Q3. I am trying to start up GeneSpring after updating to version 12.5 but I get an error saying that GeneSpring cannot start because the PostgreSQL database failed to startup. What could be the reason for this?
There are a number of reasons why the PostgreSQL database would have failed to startup, which can depend on your system specifications:
Q2. What are the size requirements for database migration from MySQL to PostGreSQL?
The information dialog guiding you through the update and migration process provides estimated size requirements and informs you if the available space in the GeneSpring installation directory is not sufficient. PostgreSQL migration involves copying the entire MySQL folder. The MySQL folder will remain untouched after migration. This means, if the MySQL folder occupies x GB space, you will need at least twice that amount (2x) plus some extra space, which varies, but is typically around 10% of the size of the original MySQL folder (10% of x).
Q1. Why do I have to migrate databases when I try to update from version 12.1 to 12.5?
For version 12.5, the database management system for storing GeneSpring data (e.g. experiments, analysis results, annotations, pathway-related databases) was changed from MySQL to PostgreSQL. Therefore, all the existing data has to be migrated from the MySQL database to the PostgreSQL database before you can start working with GeneSpring again. Depending on the size of your data (for example if you have previously downloaded interaction databases of multiple organisms), this process can take several hours.
