Here's a copy of a post I made on this topic a couple of weeks ago. Judy in Ocala In previous posts to this list I have advocated the use of Dropbox to make it possible for you to access your FTM database on more than one computer. I have been using it for a while for this purpose, and put it to a good test on a recent research trip with my little netbook computer. I’ve learned some things you need to be aware of to make successful use of Dropbox. First, Dropbox does not use synching technology. Say, for example, you are synching your address book between your smart phone and your computer. The synching process is two-way and examines the content of both locations. Any edits made on the phone are transferred to the computer, and vice versa. If changes to the same record have been made in both places, the synching software will alert you to the conflict and allow you to choose the correct one. Dropbox does not sync, and it does not compare the contents of the files in its folders. It works by copying entire files. To use it you must first open a free account on their website. Then you download and install their software on the computers you plan to use. In my case I have it installed on my desktop PC at home (Computer A) and the netbook I use for traveling (Computer B). Both software installations are connected to my online account. Then I moved my FTM database file and the media folder to the Dropbox folder on Computer A. A copy of the contents of the Dropbox folder on A is copied to the corresponding folder in the online account. FTM is installed on Computer B. When I boot up B, the contents of the online account are copied to B’s Dropbox folder. I can open my FTM database from the Dropbox folder on B. All three locations now have the same data and I’m ready to start working. Let’s say I do some work in FTM on Computer A. Dropbox will not upload those changes until the file is closed. So if I leave A open and start working on B, B will not have the changes I made in A. When both files are eventually closed, and both A and B are uploaded to Dropbox online, Dropbox will perceive that both files have changed (probably just by looking at the date/time they were saved), but because it doesn’t examine the data in the files, cannot offer you the option of choosing which edits to keep. Instead it will make duplicate copies of A and B, and you’ll have 3 files instead of 1. The duplicates are named as “Conflict” files, and it’s up to you to figure out what’s in each one. To avoid this problem, here are the steps you must take: 1. After working in A, close FTM. In the system tray (the small icons in the lower right corner of your screen, where the clock is), look at your Dropbox icon. Two rotating arrows will tell you that the files on A are being uploaded to Dropbox online. The icon is very small. You can hover your mouse pointer over it to see the progress. When it has finished uploading, you will see “All files up to date” when you hover your mouse, and the rotating arrows will be replaced with a checkmark. 2. Any time after Step 1 has been completed, you can work on B. The new copy of A will automatically be downloaded from Dropbox online to B if B is running, or when you turn it on. Watch the icon to know when the process is complete. Make your edits in B. When you have finished, close FTM so that the changes in B will be uploaded to Dropbox online. 3. The next time you want to work in A, be sure that Step 2 has been completed. 4. Do not have both versions A and B open at the same time. For this reason, I don’t recommend using Dropbox as a means of allowing another researcher to collaborate with you on the same file. 5. Check your Dropbox folders on A and B from time to time to be sure that you haven’t inadvertently created some “conflict” files. This sounds more complicated than it is. It’s just a matter of being patient and allowing each process to finish before you move on. FTM 2012 users: One additional point. If you have an Ancestry Member Tree (AMT) that you are synching with FTM 2012, you must assure that all uploads from Computer A have been completed, including media files, before you close FTM on that computer. You cannot link both A and B to the AMT. For edits made in B to be added to the AMT, you must first assure that A and B are in sync via Dropbox as outlined above. Then you can sync A to the AMT. For this reason, it is advisable to set your sync options to manual. Again, patience is the key word. On Nov 21, 2011, at 9:45 AM, "Connie Shotts" <cshotts1@carolina.rr.com> wrote: > Hi, > I thought this topic had been discussed on this forum, but I couldn't find > it in the Archives. Does anyone use, or know if, Drop Box can be used with > FTM? I run two versions of FTM -- 2011 and 16 (16.0.350. I have both > versions on both my desktop (Windows 7, 64 bit) and a laptop (Windows XP). > It would be great to be able to "house" the data files for each of the > versions on Drop Box so that additions, changes, etc. would be made on both > computers, as well as to have the access from any other computer where the > FTM programs are present. At least, I think it would work that way. Does > anyone know? > > Connie > > > > ********************************** > List information page > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html > > Online Support for Family Tree Maker > Version 16 and earlier > http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ > > Version 2008 - 2011 > http://ftm.custhelp.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hi, I thought this topic had been discussed on this forum, but I couldn't find it in the Archives. Does anyone use, or know if, Drop Box can be used with FTM? I run two versions of FTM -- 2011 and 16 (16.0.350. I have both versions on both my desktop (Windows 7, 64 bit) and a laptop (Windows XP). It would be great to be able to "house" the data files for each of the versions on Drop Box so that additions, changes, etc. would be made on both computers, as well as to have the access from any other computer where the FTM programs are present. At least, I think it would work that way. Does anyone know? Connie

I see where you have received some advice on splitting trees so I won't go into those. Here is the one sure way I've found to split the trees and get everyone into their proper "island" or "branch". It is a bit messy but it will do the job. I haven't done this recently and I no longer have FTM 2010 loaded so please forgive me for any small differences in the process. Always work with a copy of your data base. That way you can recover to the original by simply deleting the copy and returning to your original data base. The easiest way to do this is to create a backup of your file. You can then File, Restore the backup to a separate data base. 1. Using your copy of the data base, go to your father's record in the People, Family work area. 2. Click the Person option in the Menu Bar; from the drop down list, select Attach/Detach, select Detach Selected Person 3. Select the Existing family for your father and mother. This will keep your father with his parents but he will no longer be attached to your mother or their children. 4. With your father as the Focal person, Click Publish, Charts, Extended Family Chart (EFC). 5. Generate the EFC for All Individuals. 6. Once the EFC is generated, you should see two separate branches or islands. Alternating branches will be distinguished by a shaded background. Your father's branch should be the one at the top. 7. Click on your father's box and click the right mouse button. 8. Select the option - Select Person and All Relations. This will select everyone in your father's branch. 9. Place the cursor over your father's box and click the right mouse button. Toward the bottom of the list, select Export and then select Export Selected Persons. 10. Follow the instructions and you will now have a file of your father's branch. 11. Go to Plan and Delete this copy of the tree. Restore the backup file again and repeat steps 1-11 for your mother. Restore the backup file again and repeat steps 1-11 for your spouse's father. Restore the backup file again and repeat steps 1-11 for your spouse's mother. I find this the easiest way to create separate files for each grandparent. While this may sound tedious and complicated, it really isn't and it is the only way that I know to get complete islands. Good luck. BJ On 11/20/2011 4:30 PM, PINEYRICK@aol.com wrote: > I would like to split my family tree into four branches. Each branch would > start with a grandparent. When I try to do this using : export / > selected individuals / and either ancestors or descendents, it does not seem to > "collect" every individual within that tree. Short of doing this > "individually," there are 6500 in the tree, has anyone had an successful experience > doing this an alternate way? > > I use FTM 2010. >

> I thought this topic had been discussed on this forum, but I couldn't find it in the Archives. Does anyone use, or know if, Drop Box can be used with FTM? I run two versions of FTM -- 2011 and 16 (16.0.350. I have both versions on both my desktop (Windows 7, 64 bit) and a laptop (Windows XP). It would be great to be able to "house" the data files for each of the versions on Drop Box so that additions, changes, etc. would be made on both computers, as well as to have the access from any other computer where the FTM programs are present. At least, I think it would work that way. Does anyone know? Dropbox had serious security issues some time ago. I dropped it completely! Be very careful that you understand that you can create serious problems for yourself IF you open the same file at the same time on different machines and then make an edit on just one. FTM is a single user database-type program. It is NOT intended to be used in a record locking type of system. If YOU are the only person using the file, I suggest that you pick which program and which computer you wish to use. Make ALL of your changes there. Copy the saved file and take it with you to any machine you choose, opening it there. As you already know no doubt, you cannot go from 2011 to 16 very easily. My approach was to use 16 all the time on my desktop - much faster, etc. Then, about every other week, import the file into the new series. Had I wished to place the new series of FTM on multiple machines, I could have transported said file easily. I do hope you do not try to maintain a pair of identical datasets. Not knowing the size of your database in 16, it is difficult to give specific suggestions, but 64 GB thumb drives are available, even with USB 3.0 - I have one! I have moved to 2012 now, and thus my database is smaller (you would recall that media is now kept separately) but even so is over 240 MB. Suit your own tastes in this regard. A CD ROM may work for you, but find your own method would be my suggestion. John

I apologize for my question but being new to genealogy, you are my main resource for proper information and documentation. So many of you have such large numbers of surnames, etc. in your trees, tell me, should there be a cut-off for adding people. I have people in my tree but the family connection is so small; like 5th cousin of husband's aunt, 3x removed, something ridiculous like that, but yet, that particular person has a direct connection to someone in my tree. As long as the info is verified and accurate, is it wrong to continually add people with such farfetched family connections? My thinking is that if my information is correct and verified, then maybe someone else with a closer tie could benefit from my tree. Thanks for the advice. Sue

Sue, By now you have read that there are many thoughts about the size of one's databases(s). I have my one MAIN one with most of the direct lines. I have 4 others that are mainly "Married" in lines and 3 others as my Great Great Great Grandfather has 17 children. I am able to control and maintain that data and it will respond with reasonable speed. I do have a overlap where these connect, so I do have a bit of double work to do from time to time. Bottom line, as long as your data responds reasonable well and you do NOT get lost in it, then that is still OK. Thanks, David C Abernathy Email disclaimers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- This message represents the official view of the voices in my head. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.SchmeckAbernathy.com == All outgoing and incoming mail is scanned by F-Prot Antivirus  == -----Original Message----- From: ftm-tech-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:ftm-tech-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Sue Pollock Sent: Monday, November 21, 2011 6:01 AM To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Subject: [FTM-TECH] How big is big enough? I apologize for my question but being new to genealogy, you are my main resource for proper information and documentation. So many of you have such large numbers of surnames, etc. in your trees, tell me, should there be a cut-off for adding people. I have people in my tree but the family connection is so small; like 5th cousin of husband's aunt, 3x removed, something ridiculous like that, but yet, that particular person has a direct connection to someone in my tree. As long as the info is verified and accurate, is it wrong to continually add people with such farfetched family connections? My thinking is that if my information is correct and verified, then maybe someone else with a closer tie could benefit from my tree. Thanks for the advice. Sue ********************************** List information page http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html Online Support for Family Tree Maker Version 16 and earlier http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ Version 2008 - 2011 http://ftm.custhelp.com/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

> So many of you have such large numbers of surnames, etc. in your trees, > tell me, should there be a cut-off for adding people. I have people in my tree but the family connection is so small; like 5th cousin of husband's aunt, 3x removed, something ridiculous like that, but yet, that particular person has a direct connection to someone in my tree. As long as the info is verified and accurate, is it wrong to continually add people with such farfetched family connections? My thinking is that if my information is correct and verified, then maybe someone else with a closer tie could benefit from my tree. While each person's taste in tree size and complexity may be different, there are essentially 2 kinds of trees. The simplest one is a direct ancestral tree. It contains NO ONE except those people from whom you are descended. Because that tight definition excludes siblings and such, most folks add more than just direct ancestors still claiming themselves to have such a tree. The second kind used to be called a tree with collateral lines, but is now known as an Island tree. In an Island tree, connections of blood or marriage are valid for entry. These trees can be huge. There is the accumulation method too - people placed within the tree without regard to connection. Single name or single place studies are common examples. Personally, I use a variant of the Island tree - I call it interested & interesting. If folks are interested enough to share their data with me or I find them interesting and are a part of my island, then I include them. I have 8 very minor islands within my online tree with hopes of eventually connecting them to my primary Island. My online tree has 135,XXX folks of whom about 900 are in the last 8 islands. My tree goes back to Adam & Eve and I have a multitude of convoluted connections - 22nd cousins and worse. When YOU feel the slowdown in the software, then it is time to trim your tree IMHO. John Okerson Memphis, TN

I had no trouble whatsoever with regard to instaling FTM 2011 or 2012 on my PC with a Vista Home Premium operating system. Although the internet has been full of rumors about problems with Vista, I have hadabsolutely no problem wtih regard to any software since installing Vista Home Premium. Tom Herson Ithaca, NY On Mon, Nov 21, 2011 at 2:50 AM, <SherryeW@aol.com> wrote: > Yes, I also had this problem.  I tried for an entire year to get my  2011 > to work on my Vista computer with no luck.  I tried reinstalling many  times > and tried everyone's suggestions.  The disc ran fine on my XP laptop  and > another XP desktop.  I just got 2012 a few weeks ago and it works fine  on my > Vista.  I was never able to solve the 2011 problem, but it seemed to  be the > VISTA that was the problem. > > Sherrye > > > In a message dated 11/18/2011 3:03:57 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, > ftm-tech-request@rootsweb.com writes: > > I tried  to help a friend solve a FTM installation problem and failed. She > has a laptop  with VISTA operating system. She has FTM 2005 installed on the > laptop.When the  installation finished we got a message ?FTM did not close > correctly last time  and you should compact.....? Since there was never a > file loaded (this was  during installation) this message was strange. This > message goes away and the  FTM Splash screen comes up like a normal FTM > loading, but then a Windows  message comes up ?FTM had stopped working and must > close, Windows is searching  for a solution.? I uninstalled FTM and tried > again, same result. To check out  the installation disk I tried to install on a > desktop and another laptop. They  both installed OK, so it is not the disk. > Has anyone had this problem? > Len  in California > > > ********************************** > List information page > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html > > Online Support for Family Tree Maker > Version 16 and earlier > http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ > > Version 2008 - 2011 > http://ftm.custhelp.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hi, Connie, This might be another option. I solved the transport problem by purchasing an external hard drive. I keep all of my data files, photos, scans, etc. on it with backups to my desktop and, therefore, Carbonite. The external goes with me anytime I think I might want to reference it (normally the laptop, too). I had run into a problem a couple of times with a thumb drive of forgetting to upload from one machine before making changes on another. This has worked very well for me for a couple of years now. Jay Thompson just an old genealogy nut too tough to crack. ________________________________ From: Connie Shotts <cshotts1@carolina.rr.com> To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Sent: Mon, November 21, 2011 9:45:31 AM Subject: [FTM-TECH] Drop Box Hi, I thought this topic had been discussed on this forum, but I couldn't find it in the Archives. Does anyone use, or know if, Drop Box can be used with FTM? I run two versions of FTM -- 2011 and 16 (16.0.350. I have both versions on both my desktop (Windows 7, 64 bit) and a laptop (Windows XP). It would be great to be able to "house" the data files for each of the versions on Drop Box so that additions, changes, etc. would be made on both computers, as well as to have the access from any other computer where the FTM programs are present. At least, I think it would work that way. Does anyone know? Connie ********************************** List information page http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html Online Support for Family Tree Maker Version 16 and earlier http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ Version 2008 - 2011 http://ftm.custhelp.com/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Yes, I also had this problem. I tried for an entire year to get my 2011 to work on my Vista computer with no luck. I tried reinstalling many times and tried everyone's suggestions. The disc ran fine on my XP laptop and another XP desktop. I just got 2012 a few weeks ago and it works fine on my Vista. I was never able to solve the 2011 problem, but it seemed to be the VISTA that was the problem. Sherrye In a message dated 11/18/2011 3:03:57 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, ftm-tech-request@rootsweb.com writes: I tried to help a friend solve a FTM installation problem and failed. She has a laptop with VISTA operating system. She has FTM 2005 installed on the laptop.When the installation finished we got a message ?FTM did not close correctly last time and you should compact.....? Since there was never a file loaded (this was during installation) this message was strange. This message goes away and the FTM Splash screen comes up like a normal FTM loading, but then a Windows message comes up ?FTM had stopped working and must close, Windows is searching for a solution.? I uninstalled FTM and tried again, same result. To check out the installation disk I tried to install on a desktop and another laptop. They both installed OK, so it is not the disk. Has anyone had this problem? Len in California

I hope the OP has more luck using this than I did It simply cycles around until it says it can't fix it , at least that was my experience A new drive (or rather a 2nd hand drive) was required Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) > To fix this problem automatically, click the Fix this problem link. Then, > click Run now button from the Automated Troubleshooting Services page and > follow the steps in this wizard. > > (http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cd_dvd_drive_problems) _Fix this > problem_ (http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cd_dvd_drive_problems) > Microsoft Automated Troubleshooting Services: Your CD or DVD drive cannot > read or write media > > > Note This automatic fix only applies to Windows XP and to Windows Vista. > If your computer is running Windows 7, go to "_Windows 7_ > (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060#win7fix) " under the "Let me fix it myself" section. > > Now go to the _"Did this fix the problem?"_ > (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060#diditfix) section. > > > > In a message dated 11/20/2011 4:40:18 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, > PEKAYE@aol.com writes: > > The computer doesn't open the CD & when I go to Start & Computer the > dialog box does not show a CD on either side. > Phil

I would like to split my family tree into four branches. Each branch would start with a grandparent. When I try to do this using : export / selected individuals / and either ancestors or descendents, it does not seem to "collect" every individual within that tree. Short of doing this "individually," there are 6500 in the tree, has anyone had an successful experience doing this an alternate way? I use FTM 2010.

To further amplify, I have over 6000 different surnames in my data. to "collect" all of these into a tree, would require at least 3000 different trees or more as each surname would start a new tree. Del the Dragon Argue not with dragons, For thou art crunchy and go well with brie ----- Original Message ----- From: <PINEYRICK@aol.com> To: <ftm-tech@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2011 6:30 PM Subject: [FTM-TECH] Splitting a tree I would like to split my family tree into four branches. Each branch would start with a grandparent. When I try to do this using : export / selected individuals / and either ancestors or descendents, it does not seem to "collect" every individual within that tree. Short of doing this "individually," there are 6500 in the tree, has anyone had an successful experience doing this an alternate way? I use FTM 2010. ********************************** List information page http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html Online Support for Family Tree Maker Version 16 and earlier http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ Version 2008 - 2011 http://ftm.custhelp.com/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

I am assuming that you mean the spouses and their ancestors as those that the program doesn't "collect". Doing either a descendent or ancestral sort will only collect those that are "blood" relation. The immediate spouse will show, but their ancestors will only show on a tree that starts with them. I will also not show the ancestors of children's spouses, etc. Depending on how much "collateral" family members you have entered into your main data, some will not be "collected" when breaking a tree into segments. I have over 35,000 entries in my main tree. To gather all those names into individual trees would require that I break it into about 400 different trees, and then it still would leave quite a few individuals out. Del the Dragon Argue not with dragons, For thou art crunchy and go well with brie ----- Original Message ----- From: <PINEYRICK@aol.com> To: <ftm-tech@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2011 6:30 PM Subject: [FTM-TECH] Splitting a tree I would like to split my family tree into four branches. Each branch would start with a grandparent. When I try to do this using : export / selected individuals / and either ancestors or descendents, it does not seem to "collect" every individual within that tree. Short of doing this "individually," there are 6500 in the tree, has anyone had an successful experience doing this an alternate way? I use FTM 2010. ********************************** List information page http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html Online Support for Family Tree Maker Version 16 and earlier http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ Version 2008 - 2011 http://ftm.custhelp.com/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

To fix this problem automatically, click the Fix this problem link. Then, click Run now button from the Automated Troubleshooting Services page and follow the steps in this wizard. (http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cd_dvd_drive_problems) _Fix this problem_ (http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cd_dvd_drive_problems) Microsoft Automated Troubleshooting Services: Your CD or DVD drive cannot read or write media Note This automatic fix only applies to Windows XP and to Windows Vista. If your computer is running Windows 7, go to "_Windows 7_ (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060#win7fix) " under the "Let me fix it myself" section. Now go to the _"Did this fix the problem?"_ (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060#diditfix) section. In a message dated 11/20/2011 4:40:18 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, PEKAYE@aol.com writes: The computer doesn't open the CD & when I go to Start & Computer the dialog box does not show a CD on either side. Phil In a message dated 11/19/2011 10:31:01 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, bhamilton3@cox.net writes: Can you explain a bit more about what you mean when you say, "The computer doesn't seem to recognize any CD"? Do you mean you cannot use or read the contents of the CD? Do you mean the computer doesn't automatically open the CD offering you a choice of whether to play, open or use the CD? 1. After inserting the CD, Click on Start, Computer. A dialog box should open 2. Is the icon for your CD drive shown? In other words can you see the drive listed on the list in the left pane? 3. Is it shown in the right pane? Click on the CD icon in the right pane, what happens? 4. Highlight the CD icon in the right pane 5. Click the right mouse button and select Properties. 6. Click the Hardware tab? 7. Review the list of devices shown, is your CD drive there? 8. Click on the CD drive, Windows should show you the status of the device and whether it is working or not. 9. Place a CD in the device, do any of the icons change in the Computer dialog box. If you can't see any of this, I suspect your device is not working properly. BJ On 11/19/2011 6:46 AM, PEKAYE@aol.com wrote: > Hi, > I have an HP G72 Notebook 64 bit w/ 4 GB of RAM. It has Windows 7 Home > Premium. When I insert a cd it makes it's usual noises& stops. The > computer doesn't seem to recognize any cd, i.e. music or data. Is there a way to > determine whether this is a software or a hardware problem? > Thanks in > Advance, > Phil > ********************************** > List information page > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html > > Online Support for Family Tree Maker > Version 16 and earlier > http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ > > Version 2008 - 2011 > http://ftm.custhelp.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2012.0.1872 / Virus Database: 2092/4625 - Release Date: 11/18/11 > > ********************************** List information page http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html Online Support for Family Tree Maker Version 16 and earlier http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ Version 2008 - 2011 http://ftm.custhelp.com/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ********************************** List information page http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html Online Support for Family Tree Maker Version 16 and earlier http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ Version 2008 - 2011 http://ftm.custhelp.com/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

The computer doesn't open the CD & when I go to Start & Computer the dialog box does not show a CD on either side. Phil In a message dated 11/19/2011 10:31:01 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, bhamilton3@cox.net writes: Can you explain a bit more about what you mean when you say, "The computer doesn't seem to recognize any CD"? Do you mean you cannot use or read the contents of the CD? Do you mean the computer doesn't automatically open the CD offering you a choice of whether to play, open or use the CD? 1. After inserting the CD, Click on Start, Computer. A dialog box should open 2. Is the icon for your CD drive shown? In other words can you see the drive listed on the list in the left pane? 3. Is it shown in the right pane? Click on the CD icon in the right pane, what happens? 4. Highlight the CD icon in the right pane 5. Click the right mouse button and select Properties. 6. Click the Hardware tab? 7. Review the list of devices shown, is your CD drive there? 8. Click on the CD drive, Windows should show you the status of the device and whether it is working or not. 9. Place a CD in the device, do any of the icons change in the Computer dialog box. If you can't see any of this, I suspect your device is not working properly. BJ On 11/19/2011 6:46 AM, PEKAYE@aol.com wrote: > Hi, > I have an HP G72 Notebook 64 bit w/ 4 GB of RAM. It has Windows 7 Home > Premium. When I insert a cd it makes it's usual noises& stops. The > computer doesn't seem to recognize any cd, i.e. music or data. Is there a way to > determine whether this is a software or a hardware problem? > Thanks in > Advance, > Phil > ********************************** > List information page > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html > > Online Support for Family Tree Maker > Version 16 and earlier > http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ > > Version 2008 - 2011 > http://ftm.custhelp.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2012.0.1872 / Virus Database: 2092/4625 - Release Date: 11/18/11 > > ********************************** List information page http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html Online Support for Family Tree Maker Version 16 and earlier http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ Version 2008 - 2011 http://ftm.custhelp.com/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

It looks like you have a bad CD device. Are you using Windows 7 64-bit? Do you have the latest drivers for the CD drive. Is it a CD or a DVD drive? It could be that the drive is merely disconnected, but with a notebook, it would require technical assistance to work on it IMHO.

> The computer doesn't open the CD & when I go to Start & Computer the > dialog box does not show a CD on either side. Have you contacted HP support for your notebook PC yet? Or, have you considered taking it to a local computer repair center you trust? (I know, the last phrase makes that part tough!) As another choice, if need be, would you consider that IF the CD drive is dead, that you could buy an external USB CD drive, attach it to your notebook and use that instead? (Prices seem to vary between $10 to $50 or so or more if you insist on DVD or Blu-Ray and the rest of your system can handle it. Probably the most expensive choice would be to consider a replacement notebook PC - very low end ones range below $300. I don't recall what the perceived NEEDS were other than to get the CD drive to work.

It looks like you have a bad CD device. Are you using Windows 7 64-bit? Do you have the latest drivers for the CD drive. Is it a CD or a DVD drive? BJ On 11/20/2011 1:33 PM, PEKAYE@aol.com wrote: > The computer doesn't open the CD& when I go to Start& Computer the > dialog box does not show a CD on either side.

to Phil, I have computer that is a 'relative' of your HP (first cousin twice removed perhaps - ha.) A Compaq laptop from 2006. The cd/dvd rom drive works intermittently. Using Windows Explorer after booting up, I see if the drive folder is shown. If it is not, I reboot. Sometimes I push the drive button to make the drive door open and close. When the drive shows on the list in 'My Computer', I know I can use it. I've been able to write data to a blank and even use the Lightscribe feature to label the dvd... when the drive is being recognized. When it is not being recognized, and a cd/dvd is inserted it will make the beginning sounds of starting up. Then it quiets and nothing else happens. Strange. And the repair shop said new replacement drives are "mumble mumble... not available". Have not pursued finding replacement for this somewhat elderly laptop. Thus, I'm thinking you have a hardware problem, your cd/dvd drive has gone bad. Sue A