Upgrading A DW Blackjack Cube from Windows 7 to Windows 10 (S/N starting with SH81R)

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Affected Roles: Owner, Administrator

Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps: DW Spectrum IPVMS

Last Edit: April 18, 2024

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Upgrading the DW Blackjack Cube OS

The process for upgrading a DW Blackjack Cube from Windows 7 to Windows 10 requires several steps to complete. Prior to starting this process, it is recommended to create backup files of your server’s DW Spectrum Database and DW Spectrum Recording Licenses.

This article will outline the process for creating a DW Spectrum Database Backup and exporting Recording Licenses, before walking you through upgrading a DW Blackjack Cube (S/N begins with SH81R) from a Windows 7 OS to a Windows 10 OS.

**DISCLAIMER: Digital Watchdog will not be held liable for the loss of data or consequential damages (including, without limitation, damage to recording media) resulting from the upgrading of hardware or software of a DW Blackjack server yourself. It is recommended to send your unit in for service by a DW technician. However, you may request an upgrade kit if self-service is preferred (see below).

Supported/Affected Devices:

DW Blackjack® Cube (S/N begins with SH81R)
- DW-BJCUBE3T
- DW-BJCUBE4T
- DW-BJCUBE6T
- DW-BJCUBE9T
- DW-BJCUBE12T
- DW-BJCUBE18T

Ordering An Upgrade Kit

It is recommended to send in your DW Blackjack Cube for upgrading from a Windows 7 operating system to a Windows 10 operating system. The upgrade process may be requested through your Digital Watchdog Sales Representative and the upgrade process is performed by our Digital Watchdog Repair Department.

Otherwise, you may submit a request to purchase an upgrade kit for your DW Blackjack Cube’s operating system by submitting an RMA Request. Be sure to indicate that it is a request for a Windows 7 to Windows 10 Upgrade in the Detail Description section of your ticket. The RMA Department will contact you with a quote.

Each Upgrade Kit includes:

QTY 1 – DW-CUBEWIN10 (Windows 10 OS Recovery Drive)
QTY 2 – DW-MEM8 (2 x 8GB DDR3-1600 CL11 SDRAM)

Before Upgrading

The OS upgrade process can be performed by either yourself or by a technician from your security system installment company, however we recommend that you are first aware that the upgrade process includes:

Upgrading the memory (RAM)
Documenting system information
Creating a Recording License Backup and deactivating the Recording Licenses
Creating a Database Backup for the DW Spectrum Server
Installing Windows 10 (note that all archived video will be deleted)
Restoring Windows User settings
Configure and restore DW Spectrum IPVMS settings again (use the Database Backup)
Re-activating Recording Licenses

Upgrading RAM

Prior to upgrading the OS to Windows 10, the memory (RAM) of the DW Blackjack Cube will need to be upgraded to use DDR3-1600 CL11 SDRAM (included in the upgrade kit).

Please read Upgrading RAM for a DW Blackjack Cube (S/N starting with SH81R).

Section 1: Preparing the Server

Please be sure that you have read and understand all information above this section before proceeding. Be sure that the memory (RAM) has also been upgraded as recommended above.

**DISCLAIMER: Digital Watchdog will not be liable for the loss of data or consequential damages (including, without limitation, damage to recording media) resulting from the upgrading of hardware or software of a DW Blackjack server yourself.

Part 1.1: Saving System Information

Before upgrading the OS, it is recommended to copy the following information to a location separate from the DW Blackjack Cube (e.g., handwritten copy, photos of settings, etc.):

Document the IP Address of both network cards (NICs)
Document the computer name
Document other miscellaneous Windows information that may need to be restored, such as custom user information, camera names, DW Spectrum Server names, etc.

Once you have successfully finished copying down the above information, insert a USB storage drive to an available USB port within the DW Blackjack Cube to which you will copy your system’s Database Backup and License Backup.

**NOTE: Do not use the USB Recovery Drive that is included in the upgrade kit as your regular USB storage device. Please use a separate USB storage device.

Part 1.2: Export Recording Licenses

To export Recording Licenses:

Log in to the DW Spectrum Desktop Client as the system Owner or as an Administrator before proceeding.
Open the Main Menu and select “System Administration” (CTRL+ALT+A).

In the System Administration window, select the Licenses tab then click on “Export”.

Insert a USB storage drive, then select it under “Look in”.

Enter a name for the export file and set the File Type as HTML.

Click the Save button.

**NOTE: Do not use the USB Recovery Drive from the upgrade kit as your regular USB storage device.

After saving the License Export, open the exported file and verify that all of your Recording License keys are listed. Copy the file to a USB storage device.

Part 1.3: Deactivating Recording Licenses

To deactivate Recording Licenses:

From the Licenses menu, select a license from the Active Licenses list, then click the Deactivate button.

When prompted, click the Deactivate button to confirm.
A dialogue box will display.

Enter your name and email address. For Reason for deactivation, select I am upgrading my machine, then click the Next button.

**NOTE: If the system does not have an Internet connection, you may submit a License Deactivation Form or send an email request to licenses@dwcc.tv from a computer that does have Internet access.

Click the OK button in the deactivation confirmation pop-up window.

Part 1.4: Creating A Database Backup

When making major changes to your DW Spectrum system, it is a good idea to create a Database Backup as a contingency or for easy system reconfiguration. This file will contain the camera configurations and system settings of DW Spectrum and can be used as a restoration point for the system as needed.

To create a Database Backup:

From the System Administration menu, select the Advanced tab and click the Create Backup button.

In the Save Database Backup window, select your USB storage device under “Look in” and name the file.

Click the Save button to create the Database Backup.

**NOTE: Do not use the USB Recovery Drive from the upgrade kit as your regular USB storage device.

**NOTE: The OS upgrade process will require all work to be performed directly on the machine. However, be aware that verification will be needed if a Database Backup is created remotely through a DW Cloud connection to the System.

After saving the Database Backup file to a USB storage drive, remove the USB drive from the DW Blackjack Cube.

Shut down the DW Blackjack Cube before proceeding with upgrading the operating system.

Section 2: Upgrading the DW Blackjack Cube to Windows 10

Before beginning the upgrade process, verify that there are no external media drives such as external hard drives or USB storage drives connected to the DW Blackjack Cube.

**DISCLAIMER: All archived camera footage will be deleted from the server’s hard drives during this process. Be sure to export or backup any data that you may need prior to proceeding with the OS upgrade.

To upgrade the DW Blackjack Cube to Windows 10:

Insert in the USB Recovery/Upgrade Drive (included in the Upgrade Kit) into an available USB port for the DW Blackjack Cube, then power on the unit.

During the POST process (first Digital watchdog LOGO/BIOS screen), tap the F7 key on the keyboard as the system is powering on to enter the “Quick Boot Menu”.

When prompted, enter the System Administrator password to continue.

Default Password: admin

Select UEFI: ASolid USB, then press the Enter key on keyboard.

**NOTE: The name of the USB Recovery Drive and the boot order may appear differently than what is displayed in the image below.

Use the keyboard to select the “Acronis True Image” option.

In the Acronis True Image program, click on “My Disks” found under Recover.

The Recovery Wizard will display for Archive Selection.

Click the Browse button.

In the left panel, expand “This PC” (or “My Computer) and open the “CUBE-W10UPG” USB drive.

Select “CUBE_UPG_W10_IOT_full_b1_s1_v1.tib then click the OK button.

The Archive Selection window will display again.

Select the recovery file once more, make sure that the Path is set for the image. If not, select it from the Details area of the window.

Click the Next button to continue.

Next, you must select a Recovery Method.

Select Recover whole disks and partitions, then press the Next button.

For the What to Recover section, check the Disk 1 checkbox and select all partitions for recovery, then click the Next button.

**NOTE: The Disk number may differ, depending on the sub-model of your DW Blackjack Cube. If so, be sure to select all listed partitions for recovery.

When selecting the Destination of Disk, select “Disk 1”. If more than one HDD is available for selection, select the first available disk.

After choosing the Destination of Disk, click the Next button.

A confirmation pop-up may display. As mentioned at the beginning of the upgrade section in this article, all archived camera footage will be deleted from the server’s hard drives. Be sure that you have created your DW Spectrum Database Backup and License Export before proceeding.

Click the OK button to continue with the upgrade process.

A summary of the operation will display.

If you have followed all of the instructions listed above, click the Proceed button to initiate the upgrade.

The OS upgrade will begin.

Enable “Restart the computer when the operation is completed” to have the system automatically restart when the upgrade has been completed.

When the upgrade has been completed, the computer should then boot into Windows.

A script will begin to run in the command prompt to configure DW Spectrum on the computer. Do not close this script and all its process to be completed.

After the command prompt closes, the upgrade process to Windows 10 will be complete. You can then remove the USB Recovery Drive.

Section 3: Post Upgrade Processes

After upgrading the DW Blackjack Cube to Windows 10, most of the computer’s settings will have been defaulted. Using the files and information obtained at the beginning of this article, you may restore the settings of the DW Spectrum IPVMS server program and of the Windows operating system.

Section 3.1: Restoring Windows Settings

Use the system information that you copied at the beginning of this article (Saving System Information section) to reconfigure the following information:

Reconfigure the IP Address of each network card (NIC)
Reconfigure the computer system name
Set the system Date and Time
Reconfigure any other miscellaneous Windows information that may need to be restored, such as custom user information

Section 3.2: Extending Volume (DW-BJCUBE18T only)

Section 3.2 of this document is for DW-BJCUBE18T units only. If you are using a different model, please skip to Section 3.3: Configure DW Spectrum IPVMS.

Right-click on “Volume D:” under Disk 0 and select “Extend Volume”.

Click the Next button.

Do not alter any settings for the volume.

Click the Next button.

Click the Finish button.

Section 3.3: Configure DW Spectrum IPVMS

Open the DW Spectrum Desktop Client, then select “New Server” or “Connect to Server”, depending on software version.

Next, click the Setup New System button.

The Enter System Name window will display.

You may change the default name to a preferred name, then click the Next button. This is optional.

**NOTE: If you set the camera settings manually, click on “Advanced System Settings” and uncheck the “Allow system to optimize camera settings” toggle.

Create the password for the System Owner/Administrator of the DW Spectrum system.

Uncheck the “Save Password” setting for additional security.

Click the Next button.

**NOTE: The password for DW Spectrum IPVMS must be at least 8-characters and use at least two symbols including special characters (!@?), numbers (123), and uppercase (ABC) or lowercase letters (abc).

**NOTE: If you wish to continue to use the default password, use admin12345 in both the Password and the Confirm Password fields.

Once the new system has been set up, click the Finish button.

Section 3.4: Restore the DW Spectrum Database

Using the DW Spectrum Database Backup created at the beginning of this article, restore the camera and recording settings to the DW Spectrum IPVMS server.

Open DW Spectrum IPVMS client and log in to the server.

Default Login: admin
Default Password: admin12345

Insert the USB storage drive containing the DW Spectrum Database Backup file to the DW Blackjack Cube.

Open the System Administration menu (CTRL+ALT+A) and select the Advanced tab.

Click the Restore from Backup button.

Locate and select the Database Backup file, then click the Open button.

The DW Spectrum desktop client will display a confirmation popup.

Click the OK button to confirm the system restoration from the Database Backup.

Once the Database has been restored, a confirmation popup will display.

If a Restore Failed message displays, reboot the system and try again.

Click OK to close the message.

Next, locate the Resource Tree (also known as Device List) and select all the cameras that appear under the Old Server (marked by a red X).

Drag-and-drop the cameras onto the New Server (updated) to move them over.

**NOTE: Hold the Shift key while selecting cameras to select multiple cameras simultaneously.

A popup displaying “Server cannot access X cameras. Move them anyway?” may appear.

Click the Move button to register the cameras to the updated system.

After all the cameras and devices have been moved to the new server, right-click on the old server and select Delete.

Delete the old server from the system. It should no longer display in the Resource Tree past this point.

Section 3.5: Reactivate Licenses

Open the Licenses menu to enter and reactivate the DW Spectrum Recording Licenses on your updated system.

If you require instructions for activating Recording License keys, check out Activating License Keys.

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For More Information or Technical Support

DW Technical Support: https://www.digital-watchdog.com/contact-tech-support/

DW Sales: sales@digital-watchdog.com | www.digital-watchdog.com