Quick method for installing on multiple computers

Hi Folks:
There have been a lot of posts here on the forum so someone else may have already mentioned this.
I have 4 different computers that I needed to install Logos 4 (platinum) on. Altogether I have about 2300 books.
The first computer I installed it on took forever it seem (many hours) to download and then index everything.
I can now do the whole process (from installing to and including indexing) in less than 30 minutes.
Here is what I did if anyone is interested:
1. I copied the directory/folder that contains all of the Logos4 data to an external hard drive. (On Windows 7 this is normally located under: C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Logos4
2. On the second computer Install Logos4.
3. When the New install of Logos4 on the new computer has finished installing you will need to log into your account before Logos 4 will begin downloading.
4. Once the Logosindexer begins downloading resources, Kill the download (Right click on the task bar, select task manger/kill the logos process).
5. Copy the Logos4 folder that you backed up over the new install on the new computer.
6. Delete this file: "ResourceManager.db" (It is located in the Data>something.mbd>ResourceManager folder.
7. Delete the something.mbd folder in the Logos4>Data folder that does NOT contain the files you copied from the external hard drive (I think it will work without doing this, but I like a clean drive. Do NOT delete the folder you just copied over).
8. Start/Run Logos 4. It should go through the 3 steps starting. It will recreate the ResourceManager.db file as it searches and finds all of the books you copied over. Since you copied over the index file, that will not run again.
I've tried this on 3 different computers and it works like a charm. I didn't have to download or re-index all off the books again.... It is getting late at night so I hope that makes sense.
Matthew
Comments
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Matthew, if this works for me then you have officially become My November 2009 Hero - I considered Hero for Life but thought that a touch extreme
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It would be useful to have some insight from the Logos team if this will cause syncing problems (all the installations look the same to the sync server)?
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Hi Jon:
I so far haven't experienced any problems. Here at home I made some changes to Logos4 on my Laptop (some notes and layout) and the changes were synced to my desktop with no problems.
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I just wanted to add one thing at step two that I listed above: Part of installing Logos 4 is logging in. I didn't clarify above that you need to log in at least once before the download process will start. Then kill the download process and copy every thing over....
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Matthew Friend said:
I just wanted to add one thing at step two that I listed above: Part of installing Logos 4 is logging in. I didn't clarify above that you need to log in at least once before the download process will start. Then kill the download process and copy every thing over....
Matthew,
you can edit your post from the More button. Thus you can add this information in there.
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Thanks Damian for the help. I'm new to this forum and never thought to look for the edit function under the "more" button.
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Matthew Friend said:
Thanks Damian for the help. I'm new to this forum and never thought to look for the edit function under the "more" button.
Matthew, You're welcome - both for the help and to the forum.
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Hey Matthew,
Welcome and thanks for the inspiration. Because it confirmed a similar approach I had been wanting to test. I had begun a test installation, so I closed the program, then:-
- deleted the folders under ... \Logos4\Data\{random}\
- replaced them with folders from a working installation, and
- L4 started without any preamble!
I figured that as long as I kept the test installation's {random} folder designation it would connect to the Data side folders from elesewhere without a problem! I had a slight hiccup with sync, but eventually my Collections appeared.
Now we wait awhile for the dust to settle around Bellingham!
EDIT The complete process is:
* copy all folders under
...\Logos4\Data\{random}\
from working installation to an External drive* download Logos4 from
http://downloads.logos.com/LBS4/LDLS4Installer/Logos4Setup.exe* choose Custom
installation if you want to install in a folder of your choice* Sign-in and
Cancel the download when it finally starts (after some preparation)* Pause Indexer and kill Logos4Indexer.exe in
Task Manager ++* Close Logos4
* delete
all folders under ...\Logos4\Data\{random}\* copy folders
from external drive to above location* start L4
++ only necessary if you have Libronix v3 installed
Dave
===Windows 11 & Android 13
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Hi Dave:
You explained it better than I did.
The only thing really different is that I mentioned deleting the "ResourceManager.db" file.
On the first computer I tried copying to the Logos4 installation would not find the books after the copy. When I would try to open a book (or specifically, when I tried to open a saved layout) Logos 4 would crash and say something about not being able to find the resource. Once I deleted (and after restarting Logos4) the "ResourceManager.db" file is quickly re-created as Logos4 checked what was in the resource folder and worked fine. This was on a Windows 7 Pro computer. I may try today on an XP computer to see if it will work without deleting the ResourceManager.db file.
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Matthew Friend said:
I may try today on an XP computer to see if it will work without deleting the ResourceManager.db file.
I should state that my test system is Windows 7 RC on the laptop mentioned below.
The main difference was that you replaced the host files and folders with the donor/working system ( reading step 5) whilst I only replaced the Data side folders with the donor folders + not touching ResourceManager.db.
Dave
===Windows 11 & Android 13
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Dave Hooton said:
Welcome and thanks for the inspiration. Because it confirmed a similar approach I had been wanting to test. I had begun a test installation, so I closed the program, then:-
- deleted the folders under ... \Logos4\Data\{random}\
- replaced them with folders from a working installation, and
- L4 started without any preamble!
I figured that as long as I kept the test installation's {random} folder designation it would connect to the Data side folders from elesewhere without a problem! I had a slight hiccup with sync, but eventually my Collections appeared.
Now we wait awhile for the dust to settle around Bellingham!
Time to update your backup/restore scripts?
MacBook Pro (2019), ThinkPad E540
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Todd Phillips said:
Time to update your backup/restore scripts?
Just when Logos thought they could do it all in the cloud pragmatics strikes again [:)]
Dave
===Windows 11 & Android 13
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Dave Hooton said:Todd Phillips said:
Time to update your backup/restore scripts?
Just when Logos thought they could do it all in the cloud pragmatics strikes again
Yup copying from my external HD is about a billion times faster than the alternative. [:P] I really like the idea of backing up the indexes.
MacBook Pro (2019), ThinkPad E540
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This is how I historically re-installed my 3.0f software but I thought I read that Logos 4 was different. I did copy my Logos 4 folder and all of its contents onto an external hard drive and so relieved that any future re-installations will be so much quicker. I did have some issue yesterday and ended up redoing the whole process after a complete uninstall. I will also put your instructions onto a Word file to be placed within my Logos 4 folder and label it Important to Read! Thanks again.
don
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DonaldGFisher said:
This is how I historically
re-installed my 3.0f software but I thought I read that Logos 4 was
different. I did copy my Logos 4 folder and all of its contents onto
an external hard drive and so relieved that any future re-installations
will be so much quicker. I did have some issue yesterday and ended up
redoing the whole process after a complete uninstall. I will also put
your instructions onto a Word file to be placed within my Logos 4
folder and label it Important to Read! Thanks again.don
The
standard and supported install method is different for Logos 4 - you
run the one download, and then it automanages everything. The downside is you have to wait, sometimes a long time depending on internet speed (for the downloading) and processor speed (for the indexing).If we create
problems for ourselves doing this, we'd better not be calling tech
support and complaining that it doesn't work, because we're not doing the supported method. Especially since the whole point of Logos 4 being auto-managed was to cut costs and reduce some of the need for tech support, based
on what I've read elsewhere,Having said that, this is a great option for those of us who
still need to install our Windows 7 upgrades [:D], have multiple
computers, and/or have bandwidth restrictions on downloading, to bypass
spending a bunch more hours indexing. Now I can move the index from my
desktop which is already done to my (fast enough but much slower)
laptop. And, hopefully, install my Windows 7 upgrade one evening (or Saturday) and still have Logos 4 up and running the same day.0 -
Dave Hooton said:
EDIT The complete process is:
* copy all folders under
...\Logos4\Data\{random}\
from working installation to an External drive* download Logos4 from
http://downloads.logos.com/LBS4/LDLS4Installer/Logos4Setup.exe* choose Custom
installation if you want to install in a folder of your choice* Sign-in and
Cancel the download when it finally starts (after some preparation)* Pause Indexer and kill Logos4Indexer.exe in
Task Manager ++* Close Logos4
* delete
all folders under ...\Logos4\Data\{random}\* copy folders
from external drive to above location* start L4
I wanted to let everyone know that I tried doing it Dave's way and it works with less steps than the way I did it.
His steps are pretty self-explanatory, but if anyone is interested I made a short flash video that shows the steps.
I'm going to post this also under a new thread so that hopefully folks will see it and complete it Dave's way (I think there is a time limit on how long a post is editable so I can't edit my original).
The video is at:
http://wczone.com/Copying%20LOGOS4.html
Matthew
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if this is the case, why the random letters in the path, I would have thought the indexes would have been broken regardless, but if its workin for you gr8
Never Deprive Anyone of Hope.. It Might Be ALL They Have
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Hi DominicM
I have tried with both Custom and Standard installs. the {random} folder within the data folder is different on every computer I installed it on. Not only the folder name, but the ending too!
The index does not appear to be broken. In fact, when I made the video there was a 3.8 meg update. It updated and quickly indexed the small file (just a couple of minutes) as opposed to indexing all of the books.
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yep I can confirm it works, tho I also had to delete my ResourceManager.db it was coming up as resource not found... but that took 5 mins instead of 26hrs on my netbook [:D] excellent discovery
Never Deprive Anyone of Hope.. It Might Be ALL They Have
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DominicM said:
yep I can confirm it works, tho I also had to delete my ResourceManager.db
A small refinement, but I'm pleased the process has worked for others.
Dave
===Windows 11 & Android 13
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Matthew Friend said:
I wanted to let everyone know that I tried doing it Dave's way
Matthew and Dave's way! Especially noting Dom's experience.
Many thanks for the extra testing.
Dave
===Windows 11 & Android 13
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This method worked for me, too. Thanks for all the work, guys!
I may be having a few issues with sync, but I'll let you know if those clear up. My layouts are syncing fine but the collections aren't up to date yet.
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Man, I'm glad I found this thread. It solved a couple of other problems I was having.
First, after installing L4 on 2 systems (the hard way) the number of resources didn't match. Syncing wasn't picking it up either. I had tried copying the Resources folder over to the one that was coming up short but the new resources would not be recognized. Deleting the ResourcesManager.db (got the idea from here) got them recognized. But since something went awry in the first place, and since I found this thread, a clean install was in order and worked perfectly.
My second issue was simply that I'm planning on upgrading to Windows 7 soon... I was dreading reinstalling L4 on both machines again. Now it's a snap!
Thanks all!
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After I installed a Windows 7 box, and began the downloading/indexing process overnight so Logos would be ready to go in the morning, I ran across this thread. This is a wonderful thing! Thanks so much for working on it.
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Daniel Lee said:
My layouts are syncing fine but the collections aren't up to date yet.
The collections were slow when I tried it. I think the trick is to close Collections, or switch to another pane, let a couple of sync cycles go by and even try "Sync Now" in the Command bar.
Note I keep text files and/or images of my Collections, Guides & Prioritize list, just in case!
Dave
===Windows 11 & Android 13
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Like a Rock. That is what I feel like these days. What should be a simple process has turned into a painful one. I purchased the DVD because I knew I would never be able to install this new Logos 4 program via internet only. the first installed still required me to download 1.7gb of data from the web. After six hours (2-7AM) of downloading and 8 1/2 hours of syncing it was complete.
I then tried following these instructions to install Logos4 on my laptop. First I could not locate the data directory (other post) and then after I located it, installed it, the Logos program now wants to download 8.2gb of updates!!!!
Long time user of Logos, but this has got to be the worst experience updating I have ever had. Win7 update was easier than this process.
I have since cancelled the 8.2gb of downloading and have no idea where to go from here.
I feel like a rock these days.
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HiltonHilton Garcia said:I have since cancelled the 8.2gb of downloading and have no idea where to go from here.
Please start a new thread for your problem and describe how many resources in L4 & total size + what you said above.
thanks,
Dave
===Windows 11 & Android 13
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I have my complete Logos 4 library and updates installed on two computers. One is totally indexed the other one is not. How can I transfer just the indexing? Thanks! If I missed a description of this in the forum please forgive me.
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Dave Hooton said:DominicM said:
yep I can confirm it works, tho I also had to delete my ResourceManager.db
A small refinement, but I'm pleased the process has worked for others.
I was having major problems installing Logos on my second PC, it kept crashing during the indexing. Tried this method and it worked like a dream. I found I also had to delete the ResourceManager.db... but now everything is ticking along nicely...
Thanks again for the tip and the flash vid... massive help!
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Thanks Andrew, Where is the ResourceManager.db file found?
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Hi Michael,
You'll find it in Users/UserName/AppData/Local/Logos4/Data/{Random}/ResourceManager...
Andy
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When I tried Logos 4 out I did a search and it was very fast and didn't mention
the need to index so I assumed it was ready to go. When I tried to open a book
however nothing would open and it wanted to download 9.7 GB so I assume I need
to do something with the resource associations. Any ideas? Thanks again!0 -
So you copied the data/index folders to this installation from your working one. But did you delete/copy only the folders below {random} eg.
Data
{random} ==> do not copy/delete this folder & its subfolders
DownloadManager ==> select and copy/paste all these folders in {random}
HistoryManager
....
ResourceManager
etc.
If you did that cancel the download, re-install and copy/paste as indicated.
Dave
===Windows 11 & Android 13
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Dave I appreciate you trying to help me, but what you have said in your last post is like Russian to me, I know a little greek [:)] I totally uninstalled Logos, reinstalled it and copied the whole Logos file from my computer that works. I'm tired, maybe in the morning it will make sense to me. Thanks for trying to help.
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Michael Lyman said:
Dave I appreciate you trying to help me, but what you have said in your last post is like Russian to me, I know a little greek
I totally uninstalled Logos, reinstalled it and copied the whole Logos file from my computer that works. I'm tired, maybe in the morning it will make sense to me. Thanks for trying to help.
Hi Michael, further to Dave's comment, it may be that you have copied and pasted before deleting the necessary files (which would cause the response you describe). Your best bet is following the steps in Matthew Friend's fantastically helpful flash vid:
http://wczone.com/Copying%20LOGOS4.html
This should guide you through the steps (and I can confirm that the instructions are in English, not Russian [;)] )... Hope it does the trick!
Andy
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Ok, I have watched the video several times, I'm rested up and ready to try again. Let me explain my understanding of how to do this. I have installed Logos 4 on the second computer. Now I just need to replace the contents of the weird file under data with the contents of the one on my properly working computer but delete the file ResourceManager.db while it's on my portable drive and before I paste those files in? Is that it? Thanks again.
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Also I see nothing in the video about deleting the ResourceManger.db file.
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Michael Lyman said:
Also I see nothing in the video about deleting the ResourceManger.db file.
Michael,
Follow the video and IF your resources come up "not found" after the copy/paste, then deleted the resourcemanager.db. This will force a rebuilding of the resource list (with location info etc) and may take a while. But, there will be no reindexing.
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Thanks Damian, When I restarted I opened my resources and they were there but when I tried to open a book it didn't show up so I deleted the ResourceManager.db file and have restarted again and am waiting to see what happens. I'll let you know.
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It has started and now says there are 2 hours and 28 minutes left in indexing?
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Now it's up to 3 hours and 25 minutes but my searches are fast.
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7 hours and 55 minutes?
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Now the indexer has quit working and the windows error message is popping up and going off about every five seconds, but I'm down to about 3 hours and 7 minutes.
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Michael Lyman said:
Now I just need to replace the contents of the weird file under data with the contents of the one on my properly working computer
It's important to delete/remove the original folders before you copy the folders from the working computer.
Dave
===Windows 11 & Android 13
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Thanks Dave. I did that.
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Wait a minute. Are you saying that I should have never copied the ResourceManager.db folder to my portable hard drive? I apologize for being so dense.
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Michael Lyman said:
Are you saying that I should have never copied the ResourceManager.db folder to my portable hard drive?
No. You do not edit anything that comes from the working L4. After you copy the folders to the new installation and started L4, you may have to delete the .db file if it complains that it cannot find resources. The wiki guide should clarify this point http://wiki.logos.com/Quick_Installation_onto_multiple_computers
Dave
===Windows 11 & Android 13
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That's exactly what I have done... twice. Saturday I did a complete uninstall and followed the directions again. Thanks for you help. I've had Tech Support looking at this since last Wednesday. Friday they told me they would have to have Bradley Grainger look into it. Thanks again.
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I have the DVD, I'm going to uninstall and try again. If I uninstall prerequisites and Logos 4 and delete all of the Logos info in the other folder I should having everything uninstalled. Correct? Can I then follow the install instruction using the DVD instead of downloading off of the website? Thanks again.
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Michael Lyman said:
I have the DVD, I'm going to uninstall and try again. If I uninstall prerequisites and Logos 4 and delete all of the Logos info in the other folder I should having everything uninstalled. Correct?
Yes. Then install from DVD. Obviously you will have some indexing time and I would anticipate a few hundred MB of updates (probably a new engine as the DVD was compiled with SR-5 at best).
Dave
===Windows 11 & Android 13
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