Windows 7 and FH Resource File Viewer 4.0

[gransworld]

I'm  having  the  same  problems  with  windows 7  and  contacted LDS they  didn't give  me  an  answer  but  said they'd send  me a viewer 4.0, why I'm  not  sure  when  I  have  2  now.I  was  able  to  load  the  viewer  to  the  upgrade 4.02  but not   add  the resource  disk.

[RJ_Paton]

You need to check which version of Windows you are running - if it is the 64 bit version of Windows 7 then the problems referred to above will apply and it will not matter which version of the viewer you have.

To check right click on "Computer" on the desktop and select properties - the information should be there.

[dnorthut]

I hope this helps someone else who is trying to run the Family History Resource File Viewer 4.0 and Windows 7-

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate all allow you to download a Windows XP Virtual PC image known as Windows XP Mode.

I am running Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit on my laptop, and had the same problem outlined in this thread.  However, installing the Family History Resource File Viewer 4.0 in the Windows XP Mode virtual PC runs successfully!  I was able to install the 1881 British Census Scotland Region with no problem!

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[zorba]

So for users of Windows 7 Home Premium and other "budget" Windows versions then an upgrade costing only £50 or £100 is all that is necessary to be able to download and install XP mode and get FH Resource File Viewer to work once again!

[RJ_Paton]

So for users of Windows 7 Home Premium and other "budget" Windows versions then an upgrade costing only £50 or £100 is all that is necessary to be able to download and install XP mode and get FH Resource File Viewer to work once again!

Not quite - users of the 32 bit edition of Windows 7 can install and use the FH Resource File Viewer without any problems , regardless of the version of Windows 7 they are using.

However users of the 64 bit edition will require Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate which all allow you to download a Windows XP Virtual PC image known as Windows XP Mode before they can install and run the FH viewer.

Theoretically if you already have a copy of XP it should be possible to use any of the Virtual PC pieces of software (some of which are free)  to achieve the same result although I must admit to not having tried this.

(PS I believe there may also have been a considerable amount of tongue firmly in cheek with your response above  )

[Samuel1888]

I have just bought a windows 7 64 bit Home Premium  laptop and have found the same problem as the others in this string of correspondence. Has the LDS, or anyone else found a solution yet?

[Samuel1888]

I also e-mailed familysearch whohave now replied as follows:

"Thank you for contacting FamilySearch regarding your Resource File Viewer 4.0, which isn’t working correctly on your new 64-bit windows laptop.

We are sorry to say that the Resource File Viewer is not compatible with 64-bit operating systems. There is currently no workaround. Our best suggestion at this time is that you use an old computer with a 32-bit operating system to view your Resource Files.

We apologize for this inconvenience and wish you the best in your Family History pursuits."

I hope this is useful to anyone else with this problem. Samuel 1888

[Dave Francis]

Grrr. One of the main reasons for recently buying a brand new laptop was so that I could do my genealogy research on the move. Having invested in a Windows 7 (64-bit) machine it is very disappointing to learn that I can't run BVRI on it. Sounds like FamilySearch have no plans to remedy the situation.

It should however be possible for a third party to develop a new piece of software which can read the datafiles held on the CDs (or maybe convert the data into a different format which can then be read by something like Microsoft Access).

But I think this would only be possible if FamilySearch published the specification for the datafiles in question. Would they co-operate? Is this information available already?

Dave

[Samuel1888]

Dave,
I suggest you log onto Family Search and ask them via their e-mail-us facilty. They replied to me within 24 hours. Maybe if enough people raise it they'll take action.
Samuel 1888