Genealogy Chat

Hi,

I'm hoping someone can help me with my FTM version 2006. When clicking on an individual's scrapbook (which should have 11 entries) there's now only 1 entry, and I'm presented with this box message 'Family Tree Maker executable has stopped working. A problem caused the programme to stop working correctly. Windows will close the programme and notify you if a solution is available.' When I close the box FTM shuts down.

Please can anyone offer a solution to correct this?

Many thanks.

Another question, if I need to buy another FTM package for windows vista - which version do others recommend?

Thanks, Jonesey.

I'll go to that site now.

FTM does throw a wobbly from time to time. The solution is to simply re-install the program from your original disk. Your tree information is not affected as it is held separately.

FTM 2006 will also work on Vista, but you need to download a patch. See here for details

http://past.familytreemaker.com/vistaupdate/

FTM 2006 is no longer being enhanced or updated as it was replaced by FTM 2008.

However this is a completely different program altogether and bears little resemblance to the earlier version. 2008 has been updated twice, current version being FTM 2010, which is the one to go for if you wish to try it.

Hi Hawkwind,

Thanks for your reply. Would I need to uninstall my FTM before attempting to re-install? If so, it scares me - I'm terrified of losing all my hard worked research. I have contacted the help team at the address Jonesey provided and am awaiting an answer. I've heard that the more recent editions of FTM are very different to 2006, if most users don't like them I wonder why they changed the programme? Do you know if 2010 is easy to navigate and does it have any advantages over 2006?

Thanks again, Hawkwind. Much appreciated.

Hi Libby

Before doing anything at all, download a GEDCOM of your FTM data to your hard-drive (and also to a CD/DVD/memory stick) - which you should do regularly anyway (says she who keeps forgetting!). To do that you need to find (on FTM) probably FILE, EXPORT FILE, ENTIRE FILE and save it as a GEDCOM file. Just give it a name, such as today's date followed by dot (.)gedcom. Then whatever you do with FTM doesn't matter as your data will all be on that file to be uploaded when you reinstall FTM.

I don't know what has happened with your scrapbook, but I have had the same happen in the past with images of certificates etc. I suspect it is because I might have changed their location on my hard drive and FTM doesn't store them itself but cross references them to the hard drive. I am guessing at his, please understand I am no expert.

I am not convinced that reloading FTM will restore your scrapbook, but listen to what others say rather than me.

Margaret

Hi Margaret,

Many thanks for your advice. I'll first await a reply from the FTM help team. If they can't come up with a satisfactory solution I'll do as you suggest. I have an external hard drive so it shouldn't be a problem,. I do fear you are right though - reinstalling may not solve the problem. It's so frustrating that my FTM software won't allow me to delete the cert's census images etc, if it would I could very simply re-enter them.

Libby

I use FTM 2009. Is it worth upgrading, to 2010, bearing in mind that I don't do fancy charts etc ???

No you don't need to uninstall first, you just re-install the program.

If there is some corruption with you underlying data, then this might not work, but given the nature of the errors you mention, it does point to the actual program executionable being faulty, so worth a try in my book.

Margaret's point re moving files is certainly valid too. However remember that a gedcom will not save details of oany photos or images - these need to be backed up separately.

Do let us know the outcome in due course.

On FTM2006 you can export the lot to online storage and then reimport it should you lose the lot (Ive had to do that twice :eek:)

Thanks Hawkwind and Heather, for your answers,

I haven't heard from the FTM help team yet, but will certainly let you know how I get on. If the help team can't solve the problem I'll try your suggestions.

Mant thanks, Libby