CostsMaster - Transferring CostsMaster to a different PC

The leading bill drafting software

Transferring CostsMaster 3 to a Different PC
This guide describes the recommended method for transferring CostsMaster 3 to a different PC.
1. Ensure you are running Version 3.4 or later.
These instructions assume you have at least version 3.4. If you are running an earlier version please upgrade before proceeding.
2. Copy your settings to the new PC
Start CostsMaster 3, go to the Options menu and click "Backup Settings". Your settings files will be backed up to a folder on your desktop called "CostsMaster Settings". Then do the following: Copy the entire "CostsMaster Settings" folder to your new PC. It doesn't matter where you copy it as long as you can locate it on your new PC. On the new PC locate the folder you have just copied and open it. Double click the "install.bat" file. This will copy the settings files to their proper locations on your new PC. Please note that if you have any CostsMaster 2 settings files they will be copied also. If you are also copying CostsMaster 2 to the new PC you can omit this step when doing so.
3. Transfer the dongle containing your licence to the new PC.
If you have a network dongle you can skip this step. Otherwise remove the Costsmaster dongle from the old PC and insert it into a free USB port on the new PC. The PC will detect it and should install the hardware drivers automatically.
4. Install CostsMaster 3 on the new PC
Download the latest version of CostsMaster 3 from our web site and install it on the new PC. Start the program. If the dongle was installed correctly in the previous step the program should start up without showing the trial window.
5. Copy your files and templates from the old PC.
Copy your CostsMaster files, program templates and exported documents from the old PC. For details of how to locate them see this page. We recommend copying them to the My Documents\CostsMaster Files folder with program templates stored in a sub folder with the same name. Wherever you copy them to make a note of the locations as you will need them in the next step.
6. Import any Custom Export Templates
If you had created any of your own Export templates you will need to manually import them into the new version. Before doing this you should have copied the templates from the old PC in the previous step, unless they are on a shared network drive. Start CostsMaster 3 and go to Options > Export Templates. Click the Import Templates button Navigate to the folder where you placed the files copied in the step above (or to the shared network drive where they are located). Select the custom template you want to import and click OK. Repeat these steps for all custom templates.
7. Verify your settings and locations
Start CostsMaster 3. Open the Options > Abbreviations and CLAIM1 Codes window and assure yourself that all your abbreviations have been successfully copied from the old PC. Do the same for the Options > Presets and Fixed Fees, Options > Local Settings and Options > Export Phrases & Options windows. Go to Options > Local Settings then select "File Locations" from the left hand pane. If you copied your documents and templates to a different location to where they were on the old PC the paths displayed on the right hand pane will be showing the old locations. Use the "browse" button (with the folder icon) to locate the correct directory for each. When done close the Options window. Click the Open button and verify that it takes you to the correct location for your documents. Satisfy yourself that all your documents have been copied over from your old machine. Go to the file menu and select "New From Template". Verify that the dialog opens at the program templates directory - it should have at least one file called default.dot - and if not go back to the File Locations window to rectify it.