Problem with V7 Trial

[Leslie1899 0]

I insist on having programs/files/etc. where I want them. After much research I decided to try a trial version to make certain I could make the requisite changes to file structure safely prior to actually purchasing and using v7. I understand that all folders can be relocated (with effort) with the exception of the Log Files which don't matter to me. I know to use the Help file to write the code which will allow me to place everything else where it's safest from harm.

 

To my astonishment, when I downloaded and installed (really, there should be placement options for advanced users), while v7 installed where my "cheat" sheets showed it should, it also apparently changed the main folder names for TMGv6. I can open v6 wherein all my precious projects are stored from its icon, but I'm extremely concerned about the changes in my carefully named v6 folder. What on earth has occurred? Why? Frankly, if I had a roll-back provision resident on the computer, I would completely erase the download and installation.

 

Why would a trial installation that insists on being installed onto my operating system logical drive change an earlier version of the program folder names on completely different logical drive? Please advise.

Leslie

[retsof 0]

Microsoft wanted files in certain locations for Vista, so TMG V7 puts files in those locations, in the path of the username by design. They end up being more scattered than TMG V6.

 

If you are still using Win XP, it doesn't really care, so you could override program preferences to put them where you are used to. If you are running Vista, then all bets are off. More experience is needed on whether to advise any changes.

 

I have Win XP here. The only one I cared about myself was the backup file, so I changed the preference to another location on my second hard drive location for redundancy.

Edited February 19, 2008 by retsof

[Jim Byram 0]

You've provided no details so it is hard to evaluate your issue.

 

What were your existing v6 folders?

 

How did you set v7 up? Did you use Data_paths.txt? If so, what were the contents?

 

What were the three data file folders created on the first TMG7 run?

[Leslie1899 0]

You've provided no details so it is hard to evaluate your issue.

 

What were your existing v6 folders?

I did provide details: my existing v6 folders were on my logical E: drive. NOT ON THE C: DRIVE.

 

How did you set v7 up? Did you use Data_paths.txt? If so, what were the contents?

I did not set up or make any type of file placement change anywhere during or after the installation process. This was a simple installation allowed to go wherever TMG v7 wanted it to go. I did not intrude in any way on file placement. I'd intended to play with that later once I was comfortable with exactly what had to be done and how to do it.

 

What were the three data file folders created on the first TMG7 run?

With no direction by me, the program folder is in C:\Dcuments and Settings\All Users\ApplicationData\TMG. I cannot find the Program Data, User Program Data Files or User Data Files. They are not under C:\Documents and Settings\username [there is no username listing shown]. I have only Administrator, All Users, and Default User.

 

Wy did the installation program go onto an entirely different drive and change v6 folder names. I can't tell if anything was changed, not having a listing of program files with dates created. I am no longer certain where v6 is located, other than I can open it so perhaps it's safe.

 

Doesn't it seem advisable to uninstall v7 immediately? Thank you for any help you can provide in the mystery.

Leslie

 

I can't think of any explanations for this. I'm afraid to uninstall v7 because I don't know what else may happen. Only my project data, located on still a different logical drive, appears unaffected.

Leslie

[Virginia Blakelock 0]

Leslie, do you have Windows Explorer configured to 'Show hidden files and folders'?

 

Virginia

[Terry Reigel 0]

I did provide details: my existing v6 folders were on my logical E: drive. NOT ON THE C: DRIVE.

Actually, you didn't tell us that before, nor even say they were not on the C: drive. You just said you like your files were you want them.

Wy did the installation program go onto an entirely different drive and change v6 folder names. I can't tell if anything was changed, not having a listing of program files with dates created. I am no longer certain where v6 is located, other than I can open it so perhaps it's safe.

Leslie, what changes do you see that were made to your v6 folders?

 

I've installed v6 on the e: drive as well, and made many installations of v7 in various locations, both default and elsewhere, and it has never made any changes to my v6 folders or anything else other than what I told it to do.

[Leslie1899 0]

1. Windows XP is configured to show hidden files.

 

2. Sorry, I thought I had stated specifically that in my normal file organization, the OS goes on the C drive, programs on the E drive, data on the F drive and images on the G drive.

 

3. V6 program was installed on the E drive; with its associated project data on the F drive.

 

4. V7 was not directed to place anything anywhere specific. I expected it to install on the C drive under C:\Program Files\xxx; with Shared Program Data Files, User Program Data Files and User Data Files placed wherever TMG v7 wished: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\xxx and under C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\xxx and C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\xxx.

 

5. This did not occur. Apparently only the Program Files were placed where TMG v7 usually places them. I initially thought everything else was where it should be; it is not. I've looked through Administrator, Default User, etc. and they aren't listed. I am using Jerry Woodson's handout showing file placement locations. I believe the paths may be shown in v7 under preferences, but have been afraid to open v7 since my first opening when everything looked okay. I made absolutely no changes to any paths, locations, preferences. Hadn't touched anything when, for some reason, immediately after installation of trial version I decided to close the program and check Windows Explorer to look at my file structure. I had this "funny" feeling that it might be a good idea to do so.

 

6. On my E drive, the folders containing (what I assume to have been v6) have been renamed to TMG v7. V6 opens appropriately, but I hadn't printed out a listing of what files should be there in the program files and on what dates they were each created, so I can't determine if anything was overwritten.

 

7. No changes were made to folder names on my project data drive partition (F drive). Data opens appropriately in v6 and has not been converted.

 

8. Somewhat calmer now, I think my data is okay and probably v6, although I am nervous about it. I believe some sort of major failure occurred during installation (let's blame it on my internet connection with Comcast because heaven knows they are causing every other kind of phone/cable problem).

Leslie

[Terry Reigel 0]

Leslie, you haven't opened v7 yet? I suspect that's why you can't find the various data file locations - my understanding is they are not created and the various files copied there until the first time it's opened.

[Leslie1899 0]

Leslie, you haven't opened v7 yet? I suspect that's why you can't find the various data file locations - my understanding is they are not created and the various files copied there until the first time it's opened.

 

 

Of course, I've opened TMG v7. I opened it immediately after installation of the trial version, quickly looked it over, then closed the program appropriately. It was only after opening/closing v7 that I elected to look at my file structure via Explorer.

 

I am serious about something transient possibly happening during installation. I know the programmers at WhollyGenes are true professionals. No one in their right mind would code for the extraneous changes; but they appear to have occurred on my hard drive. We are having extremely irritating problems with Comcast and the only explanation I have for something errant occurring during installation is a connection issue. It's possible "something" occurred at the precise wrong moment and instructions were garbled/corrupted/etc. Voila = my problem.

 

I have no fear of uninstalling v7, disconnecting from the internet and doing a clean reinstall - the problem is the zip file needs to connect with WhollyGenes to install the program. I don't think it simply downloads the program so I could do a reinstall completely free of my usual "always on (allegedly)," broadband connection. My fear is that something in v6 was overwritten in its program files at the same time the folder names were changed. Possible? I don't know.

 

Our internet connection has become less and less reliable. I see no particular signs of surges (there are protectors in place), but it abruptly terminates at random intervals. TV has never been affected. We're having unsolvable internet phone issues as well.

[Jim Byram 0]

I have no fear of uninstalling v7, disconnecting from the internet and doing a clean reinstall - the problem is the zip file needs to connect with WhollyGenes to install the program.

The installer is not a ZIP file and you do not have to be connected to the Internet to install TMG7.

 

The installer is named: tmg7setup.exe

and is downloaded from:

http://www.whollygenes.com/files/tmg7setup.exe

 

The default program folder for the install is: C:\Program\Files\The Master Genealogist v7

You can, of course, change that path during when running the installer.

 

The first time that TMG7 is run, it creates three data folders under WinXP:

 

a shared program data folder

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\The Master Genealogist v7

 

a user program data folder

C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\The Master Genealogist v7

 

a user data folder with a data file tree

C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\The Master Genealogist v7

 

"username" being the user name of the current user. (If you are running the operating system, you are running under a user name whether it is 'Administrator' or something else.)

 

The data folder names are the same as the program folder name. If you change the program folder name, the data folders names will reflect that change.

 

All of this is covered in some detail in the Data File Storage topic in TMG7 help.

 

%%%%%%%%%%

 

Each time that you run TMG7, it does talk to Wholly Genes with a function named "Message Manager" to see if there are any messages for you (Help / Message Manager). This function can be disabled if you wish in File / Preferences / Startup and Exit / Check for messages. This function is part of the program and has no equivalent in the installer.

[Leslie1899 0]

Jim, at this moment I'm not concerned about TMG v7. I am concerned about the program validity in version 6. Yes, the TMG v7 files were finally copied, maybe during the second time I opened v7. They now appear where they should be located - in my case under Administrator.

 

Frankly, at this moment, I really don't care if or where TMG v7 files are. Why did The Master Genealogist Version 6 Program file located on a completly different logical drive have its file folder renamed to The Master Genealogist V7 at the time I installed the trial version? There were no instructions given by me for the installation program to do anything on any drive other than the C drive.

 

Are the TMG Version 6 Program Files uncorrupted on my E drive? Should I reinstall version 6 in case something caused corruption in the version 6 program files during the installation of TMG v7 trial? At this moment I don't care about version 7. I don't care where it's files are. I don't care how great it is or how much I want to be able to use it. My only concern is thatTMG version 6 is okay. My data, on yet another logical drive, appears to have been untouched. No project data file folders were renamed so as far as I can see, so apparently nothing untoward happened here. The only program file folder renaming occurred in the TMG 6 program files - once again, on the E drive.

 

What "cut-off" dates would be valid for TMG v6 program files? I might be able to scroll through my listing to tell that way if any files had been overwritten . . . by accident I know. Still . . . . . please help me address the state of TMG version 6.

Leslie

[Jim Byram 0]

As has been said here several times, following the defaults, TMG7 will not overwrite or change any TMG6 folders or files.

 

One obvious question... Did you install the TMG7 program into the TMG6 program folder? Using the default paths for both, that would be impossible. And you would not want to install TMG7 into the TMG6 program folder. They are completely different programs.

 

You still have not answered my original questions.

 

What was the path of your TMG6 program folder?

What is the path of your TMG7 program folder?

What were the original path(s) of the folders that you say have been renamed?

What are the path(s) of the renamed folders?

[Leslie1899 0]

Original TMG version 6 path: E:\TMG v6 - before installation of trial version. This is the folder location of everything except projects, reports, pictures, TMG6 setup which are located on F drive.

 

My project data files are located F:\The Master Genealogist 6 where backups, projects, reports, Pix and setup file are located. Master folder on this drive was not renamed and all looks well.

 

Trial Version of TMG v7 installed here: C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Application Data\TMGv7 (copied directly from Explorer)

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\TMGv7

There are no files under C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\My Documents\

 

Apparently when I installed TMG v7 just as TMG wanted it (see above) with no locations suggested by me, it and its associated apps were copied to: E:\TMGv7 (copied directly from Explorer). I see the complete TMG v7 folder, complete with aps, etc. The file origination dates show it's the new program.

 

TMG v6 program/apps were probably safe as there was a slight variation in folder name structure, but rather than take any chance on accidental file corruption, I have restored v6 from a cloned "picture" backup. I doublechecked file origination dates and nothing postdates 2007. Everything works.

 

I still think it would be wise to uninstall the trial version 7. Clean out all temporary files, etc. Do a complete cold start. Try again with a completely clean installation. Clean installs often work miracles; I just was panicked that something had eroded my wonderful TMG 6.

 

Thanks for keeping me relatively calm and advising,

Leslie

[Jim Byram 0]

Trial Version of TMG v7 installed here: C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Application Data\TMGv7 (copied directly from Explorer)

TMG7 would have created a data folder in this location for user program data files.

 

The installer would have suggested the default location for the program installation:

C:\Program Files\The Master Genealogist v7

 

Did you actually install the program to:

C:\Program Files\TMGv7 ?

 

You can tell exactly where the program was installed by checking the path used by the shortcut created on your Desktop.

 

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\TMGv7

This is the shared program data folder and was created correctly.

 

There are no files under C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\My Documents\

That's correct. The default install would not have created anything in this location.

 

The user program data folder should be:

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Application Data\TMGv7

(assuming your user name is Administrator)

 

Apparently when I installed TMG v7 just as TMG wanted it (see above) with no locations suggested by me, it and its associated apps were copied to: E:\TMGv7 (copied directly from Explorer).

Your system has My Documents relocated to "E:\".

 

The user data folder name (TMGv7) came from the program folder name.

 

The TMG7 user data folder was created in exactly the correct default place.

 

%%%%%%%%%%

 

It sounds to me like:

1) You changed the folder name for the program installation.

and

2) Your system has My Documents relocated to drive "E:\".

 

On the basis of those two things, the three data file folders were set up in the correct default locations.

 

%%%%%%%%%%

 

Glad that you appear to be getting things under control.

 

Jim

[Leslie1899 0]

To be precise there is only one My Documents folder on my entire computer and it is located at: C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents.

 

No other My Documents folder exists on any other drive, not on E., F. or G. I don't use it, so it isn't there. Windows is perfectly free to refer to it for administrative purposes, but I don't.

 

I hope this didn't confuse TMG v7 at installation. I have printed out all the Help information on rearranging data paths, as well as all Terry Reigel's reports on the subject, as well as Jerry Woodmason's. Once I'm satisfied that I can rearrange everything to my specs (except the log files), I'll purchase and use. I know I'll love it if I can just placed where I want it! I've already played with customizing the Toolbar.

 

Thank you again.

[Terry Reigel 0]

To be precise there is only one My Documents folder on my entire computer and it is located at: C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents.

 

No other My Documents folder exists on any other drive, not on E., F. or G. I don't use it, so it isn't there. Windows is perfectly free to refer to it for administrative purposes, but I don't.

Jim didn't say that there was a folder called "My Documents" on the E: drive. He said that the "My Documents" folder has been re-assigned in Windows to "E:\" - the easy way to do that is with the Windows PowerToys Tweak UI app, but there are other ways as well.

 

Once you do that Windows will place files that would normally go in "My Documents" at the specified location instead.