* program crashed!

[Johnr65]

Have been updating my families today (as I've been doing for a while) with the 1939 Register using AS and on trying to close the AS file to take me back to the FH6.1 Program, it crashed saying there was no project and a lot of gobbledy gook on where to go from there!
This has never happened before until I recently did the upgrade to both the program and AS?
When I tried to import yesterday's project from my portable hard drive, it couldn't find it!
I managed to restore the back up on the phd to my pc's hd and rename it. On restoring from my pc, it loaded OK but has lost seemingly all the photos and media transcripts.

This is a catastrophic fault-is there some bug in the latest upgrade or in AS?

Surely I haven't got to put in all the media again-if so I might as well buy another more stable program?

[tatewise]

Sorry about that John, but let's get you back working.
I suspect all your media is still there but the Gedcom file is simply not linking to it correctly.

It is not completely clear, but when you open FH are any Projects listed in the File > Project Window?
Do any of them open OK?

Are you familiar with the FH Project structure?
If not then check how_to:v4:understanding_projects#project_structure|> Project Structure.

To assist in this explanation let us assume your Project name is Family.
So by default your Gedcom file will be located at:
My Documents\Family Historian Projects\Family\Family.fh_data\Family.ged
The Media folder with all your photo and transcript files will be located at:
My Documents\Family Historian Projects\Family\Family.fh_data\Media\
If you have changed the defaults then use the folder in File > Project Window > Location.
Substitute your Project name for Family and check that the Media files are still there.

I suspect the phd backup file is only the Gedcom file or perhaps a .zip file of just the Gedcom file.
So you should copy the Gedcom file Family.ged into the .fh_data folder identified above using File Explorer.
If it is a .zip file then in FH use File > Backup/Restore > Restore, select the .zip file, and restore it to that .fh_data folder.

Alternatively, AS preserves a copy of your Gedcom file in its folder My Documents\Ancestral Sources\Backups\.
You could copy the latest backup to the .fh_data folder and rename it to Family.ged using File Explorer.

I assume it was AS that crashed with an error message rather than FH.
If so, please report as much as you can remember about the message and the symptoms in the Ancestral Sources Forum for Nick to investigate.

Regarding backups, it would be wise to review your FH backups in case of any future catastrophe, disk crash, PC crash, etc.
See glossary:backup_and_recovery|> Backup and Recovery.
I appears that your current backups do not include Media (or perhaps your Media is not in the Project folder).
You should be taking Full/Medium Backups not just Small Backups and use the Plugin to backup your customisations.

If you need any further advice just ask.

[Johnr65]

There is nothing at all in my projects window on FH6! Also I back up my research nearly ever day as a full version to my portable hard drive. My project back up is shown from 180316 as you can see from the attached screen shot as a zip file.
I don't remember what it said as I tried to close and save the AS folder except that it crashed.

[Johnr65]

Attached screen shot of FH6 window and result when I try to load the gedcom from my documents.
Also I can see the media files in my documents as you said.
Bear in mind that as before I'm still a technophobe.

[tatewise]

Ok, that still suggests it is just the Gedcom file that has been upset, presumably by AS.

It would help Nick if you could Attach the current corrupt Rosser 030714.ged Gedcom file to this thread.

When you open the Gedcom file FH does at least display the Root Person data, and recognises it as a Family Historian Project structure as advertised on top border.
Presumably after clicking OK you can see some other Individuals and some Media?

There are at least three methods of recovery I suggest you try.
Try each one in turn until satisfactorily recovered, and let me know how you get on.

(1) Snapshot
FH V6.1 now preserves daily snapshots of your Gedcom file.
Use File > Backup/Restore > Revert to Snapshot and choose the latest prior to crash.

(2) AS Backup
In folder My Documents\Ancestral Sources\Backups\ there should be something like:
Backup 2016-03-18_19-20-21 Rosser 030714.ged
Use Windows Explorer to copy that file into:
My Documents\Family Historian Projects\Rosser 030714\Rosser 030714.fh_data\
Rename the existing Rosser 030714.ged to say Rosser 030714.old
Rename the copied AS Backup file to Rosser 030714.ged

(3) Recover Full Backup
In FH use File > Backup/Restore > Restore
Select FH Project Backup - Rosser 030714 - 2016-03-18 1810.zip
Temporarily choose a new name for the recovered Project.
If it all appears to be OK, you can later delete the corrupt Project and rename the recovered Project.

BTW: In the screenshot, ALL the backups on your phd are for Gedcom File only, except the one large Project Backup ZIP Archive, which seems to contradict your claim of performing regular full backups. I would have expected to see a series of FH Project Backup - Rosser 030714 - 2016-03-** ****.zip ZIP Archive files.

[Johnr65]

The 1st 2 options don't work.
The 3rd AS option, I don't really understand, I've copied the file from AS snapshots but as you can see from the attached screen shot I've pasted and renamed it but can't find the 'old' gedcom to rename it?
I've restored the renamed one to FH and it has all the names but no media just X's where they used to be.

BTW I delete old back up files on my phd once I've backed up the new one-not much point keeping loads of files that are obsolete is there?

[tatewise]

Basically you have not copied the file to the folder I specified.
You need to move that Rosser 030714.ged file into your Project next to the Media.
i.e.
Open the folder Rosser 030714 shown in your screen shot, which is your Project folder, just like the Family Historian Sample Project above.
Then open the folder Rosser 030714.fh_data as you did before when investigating the Media folder.
That is where you will find the corrupt Rosser 030714.ged file that needs renaming.
This is where the AS derived Rosser 030714.ged file should reside.

Could you give more details about why options (1) and (3) did not work.
It is frustrating to get such vague responses to my detailed advice.

The Snapshot Gedcom should work the same as the AS Gedcom above.

If you cannot recover Full Backups, then it is essential to investigate why, as your backup protection does not exist.

BTW: Your latest screenshot shows the Family Historian Sample Project folder, so I am surprised when you say nothing is listed in the File > Project Window, when at least the Family Historian Sample Project should appear.

[Johnr65]

Ah Bisto-I think! The AS snapshot has now brought the media/photos back on to the tree on FH6 with the names after I carried out your proper instructions last time.
Regarding the other methods:
the first one didn't give me the snapshot option and the 3rd one restored but with no media I think.
Thank you for your help. How can I stop this happening again?
I nearly reverted to FTM again!

[Johnr65]

BTW I tried to back up the 'new' file but it will only allow me to do a small backup, the medium and full are greyed out!

[tatewise]

Despite your apparent success, I suspect at the very top of FH main window it says FH Gedcom rather than FH Project.
Which means you have upset the Project structure in some way.
Please post the contents of Rosser 030714 folder and Rosser 030714.fh_data folder as seen in Windows Explorer.

We can review the other options and aspects once the Project has been repaired.

[Johnr65]

Yes you're correct, it does say FH gedcom.
Contents of Rosser030714 as the attached screenshot
The 2nd one will follow on another attachment

[Johnr65]

2nd file attached.

[tatewise]

Ah! You have Windows Explorer set to not show file types such as .ged and .zip, etc.
So the Gedcom filename is actually Rosser 030714.ged.ged thus you need to remove the visible .ged leaving just the hidden .ged file type.
I suspect in FH on top line it was identifying the Gedcom name as Rosser 030714.ged whereas it will become Rosser 030714 after the above correction.

Compare your project against the Family Historian Sample Project folder and file structure.

Please attach the Rosser 030714.old file here.

BTW: You can attach up to three files to one posting, and you do not need to insert image files into a Word document, just attach them directly.

[Johnr65]

The file is too big it says here, it only allows 256kb but mine is 376kb

[Johnr65]

The FH sample nor any other projects appear in the FH window?

[Johnr65]

Any news on how to go on?

[tatewise]

Sorry John, been out all day watching my grandson in a rugby tournament.

Did the Rosser 030714.ged change make it appear as a Family Historian Project instead of Family Historian Gedcom?

Please post the FH Project Window because I am surprised that no Projects are listed.

Will come back to Rosser 030714.old file, so do not delete it.

[Johnr65]

Yes changing it to a normal ged file shows it at the top as a project not a gedcom however it doesn't appear in the project window as attached screenshot, so I have to browse for it in the folder and am able to update and back it up but still no appearances in the window!

[tatewise]

That is because Location is defined as J:\ so that is the location FH is looking in for your Projects!
When and how did you change that, and may the cause of several of your problems.

Click on J:\ and reset to default My Documents\Family Historian Projects which is where your Projects are located. Now all your Projects will be listed. Yes?

You should now be able to create a Full Backup of your Project.

[Johnr65]

I always fully back up my project when I exit the FH program to my J drive which is the phd, in case of desktop pc problems. I don't see how the project 'thinks' that the project is always there when the FH folder is in my documents? Whenever I start the AS process it always says I have to save before entering AS-I presume it saves to my documents or not....?
When you say Click on J:\ and reset to default My Documents\Family Historian Projects which is where your Projects are located-which one or ones to click on-see attached screen shot?

[tatewise]

NO! The J:\ next to Location in the FH Project Window.

BTW: Users can put Projects wherever they like, and the Location tells FH where. If you change that then FH looks wherever you tell it to look. So at some time in the past you have changed that setting and thereby hidden your Projects in the default folder.

[Johnr65]

It's very complicated isn't it? Anyway I've changed it and both projects are now shown in the window.
I have no idea how it became changed to J.
Thank you very much for your patience and help to this technophobe.
I always recommend FH6 to my research colleagues and the work that you do in the forum.

John

[tatewise]

Maybe the how_to:v4:understanding_projects#project_structure|> Project Structure will make more sense now?

You should be able to use File > Backup/Restore > Full Backup command now.

Also the Snapshot command should be there too.

[Johnr65]

Yes I can use all the commands now as you said and the snapshots are there too for 9th March onwards-does it just keep the last 10 days?
Don't really understand Knowledge Base-Project Structures, feels like legal mumble jumble to the non technical eye!
What shall I do with the old.ged and how should I proceed in future? Would it be best to back up to my docs and then copy and paste to phd?

John

[tatewise]

A Snapshot is taken only once each day you use FH, and only the last 8 are retained.

I'm sorry the Knowledge Base does not help you.

Regarding the old.ged file, right-click its name and from the context menu choose Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.
That should create a file with same name but with Type of Compressed (zipped) Folder or maybe IZArc ZIP Archive and a fraction of the Size.
You should be able to Attach that zipped file to your next posting as it is much smaller.

From what you posted, there appear to be various 'backup' Gedcom Files on your J: phd.
I suggest you review and perhaps delete unwanted ones, especially as they do not include any Media.

You should be able to backup directly from FH to your J: phd as explained below.

I suggest you create a J:\FH Backups folder, or perhaps that is what the J:\FH6 gedcom folder is intended for?

In FH use Tools > Preferences > Backup and set the Default Backup Folder: to either J:\FH Backups or J:\FH6 gedcom wherever you want to keep your backup archive, then click OK. (Tip: Use the << Select button to navigate to the desired J:\ phd folder.)

Then when you Close FH and perform a Backup, or when you use any File > Backup/Restore option, FH should use the Default Backup Folder: you chose above.

So use File > Backup/Restore > Full Backup and check its Zip Archive file is saved on J: phd where you want.
Then use File > Backup/Restore > Restore Backup and choose that Zip Archive file and a New Project Name to restore.
Notice how the Location to Restore to: is the same as the Location: recently corrected in the File > Project Window.
Click Restore and then when you visit the File > Project Window you will find a Project with the new name, but otherwise identical to your Rosser 030714 Project including the Media.