Ensure a smooth transition from V24 to V25 with backup and restore

Version changes often bring new functions and improvements, as well as challenges, especially when transferring existing data and configurations securely. To avoid downtime, data loss, and unnecessary effort, it is essential to have a well-planned backup and restore strategy. In this article, we will show you how to ensure a smooth transition and prepare your systems for the new version.

If you are going to use version 25 on the same computer as your current version, we recommend importing the system configuration of the previous version directly into version 25 using the Setup assistant. This contains an import function that allows you to quickly and easily transfer the system configuration from the previous version to V25. This ensures that all your usual settings, profiles, and printer definitions will be directly available in the new software version. You can find out how to use the import function in the Setup assistant in this section.

If you are going to use version 25 on another computer than your current version, you should create a backup of your current system configuration and restore the backup in the new version. This ensures that your usual settings, profiles, and printer definitions will be available in version 25. You can find out how to use the backup and restore function in this section.

We have explained the following topics for you in this blog article:

• Requirements to back up and restore the system configuration
• Backing up system configuration from version 24
• Restoring system configuration in version 25
• Importing system configuration from a previous version via the Setup Assistant
• Restoring a previously backed up system configuration

For more general information on upgrading to version 25, please also see our FAQ article. Please also refer to our article on version upgrades with activated Access Control Module.

Requirements to backup and restore the system configuration

If you still want to use your current version (e.g. V24) after the upgrade of your license, you must install the latest build of your current version (24.02.171645) before upgrading. This ensures compatibility between both versions.

These versions can be installed side by side on the same system and run alternately without any problems.

• 20.01.9224
• 21.10.11565
• 22.10.14177
• 23.11.16235
• 24.02.17165

The corresponding hotfix builds are available on the Service & Support area of our website under Menu > Download > Software. Select your software. At the top of the list, you will find the latest build of this version. Click the download icon to download the installer and afterward, install this build.

When switching between multiple installations, the previously unused product must be started once with administrative rights. This applies to both licenses with USB key and licenses with soft key. For licenses with soft key, the license must be revoked in the previously used version before switching to another version. To do this, select Productionserver/Proofgate/Filmgate24 > Productionserver/Proofgate/Filmgate24 — Revoke license in the Windows start menu. A dialog opens in which you can start the revocation process. An active Internet connection is required for this.

backup and restore the system configuration via the backup and restore function

Tip: If you prefer a video tutorial to written instructions, you can also watch our YouTube video on how to transfer the system configuration via Options > System Configuration:

backing up the system configuration from V24

Follow the next steps to back up the system configuration via Options > System Configuration.

1. Start the software, you want to create the backup from.
2. Select Options > System Configuration > Backup… to open the Backup RIP Configuration dialog. You see the following options:
   
   
   • The option Backup program settings contains e.g., measuring device settings or the currently opened printers.
   • The printer definitions contain, e.g., the hotfolder settings. You can also save all jobs with the Include job files option. This allows you to reprint them without having to rip them again.
   • The option Backup profiles and linearizations saves not only the profiles and linearizations files, but also the entire MIM combinations.
   • The settings of the Access Control Module and the Cost Calculation Module can also be backed up.
   • The Backup raster data option is only needed, if you use Filmgate or the Film & Plate Module for Productionserver and use your own screen sets.
3. In the Comment field, you can add a description for the backup, so that you can later identify what the backup was created for and from which state it was. Both the destination folder and the file name can be customized according to your own preferences.
4. After clicking OK, a dialog box shows the size of the uncompressed data.
   
   The larger the amount of data, the longer the backup process will take.
5. After clicking Yes, the data is compressed and stored in a zip file to save disk space. With gigabyte-sized jobs in the archives, this may take more than 10 minutes.
6. Once the backup is complete, the software will ask whether and when to remind you about the next backup.
   
7. The backup process is now complete. You can now import the backup of the system configuration into your V25 installation.

Restoring the system configuration in V25

1. Run V25 with administrative rights so that the required permissions are available during the import process.
2. Select Options > System Configuration > Restore… to open the Restore RIP Configuration dialog.
   
3. Click Open and select the previously created backup file from the previous version there.
   
4. Various information about the backup is now displayed, e.g., in which version it was created and which data it contains. The checkboxes allow you to restore only certain data from the backup, if this is desired. At Restore options, you can choose whether existing data should be overwritten. In addition, you can decide whether you want to import the backup into the current default paths or use new paths. The archive folders (respectively the jobs contained in them) will then be stored there.
   Note: If the data folders from the INI are used, this may result in the folders for profiles, job archive and hotfolder from the previous version being used. This can lead to conflicts if, for example, V24 and V25 are used alternately for a while, or if the V24 folder structure will be deleted. We recommend using this option only when restoring the backup of the same version, and not when upgrading to a new version.
5. After you have clicked OK, another confirmation request appears and, if necessary, the files to be overwritten are displayed. During a version upgrade, usually everything can be overwritten.
   
6. After the import restart the software. The imported data will be visible, and you can continue to work in V25 as you did in V24. We recommend checking the hotfolder settings to learn, for example about new options and possibilities of the new version.

If you are sure that you have transferred all the required data from the old version, you can uninstall V23. The data from the previous version will not be deleted when uninstalling. To free up disk space, the data must be deleted manually.

Importing the system configuration from V24 via the setup Assistant

Since V23.10 a setup assistant opens automatically when you first start the software.

If required, you can also call up the setup assistant manually at any time by clicking on Help > Setup assistant.... Via this assistant, you can import the system configuration of a previous version into V25, without the need to manually back up and restore the system configuration.

Tip: If you prefer a video tutorial to written instructions, you can watch our video on YouTube:

Follow the next steps to import the system configuration from a previous version:

1. Click Import the system configuration from a previous version. A dialog opens.
2. Select the installed version to import from:
   
3. At Options select the type of data you want to import into your new version. You can select Restore program settings and / or Restore jobs. The restoring of program settings makes sure you use the same settings as in your previous installation. If not selected, you keep your current settings. If you select Restore jobs, your job folder will be restored.
4. Base path for job data: This is the path to store your job data. By default, it is the JobDir folder of your installation. Change this only if you want to store your job data in a special location (e.g., another hard drive).
5. Click OK. After the import, you will get a confirmation that the selected data has been imported.

Restoring a previously backed up system configuration via the setup Assistant

If you have already backed up the system configuration of V24, you can restore it quickly and easily via the Setup assistant of V25.

To do this, click Restore a previously backed up system configuration.... in the Setup assistant dialog and follow the steps described here.

If you have any questions about the smooth transition from V24 to V25, please contact us. Feel free to get in touch at contact@colorgate.com.