Genealogy Chat

During the installation of FTM2005 yesterday it upgraded Internet Explorer to Version 6. This did alter some of my internet settings but think I have now got them sorted out. BUT the real problem is that it seems to have affected my ability to open CDs which is causing me real problems as I am transcribing for FREECEN. I have tried numerous CDs - Hampshire Parish Records, Bat & Ball Games, PrintMaster just to name a few - but none of them will open. Does anyone know why installing FTM should cause this problem or have any suggestions as to what I can do to rectify this problem. Any help would be appreciated. Please see additional information added to thread. Will be back on later tonight (1st July) to see if anyone can help. Maureen

I dont know why it would do that - is your system updated with microsofts updates regularly? How do you open the cds? Do you click on search and enter a name for them?

I installed mine about a month ago and have had similar glitches. If I use the CD with the UK Info - the computer crashes for the next couple of times of being turned on. I also can't open FTM2005 if any other program is running - and have to close down all programs (outlook etc). Any ideas? Liz

Hi TC Have never upgraded any of my old software and running on Windows 98 which is why the FTM package upgraded IE so that I can use the software with internet connection. Usually my transcribing CD opens in 'Iranview' with no problems at all but none of CDs are registering let alone opening. Might have to uninstall FTM and try all the CDs again just to make sure that I do not have machine problems. Maureen

Maureen, pardon my ignorance but what is FTM2005 just in case anyone every gives me a copy and might save me the problems your having now. TED.

Ted, FTM is Family Tree Maker. TC, I usually click on 'Irfanview' icon and then 'file' and 'open' and have had no problems with opening the census CD. Maureen

Try this. Double Click My Computer, Right Click C.D drive, left click Explore, a window will open showing the contents of the C.D. Double left click the file you want to open. It should open in the appropriate software. If it doesn't work come back and let me know. Good Luck Ron www.genealogyprinters(.)com

Hi Ron, Thanks for your reply. Have taken FTM off completely, rebooted, and now CDs are working okay. Strange as none worked before with FTM on system - even the CDs that opened in Acrobat were not working. Will try later putting FTM back on and see if it again causes problems. Maureen

Maureen, Im no computer whizz, but I think you should check that your windows have the updated settings on them. My computer downloads them automatically but may be yours doesnt? If not, go to Microsofts web page and look for updates and download any that they say are critical for your machine. It will scan your machine and tell you what ones are suitable. When my sister did this after not updating for 5 years she said, 'Oh the colours are brighter and its all much faster'. I dont know if it will help you but it would be wise to update anyway as it updates your security, etc.

Sorry for not replying quicker but just logged back on. TC Will have to check this out as my system must have a ticked/unticked box somewhere not to update as it have never done that. MGHS Did not think of the size of FTM being a problem but something to think about. Thanks for the replies. Maureen

Are you using Windows XP or Windows 98. Ron www.genealogyprinters(.)com

Hi Carol, Still using 98. Maureen

I've just had a new PC and it's got XP. I still use the old one daily and that's got 98 on it and FTM 2005. That PC only has 128 meg ram and runs lots of programs. FTM is not a memory drain, Norton is. When it's running go to Start, Settings, Control Panel, Double click on System, then Performance, what % of the memory is being used. Carol www.genealogyprinters(.)com

Thanks Carol, Will try that out tomorrow when I put FTM back on. Maureen

Just realised that I have a very old laptop, it's only got 64 meg ram, XP won't go on it because of that. XP needs 128 meg of ram minimum to install. I've put FTM 2005 on it and it's working perfectly and reading CD's so I doubt very much if it's memory problem. Carol www.genealogyprinters(.)com

Sorry folks but could do with some more help on this. I have now installed FTM2005 on my machine three times and the result is the same - computer will not shut down. It will shut down perfectly when this programme is not installed. After first installation, see original problem, I removed FTM2005 and contacted their help section but their response was that they could see no reason why CD will not work and I have to upgrade to Internet Explorer version 6. Did they actually bother to read my e-mail? Anyone who has tried to install FTM2005 will know that you can not get past this point during installation without doing the upgrade to Internet Explorer version 6. Did a lot of PC maintenance - cookies, temporary internet files, disk clean, scan disk and disk defrag before installing the programme for the second time. A slight problem again with CD's but after six or 7 attempts the machine will now read/open CD's. Again my machine will not shut down - gets as far as Microsoft logo and machine is shutting down, and then seems to stick there. Eventually have to switch off at the socket so of course when I switch on again it runs Scandisk. Second e-mail to help section and mention that CD's seem to work okay now but still not shutting down. The only response I got was to look at their FAQ's section. Again removed FTM programme and the upgraded Internet Explorer. Machine will now shut down. Did all the PC maintenance again before installing the programme for the third time and again my machine will not shut down. A slight problem with open/read CD's but again this seem to have sorted itself out after several attempts. Have checked the System Performance - no programmes open it shows 76% Free - with FTM open it shows 73% Free. Does anyone have any suggestions that I can try so that my machine will shut down or do I not bother and accept this problem so I can use FTM2005. Maureen

Sorry folks but got to nudge this up again. My machine is still refusing to shut down with FTM2005 installed on it. Have tried putting question on the forum website but really going around in circles with this and getting nowhere. Really would like a machine that shuts down AND with the FTM2005 programme on it. Starting to pull my already grey hair out so any suggestions really would be welcome. Maureen Lawrence

Have you mailed Judy from the States - or who else is it on here that has a genealogy printing site - Im sure either of those would help. Perhaps change your heading to Computer Problem - wont shut down and they may pick up on it. Good luck, know it drives you crazy when you get a problem like this.

Heather TC, Thank you for replying. Ron and Carol from the printing company have already posted a couple of suggestions. The FTM help line can not see any connection with installing FTM2005 and the shutdown problem but it is too much of a coincidence that this has happened three times. Oh well just wondering which to throw out of the window - the computer or the FTM2005 or to continue pulling my hair out. Maureen

Have you guy's disconnected from internet and disabled your Anti Virus programme before installing? If you have Norton, especially, it should be disabled when installing any programme, as it can cause havoc sometimes. Kim