Writing a Configuration to a System
Writing a configuration to a system transfers an archived source system to the target system. Perform this task to upgrade or migrate a customized configuration to a new PME 8.2 system.
Writing a configuration to a target system overwrites the existing target configuration; once started, the operation cannot be canceled or rolled back.
Note: After a configuration is successfully written to a system, the system is not in an operational state; you must manually complete the configuration. See the Supporting Guides using the Configuration Manager for your source version.
warning
unintended equipment operation
• Before writing a configuration verify that the system is not performing critical control actions that may affect human or equipment safety.
• Verify correct system operation after writing a configuration.
• Verify that you are writing to the correct new, factory installed target system.
• Avoid introducing malicious software into your system.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death or serious injury.
warning
inaccurate data results
• Before writing a configuration verify that the system data results are not used for critical decision making that may affect human or equipment safety.
• Verify correct system data results after writing a configuration.
• Avoid introducing malicious software into your system.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death, serious injury, equipment damage, or permanent loss of data.
To write an archived system configuration to a target system:
- Review the requirements.
- Read the target system first to verify that you are writing to the correct system.
Tip: Prior to writing an archive to a target system, backup the target configuration by saving it to an archive.
notice
LOSS OF DATA
• Back up the system configuration before writing a new configuration.
• Verify the correctness of a configuration before writing it to the system.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in permanent loss of data.
- Load an archived configuration into the Configuration Manager.
- Click Write to System.
- (Optional) Include the historical database and historical database archives then click Next.

- Review how the Write to System operation will impact the target system and then click Write.

Note: Write to system will continue even if errors occur. Review the log to determine whether you need to correct errors in the target system.
- Complete the manual configuration tasks. See Supporting Guides for details.
For PME 8.2 configurations, the Configuration Manager prompts to enter the source system key (see Security for more details):
Note: The Configuration Manager cannot determine if the provided key is correct for the source system configuration. If an incorrect key is provided, the write to system will continue without warnings. However, the following Reconfigure step in the migration process will fail and the target system will not be functional. To correct the situation see Reconfigure fails after Write to System.