions, please contact
Software Support.
|
STEP #3 - Processing the upgrade
Processing is very easy for the user, but can be very complex for
the computer to handle.
It is highly recommended that you make a new backup of your current
data prior to processing.
Processing occurs the first time that 4HPlus! or FairPlus! runs,
following the unzipping of a new upgrade file.
| NOTE: |
In the case of Regional Centers, which utilize
CKV Launcher, the [Process New Upgrade] option must be set
to [Yes] in order for 4HPlus! or FairPlus! to process the
upgrade (this needs to be done once (per version upgrade)
for each county). Until [Yes] is selected, the old version
remains for that county.
The "MN" folder does NOT have to be upgraded.
|
| NOTE: |
Depending upon the specific upgrade, the amount of
processing will vary - from nothing to a lot.
If there is no processing to be done, the only indication
that the upgrade has occurred is that the text in the Title
Bar (the solid blue area at the very top of a Window) should
indicate the new version number.
If the new upgrade includes table or record updates, processing
can require up to three times more resources from the computer
than normal operations do. Therefore it's recommended that
no other programs be running on the computer and that
processing be done with a "fresh start" of Windows
- either process the upgrade first thing after starting the
computer in the morning, or shut the computer off and then
restart it.
|
A Word about Table Changes and Updates
As mentioned above, some upgrades will involve processing
one or more table updates.
Because table updates require that your computer perform special
functions, special dialogue boxes are utilized (pictured here).
| When this box appears, it signifies that a table update
is about to occur. You, as the user respond as follows:
- When the box appears, click on the button [Perform Table
Upgrade]
- NEVER click this button more than once!
- When the progress bar has reached 100%, click on button
[Table Update Complete! Continue]
- There may be a series of these boxes. If so, repeat the
above process as many times as necessary
- Do NOT, at any time, attempt to close or minimize it.
|
 |
| NOTE: |
Some table updates will happen very, very quickly
Other table updates may take much longer. In fact, they
may be so slow that it might appear that the software has
crashed. In fact, if you try ctrl-alt-del and look in the
task manager, it may report that 4HPlus! or FairPlus! is not
responding.
In truth, it's not responding because it's so busy with
the table change - thing will return to normal after the table
updates are complete. |
Once 4HPlus! or FairPlus! is fully opened and functional, you are
done with the upgrade!
It is strongly recommended
that you now exit 4HPlus! or FairPlus! and then re-start it before
beginning to work with any data. This will ensure that all indexes
and tables are reset, along with updating the Saves folder.
It is also strongly recommended
that you a new backup is made before proceeding.
If you have any questions, please contact
Software Support!
|
