Family Tree Maker 2019 is a powerful tool for preserving your family history, but issues like missing media or corrupted files can disrupt your research. In this guide, you’ll learn how to identify, fix, and prevent these common problems to keep your genealogy records accurate and accessible.
Steps to Fix Missing Media and Corrupted Files in FTM 2019
To resolve missing media or corrupted files in FTM 2019, follow these simple and effective steps:
1. Identifying Missing Media and Corrupt Files
Missing media usually appears as broken image or document links. Corrupted files may result in parts of your tree failing to load or unexpected software crashes.
2. Common Causes of Missing or Corrupt Files
Understanding the root causes helps prevent these issues:
- Data Transfer Errors: Files may be lost during incomplete transfers or imports.
- Storage Path Changes: Moving or renaming folders outside FTM can break file paths.
- Software Bugs: In rare cases, FTM 2019 glitches or compatibility problems may lead to corruption.
- External Disruptions: Power outages, improper shutdowns, or hardware failures can damage files.
3. How to Recover Missing Media
Try the following methods to locate and restore lost media:
- Verify File Locations: Ensure media files are still in their original folders.
- Re-import Missing Files: Use backup copies to re-import lost files.
- Update Media Paths: Use FTM’s media management tool to correct broken file paths.
- Use Repair Links Tool: This built-in feature helps reconnect missing media to the correct tree entries.
4. Dealing with Corrupt Files
If your files are corrupted, follow these steps:
- Run File Integrity Checks: Use FTM’s internal tools to scan and identify corrupt data.
- Restore from Backup: Always have a recent backup ready to recover lost information.
- Use Recovery Software: Consider using third-party file recovery tools for severely corrupted files.
- Contact Technical Support: If the issue persists, Family Tree Maker’s support team can assist with advanced recovery.
5. Preventing Future Issues
Take proactive measures to avoid media and file corruption:
- Create Regular Backups: Schedule automatic or manual backups frequently.
- Keep Files Organized: Store media in clearly labeled, centralized folders.
- Install Software Updates: Keep FTM updated to reduce bugs and improve stability.
- Run Routine Data Checks: Perform periodic integrity checks to catch issues early.
Conclusion
With a solid understanding of file paths, media organization, and FTM’s troubleshooting features, you can protect your family history records from missing or corrupted data. For ongoing help and expert assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to Family Tree Maker Support.
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