Hello:

I have been a satisfied user of Birder's Diary for a number of years. I purchased an Advanced Users License (and North American ABA list) for BD3.5 for a desktop and later installed it to a laptop (both Windows XP). Now I have a HP desktop running a quad-core processor on 64-bit Vista.  I have been very happy with this operating system and it has given me no problems, even with older programs.

How do I go about re-installing BD3.5 to this machine? I have researched the forum here a bit and have seen that some people have had difficulty with HP 64-bit Vista machines and BD3.6, but am not sure aout BD3.5.

I appreciate any help you can give.

Thank you,

Dave

Hi Dave,

You will likely have not be able to run 3.5 on this 64-bit Vista machine. You can certainly try.

The basic process is:

1. Install v3.5 onto this machine. It is available for installation at the bottom of the Downloads page on this site.
2. After installation, start BD using the instructions at the top of this page for activating your user license on Vista. This is the test. If it works you are good to go. Exit and restart BD to see if it took
3. If #2 worked, then get a copy/backup of your database from your other system and put it on this system and do a Restore (File | Backup/Restore) on that copy/backup. Exit and restart BD after the Restore operation completes.

Please let us know.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff,

I didn't scroll far enough down the page earlier. I'll try and let you know. I can continue using BD on the laptop but that won't be too convenient.

Does BD3.6 work with HP 64-bit Vista?

I'll be back to you soon,

Dave

Jeff:

Well, good news! Following your directions I successfully downloaded, installed and activated BD3.5 this morning. At least "so far so good." The program seems to be operating normally. I have added a few sightings and checked out a few reports. I will let you know if I run into any problems along the way.

Here are the details of my setup:

Birder's Diary: version 3.5.56

Database: version 3.5.56

Computer: HP d5000t

Processor: Intel Quad-CPU Q9450 2.67 Ghz

Memory (RAM): 8 GB

OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit

Generally speaking, I have been extremely pleased with Vista. I now have over 100 programs loaded with the majority being written for XP or earlier operating systems. I've had virtually no compatability problems and have found Vista to be rock solid (knock on wood!). I bought the 64-bit version to allow for a larger RAM which I need for several other illnesses ... er, hobbies.

Hope this helps someone else. Thanks for your help!

Dave

     I have Version 3.0, which I have been using on an old windows XP computer with no internet access - not wireless. Computer malfunction has me trying to install Diary on computer with Vista and wireless internet connection. I followed all the instructions given in this forum. I still cannot register. Message says the password I am using is not the one I originally used when purchasing the product. I amusing the same one I used when logging on - which according to my notes is the same as the original. Suggestions?

    Second question - This is probably a stupid question, but I am computer illiterate. Windows XP on my old computer has a corrupted file. I can probably repair that and I may be able to save all my data, but I almost certainly will have to re-install Birder's Diary. What is the best approach, since I do not have internet access to re-register? I do have an external harddrive which I can move easily back and forth between the two computers.

Hello Bill,

In order to activate your version 3.0 of BD, you need to run the program at the bottom of the Product Info => Upgrading from 2.x or 3.0 page on this site. The old registration/activation processes for v3 are no longer available.

Same answer for your XP computer. Download the activation program and transfer it over to your XP machine and run it.

Let me know if I can assist further.

Jeff

Jeff,

     Thanks. I will let you know how I do.

  I succeeded in getting into Birder's Diary on my Vista computer. It seems to be working. I attempted to restore the data stored on my external hard-drive - with no luck. I did not know how to identify the folder. I found one labelled TBSC which matched the last date of entry with an appropriate amount of data. I foolishly tried to open it and was assigned Adobe Acrobat, I believe it was. It would not open it and it told me it could not be opened. I then attempted to copy the file to my C drive and labelled it "birder's diary backup". I again tried to restore, typing in that name. Diary could not find it. The folder is now identified with an Adobe symbol, and I don't know how to remove it - or if I rendered it unusable. I guess one shouldn't let ignorant people play with computers.

Any suggestions on how I get myself out of this. I have 6 weeks of data for which I have no other source, other than my Windows-corrupted computer. Stress levels are rising!

Hi Bill,

You are using BD version 3.0 - right?

In that case, Exit BD if it is running. 

There will already be a file there called "database.mdb", it will be the file placed there by the installation. Rename that just to keep it safe to something like "database_install.mdb".

Copy your backup into your BD /data directory (e.g. .../Birder's Diary/data/) and rename it to "database.mdb".

Start BD and you should see your data.

Let us know,

Jeff

  I apologize for adding new problems. I successfully added new birding data in "Diary". I attempted to back it up as it closed. It initially recognized the backup file on my external hard drive. When I confirmed backup, it would not do it telling me the following...already opened exclusively by 'admin' on machine 'BILL-PC' Try again when database is available (Error #3356). I am considering upgrading to 3.6, but wonder if I would still have trouble accessing my backup database.

Jeff,

 I was unable to follow your instructions. File was not listed there. I think Vista is still screwing everything up. I think I will have to upgrade and pay for you to install. I need to know first if you are sure I will be able to recover my 40 years of data on my external hard-drive that I "locked up" with "Adobe". If there is no problem, then I will go ahead. It will take a year to re-enter all the data, if I lost it, and the last 6 weeks will have to be done only from my memory.

For my other computer with Windows XP, if I go to F, I can reinstall windows XP. It says it will save all data files, but I will have to re-install all software. Do you know what that means for Birder's Dairy? Will any of it or all of it be erased, or something in between?

Straying off topic, when you ask for priority code, is that the same as verification code? Of is that for recent upgrades?

Hi Bill,

Hmmmmm... I should get onto your Vista system and see if your data is there. After I have a look at your setup, I can then advise on what is going on.

I will be here today on-and-off, so write back and let me know when would be a good time to get onto your system over the internet. When I do connect, please have your external hard drive connected to your system.

Jeff

Jeff,

 Sorry I did not get to the computer yesterday. Anytime during the day today and tomorrow would be good. I can be here when it is convenient to you. I will check back for a reply at 11:30 AM today.

Bill