WD Software updates/backups/changing computers

From WeatherWiki

Software Updates/Backups/Changing Computers

How do I update to a newer Weather Display release?

Weather Display is frequently updated with new releases typically available several times a week. Use the following instructions and hints to update your Weather Display software.

  1. On the Weather Display Web site, click Version History.
  2. To download the latest release, in the left navigation bar, click the Downloads.

On the Downloads page, there are several options. For this FAQ, only the main Weather Display download for Windows is discussed.

There are three different downloads for Weather Display available - Main Weather Display install file, Weather Display with error/crash debug code debug, and Weather Display zip of the main .exe file.

Note Upgrading the software doesn't change or delete your weather data. However, you should make regular backup of your data, especially before updating the software.

The best way to update your version is by using the first link, Main Weather Display install file. This download includes everything in Weather Display including the Weather Display FTP software.

  1. In Weather Display, on the Exit menu, click Save and Exit. Make sure all of the Weather Display applications, such as RealTime FTP do not appear in the Windows task bar notifications area.
  2. Click Download next to Main Weather Display install file.
  3. When prompted, click Save, and then specify a folder location where to save the Weather Display install program.
  4. When the download completed, browse to the folder you specified in step 3, and then double-click the Weather Display .exe file.
  5. Follow the instructions on your screen to complete the installation.
  6. At the end of the installation wizard, click Finish. If you leave the Launch Weather Display check box selected, Weather Display launches with the new version.

If you are requested to run the Debug version of Weather Display by the program author, substitute the second link, Weather Display with error/crash debug code debug, in step 2 above. The debug version contains extra diagnostic information that can be used by the software developer to troubleshoot specific issues. You should only use this version when requested.

The third item, Weather Display zip of the main .exe file is a compressed file of updated items within Weather Display. This file does not include any updates for the Weather Display FTP program. After downloading, in Weather Display, on the Exit menu, click Save and Exit. Locate your downloaded .zip file, and extract the file to the folder that Weather Display is installed (usually c:\wdisplay or c:\Program Files\wdisplay). Re-start Weather Display.

Notes

  • If you are using the WDMYSQL or clientraw.txt update utilities, make sure they are completely shut down before beginning the software upgrade. If these applications are running, they will appear as icons on the Windows task bar notifications area.
  • It is a good idea to keep an archive folder of Weather Display program downloads. If you encounter a problem with a new version, you can go back to an older version by following the steps above.

How do I backup Weather Display data and configuration settings?

All the parameters for Weather Display for various display or computations are stored in wdisplay.ini. The parameters for the FTP program upload or download functions are stored in the Windows Registry. Most data is stored in the various files in the datafiles and logfiles folders. There is also data saved in the wdisplay.ini file.

Back up wdisplay.ini from c:\windows or c:\winnt. Export and backup the Windows Registry entry wdisplayftp.ini. And, of course, back up your datafiles, logfiles, and webfiles folders.

On the Action menu, click Back up registry entry, and then click Backup now. This saves your Weather Display registry entries in a file named wdisplayftp.reg in the databackup folder. You can also configure Weather Display to perform the backup daily (under Setup, Databackup). Note that some systems do not handle the daily automated backup well.

Your current datafiles and logfiles are also automatically added to a compressed (.zip) file with this backup function.

How to I move Weather Display and my data to another computer?

These instructions are for moving your Weather Display data and configuration from one Windows-based computer to another. For example, use these steps if you're moving your Weather Display installation to a new computer.

  1. Go to Weather Display Downloads and download the latest version of the Weather Display installer to a USB thumb drive.
  2. On the original computer, open Weather Display, and then click Action > Back Up Windows Registry Entries.
  3. Click File > Save & Exit.
  4. Copy the wdisplay folder to a USB thumb drive.
  5. Copy the wdisplay folder from the USB thumb drive to the new computer in the c:\ root folder.
  6. On the new computer, in the wdisplay/databackup folder, double-click wdisplayftp.reg. This updates the Windows Registry settings for Weather Display. Windows might prompt to approve the change.
  7. From the download in step 1, install Weather Display.

I've installed Weather Display on a new computer. How do I get a new registration code?

Just ask! Send a request to Brian following the procedure described in the Register / Purchase help page. To keep all your old data (and most likely not need to re-register), see the FAQ How to I move Weather Display and my data to another computer.