Moving Alpha5 V10 to a new machine

[DennisT]

I have an application I wrote in Alpha5 V10 and need to move to a new computer. I have Alpha5 V10 installed the new machine and I have entered the license for it. Can I safely deactivate the application on my old machine and then open the db on the new machine? I have over 20 years of data entered and don't want to lose that.

[madtowng]

The obvious first thing to do is make a complete backup of your project and data.
With A5 V10, I think the new machine needs to have the same name as the old machine.
Be sure to have the date/time on the new machine set to the current date/time.

[Allen Klimeck]

Your activation key is tied your computer name! If you rename your new computer the same as the old computer than your old activation key will work you can do a search on your old computer for activation.key create the same file path and place the activation.key file into that folder. And auto-magically your new computer is activated. Second you're allowed to have an activation on two different machines if you haven't activated two machines you should be able to activate the new machine. You should then find and save the activation.key files so that if you have to do this again you have everything you need. Make sure you save the machine name and the activation.key

[Ted Giles]

To save you a lot of grief, your Activation Key is in your Roaming Folder.
Having done this lots of times, the easiest way is to install Alpha 10 on the new machine - ensure that the new machine name is the same as the old machine name - and enter the License and Activation Keys as requested.

Then, copy the application and data over to the new machine and you will be able to open it.
Printing will need checking, as will any backing up processes you have on the old one.

Suggest you write down the keys as you are not allowed 2 machines on the same network to have the same name at the same time.

If you want a Q&D workaround for this problem, send me a PMsg.

[Ted Giles]

Don't you just love being ignored?

[madtowng]

You should know by now this forum is much like the military (hurry up and wait).
My initial response was spot on, albeit without much technical explanation.
It is really a shame that Alpha enforces control of versions they no longer support,
especially in the case of versions prior to AA where they often had a "fire sale" prior
to releasing the new version.

[Ted Giles]

I shouldn't have posted really.
15 pints in an feeling unloved.
I've got all the versions if anyone needs 'em

[DennisT]

Well I'll bring you up to speed on my issue. I found the original email with my licenses in them. I renamed this computer the same as what I'm replacing. Copied all of the files from the roaming folder in the Alpha5 sub folder to the new machine. Restarted and it still doesn't recognize the license so I'm going to try a couple of other things. I was able to open the key file and copied the keys. You are right they don't seem to support the older versions. That version does all that I need. I've been in the mailing industry and started using Alpha software when it was Alpha 3 I believe and I've written a number of applications in it. I just don't have the need to update as my mailing software is extremely powerful and updated quarterly.

[madtowng]

There are other issues to consider. Email security being high on that list. Make sure your company is set to the correct time as being off by more than a couple minutes makes a big difference.

[madtowng]

I shouldn't have posted really.
15 pints in an feeling unloved.
I've got all the versions if anyone needs 'em

There was someone looking for v11 during the past week or 2. I’m sure you would make his day if he hasn’t given up yet.

[Ted Giles]

There was someone looking for v11 during the past week or 2. I’m sure you would make his day if he hasn’t given up yet.

An ipload of the last V11 version was made available to her, Gregg.

[Ted Giles]

Well I'll bring you up to speed on my issue. I found the original email with my licenses in them. I renamed this computer the same as what I'm replacing. Copied all of the files from the roaming folder in the Alpha5 sub folder to the new machine. Restarted and it still doesn't recognize the license so I'm going to try a couple of other things. I was able to open the key file and copied the keys. You are right they don't seem to support the older versions. That version does all that I need. I've been in the mailing industry and started using Alpha software when it was Alpha 3 I believe and I've written a number of applications in it. I just don't have the need to update as my mailing software is extremely powerful and updated quarterly.

That approach is unlikely to work, Dennis.
Try this.


1) Install Alpha V10 from the actual install disk. It won't work if you copy from an existing installation. It needs to be afresh.
2) Run a Cpompatibility Check. Run for Win 7 should be OK.
3) Run/Launch Alpha as ADMINISTRTATOR mode. (Right click the Icon and choose Administrator when you run it)
4) Enter the License Key and activation key. Copying the Roaming folder won't work. It needs to be accessible from the Registry after the install process.
The activation Key In my V10 it is here. X:\Users\Ted\AppData\Roaming\Alpha Software\Alpha Five Version 10\Activation.key. This is tied to the Machine name.
DO NOT TRY TO OPEN IT BY CLICKING!
Right click the Activation.key and open it with Notepad to see the actual key which you will then be able to write down and enter when required.

Please let us know how you get on.

[DennisT]

Thank You Ted! Your instructions worked perfectly and the installation was successfully installed on the the new machine.

[madtowng]

HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!
Teddy G is gonna feel loved today :)

[Ted Giles]

Well just so I wasn't pulling your chain, this afternoon, I resurrected an old Net book which I have upgraded to a whole 2 gig memory running an Intel Atom chip!
As a proof of concept, I went through the process just in case I got it screwed somehow.
Like you Dennis it worked.
If I unscramble the Activation Code GUID, I won't tell a soul!