I'm hoping to get some support as I can't get BD to run after installing Windows 7; I've looked through the forums and read several emails/solutions, but nothing matches my situation.

I'm a long-time BD user, buying it back in the Thayers days (from an Audubon store).  When Jeff bought it and did the awesome redesign, I purchased (on line) the upgrade, and ran it on my XP system.  I had some trouble with that install/upgrade, and Jeff sent me the solutions; that was just under a year ago.

As a registered user, I did the Network Install today (after upgrading to Windows 7) from my Downloads page on the BD website, and the install seemed to go well.  Of course, I have an MDB backup from my XP days.

Reading the upgrade instructions, I apparently need a License ID and two passwords (the second for taxonomy).  Looking over all of my saved information from last year's purchase and installation, I can't find anything that matches that data.  It looks like the upgrade/installation process was quite different last year (from last year's instructions:  "Activate your(s) license after installation. If you have the 3.5 upgrade license, then you will have to send me email with the two user codes from the .")

Not having the License ID and password, I'm unable to activate the new download for Windows 7.  I figured at that point that I could at least run the 30-day trial version, restore via my backup file, and work on the long-term solution soon.  But when I attempted to launch and use the trial version (using the "Run as Admin" as directed), I get the following error message:  -2147024893 (80070003).  I tried a few times, always w/ the same result.

I have my original License Key from when I purchased the original BD from Audubon; I'd be happy to supply that. My biggest worry about migrating to Windows 7 was losing all of my bird data.  I was very happy to see you're still in business, and I'm hoping my situation can be resolved.  I'm assuming you have my email address in the sytem, as I'm logged in.  Thanks!

Hello Peter,

v3.5 should work just fine on your Windows 7 computer. So let's solve the error first. Can you please start BD and give me the complete text of the error message.

Thanks,

Jeff

thanks Jeff - good to hear from you.  When I attempt to launch the app (run as administrator), the program starts to load w/ the familiar opening, and then the following Message appears:

Run time error

'-2147024893 (80070003)'

The system cannot file the path specified

Ok - here is what I strongly recommend.

By default, v3.5 tries to install into C:\program files\birder's diary\. Uninstall v3.5. Be sure you keep a copy of your backup.

Re-install v3.5, but during the installation setup steps, change the installation directory to "C:\Birder's Diary\". Let the installation complete.

Now see if you cannot start BD using the Demo database. If you cannot, please report back here with the error.

If you can, start it and run the File | Backup/Restore (Restore) operation on your backup file. Then write back for proper licensing instructions.

Jeff

thanks Jeff - I think we're getting there.

I uninstalled/reinstalled as you suggested, although w/ a potential glitch (explained later, in case it's relevant; but I doubt it is now).  Then I restored from my backup database, and that seemed to go fine.  The interface looks slightly different than my old version - there's probably been an upgrade of sorts.

I've closed/reopened a few times to make sure all was well.

Now I'm ready to reactivate.  Please let me know how to proceed.  Is it "unlock by email," w/ keys/codes you send?

Thanks - let me know if there are updates to purchase; I'd like to make sure to keep supporting your company.

[here's the glitch.  It turns out the original install (the one that didn't work) was at C:Birder'sDiary, not Crogram Files/BirdersDiary.  I uninstalled and reinstalled to the same spot, as that's where you'd suggested. But this time it worked fine.  Like I said, probably not an issue.]

Hi Peter,

Ok - all seems good.

Did you install v3.5 or v3.6? In either case, if you intend to upgrade, which I strongly recommend, then no need to go through the special licensing process for v3.5.

Simply,

1. Purchase the upgrade to 3.6 license on this site,
2. Install 3.6 from the Downloads page,
3. Activate your license using your new 3.6 license normally with the Unlock Now button.

Else, if you installed 3.5 and do not want to upgrade, let me know and I will send those instructions.

Thanks,

Jeff

I'm pretty sure I was running 3.5, but I'm not sure (I'm not at home right now to look at records).  When did 3.6 roll out?

From what I can tell on the website, if I choose to upgrade to 3.6 now, then I would have to purchase both the upgrade (at $49), plus separate taxonomic lists (I'd need the Word verison, so it would be either $99 or $59), correct? 

Or would I be able to upgrade to 3.6, but continue using the tax lists that I already had under 3.5?

I've read over the website info several times; I'm sorry, but I'm confused by it and I'm not sure what the options are, or which tax products would be considered upgrades and which would not.

If it's possible, my preference would be to upgrade to 3.6, but use my old tax lists. The old tax lists were fine for my purposes, and I wouldn't necessarily be interested in spending a lot of extra $$ for data that I had previously purchased and had been using.   If that's not possible, I'd probably stick w/ 3.5 for now.

Info on options/process would be appreciated.  Thanks

Thanks Kevin!

Peter, to answer your question, you can upgrade to v3.6 without purchasing any tax list updates. $24 for a basic user license or $49 for advanced.

You can continue to use the same tax lists you have always been using. Kevin is right however. For example, if you have ABA 2004, then you are missing about a couple dozen changes to the tax list that are included in ABA 2009. You would only qualify for the upgrade price for any tax list if you had the previous version. And it sounds as if you do not.

Let me know if we can assist any further,

Jeff

Thanks Jeff

Here's what I'm hoping to do, and before I move forward, I'd liket to verify the steps.  For now, I'd like to upgrade to 3.6, but keep my existing tax lists.  I'm planning on buying a new computer in the near future; at that point, I'll bite the bullet and buy the new tax lists. It'll help me financially to spread out the purchases.

Because I installed Windows 7 over my old XP opsys, and then downloaded BD from the website, I'm currently running the 3.6.49 demo version.  When I get a verification from you that this approach will work, I'll buy the 3.6.49 license and get rolling.

You wrote earlier that I can use my old tax lists w/ this purchse.  I want to make sure that after I purchase the 3.6 upgrade (for $49 advanced)  that my old tax lists will work.  Is there anything special I need to do to make sure it works properly?  I'm concerned that when I buy the BD 3.6 upgrade, I'll be prompted that I then need to buy a tax list to access my old data.  I have backups of my old BD directories from the XP system.

I've been out of touch for a bit - my daughter was just born, and I've been a bit tied up.  We've named her Phoebe. 

Thanks again.

Hello Peter,

Congratualtions on the birth of your daughter!

So, you have BD 3.6 installed and running on your Win7 machine in Demo mode. Good.

3.6 will work just fine with your old database and tax lists. No extra purchase necessary once you purchase the user license.

To see that, just start 3.6 and run File | Backup/Restore. Click the 'select a restore file' button, the small bino button on the right. Hold your mouse over it for the tooltip to make sure you have the right button. Browse to where your 3.5 backup file is and select it. After the restore completes - Exit and Restart 3.6. It will mention that it is updating your database, and when it is done, you will see all of your tax lists and data.

Let me know if I can assist further.

Jeff

Hello Peter,

You have to purchase any upgrades using your old Online Store account that has your 3.5 purchase on it. Otherwise it cannot confirm that you are entitled to the upgrade price.

I have merged your old account with the new one you created. So, now you can use your new email address with your Online Store password and correctly purchase the upgrade. It should work now.

Let me know please.

Jeff

Very welcome. Let us know if anything else comes up.

Jeff