Updates FAQs

Below are answers to common questions about updating Fishbowl Inventory. If you have a question that is not answered here, contact us at support@fishbowlinventory.com or 1.800.774.7085.

Q: What is an upgrade?

A: An upgrade is an enhancement to an existing installation of Fishbowl Inventory. Upgrades usually include improved features and bug fixes.

Q: How do upgrades work?

A: You download a file from our website and you install it on top of your Fishbowl Inventory installation. No need to uninstall your old version. Simply follow the installation instructions as prompted.

Q: Who is eligible for the upgrade?

A: You must meet the following requirements:

1. You have a version of Fishbowl Inventory older than the upgrade.
2. You have a current support and maintenance contract.*

*You must have a current support contract in order to receive a license key (a new license key is required to run most new upgades). The format of the license key changes with each version of Fishbowl Inventory, so old keys will not work with the current versions.

Q: Who should not upgrade?

A. Users who are using QuickBooks versions earlier than 2007.

Q: Where do I get the upgrade?

A: By downloading it from the Fishbowl Inventory website, or on CD-ROM (by request). You will be notified of upgrades bu clicking Help | Check Version from any Fishbowl Client with an internet connection, or by checking this update section of Fishbowl Inventory.com on your own. If you choose to have the update sent to you on CD-ROM, a nominal $9.95 fee will apply to cover materials and shipping.

Q: What should I do before I upgrade?

A. Always make a backup of your Fishbowl Inventory database.

Q: How do I back up my database?

A. The following information will guide you through a step-by-step process on how to make a backup of your database:

• USING WINDOWS

1. Browse to your installation directory of Fishbowl Inventory (default installation is: C:/Program Files/Fishbowl).
2. Using the Copy-Paste features copy the following files to a secure location outside the Fishbowl directory: /Fishbowl/database/(whole directory)

• USING FISHBOWL INVENTORY

1. Log into the Fishbowl Client (preferably as admin).
2. Go to the Set Up Module Group | Schedule Module
3. Click New in the upper left hand corner to create a new task.
4. Enter in a name and description of the task.
5. Specify a time you want the database to back up (the Fishbowl Server will need to be running in order for this backup to take effect).
6. Change your task type at the bottom to be 'Backup Database'
7. Browse to the directory of where you would like the database to back up to (we recommend a secure location).
8. Click save in the upper left hand corner to save your newly created Database Backup task.

WARNING: In some cases the upgrades will make changes (improvements) to Fishbowl Inventory that cannot be reversed. If you install the upgrade, and cannot register it—if for example you do not have a current support contract—you will need to go back to your previous installation. At that point, only a backup or copy of your database can restore that.

Q: How do I upgrade?

A. After you have made a backup of your Fishbowl Inventory data...

1. Identify the computers and servers which use Fishbowl Inventory.
2. Download the appropriate upgrade to your computers.
3. Shutdown the Fishbowl Inventory Server on the server and close all instances of the Fishbowl Inventory Client (the upgrade does not work on a running program).
4. Run the installation program on every computer where Fishbowl Inventory is installed.

Note: Both Fishbowl Inventory Client(s) and the Fishbowl Inventory Server must be updated to the same version of Fishbowl Inventory. If not, they will not communicate properly and the clients will not be able to logon to the server.

WARNING: In some cases the upgrades will make changes (improvements) to Fishbowl Inventory that cannot be reversed. If you install the upgrade, and cannot register it--if for example you do not have a current support contract--you will need to go back to your previous installation. At that point, only a back-up of your database can restore that.

Q: How do I know if I have a service contract?

A: You can verify or purchase your service contract by contacting the Fishbowl Inventory Support Staff at: 1.800.774.7085 ext.3 or via email to support@FishbowlInventory.com

Q: How do I get a service contract?

A: Contact the Fishbowl Inventory Support Staff:
800.774.7085 ext. 3 or via email to support@FishbowlInventory.com

Q: How do I know what version of Fishbowl Inventory I have?

A: In the Fishbowl Inventory Client menu bar, go to Help / About...

This will reveal the About Fishbowl Inventory panel. At the top of this panel it will display the version. The numbers after the version represent the build date (YYYYMMDD).

The example above shows that the currently installed Fishbowl Inventory 4.7 built on 17 January 2007.

Q: Which version is the upgrade?

A: In the About window is a version code; e.g. 5.0 R/year/month/day. It combines both the program version and the build date.

Q: Can I undo an upgrade?

A: Yes and No.

WARNING: In some cases the upgrades will make changes (improvements) to Fishbowl Inventory that cannot be reversed. If you install the upgrade, and cannot register it--if for example you do not have a current support contract--you will need to go back to your previous installation. At that point, only a back-up of your data can restore that.

For example, Fishbowl Inventory 2.1 which has been upgraded to Fishbowl Inventory 2.2 cannot be reverted back to Fishbowl Inventory 2.1. However if a backup copy of your 2.1 database was made, you can uninstall 2.2, reinstall 2.1, and reload your 2.1 database.

Q: Who do I contact if I have difficulties or more questions?

A: The Fishbowl Inventory Support Staff

Phone: 800.774.7085 ext. 3
Email: support@FishbowlInventory.com