Not sure of the steps you used and so I will go the long route. When creating the GEDCOM or any such file, be sure to pay attention to what folder you put it in. After you create the GEDCOM, I would suggest you close your current database and then from the FILE menu in PAF (i.e., don't close PAF, just the database) use IMPORT and create a new database from the GEDCOM. This will check your GEDCOM as valid. I would suggest a name like Temp or such if asked since it is just a test. Then close the new database on open the old one backup. You can quit PAF at this point. The next step is to open your e-mail. Create an e-mail to your cousin and attach the GED file that you just created to send to him. Send it. That is all that should have to be done. Since the GEDCOM is a text file, you can also open it in a text editor such as notepad to check it -- it is just that the import checks the entire process. For any GEDCOM you get from your cousin, simply repeat the process used for the IMPORT above. If PAF is properly setup, then with PAF closed you can also simply double click on the GEDCOM in WIndows Explorer and it should open in PAF. If you do not close PAF first, then the GEDCOM will import to the current database, probably not what you want to do. Note: I just checked this in Win7 and I had to set the file association with PAF. That meant I had to right click, select open with and do a browse to my paf5.exe file. In the past with XP, I did not have to set the association -- it was already done by the install. Bill > > Hi, O Helpful Ones > My cousin and I are attempting to send each other files.I went through the 'export' drill, but my file didn't send.He sent me his file and it appeared as a logo, not with the usualparents and child picture, but with one little face. It won't open. > I then found that the second file, which I had planned to send him, seemedto have been wiped clean and now appeared with the one-face logo. > I can open it OK but it hasn't anything in it!!!!I still can't open his file, and of course, he hasn't received the first of my files. > I really should be able to cope with this. Put it down to the adverse weather conditions in London. . . > Can anyone help, please? > Kind regards > Joy