How to Update EEGer to the Latest Version
This article details the process for updating an existing EEGer installation to the latest version. For instructions for different installation scenarios, please refer to the articles linked below.
For instructions on performing a first-time installation of EEGer, see this article.
For instructions on transferring EEGer from one computer to another, see this article.
For instructions on downgrading EEGer to a previous version, see this article.
How to Update EEGer to the Latest Version
Important Notice: The steps to follow depend on your currently installed software version. If your software version is prior to EEGer4 440x (Release: October 2022), please be sure to follow the steps below for Creating a Backup of Current Installation. Failure to create a backup in these scenarios can result in data loss or unexpected issues or errors within the software due to cumulative changes over the years.
Creating a Backup of Current Installation
Creating a backup will ensure that you have a protected copy of your current EEGer installation, including any Client Data or Preferences Data. In the event of problems, this will ensure that EEGer Support can help avoid data loss and get things working as quickly as possible. If problems are encountered during the update process, a backup also allows for the software version to be quickly switched back if necessary.
Renaming Existing EEGer Folder
This is the recommended method of creating a local backup on the computer. It will ensure that the new version of EEGer can be installed as if it was a ‘fresh’ installation, ensuring it doesn’t override any existing files. It also makes switching between versions trivial by reversing the steps below.
Open the Windows File Explorer. This can be done by pressing Win+E or by navigating from the Start Menu or Taskbar.
Navigate to the computer’s C: drive and locate the existing EEGer folder.
Right-click and Rename the folder. It’s recommended to rename the folder with the current software version name (such as “EEGer440s”) or as “EEGerBackup” so that it is easy to identify during future steps. This also helps EEGer Support if they need to get connected and assist.
If Rename is not an option when right-clicking, select Show more options and then Rename or press F2 when selecting the folder.
Once the EEGer folder has been renamed, close the Windows File Explorer and continue with the steps to Update EEGer.
Creating An External Backup
An external backup to an external storage device is helpful if you are experiencing problems with the computer itself or when transferring EEGer from computer to another. An external backup can also be helpful to store and archive client information. This step can be done after the existing EEGer folder has been renamed using the steps above, as it will ensure there is both a local and external backup.
Updating EEGer to the Latest Version
Preparing the Update
Before starting the installation process, it is recommended to create a backup of your current installation. While a backup is not required from recent versions of EEGer (EEGer4 440x & Later), it is still generally recommended to create a backup using the steps above to avoid data loss and to help with troubleshooting any errors that may occur.
Disconnect the EEGer Security Dongle and EEG Amplifier if they are connected to the computer. These will remain disconnected throughout the update process and will be reconnected at a later time.
Downloading & Installing the Latest Version
Download the latest version of EEGer from the software’s support site. The latest version of EEGer will always be displayed at the top of the page.
On some web browsers, the download may be marked as unsafe. See this article for instructions on completing the download.
It is always recommended to install the latest version of EEGer, as it will streamline the support process and ensure the smoothest experience. If you are instructed to install a specific software version by EEGer Support, please ensure you download that version instead
If updating to the latest version of the previous software branch (EEGer4 431g), please download the latest version here.
Once the download has finished, locate and run the installer. By default, the installer should be saved to the computer’s Downloads folder.
Windows may prompt for permission to run the Installer and allow changes to be made. Click Yes to open the Installer.
When installing EEGer, accept the default installation settings by clicking Next, Install, OK, and Finish when prompted.
After the installation has completed, reconnect the EEGer Security Dongle and EEG Amplifier prior to opening the software.
When EEGer is opened for the first time, several messages will appear, as well as some warnings.
Recent versions of EEGer will automatically configure for the amplifier and check for the most recent keyfile.
To manually configure for the amplifier, see this article.
To manually install or scan for a new keyfile, see this article.
If prompted to run the Game Initialization Tool, see this article for instructions.
If the EEG Amplifier is not available in the options menu, see this article.
Note: Due to improvements to the feedback process, some games such as Lotus Pond and DVDGame may need to be updated to the latest version to be usable for live sessions. See this article for instructions on reinstalling extra games.
Transferring Client Data from Renamed EEGer Folder
If you created a backup of your existing EEGer folder, you will need to move Client Data to the new installation so that EEGer can use it.
Open the Windows File Explorer. This can be done by pressing Win+E or by navigating from the Start Menu or Taskbar.
Navigate to the computer’s C: drive and locate the renamed EEGer folder. You should also see a new folder labelled as just EEGer — this is te new installation of the software.
Open the renamed EEGer folder and locate the CLIENTS subfolder. By default, this is where all EEGer client files are stored.
Right-click on the CLIENTS subfolder and select Copy. The contents of this folder are now copied to the clipboard and can be transferred to another location on the computer.
Navigate back to the computer’s C: drive and locate the EEGer folder.
Right-click on the new EEGer folder and select Paste from the context menu. This will begin copying existing client files to the new version of EEGer, which may take several minutes depending on the amount of Client Data present.
When finished, Windows will display a prompt asking to replace existing files. This refers to the demonstration data included with the system. It is okay to choose Replace at this stage, as it will not override any real Client Data.
Once the transfer has completed, open EEGer and navigate to Client>Rebuild Client Index from the top toolbar of EEGer's main screen. A screen will appear for a moment as EEGer rescans the CLIENTS folder to index the new entries.
To ensure this transfer was successful, click Select Client and verify that the list of Client IDs reflects your previous installation.
Transferring Extra Games & Other Data from Renamed EEGer Folder
These steps are only required if you have purchased extra games or made customizations to EEGer’s default settings.
When creating a backup by renaming an existing installation, some additional files may need to be moved to ensure the new installation of EEGer has access to all the same games and personalized information as the previous installation. Because a backup was created, this can be done at any stage including if something isn’t noticed until a later date. It is also possible to schedule a time with EEGer Support to help with this process if neccesary, or if there are specific questions about what to move.
Transferring Games to New Version
Transferring games from an existing EEGer version can be difficult, as the new version of EEGer may required updated versions of the games. Because of this, it’s recommended to perform fresh installations of these games to ensure the most up-to-date version is installed, For instructions, see this article.
If manually transferring files, ensure to check for the following:
DVDGame: Transfer the folder at C:\EEGerRenamed\Games\DVDGame, contents of C:\EEGerRenamed\Games\Gamepaths subfolder, and DVDGame.gamedef. Note that a new version of DVDGame may be required depending on which EEGer version was previously installed.
Zukor Interactive: Transfer zukor.gamedef from C:\\EEGerRenamed\Games
Ardea Games & Others: Transfer the contents of C:\EEGerRenamed\Games\Gamepaths subfolder. Note that a new version of Lotus Pond may be required depending on which EEGer version was previously installed.
Preferences & Other Data
For most installations, no additional information will need to be transferred from a renamed EEGer folder, as most adjustments are made within the Client Data previously transferred. It is generally recommended not to transfer over preferences data or adjustments to the options menu, as this can cause incompatibilities depending on which EEGer version was previously installed.
If possible, we recommend manually adjusting settings back to match any modifications made. If a backup was created, it can be referenced to see what settings were adjusted. The most common things to move over are Custom Session Plans, which are stored in folders at C:\EEGerRenamed\Preferences. These can be directly copied to the same path on the new EEGer installation. For help & guidance, please contact support for further assistance if required.
Testing the New Installation
At this stage, no errors should be present on the software’s main screen and both the EEGer Security Dongle and EEG Amplifier should be connected. If errors are present, see the troubleshooting section toward the bottom of this article.
Click Select Client from EEGer’s main screen and observe if your full list of clients is present. Select a client for testing purposes (you can use eegdemo for testing).
Click Plan Session and verify that you can make adjustments to the stage or layout, and that the changes save properly.
Click Run Session and verify that your full list of games is present. Select a game and begin a session.
After beginning a session, observe that no error messages or warnings appear that prevent the wave screen or game from appearing. Verify that the amplifier is connected and reporting a green indicator in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
If needed, you can test the sound and feedback in a live or replay session. If these were working on your previous installation, they should continue working on the new installation, so isn’t always necessary.
If you are aware of specific changes you have made to EEGer, such as creating a Custom Session Plan or Tailored Game, verify that it is still present on the system. This will help to verify that the installation was a success.
For full information on Getting Started with EEGer, including additional configuration steps, please see our QuickStart Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Client Files & Session Data Are Not Appearing Within Eeger After Being Copied Over
This may be because the Client Index file was not rebuilt, or because the Client folders were copied into the wrong location.
Make sure the CLIENTS subfolder was copied from the old computer/installation to the new one, and not the other way around.
Ensure that the CLIENTS subfolder wasn’t copied directly to the C: Drive (should be at C:\EEGer\CCLIENTS).
Ensure that the CLIENTS subfolder wasn’t mistakenly nested within the existing CLIENTS folder. This would look like C:\EEGer\CLIENTS\CLIENTS and would prevent EEGer from seeing any of the individual Client Folders.
Navigate to Client>Rebuild Client Index from the top toolbar of EEGer's main screen.
Clients Previously Stored on Network Drive, But No Longer Appearing Within EEGer
There is an extra file that must be transferred to the new installation of EEGer so that the software knows where to check for client files. You can also manually enter the path of your network directory by navigating to Options>EEGer Configuration Options>Data Locations from within the software. Note that any Network Drive must be locally assigned a Drive letter for EEGer to recognize it as a valid path.
To copy from a renamed EEGer installation:
Navigate to C:/EEGerRenamed/Preference/Settings and copy the file paths.nin.
Paste the file in the same location of the new installation, then close and reopen EEGer.
EEGer Reports ‘Version Expired’ Even After Installing Latest Keyfile
This may happen if your EEGer License is only enabled for the 43 software branch, but the latest version of the 44 software branch was installed by accident. To correct the issue, repeat the steps in this article to download and install the correct version from this page, but please also feel free to contact EEGer Support for assistance.
EEGer Reports Most Up-To-Date Keyfile Installed, But Warnings Persist
Your latest keyfile may not be available on the server, as our team isn’t aware that you upgraded! Try installing your latest keyfile received via email. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, you may need to request a renewal keyfile to extend the license’s expiration.
After Updating, There’s Noise or Interference During Training
This is likely because you are in a region that uses 50hz power, and by default EEGer is set to filter out 60hz noise. To make adjustments to how EEGer filters out non-EEG data, see this article.
I’m Encountering Crashing or an Error Message
In most cases after a new installation, this indicates that the computer needs to be restarted. If the issue persists after restarting the computer, it may indicate that part of the installation was blocked by a security program on the computer, and that EEGer may need to be reinstalled once changes are made.
If you are unable to resolve the issue or are unsure, please contact support with the full text of the error/warning or a screenshot of the issue when it appears. This will help our team isolate what could be causing the issue to provide quick and direct troubleshooting.
How Do I Switch Back to the Previous Version?
If you created a local backup by renaming your existing EEGer folder, follow these steps:
Close EEGer if it is open and navigate to the computer’s C: drive.
Rename the folder labeled EEGer, we recommend including the version number or some text to help identify it.
Locate the original or previously renamed folder and change its name to only say EEGer.
Once changed, open the software as you normally would. The computer should now load the previous version of the software.
I Need Help From EEGer Support, What Are My Options?
At the end of the day, we’re here to help! Whether you’ve encountered a problem during this process or it just seems too overwhelming, please contact us and we can provide assistance. We like to help with the technical side of things so that our community can continue exploring great things with neurofeedback.
Our team can provide guidance to you buy email or schedule a support appointment for a member of our team to get remotely connected and help you with the process. Generally, most transfers and installations are complete within a 30-minute window. Scheduling a support appointment is a good idea because our team will often catch and identify possible technical issues or considerations that could interfere with sessions.
If you are a member of our Alliance Program, scheduling support appointments are included with your membership at no additional cost. For more information on the support that is available, see this article. If you’re unsure, please feel free to reach out and a member of our team can help direct your inquiry or provide recommendations.