Virginia Blakelock

Ruth - I have found no slowdown with accents based on Flags, and it takes just a few minutes to set them up. Here is a link that might help: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/tmg/2013-07/1373318008 Here are examples of Flag accents used in my layouts: http://www.whollygenes.com/forums201/index.php?/topic/14442-my-new-favorite-layout-customizing-the-workspace-in-v8/?p=58147 and a video (no sound) of the process of setting Flag accents here: http://www.screencast.com/users/Virginia/folders/TMG/media/3ebeecd5-af8c-467d-bc61-03b274defb20 Virginia

I am running Win7 Pro with current updates and flag accents and have not noticed a slowdown. If an accent is based on a filter, that filter must be run very time you are making changes in the database. An accent based on a Flag does not have that problem. Have you tried running TMG without the accent and again without IE to eliminate those possibilities? What 'background programs' are running - cloud service like Dropbox, automatic backup, anti-virus (McAfee?) ? Virginia

Ruth - What other programs are normally running at the same time? On what criteria is the accent based - a filter or a flag? An accent based on a filter can cause a slowdown; a flag is more efficient. Virginia

Elizabeth There have been a couple of reports of this problem with TMG, and if you Google for the error message you will find incidents of it in other programs. I would check the Start / Devices and Printers, rightclick on that printer icon and then Troubleshoot - if you have that option. It would not hurt to update your printer driver if need be. Let us know if you find a resolution. Virginia

Tracy - This problem was reported earlier this year on the TMG mailing list, and if you Google for the error message you will find incidents of it in other programs. I would check the Start / Devices and Printers, rightclick on that printer icon and then Troubleshoot - if you have that option. It would not hurt to update your printer driver if need be. Let us know if you find a resolution. Virginia

Elizabeth - Are you on a laptop with no printer attached? You might check the Start/Devices and Printers and see if there is a default printer selected. Virginia

John - When you encountered an error, it may be of help to know the text of the first (only the first) error message that you received in that incident. Those error messages are stored in your error.txt file, by default in the Logs subfolder in the User Data Files location. You can go directly to that folder and that file from TMG v8 or v9 from the Access Folders item under Help on the top menu. The messages are time-stamped so you can easily pick out the first message in an incident series. To read the messages more clearly, drag the window wider - if your screen permits - so the text does not wordwrap, You don't need to list all the messages - just give us an idea whether there some error messages that occur more frequently. You've mentioned 'File Access is denied' for some of them. Is that the most common? What is your Windows User Account Control setting (Windows / Start / Control Panel / User Account Controls)? You mentioned installing as an Administrator, do you then run the program as a user or as administrator? Virginia

Dave - The age column needs to be saved with the layout. From Help: "Note: When you make selections that affect the appearance of the Person View / Tag Box such as adding or removing display columns, you will need to save those changes by creating a custom layout or by saving your current layout if you are already using a custom layout. If you do not save your changes, the layout will revert to its current settings the next time that you exit and restart TMG." You can have any number of custom layouts - say for specific tasks. For more info and examples of layout customizations, see the favorite layout thread here: http://www.whollygenes.com/forums201/index.php?showtopic=14442&view=findpost& p=58147 Virginia

Mikey159 If as John suggests, you post your problems in a new topic in the v9 forum, I am optimistic a resolution can be found. Include the operating system of each computer and which TMG version you are installing on it. We are seeing an increasing number of problems with TMG that are related to other programs running at the same time. I recommend installing in the TMG default locations, while you are off line, with no other programs running, most particularly Dropbox and similar cloud services as well as anti-virus software. Note also that TMG project files should never be synced with a cloud service or backup program; serious damage to the project could result. I also suggest that instead of using the Update option for v9.03, you uninstall the present version from the Control Panel and download and install the full trial version (v9.03). With the trial version, rightclick on the download file and run as Administrator. You do not need to run as Admin after that. Virginia

I have not found a way to reproduce the problem. Are you using the Sample project or a new project of your own? If a new project, does Bold work in the Sample project? Did you install TMG using all of the default paths? Are you using TMG with Dropbox or another cloud service? Virginia

Ken - Create the GEDCOM with no other programs running - including a cloud service like Dropbox. Virginia

John - How did you Delete the person? Did you follow the steps in the Help button topic on the Delete Person screen, deleting all the person's tags before deleting the person? Virginia

John - Michael makes a good point. TMG v8 and v9 are independent of each other - there is no need to install v8 first, then v9. Install TMG v9.03 first, before any other programs and run it - looking for your usual errors. After each program you add, run TMG v9 - and again check for errors. That will pinpoint the offending program, if there is one. Virginia

Jon - Instead of overwriting the layout, save it with a new name. Virginia

Joan Does enlarging the Tag Entry screen itself to a reasonable maximum size make any difference in the expanded Memo? In Preferences / Program Options / Data Entry - what are your minimum and maximum font sizes? Does adjusting those up or down make any difference? Try making them both the same size. Virginia

Joan - When the expanded memo window is off screen, try - 1. On the top menu, Window / Center the Current Window. or 2. Try click and hold with your mouse in the top bar of the expanded Memo and drag it to the left so it is in full view, Either one should be a permanent fix. Virginia

Kaye Go to the Master Tag Type List and click on the Death tag type. Change (edit) the Abbreviation to d. or Rightclick on a Death tag in the Details view of any person and select 'Edit this tag type' and make the change there. Note that you want to edit the Death 'tag type' (not just 'tag') so that all instances of that Death tag will be changed to d. Virginia

Ted - In TMG, see the Help topic 'Import from FTM'. Also please see the Announcement re the future of TMG here. If you wish to continue using TMG as many of us will be, you may want to follow the discussions on the TMG mailing list, current archives here. Virginia

Finn - If you are still using v9.01, you should update to v9.03 - which has fixed several problems. Some people have had problems with the 'Check for an Update', so I suggest uninstalling your current version from the Control Panel and downloading and installing the trial version (always the current version). To install, rightclick on the file and 'Run as Administrator.' You do not need to run as Admin after that. Back up your projects and customizations before uninstalling. Virginia

Try re-saving your layout and see if that keeps the setting. Go to the top menu View / Layouts / Layout Manager. Then click on Overwrite to modify your existing layout. The shortcut for the layout overwrite is Alt v a m Alt o. Virginia

Dawn - Google for those errors. There seem to be other programs having similar problems. When you install, try it without any other programs running. Virginia

Jane - If you are making the backup directly to an external medium, instead make the backup to a folder on your hard drive and then copy that backup file to the external medium. Do you use Dropbox or other cloud service? That could interfere with a backup. For future stability of the program, I would also suggest upgrading to the latest version - v9.03. Virginia

Re disappearing projects and data - there are three sources of information in TMG with which you will want to become familiar and which you will find helpful in locating your projects and other files like layouts and toolbars. 1. The Help topic 'Data File Storage' 2. Go to Help on the top menu in TMG and cursor down to Access Folders. 3. In each project, Preferences / Current Project Options / Advanced. Click on that Help button for more information on the Advanced preference settings for the User Data Tree. If you locate your data in other than the defaults, you will want to update those paths. Note the Red Caution box. Virginia

John - Using your same backup configuration, does the Sample project back up without errors? Instead of Backup All, try a very basic routine - only the 3 steps below. Assuming the backup is going to a folder on your hard drive, not an external medium: In the first screen in the Backup Wizard: File / BACKUP PROJECT /. Go to Step 3. For the project items, uncheck External Exhibits. Click Finish. Virginia

Try this: Uninstall v9.03 from the Control Panel. Download the trial version (v9.03) from the WG site. Rightclick on the file and install as Administrator. No need to run as Admin after that. Virginia