How to Transfer the Tenant File to Another Computer
The procedure to move to another computer is a little different, depending on if you are moving the SAME Tenant File version to the other computer, or UPDATING your version while also moving to a new computer. Please pay careful attention to each set of instructions, and make complete folder backups first.
#1. SAME VERSION - THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR USERS MOVING THE SAME VERSION TO ANOTHER COMPUTER (If UPDATING GO #2):
IF YOU HAVE THE 'FULL VERSION' ...
IMPORTANT: Besides the instructions below, use Windows to back up the entire Tenant File folder as a safety copy.
1. First, make backups of your data from the old computer - use the Tenant File BACKUP button for this. The default file type under 'Copy What Type of Files' is for 'database files (MDB)', which is what you want. You should backup all database files listed on the left side. These are the files ending in MDB (Microsoft Database). Follow the User Guide instructions to complete this backup now.
2. Next, click on 'Data Files (dat)' under 'Copy What Type of Files'. Then select all of the files listed on the left side. These are files that contain your 'settings'. Follow the User Guide instructions to complete this backup now.
3. Find your CURRENT VERSION DOWNLOAD (or CD which has 'Full Version' printed on the label.) Don't install any older versions. This 'Full Version' has both the 'Program Files' and BLANK data files. Install that 'Full Version' on the new computer, and be sure to note the path where it is to be installed. That path is usually c:\Tenant File\TF4WIN. (Make sure there is not an existing Tenant File installation on the computer you are installing this to, because it will overwrite any existing files!)
4. Lastly, enter the Tenant File, go to Tenant File BACKUP button, and RESTORE ALL of the files that you backed up earlier. Under 'Choose Action', you'll need to select 'Restore Files(s) from'. Follow the instructions to complete this restore now.
IF YOU HAVE THE 'FULL VERSION' ...
IMPORTANT: Besides the instructions below, use Windows to back up the entire Tenant File folder as a safety copy.
1. First, make backups of your data from the old computer - use the Tenant File BACKUP button for this. The default file type under 'Copy What Type of Files' is for 'database files (MDB)', which is what you want. You should backup all database files listed on the left side. These are the files ending in MDB (Microsoft Database). Follow the User Guide instructions to complete this backup now.
2. Next, click on 'Data Files (dat)' under 'Copy What Type of Files'. Then select all of the files listed on the left side. These are files that contain your 'settings'. Follow the User Guide instructions to complete this backup now.
3. Find your CURRENT VERSION DOWNLOAD (or CD which has 'Full Version' printed on the label.) Don't install any older versions. This 'Full Version' has both the 'Program Files' and BLANK data files. Install that 'Full Version' on the new computer, and be sure to note the path where it is to be installed. That path is usually c:\Tenant File\TF4WIN. (Make sure there is not an existing Tenant File installation on the computer you are installing this to, because it will overwrite any existing files!)
4. Lastly, enter the Tenant File, go to Tenant File BACKUP button, and RESTORE ALL of the files that you backed up earlier. Under 'Choose Action', you'll need to select 'Restore Files(s) from'. Follow the instructions to complete this restore now.
IF YOU HAVE THE 'UPDATE ONLY' VERSION:
IMPORTANT: Besides the instructions below, use Windows to back up the entire Tenant File folder as a safety copy.
NOTE: You should not put older versions on a new computer - we always optimize the Tenant File for the most recent operating system.
1. First, make backups of your data from the old computer - use the Tenant File BACKUP button for this. The default file type under 'Copy What Type of Files' is for 'database files (MDB)', which is what you want. You should backup all database files listed on the left side. These are the files ending in MDB (Microsoft Database). Follow the User Guide instructions to complete this backup now.
2. Next, click on 'Data Files (dat)' under 'Copy What Type of Files'. Then select all of the files listed on the left side. These are files that contain your 'settings'. Follow the User Guide instructions to complete this backup now.
3. Go ahead and install the latest 'Update Only' version on the new computer. (The 'Update Only' Version has all the files you need except the data files). Be sure to note the path where it is installed. That will usually be C:\Tenant File\TF4WIN.
NOTE: At this point, if you try to enter the Tenant File, you will get an error message, telling you that the file 'TFDATAFL.MDB' is missing. You can't enter the Tenant File without any database installed.
4. Using WINDOWS 'copy and paste' features, copy ALL the MDB and the DAT files from your backup into the SAME PATH to which you installed the 'Update Only' Version.
IMPORTANT: Besides the instructions below, use Windows to back up the entire Tenant File folder as a safety copy.
NOTE: You should not put older versions on a new computer - we always optimize the Tenant File for the most recent operating system.
1. First, make backups of your data from the old computer - use the Tenant File BACKUP button for this. The default file type under 'Copy What Type of Files' is for 'database files (MDB)', which is what you want. You should backup all database files listed on the left side. These are the files ending in MDB (Microsoft Database). Follow the User Guide instructions to complete this backup now.
2. Next, click on 'Data Files (dat)' under 'Copy What Type of Files'. Then select all of the files listed on the left side. These are files that contain your 'settings'. Follow the User Guide instructions to complete this backup now.
3. Go ahead and install the latest 'Update Only' version on the new computer. (The 'Update Only' Version has all the files you need except the data files). Be sure to note the path where it is installed. That will usually be C:\Tenant File\TF4WIN.
NOTE: At this point, if you try to enter the Tenant File, you will get an error message, telling you that the file 'TFDATAFL.MDB' is missing. You can't enter the Tenant File without any database installed.
4. Using WINDOWS 'copy and paste' features, copy ALL the MDB and the DAT files from your backup into the SAME PATH to which you installed the 'Update Only' Version.
#2: UPDATING AND MOVING - THESE INSTRUCTION ARE FOR USERS THAT ARE UPDATING AND MOVING TO ANOTHER COMPUTER:
The Tenant File UPDATE File (or CD) has ALL of the files needed to run the Tenant File, except the database and settings files. DO NOT install older version of the Tenant File program on a new computer.
The Tenant File UPDATE File (or CD) has ALL of the files needed to run the Tenant File, except the database and settings files. DO NOT install older version of the Tenant File program on a new computer.
IF YOU HAVE THE 'UPDATE ONLY' DOWNLOAD OR CD:
IMPORTANT: Besides the instructions below, use Windows to back up the entire Tenant File folder as a safety copy.
NOTE: You should not put older versions on a new computer - we always optimize the Tenant File for the most recent operating system.
1. First, make backups of your data from the old computer - use the Tenant File BACKUP button for this. The default file type under 'Copy What Type of Files' is for 'database files (MDB)', which is what you want. You should backup all database files listed on the left side. These are the files ending in MDB (Microsoft Database). Follow the User Guide instructions to complete this backup now.
2. Next, click on 'Data Files (dat)' under 'Copy What Type of Files'. Then select all of the files listed on the left side, EXCEPT the Reports.dat file (we'll explain later). These are files that contain your 'settings'. Follow the User Guide instructions to complete this backup now.
3. Go ahead and install the latest 'Update Only' version on the new computer. (The 'Update Only' Version has all the files you need except the data files). Be sure to note the path where it is installed. That will usually be C:\Tenant File\TF4WIN.
NOTE: At this point, if you try to enter the Tenant File, you will get an error message, telling you that the file 'TFDATAFL.MDB' is missing. You can't enter the Tenant File without any database installed.
4. Using WINDOWS 'copy and paste' features, copy ALL of the MDB files from your backup into the SAME PATH to which you installed the 'Update Only' Version. Only copy the files ending in MDB, such as TFDATAFL.MDB.
5. Next, copy all files ending in 'DAT' EXCEPT THE FILE 'REPORTS.DAT'. The REPORTS.DAT file contains all of the existing reports AND the new reports. The installation on step 3 installed the new copy of the REPORTS.DAT file already, so you don't want to overwrite it with the old one!
IMPORTANT: Besides the instructions below, use Windows to back up the entire Tenant File folder as a safety copy.
NOTE: You should not put older versions on a new computer - we always optimize the Tenant File for the most recent operating system.
1. First, make backups of your data from the old computer - use the Tenant File BACKUP button for this. The default file type under 'Copy What Type of Files' is for 'database files (MDB)', which is what you want. You should backup all database files listed on the left side. These are the files ending in MDB (Microsoft Database). Follow the User Guide instructions to complete this backup now.
2. Next, click on 'Data Files (dat)' under 'Copy What Type of Files'. Then select all of the files listed on the left side, EXCEPT the Reports.dat file (we'll explain later). These are files that contain your 'settings'. Follow the User Guide instructions to complete this backup now.
3. Go ahead and install the latest 'Update Only' version on the new computer. (The 'Update Only' Version has all the files you need except the data files). Be sure to note the path where it is installed. That will usually be C:\Tenant File\TF4WIN.
NOTE: At this point, if you try to enter the Tenant File, you will get an error message, telling you that the file 'TFDATAFL.MDB' is missing. You can't enter the Tenant File without any database installed.
4. Using WINDOWS 'copy and paste' features, copy ALL of the MDB files from your backup into the SAME PATH to which you installed the 'Update Only' Version. Only copy the files ending in MDB, such as TFDATAFL.MDB.
5. Next, copy all files ending in 'DAT' EXCEPT THE FILE 'REPORTS.DAT'. The REPORTS.DAT file contains all of the existing reports AND the new reports. The installation on step 3 installed the new copy of the REPORTS.DAT file already, so you don't want to overwrite it with the old one!
NOTE: If you want us to do everything for you, we can. Just set up a 30 minute remote connection session and we'll connect to your computer and get everything set up for you. All you will need to do is to have a copy of all the Tenant File files from the old computer. To order, click on ORDER NOW at the top of the screen, and we'll set an appointment for you.
