HELP - FTM file recycled in to bin

[Mort29]

as mentioned yesterday - what about a .FBK file - it should (provided you shutdown FTM normally last time you updated your tree) - be an exact copy of the original .FTW file

[[Ray]]

Hi

First run a backup of the file you found to your hard-drive
File - backup
it will probably name your file with today's date
eg valry-2011-04-15.ftmb
it will also confirm where the working directory is
(so you can also check what is in there)
Probably c:\family tree maker\
However, change the file name to something like valry-mk2 before backing up.

Second run two exports (belt and braces)
File - export
run one export as a filemaker file
then another to a gedcom5.5 file
Ensure the file name is same as above ie valry-mk2

Then you can safely close FTM.

It should then save your file as valry-mk2.ftm on your hdd in the working directory above.

I think ................... 

Ray

[Valry]

Thanks both - just picked up your messages.  Will have another go tomorrow, hopefully the mind may be a little fresher a.m.

Valry

[Valry]

YES YES YES.  Thank you all for your patience.   

I now have a workable copy although it is six months old thought it better to do catch up than trying to find the one I recycled and emptied - more than likely I would have made another right mess.

Thanks Ray, followed your instructions I now have more copies in different formats and with different names but will sort that later.  I don't think any will be deleted though.

I certainly must look at an external hard drive option.  Being cheeky after this help, what do I actually look for to buy and is it the same sort of 'thing' as a memory stick?

From a technically illiterate computer user

Valry

[Mort29]

you didnt say if you found an .FBK file? These are a standard feature of FTM, unless you disabled it?

It would be up to date with the last updates you did to your main .FTW file   .... use FTM's FILE option to drop down a menu and select OPEN ... then in the smaller drop down menu select FBK type files and see whats displayed.

You should recognise the actual File name - click on it and see where you go 

[LoneyBones]

Just go into your local electronics shop and ask for a good external hard-drive. In my opinion, and my tech guru's opinion, LaCie is about the best. I have two, but then I'm OC.    (Obsessive-Compulsive)

[Roger The Hat]

Just for future reference, I've used FreeUndelete (as suggested by Ray) on a friend's laptop, very successfully.

'Hat. 

[[Ray]]

Hi

LoneyB - I 2 luv LaCie, got 2, me 2.
            BUT, my brother has had 4 AND they have ALL failed.

RedRog - Just for future reference - Well done, spread the word.

R
 

[Valry]

Hi All,

Thanks Ray - tried 'all' the different copies I appear to have made and yes, there is FBK amongst them but they are all coming up as from when I put on to a disc to back them up.  Still, worth a try.  Hopefully lessons have been learned and as I plod to bring file upto date, other memories besides F.T. will keep coming to haunt me. 

Thanks for your patience.

I went into the officerecovery site mentioned, but afraid I chickened out when it said 'download'.   

Definitely going to go for the external hard drive - but hearing so many cases of being ripped off just wondered which.

Thanks again one and all and thank goodness for Roots Chat

Valry