Hello list, I have been using Family Tree Maker 2005 on both my laptop (OS = XP) & my desk top pc since it came out. Because the desk top has Vista, I had to download a patch to enable FTM 2005 to work. However, I've recently upgraded my lap top & as it has Windows 8, I know that FTM 2005 isn't compatible & there isn't a patch to make it so. Because of this, I'm looking into upgrading from FTM 2005 to FTM 2014, which I know I can use with Vista & Windows 8. However, I'm concerned about the transfer of data from FTM 2005 to FTM 2014. Will any of it be lost ? Will all the notes, pictures etc. still be there ? I'd rather keep it all on my Vista desk top pc than lose some of it because, like most of you, I've spent years on my tree. However - again !! - I know that I'll eventually have to upgrade my desk top pc from Vista to Windows 8 or the OS that's brought out when it needs replacing - so I'd like to have a genealogy programme that's going to be compatible for quite a few years. If you know what I mean :o) I'd be grateful for any advice before I go ahead & buy FTM 2014 - or another version if that's what you'd recommend. Thank you :o) Pat.xxx :o)) A Maid of Kent http://peajaykayspatch.blogspot.com/

Pat, FTM2014 will be able to open your FTM2005 Family File. You won't loose any issues. Not sure what "patch" you are talking about, to get FTM2005 to work on your old PC. Don't think there was a patch, but the way you set up FTM2005 to run in the XP mode and to Run As Administrator. Russ   ___________________________ Mailto:[email protected] ________________________________ From: PJK :o) <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2014 2:24 PM Subject: [FTM-TECH] Upgrading FTM Hello list, I have been using Family Tree Maker 2005 on both my laptop (OS = XP) & my desk top pc since it came out. Because the desk top has Vista, I had to download a patch to enable FTM 2005 to work. However, I've recently upgraded my lap top & as it has Windows 8, I know that FTM 2005 isn't compatible & there isn't a patch to make it so. Because of this, I'm looking into upgrading from FTM 2005 to FTM 2014, which I know I can use with Vista & Windows 8. However, I'm concerned about the transfer of data from FTM 2005 to FTM 2014. Will any of it be lost ? Will all the notes, pictures etc. still be there ? I'd rather keep it all on my Vista desk top pc than lose some of it because, like most of you, I've spent years on my tree. However - again !! - I know that I'll eventually have to upgrade my desk top pc from Vista to Windows 8 or the OS that's brought out when it needs replacing - so I'd like to have a genealogy programme that's going to be compatible for quite a few years. If you know what I mean :o) I'd be grateful for any advice before I go ahead & buy FTM 2014 - or another version if that's what you'd recommend.

Copy your files to a external device from the old computer. Then copy them to the new computer. You now will be working in a copy so you can alway go bsk to the orginal if needed. Now fire up 2014 and open your file(s) one at a time. They will be converted using a different name. If you had pictures inbedded in thr 2005 file, they wiil be found in the "media" related to the new file. Check things out to see IF you lost any thing. I have converted many files without any issues. Sent from my Kindle Fire In God We Trust