Genealogy Chat

I keep getting that annoying red and white cross saying that gedcom is not a valid win32 application whe i try and open tree . it means nothing to me how do I deal ??

Kim: Perhaps the file name you are trying to open is not named properly....this is one cause for the error you are getting. Find the file you are trying to open, RIGHT click and choose RENAME. When you rename the file, make sure you add .ged to the name. It could be that the file you are trying to open is missing the .ged file extension which your computer needs in order to know what program to use to open it. You also need a program on your computer that is capable of opening a .ged formatted file. I assume you have a family tree type program on your computer to do so? You may also want to update your computer at the Microsoft Update site if that's not something you've done. Judy :)

Thanks judy for your reply, i saved a file from the freecd with Family tree magazine with all my judd entries on. I have changed the name as you suggest but it still says it is not a valid win32 application, how do I get back all the stuff i saved. want to send it to the in laws but it won't open. fed up now:( KIM

Kim: I want to make sure I am understanding you correctly. You downloaded the information you want to open from a Family Tree Magazine CD and it is that file you can't open? Do you have a family tree program that you were using already, before you downloaded the file from the Family Tree Magazine CD? Are you one who regularly does the updates at Microsoft site.....as this site keeps your computer up with technology....an necessary evil. If you already have a family tree program you were using before downloading that file, find the file you downloaded from Family Tree Magazine.....you can try this with the name you renamed the file to or change it back. RIGHT click on the file and a drop downbox appears. Choose OPEN WITH and one of the choices will be the name of the family tree program that you already have on your computer. Click on it and it should open the file for you. If you don't have a family tree program that you were already using, try one of the free ones out on the internet like the one found at www(.)genopro(.)com or at the LDS site at www(.)familysearch(.)org. (Remember to remove the brackets in the address.) In order to read a .ged formatted file you need to have a program on your computer that is capable of opening it. The two sites mentioned above will give you that capability if you don't already have it. Let me know how you make out. Judy

will try again tomorrow using your instructions Judyand let you know. But i thought it would be simple. its the free family tree designer cd rom with issue 8 of the series your family tree magazine and i've entered the stuff fine , printed and saved it and now it won't open it . So many messgs in computer speak and I only understand English! I will also install the microsoft updaTes as it appears I have a few missing. Will let you know tomorrow though as I am off to bed now. KIM

have now had utter disaster, with crashed computer, have managed to get it going again but the files are lost.. ..have cat sick too on floor what a brilliant Monday morning, sob sob :(((