FT Studio Version 4 to current

[Doylen]

I searched in this site, asking same questions but couldn't locate an answer.
One of OEM installed machine has Version 4 PV+.
The touch screen is not working so we purchased new PV+ Firmware version 10.
I was able to upload the .MER file but it won't let me creating the project to my current version software, Version 10.
I believe I must have version 5.1 FT studio with 32bit Windows software.
Before I buy older laptop with Windows 7 32 bit, can someone confirm this is ONLY way to make this work?
OR, is there a person kind enough to convert this attached file to version 10 or make an archive file?
Either ways, thanks in advance!

 

[dmroeder]

The runtime version is 3.2, not 4.0. V3.2 didn't have the ability to restore.

 

[joseph_e2]

I pulled it up in my old 32-bit VM and got this:

This runtime application file was saved in an older format that does not support conversion to a development application.

There are some partial workarounds. Start here:
https://www.plctalk.net/qanda/showthread.php?t=90205


This article also talks about it:
https://theautomationblog.com/how-to-edit-a-panelview-plus-viewme-mer-runtime-file

It refers to a few Rockwell tech notes but the one they refer to as publicly available has since been locked down to TechConnect only.




Tech note (access level: TechConnect):

https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/answer_view/a_id/8913


See also (access level: TechConnect):
https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/answer_view/a_id/44554


And (access level: TechConnect):
https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/answer_view/a_id/63228



Your best bet is to track down the APA file if at all possible.

 

[Doylen]

@joseph_e2
Thanks so much.
I've tried all links but still doesn't work.
I've gov windows 7 32bit laptop and installed version 5.0.
But it would not let me restore either.
Maybe Rockwell tech support person can convert it and create APA file.

 

[joseph_e2]

Yeah, you can't convert it directly but have to jump through those hoops and it still won't bring everything in. What are the chances you can get the original APA file?

 

[dmroeder]

@joseph_e2
Thanks so much.
I've tried all links but still doesn't work.
I've gov windows 7 32bit laptop and installed version 5.0.
But it would not let me restore either.
Maybe Rockwell tech support person can convert it and create APA file.

As I mentioned, the reason that it won't convert is because your MER is v3.2, the concept of restoring MER's didn't exist. In those older versions, you had to keep the APA file to restore. This isn't a matter of having a newer version to restore it, no versions can restore a 3.2 application, the MER structure doesn't contain everything needed to restore it.

I don't think restoring MER's came about until v5. So any MER made pre v5 cannot be restored using the application manager, you have to have the APA file.

There is a hacky way to get most of the application back, but not everything, which joseph_e2 linked.

 

[Doylen]

Yeah, you can't convert it directly but have to jump through those hoops and it still won't bring everything in. What are the chances you can get the original APA file?

Slim to none.
The OEM company asked me why waited this long to upgrade since it's installed back in 2010. lol for them and (me)
I Just created tech connect case and asked them to convert is for me.
I will wait for their response.