Upgrading Fusion

Introduction

This guide will show you how to upgrade Fusion. Most of the time the normal method should work just fine, but if you run into issues, alternative methods of installation are also covered.

We recommend that you watch the upgrade related videos if this is your first time to upgrade.

Exceptions

Occasionally you will need to follow special instructions to upgrade to certain versions. For example, it might be necessary to install Fusion Truck with the Remove Previous Datafile option turned on. If there are any such instructions they will be noted in the email announcing the new version.

Normal Upgrade Method

When a new version of Fusion is released, Fusion Server will automatically download the necessary install files during the night. You will be notified when Fusion plans to upgrade. Upgrades only happen during the night.

Fusion Server

This will happen automatically during the night. Fusion Server makes a backup before it upgrades itself.

Fusion Client

You don’t need to make sure Fusion Client is upgraded as soon as the server is upgraded. The next time someone goes to use the old version of Fusion Client, they will follow these steps:

  • Launch the old Fusion Client.
  • They will see a message explaining that they aren’t using the correct version of Client and asking if they want to update. They click the OK button.
  • Wait while Fusion Client updates itself. It is done when the new version is automatically launched.
Note that on slow computers, there can be a delay between when you see the Desktop and when the new version launches. Please be patient during this pause. It shouldn’t last longer than a minute or so. On fast computers, this delay is usually less than a second long.

Fusion Truck

Like Fusion Client, you don’t need to make sure Fusion Truck is upgraded as soon as the server is upgraded. If the truck computer is connected to the internet when the old version is launched, it will automatically upgrade itself similar to the clients. Otherwise, this process will happen they next time a sync is attempted.

  • Launch Fusion Truck.
  • If the upgrade window didn’t appear, attempt any kind of sync.
  • Wait while Fusion Truck updates itself. It is done when the new version is automatically launched.
Note that on slow computers, there can be a delay between when you see the Desktop and when the new version launches. Please be patient during this pause. It shouldn’t last longer than a minute or so. On fast computers, this delay is usually less than a second long.

Manual Internet Install

If something about the normal upgrade method does not work, don't take the time to fight it. Instead, just install Fusion manually using Fusion Installer on the problem computer as follows:

  • Launch Fusion Installer and the choose the Fusion Server source. (You can choose the Internet source if the Fusion Server source doesn’t have the correct version, but it will be slower.)
  • Select the application (Server, Client, Truck) in the list box and check to see that the Source Version column has the correct version number in it.
  • Click Install. You will then need to wait while the install file is downloaded from the internet.
  • When the download is finished, click Finish Install to complete the installation.

USB Drive Install

While still available for emergencies, the USB Drive install method should almost never be needed anymore.

For those with poor internet and/or poor network conditions where auto upgrading doesn’t work well, it may be best to use the USB drive install method. The basic idea is to prepare a USB drive (also referred to as USB stick or USB key) so that it has the necessary install files on it. Then someone must go to each computer that won’t auto install and use the USB drive to install.

Preparing A USB Drive

See the instructions in the Fusion Installer section of this guide for how to prepare a USB drive.

Installing With the USB Drive

  • Insert your USB drive into the computer where you are installing an application. If prompted, choose “Open folder to view files...”.
  • Launch Fusion Installer by double-clicking the icon on your USB drive. It will look similar to one of the icons below (although it might be a different version). Make sure Local is selected for the source so it gets the install files from the USB drive.
  • Select the application you want to install from the list and then click Install. On the next screen, click Finish Install.
  • Quit Fusion Installer and safely eject the USB drive.

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