Individual Records Window

Antaeus · Post by **Antaeus** » 12 Jun 2011 11:28

Hello Everyone. When I switch on I'd like to go straight to the screen File, Edit, View etc and select my Individual Records file. Instead I am presented with the Project Window which I don't want. How can I avoid this screen appearing everytime. Also how can I place a short cut on my desktop. Any advice will be more than welcome. I'm a new user I have FH version 4.1.3. My thanks in advance.

ID:5137

Stevebye · Post by **Stevebye** » 12 Jun 2011 12:34

From Menu Bar
Tools>Prefences>Startup Then tick 'Display the Records Window, instead of Focus Window, at Start up'.

Post by **nsw** » 12 Jun 2011 12:37

To make the shortcut, go to your Start Menu and locate the Family Historian shortcut that you usually click on to run it. Right-click on this and select Copy from the menu that pops up. Then on your desktop, right-click and select Paste (or Paste Shortcut) from the menu.

Antaeus · Post by **Antaeus** » 12 Jun 2011 16:33

Thanks for the information. I've managed more by luck than anything to launch Family Historian. I still cannot place a short cut on my desktop. All I manage to get is the three connected green squares and not the FH logo which is what I want. I have placed a tick against Display the Records Window but still the Project Widow appears, if you could clear up these difficulties I'd appreciate it very much.

Post by **nsw** » 12 Jun 2011 17:02

The instructions for creating a shortcut should work. Which version of Windows do you have? Lets assume you have Windows 7. If you don't manage to follow these instructions can you please report the step number at which you get stuck?:

1) Click on the Windows circle (Start) on the bottom left of the Windows toolbar (or button labelled Start if you have Windows XP).
2) Then click on All Programs
3) Then find Family Historian in the list of programs.
4) Click on that and you should see a list which includes Family Historian, Family Historian Help, etc.
5) Right-click Family Historian with your mouse and select Copy from the menu that appears
6) Now right-click on your desktop and select Paste Shortcut.
This should give you a family historian shortcut on your desktop.

Now to the other point...

Steve assumed you meant the Focus window rather than the Project window (I must admit I did too) so it may be a good idea to go back to the Tools->Preferences->Startup and untick 'Display the Records Window, instead of Focus Window, at Start up' again.

When you run Family Historian, you are seeing the project window pop-up. I assume the list of projects includes your own project that you want to open automatically each time? If so then right-click on that project and select Default Project. That should put a tick next to your project. Next time FH runs it should open that project automatically.

Hope that helps

Nick

Antaeus · Post by **Antaeus** » 12 Jun 2011 21:31

I now have a short cut on the desktop, many thanks for this information unfortunately the Project Window box still appears. Underneath there's a heading Current Project None, under the F.H. Project it states No Family Historian Projects Found, below there are three smaller boxes New Project, Open Project, More Tasks, below this Close Window and Help. I am grateful for all the help that you have given me and hoping that I can finally resolve this problem. Incidentally I am running Windows Seven

Post by **nsw** » 12 Jun 2011 21:49

When the Project Window is open what do you usually do to then open your family history file?

Antaeus · Post by **Antaeus** » 13 Jun 2011 19:48

Hi Nick
Thanks for your patience. I cannot move from the Project Window. Previously when I switched on I went straight to my records list. I've attached a screen shot. My thanks again.

Post by **nsw** » 13 Jun 2011 20:31

Can I suggest that on the project window you select 'More Tasks' then 'Project List' and 'Reset Location to Installation Default'.

You've not really explained the sequence of events. Have you at some point in the past had it opening up your project automatically? Did it suddenly stop working or did you get a new PC? etc.

Post by **nsw** » 13 Jun 2011 20:37

Actually I see that you seem to have had similar problems before so if my suggestion in the last post doesn't help, do the instructions that you followed to fix it back in October help?

Here is a link to your thread back in October: Unable to access FH 4.1

Antaeus · Post by **Antaeus** » 14 Jun 2011 20:46

Many thanks for all your replies.I have installed Family Historian onto my laptop with Windows 7. I agree the difficulties from last October are remarkably similar. The instructions did rectify the problem on my desktop. I am now having a similar problem. The programme did previously open up in the Records Window but now refuses to do so. Clicking on More Tasks-Project List-Reset Location to Installation Default hasn't fixed it I'm afraid. Incidentally the Open Project box is greyed out, I am unable to proceed at the moment. Please help again.

Post by **tatewise** » 14 Jun 2011 21:33

Having used Reset Location to Installation Defaults the Project Window should now be displaying Location: as My DocumentsFamily Historian Projects.

On your desktop, click on the Start Orb bottom left, and then on Documents in the grey right-hand column, to open your Documents folder.
Does the resulting Windows Explorer window list a folder named Family Historian Projects?
If it does, do you believe it contains your FH project folder(s)?
If it does not, where have you created your FH projects?
Have you created any projects on this Windows 7 laptop?

(A) IF YOU HAVE CREATED SOME PROJECTS...
Once you have determined where the project folders are meant to be, you must ensure the Documents folder matches the Location folder shown in the Project Window.
To do this either change the name of the Documents folder, or click on the Location folder and use Choose Location... to browse to the correct folder.

(B) IF YOU HAVE NOT CREATED ANY PROJECTS...
You need to consider how the projects should be created.
Do you have any projects on another PC that you want to transfer to the laptop?
Do you have some simple GED files you want to open or turn into projects?
Are you starting completely from scratch?
Let us know what stage you are at in creating projects and we can give you further advice.

Antaeus · Post by **Antaeus** » 15 Jun 2011 20:15

Hello once again
I have file with approx 1000 family names somewhere in C: drive. Opening documents library folder shows the Family Historian Projects empty. The Family Historian folder shows 12 folders amongst which are two files which have three green squares joined by a straight line. One file is larger in 2.07MB the current file. Clicking on this is the only way I can access my records it's very frustrating to have to use the circuitus route to open F.H. Ideally I want to open it from my desktop via a shortcut. I have again included a screen shot.

Post by **nsw** » 15 Jun 2011 21:58

Clicking on this is the only way I can access my records it's very frustrating to have to use the circuitus route

[strike]Open Family Historian by double-clicking that '3 green square' file.

Then go to Tools->Preferences

Choose the Startup tab then click the << Select button which is next to the 'Default Startup File' and choose 'Make Current File the Default'. This should ensure that the file automatically loads each time.[/strike]
Sorry my answer to this was wrong - I'd missed the fact that your files were in c:\program files. Please follow Tatewise's advice below.

Post by **tatewise** » 16 Jun 2011 12:13

I would recommend a different approach than Nick's, because your Family Tree 01 and FamilyTree 01 GEDCOM files are currently in the C:Program FilesFamily Historian folder, which should be reserved for installed copies of the Family Historian program.

Please proceed as follows:
1) Open the Documents Library as shown in your latest Windows Explorer screen shot.
2) Copy the 1st Family Tree 01 GEDCOM file to the C:UsersAnthonyFamily Historian Projects folder.
- i.e. hold left-mouse button and just drag and drop
3) Copy the 2nd FamilyTree 01 GEDCOM file to the C:UsersAnthonyFamily Historian Projects folder.
4) Check by double clicking on these files that Family Historian can open them.
5) Close FH and return to the Documents Library in Windows Explorer.
6) Delete both Family Tree 01 and FamilyTree 01 GEDCOM files from the C:Program FilesFamily Historian folder.

A) Click on the Includes 3 locations blue link at the top.
B) In the Documents Library Locations popup window do the following:
C) Right-click on the My Documents C:UsersAnthonyDocuments entry and select Set as default save location
- this is now where all future documents saved to My Documents will be stored.
The next step is not essential but I recommend that the C:Program FilesFamily Historian folder should NOT be part of your Documents library.
D) Left-click on the Family Historian C:Program FilesFamily Historian entry and click the Remove button.
E) Finally click the OK button.

i) Now double-click on your preferred Family Tree 01 GEDCOM file so that it opens in Family Historian.
ii) Then select Tools > Preferences > Startup tab.
iii) Click on << Select... button and choose Make Current File the Default and click OK.
iv) Family Historian should now always startup with this GEDCOM file by default.

If you would like to know how to convert this GEDCOM file into a V4 Project, then when you have successfully completed the above process, post another message here.

If you have any problems with the above steps then please identify which step is causing the problem.

Post by **nsw** » 16 Jun 2011 13:21

Sorry in the rather confusing screenshot I'd missed that the bottom panel of files is in 'program files'. That's not the right place for it so follow Tatewise's advice.

Nick

Antaeus · Post by **Antaeus** » 16 Jun 2011 20:15

Hi Tatewise, Many thanks, brilliant, brilliant. Just completed the steps you suggested, phew we got there at last with your very kind help. A final question will it be possible to install FH on my new pc expected on Monday Incidentally I have version FH 4.1.3. From a stumbling beginner many thanks for all your help and patience, I mean everyone. Think I'll go and have a lay down in a darkened room. [smile]
Researching Seymour, Hanson, Oswin, Scott from Fakenham, Norfolk

Post by **tatewise** » 17 Jun 2011 10:46

Yes, you should be able to install FH V4.1.3 on your new PC, which I guess will be running Windows 7.
However, if you purchased a FH V3 to V4 Upgrade then you cannot install this directly, you must install FH V3 first.
If you got to FH V3 by buying a FH V2 to V3 Upgrade then you must install FH V2 first.
See detailed articles below.

There is a series of Installation Guide articles in the Knowledge Base at:
http://www.fhug.org.uk/wiki/doku.php?id ... tion_guide

In particular I suggest you follow the How to Re-install Family Historian flowchart in:
http://www.fhug.org.uk/wiki/doku.php?id ... _historian
This explains how to start from your Full FH Licensed CD/Download and apply all the Upgrades.

I notice from your last screen-shot that you have the Upgrade_FH_to_2.3.5 file.
This suggests you are starting from a FH V2 CD which may need a CD-backed installer for Windows 7 if it is a 64-bit PC.

Having successfully installed FH V4.1.3 come back for advice about how to synchronise the FH data on your two PC.

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