Old Family Tree Maker

[Jomot]

The option to Compact your files should be on the Tools menu on the top left of your screen - when you click on it a list of about 10 options should come up, & Compact Files is usually just over half way down.

[groom]

I’m not that computer literate but I’m just wondering is the problem due to the fact you are trying to instal it on a new computer while it is still on the old one? Can you open it on the old computer?

[josey]

The option to Compact your files should be on the Tools menu on the top left of your screen - when you click on it a list of about 10 options should come up, & Compact Files is usually just over half way down.

But don't you only get this when you have a FTM file opened?

Perhaps this is not the same issue but I once had a problem with a file which the programme - I
 use FTM 2010 - said it could only open when it was compacted but I couldn't open it to compact . However I posted on rootschat [where else  ] and got a solution from smudwhisk which MAY help here.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=749131.msg5968751#msg5968751

Open FTM on new computer & create a new tree with 1 person [you??] then from 'File' select 'Merge' & click on your tree file from old computer [perhaps on USB from old computer as Ray suggested]. It's worked for me.....

[hallmark]

Compact the files on old computer.

[gbuttery]

The FTM icon is on the desktop of the computer, but when I click on it, it won't open so I can't create a new tree. The message about compacting files comes up in a separate box.

[familydar]

Is it possible you have two versions of FTM on the computer giving the compacting message, and it's getting itself confused?

Navigate (windows explorer/my computer/whatever it's called now) to wherever you have the .ftw file you're trying to open.  Make a safe copy somewhere else (USB stick perhaps).  Once you've done that see if you are able to launch FTM by clicking on that FTW file (the original not the safe copy).  If you can that suggests there something wrong with your desktop icon - it may not be "pointing" to the right place or right type of file name.

Let us all know if this helps.  If it does we can give instructions on how to sort out your desktop icon.

Jane :-)

[gbuttery]

Sorry, I thought I had answered your question, Ray.
The version I have is FTM 2010.
I am sorry if that isn't what you were asking.  As I said, I am not very computer savvy?

[josey]

I think Jane may have a point about the icon not pointing correctly. Have you tried opening FTM any other way? Eg Start/FTM2010 OR Explorer/Program [sic] Files]/FTM....

[gbuttery]

Hi,
Yes, I have tried opening it in other ways, but the same message just comes up.
I'll keep trying for a while longer.
If I have to admit defeat with this, can anyone recommend another programme. Is there one that will just accept my files (PAF I think!!?) that I have saved from the old computer.

Thanks