Instructions for Re-installing Forge Ahead Software

You may need to re-install your Forge Ahead Software in the future. Examples of when this might be needed include:

Note: You must be using version 4.0 (or higher) in order to use this re-install procedure. If you are using an earlier version, contact us for info on how to upgrade (at no cost).

To Re-install Forge Ahead:

  1. Using the computer where you want to install the software, insert the Forge Ahead CD-ROM.
  2. Follow the instructions on "Installing Software" in Section 2 of your User Manual.
  3. If you have upgraded to a newer version since you purchased Forge Ahead, you will need to upgrade again at this time. NOTE: Your backup data will not work properly with an older version of the program.
    • If you need to upgrade and do not have the upgrade file, contact us.
    • Once you locate the upgrade file, double-click on it to run the upgrade, and follow the screen prompts to complete.
  4. Load your backup data. Follow the instructions on "Performing Data Restore" in the Data Management section of your User Manual.
  5. Launch Forge Ahead by double-clicking the icon on the Windows desktop. You should get directly to the Main Switchboard and can work with your data as usual.

Restrictions for Using Forge Ahead on Multiple Computers

While it is possible to use Forge Ahead on more than one computer, doing so requires strict data management practices on your part in order to protect your data and ensure its accuracy over time.

Basically, this involves using Forge Ahead on only one computer at a time. Whichever computer you are currently using should be considered the "Active" program, and you must move your "active" data file to the alternate machine before using Forge Ahead on that machine. Once the data has been moved, that computer becomes the active program until you move the data back to the other machine.

Note: To illustrate, here is an example of what would not work. If the program is installed on a laptop and a desktop computer, and the farrier is in the field creating invoices and appointments, and someone else is using the desktop to enter payments received, the data files on both machines are inaccurate. This is because when you transfer the data, all data on one machine is replaced by all data from the other. In this example, if the data from the laptop was loaded onto the desktop, the desktop would contain the new invoices and appointments entered on the laptop, but the payments entered on the desktop would be gone.

To move Forge Ahead data from one computer to another:

  1. On the active machine, create a backup of your data file. (See "Performing Compact and Backup Procedure" in the Data Management section of the User Manual.)
  2. On the alternate machine, load the backup data created in step 1. (See "Performing Data Restore" procedure in the Data Management section of the User Manual.)
  3. Once the backup data has been loaded to the alternate computer, that computer should be considered "active".
  4. When ready to switch to another machine, repeat the steps above.