* Can't drag and drop media

[kevinfairless]

I've searched the forum for problems dragging and dropping but can't find a solution. I can't drag and drop an image from a File Explorer window into FH. I've read and watched videos how to but when the image gets to the FH window it becomes a circle with a line through. Any help would be appreciated.

Windows 10
FH 6.2

[pwe]

You cannot drag and drop unless you use your browser from within FH. Use the "search the internet" or "open web search window" from the "internet" command along the top of the screen. Using your browser from outside FH you can however copy and paste images directly into FH. See "Add media to project dialog" in the help files.
pwe

[AdrianBruce]

I can drag and drop from Windows 10 File Explorer quite happily. Indeed I hadn't realised quite how many places would accept a drag-and-drop inside FH. Normally I just drag it onto the Media tab of a source record, but it seems to go just about anywhere, usually coming up with a dialog box about adding "Media to the Current Project".

So sorry, can't help other than to confirm it does work for me with File Explorer.

[tatewise]

Kevin, checkout how_to:copy_paste_and_drag_drop|> Copy & Paste and Drag & Drop.

What type of image file are you dragging?
Exactly what window is open in FH?
Which 'drop zone' are you trying to drop to in FH?

After a few experiments to double-check, I could not find any FH V6.2 window that produced the 'no-entry' cursor while dragging, so your symptoms are unusual.

[kevinfairless]

Admittedly reading that knowledge base file doesn't say that I should be able to drag and drop from a File Explorer window to FH. So perhaps I'm trying to do something that isn't possible,

I am dragging a jpeg image onto the focus window or the media window. I can add it in the media window from 'insert from file...' just not dragging. I don't get the blue drop zone.

[AdrianBruce]

... So perhaps I'm trying to do something that isn't possible,

I am dragging a jpeg image onto the focus window or the media window. ...

No - it's possible - both work for me.

... I don't get the blue drop zone.

That's the only thing I'd say - I don't get a blue-drop zone but my cursor does have the plus sign attached to suggest dropping is possible. It doesn't have a circle with a line through.

Are you 100% certain that they are proper .JPEG files? Not something else that's out of step with the file-name extension?

Can you drag and drop onto other things like your word processor? You've not got some sort of theme that's messed up your cursor symbols? (Straw-clutching....)

[tatewise]

The Knowledge Base does mention "many external web browsers and utilities" which includes File Explorer and anything else you can drag an image from. In fact for File Explorer it also works for many non-image file types such as PDF and DOCX.

Your installation of FH V6.2 does not appear to be working correctly.
Even if a blue drop zone does not get chosen, then by default a + box & shadow icon appears in every FH window and the Media file is dropped into a new Media Record.

I even renamed a PDF file to .jpeg file type and it still drag & dropped OK.

So first try a re-install of FH V6.2 to see if that fixes things.

[kevinfairless]

I have reinstalled FH6.2 however I got the message:

Unable to execute file:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Family Historian\Program\fh.exe

CreateProcess failed; code 740.
The requested operation requires elevation.

Despite this the program opened as normal when I clicked the icon, and as before I still can't drag and drop.

I have no problem dragging and dropping files to my external hard drive for back ups or into emails etc.

[mjashby]

Kevin,

The Windows Error Message indicates that there are some user permission restrictions that are preventing correct installation of the update; and I note from your previous queries that you have had similar problems with software installation in the past.

First, you need to ensure that your Windows User Account has 'Administrator Privileges' for the installation of software, i.e. In Windows 10, from the Start Menu, choose 'Settings' > 'Accounts' > 'Your email and accounts' The top 3 lines should state:

'Your Username'
'Your e-mail address'
'Administrator'

If it does NOT say Administrator then that's the 'problem. If it does say Administrator, then try right-clicking on the 6.2 Upgrade File and choose 'Run as Administrator' to install. Any problem with Windows user privileges will impact on the ability to install any software which adjusts system settings and is therefore also likely to impact on the system's ability to set up the initial arrangements for the exchange data between software applications, i.e. it may be what is interfering with your capability to 'drag and drop' files from other software on to Family Historian's input screens.

If you are using a Windows Account which does not have Administrator Privileges, you will need to log out of that Account and log in to an Administrator Account to install and configure software correctly.

Mervyn

[kevinfairless]

Hi thanks for that.
It does have my name, email address and administrator. I also did as you suggested and right clicked and reinstalled as administrator but I still have the same problem as before.

[tatewise]

As Mervyn says, your postings suggest a history of installation problems.
Have you mentioned every installation related error that has arisen?

See how_to:family_historian_installation_problems|> Family Historian Installation Problems and follow the initial advice about installing FH using Run as administrator with anti-virus disabled or if necessary in Safe Mode.

If all that still fails, then right-click C:\Program Files (x86)\Family Historian\Program\fh.exe and choose Run as administrator.

Until you can achieve a 'clean' install, then you are likely to experience problems.

You may even need to uninstall FH completely, and reinstall from scratch using your purchased Upgrade V4 to V6 download, but remember you will need both your V4 and V6 licence details.

If all else fails you may need to contact Calico Pie Support for assistance.

[kevinfairless]

Thanks for your continued help.
I have tried everything you suggested up to a clean install from my version 4 disc to v6 to v6.2 each time right clicking and running as administrator but nothing has worked. I will contact Calico Pie Support.
As this is only a small part of the program and everything else is working as expected I won't waste any more of time. Thanks again

[jbtapscott]

I've been offline for a few days so only just picked up this stream, but for the record I also cannot drag and drop JPEG files from File Explorer - I just get a "No Entry" sign when the mouse pointer reaches the relevant FH window. FH was installed and is run using the "Run as Administrator" option. I'm not overly bothered as I don't attach much media, but it is none the less, a tad frustrating when I want to!.

[tatewise]

Brent, a common theme is you both use Windows 10, but is it a free upgrade from Windows 7/8.1, or a clean install on a new PC?

Also, do you get the same Code 740 installation error that Kevin described on Monday?

Can you 'drag & drop' those same JPEG files into MS Word, or WordPad, etc?

Did you try the KB Installation advice about installing FH with Anti-Virus disabled or in Safe Mode?

Similarly, if all else fails, then please report the symptoms to Calico Pie Support.

[jbtapscott]

Thanks Mike - mine was the free upgrade from Windows 8.1 and I have not seen the Code 740 error on install. I regularly drag/drop JPEG files into MS Word and Outlook message (Office 2007), and have just tried it with one of my "failed" FH JPEG's - all okay.

I'll have a look at the KB re install with Anti Virus off (I use Panda Free) and give that a whirl in a few days time (the next couple of days are "booked" for decorating!). If the drag/drop still does not work, I'll report back here and also advise Calico with screenshots, etc.

[kevinfairless]

Quick update. When I run FH in compatability mode I am able to drag and drop but am unable to save anything. I am going to have an IT work colleague have a look into it.

[tatewise]

Did you get a response from Calico Pie?

Which Compatibility Mode did you choose?

I do not understand why that would prevent Save from working.