Genealogy Chat

OK Derek - I've done a bit of digging for you. Sorry that the results are inconclusive but I hope I can explain things simply although not particularly briefly ! Most software will have a specific format in which it expects to store and retrieve its data files. Programs use file extensions as an aid in identifying which format the file is in. For example, a plain text file could have a TXT file extension and Word uses DOC for its documents. The ABM file extension is used by a number of different progams to store data. Although the file extension is the same, the structure of the data file differs from program to program. Given the fact that you know your ABM file is a photo album, we are looking for a photo imaging program that writes AMB files to open them with. Having looked on the internet, there seem to be a lot of these. I'm not sure if the format varies between programs (which complicates things further). If you have received photos in this format and do not have the software to open them, then your best bet is to get the sender to resend in a common format such as JPG which you will be able to open. If you think you are sending ABM files that you have created, then you need to look at the imaging software on you PC to determine why. If you do have software that will write these files, then it should also be able to read them. How do you create photos on your PC and what is the software you use ? If this is the case, we need to check your "associations". This is the way that Windows knows which program to use to open up a file with a specific file extension. I can help you through that. Hope this sheds a little light on things, Rick.

First and foremost, my thanks to all who replied. I am sorry that I have not answered before, but I could not do any thing with the keyboard. For anyone having this prob, close down entirely and then reboot, well it eventually worked for me! Stuart, fotango looks good, fairly simply put, not that makes a lot of difference with me! Will have a go. Bob de Kippax, getting photos re-sent is probably the best bet, but I think I sent some of them. The rest of your info is double dutch to me, sorry, Bob. Lianne, sorry again, no comprendo! but thanks. Barbara, I'm afraid it did not work for me, but thanks Baz, this dinosaur loves to swim, but not jumping into a void, ta. Rick, please expand on Photo Shop 2000, ifyou have time. Geoff, my brother finally convinced me that you were being serious, so, my sincere apologies for my thinking you was taking the rise, very embarrassed! So my good friends, you will deduce that when I asked in SIMPLE terms, I meant it!! luv, Derek PS still willing to listen;

Different files types can have the same extension. It's a key to let computers know the program to use but not infallible. I believe it is an image format used by some programs. I suppose you could trawl the net for some conversion tools, but I think you would be better asking the sender to resend them in a more common format like Jpg. Bob

I think Photoshop 2000 writes photo albums with an ABM file extension. Rick.

abm's aren't necessarily animated - i know my mobile phone software (for connecting my phone to my pc to download tones and logos) converts bitmaps and other image files to abm's to download to the phone is this any help? lianne

Having Googled, I believe ABM files are "animated bitmaps", usually a clip of animation lasting a few seconds. I don't know why they don't open.

I have received several emails with attached photos in a ABM file. Does anyone know how to open them, please. If someone does, make sure the instructions are put simply! regards, Derek the dinosaur