Genealogy Chat

Have I messed up!! Was working on my tree last night - no problem. Came home from work this evening - two new certificates on the doormat, so sat down to add the details - but could not access my tree!

It said check directory and drive. Well, I tried many times, I tried to go back to last night with restore points, but computer says unable to restore!!

Sooooooo, I decided to uninstall and start again (several times) - drastic I know but needs must. But even that won't work!! As soon as I reinstall tree it just gives same message - check drive/directory.

What has happened to my tree and to the programme?? I had done a fair bit of work on it, but that can soon be done again.............if and when I can access it. It's more a case of why I can't access the tree.

Until last night all it took was one click of the mouse!
I would be very grateful for any advice, but I may not be able to respond until tomorrow afternoon as I have to go into work.

Thank you
Lynda

Im not a techi but you have probably closed the file you were working on. Can you access the program at all? If you look over top left and click on file does it give you a choice you can try?

Hope you backed up to cd and to the internet storage!! If not do it as soon as you sort this out. Dont panic though, Im sure you have just moved it somewhere without knowing You could do a search on your puter? Click on start then search and enter familytree maker?

What have you uninstalled? Not the program? Well hopefully your file is saved somewhere on the puter, have a search for it.

If you are still up now! Nip over to family tree forum and put a message on the family tree software board there.
http://www.familytreeforum.com/index.php

When you say you have re-installed your tree what exactly do you mean? Do you mean you have re-installed FTM from the original discs?

There are actually two components to Family Tree Maker. There is the tree program itself, and this is likely to be in a folder called FTW on your C drive. The actual program is called something like FTW.exe. This is what is installed from the original disks.

Secondly there is your actual tree data. This is likely to be in a file called xxx.FTW where xxx is the name you called your tree. The should also be a backup file called xxx.FBK. Unless you have changed any settings, this is also likely to be in the FTW folder on your hard drive.

At what point do you get the file not found message. Is it after FTM has opened and does it read something like "Family Tree Maker cannot find your file. Please check the Directories and Drives fields to ensure you are supplying the correct paths?

If this is the case, then your FTM program is probably installed ok and no amount of re-installation or restoring will correct things. What is missing is your actual tree data, or more specifically, the FTM program can't find it in the place it thinks it should be.

So the next stage is to try and find the data file. In FTM click on Cancel in the dialogue box until the message disappears and you are left with a new blank FTM screen. Then go to File, Open and click on Find File at the bottom. This will allow you to search for any data files with the FTW extension.

Once you have found the file then click on it to load it into FTM. When you exit FTM will remember where the file was last stored.automatically.

Thank you Heather and Peter for your replies - sorry for not responding sooner but I am just in from work.
I am about to attempt to find my FTM now - will let you know how I get on.

Lynda

Sadly I was unsuccessful in my search, so I had no option but to start over again.
I have been able to use the gedcom from genesreunited, so thats a good start. And also a lesson learn re back up.
Thanks for your help.
Lynda

Lynda do use cd and internet back up and why dont you create your own home page through FTM 2006 so if all else fails your tree will be in cyber space and can be copied.

Hi Heather
I have used internet back up - and a good thing too - because the same thing happened today with my new tree! Said it couldn't find file! What am I doing wrong? Is this a common problem?

Thankfully, thanks to the advice from you and Peter I have managed to find it this time.
I tried to back up to CD but that didn't work - I reckon my son would say that is down to the user not the machine, but at least it was on the internet.
That concerns me a little because it is stored in a temporary internet file and am worried that it might all disappear.

I have recently been given one of those portable hard drives - would I be able to save it to that?
Also, not sure I could create a home page - it is probably patently obvious that I am not exactly technically minded!

I was so excited when I got FTM at Christmas -couldn't wait to get started - but to be honest now I am wary of it, and reluctant to add too much in case it all goes AWOL again.
Is there maybe another programme that would be easier for a technophobe?

Lynda

I have a folder in "my documents" called simply FTM.

All my files (.FTW, .FBK, .FBC and GEDCOM files) are kept in there. FTM automatically opens the last file you were using each time you start the programme.

Have you got the files on your pc (red and blue icons with the FTW, FBK etc file extensions?

Are you using XP or Vista?

When you close FTM down do you see a box and progress bar to show the file is being backed up?

What is the error message you are getting? Setup.exe problem or a filepath message?

I'm away all week unfortunately so might not be able to get back to you but it sounds like a file saving or file management problem.

Glen

Hi Glen
Thanks for your reply.

I have found the icons in my documents now, but not the ones for the original tree that I started with, just for the ones I have started yesterday (don't ask me how I got two - one is blank!)

When I first started using FTM I used to see the box with the blue status bar which always said saving to disk, and the tree was always there when I went back to it so I thought I was safe.

I am using XP and the error message is about checking drives and directories.
I got that same message when I went back to the tree today, but I did manage to restore from internet backup.

I just feel wary about putting too much on incase I lose it all again.

Lynda

Yes, backing up is vital, but as someone who cannot seem to get her CD-writer to work, I am not sure how to back things up. My CDs just don't work.

Can anyone help?

Margaret

Lynda

It might be that the auotmatic backup option has been turned off accidently.

If you open FTM look at the top left of the screen for tje word "file".
Click on "file" and scroll down the dropdown menu to the word "preferences".

Another box opens and you should see a "automatically backup file" option, of the box is ticked then the file should be backed up when you close FTM, if it isn't ticked then the auto backup feature is switched off, to turn it on just click on the little box.

If you get a message saying drives and directories it definately sounds like the files are being saved in a different folder to where they were originally.


Margaret

Are you able to copy any files onto CD at all? If you have a problem with your CD writer then it might be wise to use memory sticks or an external drive instead.

Glen

Thanks Glen.
I have checked and automatic backup is on. However there is the chance that it could previously have been turned off accidentally - when I closed it down the night before I lost it I remember thinking I hadn't seen the blue progress box, but the significance didn't click!
I did re-install the programme, so maybe that re-set the automatic back up.

I have looked again, checked folders etc - but I cannot find the original tree anywhere. I have started over, but am still a tad wary that it may all disappear without warning!!
Thanks again for your help.

Lynda

You are best to create a folder in "my documents"specifically for your FTM files. It saves having to search for files each time you want them.

Call it FTM or FTM Files or similiar.

Once FTM has opened a file from that folder it will "learn" to look in that folder each time.

I have now done that Glen. First time I opened FTM afterwards I got the 'check drives and directories' error message. Momentary panic - then I re-read this thread and bingo - I found the file.

And FTM has now 'learnt' the route, so no further problems - whoever would have thought that?

Thanks to everyone for their help. I am still not 100% certain all my info isn't going to disapear into the ether, but I am getting there.

Lynda