FTM 2010 No CD. On HDD .....

[Steve G]

  I sent a relly my FTM 2010 Disc. * Poof! * We'll stop there.

Computer, carrying my original FTM'10 entirety died. " I've lost my entire Family Tree. " <Reaches for the Shotgun!>

 Just sniffing through the External HDD I've had for ever ..... Not only have I got a FTMB file on there ~ Googling tells me this is a Back Up? Brilliant! I also have " FTM'10 " on there! I must have been a genius, at some point! God, I was crafty! Thought of everything! 

 But, now the question: I hit a tab, in there, labelled " FTM " and with a leaf icon. Nothing much happened.

 Then I spotted " Launch "! Hit that .....

Error report says I don't appear to have shut the program down right, last time I opened it. I should go into TOOLS and ... was it, " Compress ..." something? No such option, anyway.


 By the way; Hitting 'Launch' brings up that mouth dryingly familiar " Initializing " box. So promising!

 I need a hard core, FTM / PC Genius here. A Hero, to help me save a decade of hard work. It's so close, I can almost touch its finger tips. Please; Help me drag it back through the veil 

[downside]

Bear with me, I'm trying to understand what you have done.

When you say that the FTM-2010 program is on your external hard drive - how did it get there?  Basically, you cannot copy programs from one drive to another - you need to install them from an installation disk.

It could be that you have launched an incomplete program that is not functioning correctly.

I would clean install FTM-2010 on another computer from CD and then import your FTMB file.

[RJ_Paton]

The problem is I believe

1 Old computer with FTM installed died with no hope of recovery
2. New Computer does not have FTM installed
3. Installation disc for said FTM has disappered courtesy of mystery relative
4. Partial installation discovered on external drive with a backup Tree in FTM format


Unfortunately as Downside has pointed out the installation on the external drive is incomplete as installing programs implants certain "hooks" into the Windows system files. It's possible that you have copied over the visible part of the installation during a back up regime but this will not run without access to the original files set up when FTM was installed on your old computer.

The solutions would appear to be
1. Bite the bullet and purchase a new copy of FTM
2. possibly have the FTM file converted to a gedcom file by another FTM user ? - this then gives you the option regarding which program you then purchase (or use one of the free ones)

But either way I don't believe that you can recover the program although the data file is recoverable

[Steve G]

When you say that the FTM-2010 program is on your external hard drive - how did it get there? 

  Dunno. Might have had the presence of mind to load the disc onto both drives? Makes sense to me now. Could have occurred back then?  It was a while ago that I got the disc. No real idea what I did with it, before crashing on, then sending the disc to that cursed relly.

Anyway, thanks for the in put. I'd rather hoped I might have been able to get back to work with what I have. Looks like I'll have to buy the damn disc again  Hey ho. Only a dozen quid or so. It's just the 'Niggle Factor'. Ripped off by a 'friend'.

[Steve G]

The solutions would appear to be
1. Bite the bullet and purchase a new copy of FTM
2. possibly have the FTM file converted to a gedcom file by another FTM user ? - this then gives you the option regarding which program you then purchase (or use one of the free ones)

But either way I don't believe that you can recover the program although the data file is recoverable

 Thanks to you too, Falkym. I'll buy the disc, again. I was perfectly happy with it the first time round. See no reason to mess about changing file systems or programs now.  It's just one hell of a relief to know I can 'simply' buy another disc and put everything back.

Bit of a wake up call, to be honest. My Tree does exist, on FTM10 and in the hands of a good relly. Less drama to do it the way I will though. But, I'll have to try and get a full back up copy stored somewhere else. I'll at least guard these Back Up Files like the crown jewels in future!  This has been an unnerving experience, to say the least!

[RJ_Paton]

Anyway, thanks for the in put. I'd rather hoped I might have been able to get back to work with what I have. Looks like I'll have to buy the damn disc again  Hey ho. Only a dozen quid or so. It's just the 'Niggle Factor'. Ripped off by a 'friend'.

Unfortunately this would still require the original windows Registry files and system files to work.


With regard to backups you could try using  an online storage service - for example Dropbox gives a 2Gb free account on registering - I use one such account to keep a backup of the backup  (you can never be too safe  )  I also use it to make the same file available to other mobile devices that I use.

http://www.dropbox.com/

[Steve G]

Nice one! Drop Box is now installed and awaiting my retrieved material ~ once I get my new disc.

But, first? Too right! I think I'll slide my FTMB File in there. Imagine if I lost That?! 

Thanks again!