Installing Chromperfect on a Replacement Computer: Migration, Setup, and Common Pitfalls

Replacing a computer that runs Chromperfect is a common task, but it is also one that is frequently misunderstood. Chromperfect systems are not migrated by copying program folders from one machine to another. Instead, the software must be installed correctly on the new hardware, and then existing data and configuration must be restored in a controlled way.

This article explains how to install Chromperfect on a replacement computer and migrate an existing system safely. It focuses on data acquisition systems, but many of the same principles also apply to analysis-only installations such as Unite or Analyze-only systems.

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Installing Chromperfect on a Replacement Computer

The guidance in this article applies to moving the same version of Chromperfect and an existing license to a new computer. If you are upgrading to a newer version of Chromperfect at the same time, the overall workflow is very similar, but you will be working with new installation media and a new license, and some files may be replaced rather than reused.

Before replacing any hardware, it is important to confirm that your current Chromperfect version is compatible with the version of Microsoft Windows supplied with the new computer. A common issue occurs when a new PC ships with the latest Windows release, but the existing Chromperfect software is not supported on that operating system. In these cases, a software upgrade may be required before the system can be used reliably. Checking compatibility in advance—either on the Chromperfect website or by contacting Chromperfect staff—can prevent unnecessary delays.

This guidance applies to the core Chromperfect software only. Database-based Chromperfect systems use a completely different migration process and are not covered here. Some larger installations also use a client-server architecture, where Chromperfect is installed on a central server and accessed by multiple client machines. While this article may be useful as a general introduction, client-server migrations involve additional nuances and should not be treated as exhaustive. Client-server users should always contact Chromperfect support before installing new hardware.

Files and Information That Can Be Reused

Several types of Chromperfect files can normally be reused on a new computer.

These include raw data files,

• method files,

• calibration files,

• format files,

• sequence files,

• and report output files.

  
  

These files should always be stored outside the Chromperfect program directory and outside the Chromperfect working directory. If the files were stored locally on the old computer, they can be copied to the new system. If they were stored on a network drive, they may already be accessible without copying, provided the same drive letters or network paths are available on the new computer.

Once these files are available in the expected locations, they are ready to be used by the new Chromperfect installation.

Files and Configuration That Must Be Recreated

Some parts of a Chromperfect installation are machine-specific and cannot be copied from one computer to another.

The Chromperfect program directory must always be installed fresh using the installer. The Chromperfect working directory is also machine-specific and should not be reused.

Search directories must be configured again on the new computer. Even when data files are reused or accessed from a network location, the search directory paths must be redeclared so Chromperfect knows where to find methods, calibrations, and data.

For data acquisition systems, instrument configuration must also be recreated. Acquisition services, instrument definitions, data directory assignments, and other hardware-related settings are tied to the local machine and cannot be transferred. Registry-based settings and service-level configuration must be rebuilt on the new system.

Using the Old System as a Reference

In most cases, it is extremely helpful to keep the old Chromperfect system available while configuring the new one. The old system can be used as a direct reference when recreating machine-specific settings.

If the old computer will not be available during installation, it is strongly recommended to capture this information in advance. At a minimum, consider taking screenshots of the search directory configuration, system-level settings such as user logons or security options, and each configured instrument. Instrument screenshots should include all relevant details, such as IP addresses, network ports, COM port assignments, USB identifiers, and other instrument-specific parameters.

Having this information available makes reconfiguration faster, reduces errors, and avoids unnecessary troubleshooting.

Licensing Overview

Chromperfect installations generally use either a USB license or a fingerprint-locked license.

If your system uses a USB license, the USB device can simply be moved to the new computer. Once Chromperfect is installed, the license should be recognized automatically.

If your system uses a fingerprint license, the license is tied to the old computer. In this case, you will need to contact Chromperfect support to request a new license based on the fingerprint of the replacement machine.

Final Checks and Testing

Once installation, file access, configuration, and licensing are complete, verify that Chromperfect launches normally and that data acquisition or analysis behaves as expected. This confirms that the migration has been completed successfully.