CD's

[polidor]

Just a thought---if i've downloaded the info from the FTM cd that i burned from my original files,onto the laptop,why do i need a FTM software put onto my laptop to allow me to read it?

i'm sorry if this is a very basic pc. question but just thought i'd ask.Thanks, Poli.

[Little Nell]

Hi Poli,

Most programs save files in their own individual format by default.  Some, like word processing programs or graphics programs, allow you to decide in which format to save the file.

However, not every family history program can read the files created in another.  The only commonly supported file format for exchanging family history information is GEDCOM.  Even then that file would have to be imported into another family history program before it made much sense. 

So the files you burned are in Family Tree Maker format and probably can only be read by that program. 

But look on the bright side- you've just created an all-important back-up of your files 

Nell

[downside]

Hi Polidor

The important thing about Windows is something called the Registry.  This is a series of files that form a database about your software and other things that run on a Windows platform.  When you install a program like FTM it registers file types in the Registry so that Windows knows how to open files using a specific program.

The Registry is virtually everything!

Without the registry nothing will run on Windows.  If you corrupt a registry it can be fatal.

downside

[polidor]

Thanks Little nell and downside and to all the replies i've had here.
You'll all be relieved to hear that the CD-back-up-burn-download-upload business is at last beginning to sink in!!!

My only excuse for my Pc ignorance is that "they weren't around in my younger days when my brain was more receptive"

Well, that's my excuse and i'm sticking to it

But seriously i do appreciate the tech help and just one last question [honest] if i use the FTM software and add it to the programmes already on my laptop i assume everything will then be o'k with playback of my newly created CD's??? Poli

[RJ_Paton]

But seriously i do appreciate the tech help and just one last question [honest] if i use the FTM software and add it to the programmes already on my laptop i assume everything will then be o'k with playback of my newly created CD's??? Poli

No guarantees  ..... although all things being equal it should work ... but then again when dealing with computers always expect the unexpected

But if it doesn't work just ask in here and someone should be able to help

[downside]

Hi polidor

If you install FTM on your laptop then it will put an entry in the Registry which will tell Windows how to launch the FTM program because it will be informed that files that end with the .FTW extension should be opened by the FTM program.

Windows is not psychic, it needs to know what all those files on its system do and how they are opened.

It's logic rather than age that determines your understanding of computers apparently. 

downside

[polidor]

This is just to say that i put the FTM soft ware onto my laptop and both my 'burned' CD's taken from my original software on my usual pc work fine. Poli

[RJ_Paton]

Glad it all worked out.