Genealogy Chat

I've read lots of stuff on managing Gedcoms etc, but I still can't seem to 'backup' what I've put in my FTM tree. HELP, I'm going ga-ga! More below.

I can't understand the file on my desktop which seems to contain versions of the tree I've been working on. Lots of them are labled the same, and are the same size; some of them are labled 'backup' with date and time, but still seem to have the same stuff in them. And when I click on them to see what's in them, some of them seem to want me to relable them first! And when I was working on the opened FTM file (loaded from the icon on my desktop), then click on file and backup, it HASN'T backed up! All that work gone! GRRRRR... I hate being thick!! Please explain to me someone, in VERY EASY STAGES! Bx

Sorry, cant help, but Im nudging this up for you. I just wonder if you have the different file open to your main work copy so when you back up its backing up to one of the other files? You have def registered the program havent you? Anyway, once you do sort it - back up to a cd aswell and also to the internet storage facility and also create your own home page - its easy, just click next a few times. That way you will have several copies safe if your pc fails.

First of all, FTM has the facility to always save a backup. Ensure this is switched on by clicking on File, Preferences, General and check the box Automatically back up family file. Secondly, FTM does actually save information as you update it. If you can hear your hard disk you will see that it perks up each time you add a field. When you exit, both the main and backup files are saved as copies of each other. The next point, which is particularly important if you have several files, is to know which one you are actually working on at any particular time. FTM will always open the last file used when started from the program, but if you start the program by clicking on the data file, then you will open this file, regardless of the last one used. The trick here is to do two things. First make a folder to store your files in, somewhere where yo can easily find it. A good place is within My Documents. Secondly copy your files into here and make sure that you name them in such a way that you know what each one is.

Peter- I've checked, and I have ticked to automatically back-up the file. But I know I was working on it, and added stuff on which is not there now! And because I've been going back and forwards, I've now got about a dozen identical backed-up files! Also, when I click on File, at the bottom is a list of 4, files I think they are, labled C:\Document ~ 1\Mu...\FTMFIL ai\MYTREE ~ , then 1 or 2, etc. What does all this mean? Bx

n for later

nudge, I'd like to know too. Caz

FTM automatically backs up your file when you close the program. The file you are opening is a back up file but it's the wrong one, it's not the last file you used. FTM always opens using the last file you used, you are double clicking on an old back up file to open the program, you are not clicking on the FTM program icon. The FTM program icon has a picture of a tree on it, it is not blue or red which the back up file icons are. If you cannot see an icon for FTM (with a tree on it) on your desktop, go to start, all programs, FTM then right click on it, left click send to and then left click on Desktop (create shortcut) Use the FTM tree icon to open the program NOT a blue or red icon. Carol www*genealogyprinters*com

I've just come back after a break from these mind-games my computer's playing with me. Carole- Thanks for your response. I've got the tree icon on my desktop, and always open and use that one - partly because I can't open the other, apparent back-up, 'disk' icons and one 'tree' icon in the FTM folder on my desktop (which is where I selected them to go when I first loaded the FTM CD) - when I try to open them there's only a 'save' option and it nags me to rename what I'm trying to click on, as 'a file with this name already exists' - I KNOW it exists! I'm trying to open a file with this name! Stupid computer!! Though I suspect it's me who's stupid, really. So I'm still stuck. The only icon I've used is the one on my desktop - the one with a tree icon. The 'backup automatically' box is ticked. So why haven't I still got the last info I entered?? Any ideas what I must be missing? Bx

Using the program tree icon open FTM, if it's not the file you want use the File, Open option to navigate to the other FTM files on your computer, keep opening them until you find the one you want. Once it's opened and closed FTM will always open using that file until you tell it different. Ron www*genealogyprinters*com

Hi Ron, Thanks for your clear instructions. I've done that, but still can't find the stuff I added last. I remember now that I did click on File, Backup, backup To - Custom directory C:\Docum ~ 1\Mum\Desktop\FTMFIL ~ 1. But I can't see it when I open that file. And why can't I open the files in the FTM folder on my desktop? You couldn't pop round and explain it all to me, could you??!! I'll have to input all the info again. Not a huge problem, but I don't like not understanding where I went wrong last time. Any more suggestions? Bx

You went wrong when you saved the files to a custom directory, this is where a lot of people get mixed up. FTM by default saves your files to it's own folder, Start, All Programs, Family Tree maker, that's where they should be if you let the program do it's own automatic back up when you close it down. Ron www*genealogyprinters*com

Ron, I disagree - I always use a custom folder - in fact all my FTP data files are on a second hard drive which I can also back up separately and are much easier to manage.

I was going to write 'thanks for explaining that, Ron - now I understand'. Then I read Peter's reply! Oh, God, that's NOT what I need - two experts who do things differently! What hope do I have!! Seriously, thanks to you both. So, if I understand it, if I do everything on the 'green tree icon' (yes, I'm at that basic a level!), when I close it down it will automatically save/back-up the changes I've made. And ideally, I should back it up from time to time on a floppy disk - don't think I've got two hard drives. And the changes I can't find have been lost into the ether somewhere, is that right? If I've misunderstood, could you let me know. Thanks. (But I still don't know what the rapidly multiplying stuff in the FTM folder is for, as it won't let me open any of it!) Bx PS - Don't suppose either of you live near Bristol do you - I'd give you a cuppa and a bit of cake, if you'd come and explain it to me!

Hi Peter. We keep all our FTM files in a custom directory but like yourself we know our way around a computer and know what do do. I still think it's best for not so knowledgable that you allow FTM to store the data files in it's own folder. As you know when FTM backs up the file your are working on it will update the file on closing the program in the directory that you are using, if you don't know what directory that is your in a mess. Barbara, your file is on your PC somewhere and it's updated, try searching for the file using the NAME that you gave it instead of the file extention .ftw, .fbc or .fbk Ron www*genealogyprinters*com