* LDS Resource File Viewer

[Samtan]

Hi,
New member here, enquiring whether anyone has a copy of the LDS Family History Resource File Viewer, like so many I have a few sets of disks which were supplied with version 2. As windows has now reach 10, I am trying to obtain v4.0 or 4.02 any help would be greatly appreciated.
Geoff Howard

[tatewise]

Welcome to the FHUG.

I guess you mean the Family History Resource File Viewer from the LDS with accompanying CD records?

It seems that program is redundant as all the CD based records are now online at the https://www.familysearch.org/ website.
See https://getsatisfaction.com/familysearc ... census-cds 1st reply that says that.
(2nd reply suggest a program update is available, but the link ends up at the FamilySearch website with no download.)

A Google Search for "Family History Resource File Viewer" either suggests the above, or reports lots of problems, or download links simply end at the https://www.familysearch.org/ LDS website.

However, I am happy to be proven wrong.

[Russell]

I've had the British Isles Vital Record Index (BVRI) Second Edition for many years and ran it last on my laptop under Windows XP.

As has been mentioned the records are probably all online now - and I am up to Windows 10 Pro 64bit.

I thought that I would try to load the BVRI under W10 Pro 64bit and in fact it was surprisingly easy. The Viewer installed at version 4.0 and User Access Control asked for my admin password.

Compatability settings of XP SP3 were automatically applied during the installation. I then updated the viewer to version 4.02 using the file on the first data disc - run the viewer and then insert the disc in your drive and click on the entry <Click her to add a Resource File to this list>. The update should then run automatically, but if it does not you can use the Update.exe file in the Update folder on Disc 1.

You should then have version 4.02 running quite happily.

I have just been running and printing a few searches on my family line - interestingly I've come across a spelling variant I hadn't researched before so I've got my evening mapped out now!!

Samtan - are you saying that you have the various data cd's 1 to 16, but are missing the separate Viewer? I don't know if it is lawful to copy the cd, given that it is no longer officially available. However, there is a disc available on eBay for £3.99 at present, though from the listing it is unclear whether it is the viewer or the seller is disposing of data cd's individually.

[Samtan]

Hi Russel,

Thanks for your response to my query. I have the 1881 census and the British Vital Records, have tried installing as you suggest and only get RFV v1 installed, lookedon disc 1 for the update option you mention, there is not one.

Samtan

[Russell]

Samtan

I see from your latest message that you have version 1 of the viewer so that explains why you couldn't find the update. I don't know how often the LDS Church updated their software, but if it is anything like their speed of updates to Gedcom it could be glacial. I've had my copy (Version 4) for nearly 20 years and obviously your disks are even older. Version 4 may not even be able to read your data disks, as their format may have changed over time.

In any case, the data is now available online at the Family Search website https://www.familysearch.org/search/hr/search without charge so the disks really are no longer needed. See the foot of http://www.ancestor-search.info/SRC-IGI.htm#BVRI which was last updated in 18 February 2013.

Few organisations will still support software which is two decades old, given the speed of change in the computing market. I too hate disposing of items which I paid good money for, but we must remember that we have had the use of the item so the money was not wasted.

[gwilym'smum]

Hi,
I too have the discs. I tried to find a disc and there was a link on line but was advised that it was not safe. My solution is to use my very old laptop which I keep just for these discs. I still like to go through them than on Family Search. So old technology for old technology!
Sorry can't be of more help but share your frustration
Ann

[Jane]

As I see it there are a few of options, if no one has a copy.

1. Build a virtual PC, using 32bit XP and use your CDs on that.
2. Buy a copy of the LDS companion (http://www.archersoftware.co.uk/ldsc01.htm) I have not used it but it is supposed to read all LDS Resource disks
3. Throw the disks away and use the web site, which is what I did.

[Samtan]

Having tried the website with my system crashing on three occasions, that is no longer an option.

[Jane]

What web browser were you using have you tried Firefox or Chrome?

[tatewise]

Is your browser version up to date?
Exactly which browser and version are you using, and which version of Windows?

Many web sites (including FamilySearch) now only work reliably on recent browser versions that support HTML 5.
Test your current browser at https://html5test.com/.
Google Chrome 68.0 scores 525 out of 555
Firefox Quantum 61.0 scores 494 out of 555
Internet Explorer 11.0 scores 312 out of 555

BTW: Beware that decades old CD do not include recent records such as 1901 & 1911 UK Census and 1939 Register, or similar records for other countries. Also recently added entries and transcript corrections to earlier records will not be included

[Samtan]

I only ever use Chrome, the odd occasion IE opens is with the occasional email I'll open.

And before you say anything else it has been proven by a senior IT technician that the crashes were caused by the LDS page. Querying it with LDS came up with the response no one else complains about it yet I know of at least 9 people who have experienced the same 2 of which are LDS members, who have openly said they are fed up with the page.

[Samtan]

Jane,

Reference your option of the Archer LDS Companion. I have just spoken to Steve Archer on the phone, his information is the Companion does not read the discs itself but only works with the results provided by Viewer, therefore you still require Viewer. To this end it is only useful if you are using XP or earlier and with XP still requiring v4.0 Viewer or later.

Steve's closing statement was with nothing working with Windows 10 it's no use to you.

[Paulinelp]

I’ve just found my discs in the spare bedroom! You are welcome to have them all - I only kept them because they cost so much at the time Viewer version 4.0 and the 1881 census.

Pauline

[gwilym'smum]

Hope not speaking out of turn Pauline but not sure if the problem is not having the discs, as I understood it, it was the discs not being compatible any more with modern computers. I had the same problem.
Sorry if I have the wrong end of the stick
Ann

[Samtan]

Hi Pauline and Mum,

I also have the 1881 discs and the Vital Records Index but my Viewer is only V2, will not even run on an old machine running XP. As regards the discs not running on Win10 either way I have no idea and LDS are as much help as sand to an Arab. If you could copy the viewer disc I would appreciate that, unless you know that does not work yourself. As it is though I am quite happy now using the Census facility in Find My Past, so easy to copy the original image and the Transcription onto my Hard Disc and back up. Still does not let the LDS off the hook though as far as I am concerned.

Geoff

[reevo6825]

Hi,
New member here, enquiring whether anyone has a copy of the LDS Family History Resource File Viewer, like so many I have a few sets of disks which were supplied with version 2. As windows has now reach 10, I am trying to obtain v4.0 or 4.02 any help would be greatly appreciated.
Geoff Howard

Geoff
I have the Family History Resource File Viewer v.4.0. I have just successfully installed it on a Windows 10 64 bit PC (at least the installer said it had installed successfully) but when I tried to run it I got an error: Run-time error '75': Path/File access error.

(I found your message when I came to this site searching for a solution as I bought the British Isles Vital Records set years ago and now want to view them).

Did you find a newer viewer that will work with the disks?

Regards

Paul

[reevo6825]

Geoff

I just read further down the thread. One reply wouldn't work for me but gave me an idea and now, if I right click the installed programme and select 'run as administrator' it runs.

[tatewise]

Welcome to the FHUG Paul.

Try installing the Viewer with the same right-click Run as administrator technique.
This is often more forceful even if you are already in an Administrator account.

If that does not improve things, then you can set applications to automatically Run as administrator.
Right-click the Viewer installed executable file and choose Properties.
On the Compatibility tab, towards bottom tick Run this program as an administrator and click OK.

Let us know if that works.

The other Compatibly mode options may also be worth trying with either the installation file or the installed file.
i.e. Choose the version of Windows it was intended to work with.