Courtney I deleted the FTM backup file present in my working directory and then attempted a backup of my FTM file, as you suggested. The FTM backup task executed, the new backup file was created with the correct size, date and time stamp and no error message occurred and no crash of FTM occurred. Now I have no logical technical explanation for this success. I will continue to watch this potential failure mode in the future for stability of backups. Thank you. Ken From: sitnah@cox.net To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:51:20 -0700 Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] FTM CRASHES Try deleting the backup file that is in there - you can leave it in the recycle bin just in case. Courtney sitnah@cox.net -------------------------------------------------- From: "Ken Schroeder" kennethschroeder@hotmail.com FTM 2011 ver 20.0.0.379 Windows XP fully updated on a monthly basis with SP3 25258 people (about 47 MB) it started sporadically this summer but now everytime I try to backup my file it happens I am using the backup command from the drop down menu of FTM with 'go offline' active I have not tried to open the backup file, just checked through the Windows File Properties option and seeing it listed in the correct folder of my Windows directory