FTM 2009 Error Message when Un-Installing

Now that I am running Family Tree Maker 2010 on my computer, I decided to uninstall Family Tree Maker 2009 to free up some space on my hard drive. FTM 2010 does not install over FTM 2009, rather it creates a separate folder taking up extra space.

I am running Windows XP. When I went to the Add/Delete Programs in my Control Panel and tried to delete FTM 2009, I got the error message "Error Reading Setup Initialization File". Uh-oh. Since I am trying to delete this file, I am not sure why I would get a setup error.


I went to the Knowledge Base for FTM and searched for "Error Reading Setup Initialization File". Nothing there. Not for installing or un-installing.

I searched Google. Everything I read about this message pointed to a problem with a download. But I hadn't downloaded FTM2009. I installed it from a disk. And I was trying to uninstall.

Not knowing what else to do, I put the FTM 2009 disk into my CD drive and clicked to install (even though it was already installed). thinking perhaps I could re-install that might help me get a successful delete. A few minutes after inserting the disk, I got the option to install or delete the program. I chose to delete the program, and it was then successfully deleted from my computer with no error messages.

If you run into the error message "Error Reading Setup Initialization File" when trying to uninstall an older version of FTM using the Add/Delete on the Control Panel, try using the FTM disk to install, and then choose "uninstall" from the list of options.

Free FTM 2009 now available to FTM 2008 Users

Ancestry.com has sent the email so that Family Tree Maker 2008 users who registered a US or Canadian version of the software can get a free copy of FTM 2009. The email contains a unique link and coupon code to be used during checkout at the Ancestry.com store to get the free Family Tree Maker 2009. The free Family Tree Maker 2009 CD will come to your mailbox - it is not a download.

If you registered a US or Canadian 2008 version of Family Tree Maker and didn’t receive the email, Ancestry.com suggests that you let them know at the Ancestry.com blog in a comment.

If you are in the UK, Australia and New Zealand and didn’t receive your email last week, please let them know.

The FTM 2008 users are the first to be able to order Family Tree Maker 2009 from Ancestry.com. They’ll receive for free the same product and package that they will sell in the online store for $39.95. In addition, they’ll receive the FTM 2009 new functionality Ancestry.com is planning for a free update later .

I got the email and tried to sign up for my free copy, but apparently the Ancestry store servers are overwhelmed from the high demand. The Ancestry store kept timing out for me. I'll try again when things have had a chance to calm down.

Updated 9/10: Looks like I wasn't the only one having problems. Ancestry will be sending a new email with a new link and a new coupon code that will remedy the problem of everyone trying to order their free copy of FTM2009 at the same time. This email will be sent out in a tiered fashion to smaller groups, but all should receive the email in the next few days.

FTM 2009

FTM 2009 Released

The Ancestry blog announced the FTM 2009 release yesterday along with a list of features:

The Family Tree Maker team is pleased to announce the release of Family Tree Maker 2009. We are excited about the new features and user requested tools included in this version.

Over the past year, we have been making patches available that include additional functionality and features that our customers have asked for. In addition, the features included in the 2009 version come primarily from our Family Tree Maker 2008 users, showing us what features should be released next and testing the product to make sure it is working at top efficiency. We had more than 300 beta testers for Family Tree Maker 2009. We appreciate this active and ongoing participation.

Take a look at what’s new since the original release of Family Tree Maker 2008. Features available for the first time in Version 2009 are marked with an asterisk (*).

Genealogy Reports

• Register and Ahnentafel full reports


• Register and Ahnentafel simplified reports*


• Data Errors report*

Charts

• Vertical Pedigree Chart


• Hourglass Chart*


• Horizontal Hourglass Chart*


• Bow Tie Chart*


• 180-Degree Fan Chart*


• Family Tree Chart*

Publishing Functionality

• Book layouts for main charts


• Saved settings in charts/reports


• Saved templates in charts


• Preparer information included in chart footers


• Enhancements to the RTF export


• Ability to show siblings within charts*


• Single-page PDF export from charts*


• Ability to add boxes in charts to a “Marked Box” category and modify box settings for these boxes*

Improved Data Manipulation Tools

• Change Place Name tool


• Find and Replace tool


• Streamlined data entry from any workspace using a full-featured edit person
  window*


• Ability to set spouse order (Person menu)*


• Ability to order media items for an individual*


• Find Individual tool (Edit menu)*


• Find Duplicate Individuals tool (Edit menu)*


• Ability to update multiple facts at one time (From Manage Facts or Fact options): change fact types, move description to place or place to description,
  mark as private*


• Insert foreign language characters into text fields*

Improvements within Research Tools

• Automatic simple backup at shutdown


• Ability to ignore hints*


• Option to delete existing facts in individual and Web merge*


• Inclusion of married names, AKAs, and titles in index*

Improvements to Import

• Improved name parsing


• OLE objects (PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, RTF) from previous FTM versions*


• Import previously ignored hints lists*

Improvements to Places

• Track and print your ancestors’ migration paths on interactive maps*


• Places toolbar that allows for researching place names not currently in the
  file and pinpointing places such as libraries, churches, and courthouses*

Improvements to Sources

• Copy and paste source citations

* New in Family Tree Maker 2009

Here’s what’s coming:

In addition, we are currently working on new features that will be available as part of Family Tree Maker 2009—as soon as they become available:

• Book Building


• Better Ancestry Member Tree Integration


• Improved Relationship Calculator


• Source templates based on Evidence Explained by source expert, Elizabeth Shown Mills


• And many others…

Thank you to all of the Family Tree Maker community for their loyalty through the years. We are committed to making Family Tree Maker the best desktop software for doing your family history.

Thank you,
The Family Tree Maker Team

Family Tree Maker 2009

It appears that FTM 2009 will continue to be improved based on FTM 2008 user feedback and that additional features will be added for no cost during the year. The upcoming bookbuilding feature will be available from within FTM2009 - no need to use AncestryPress.

Those who registered FTM 2008 will received FTM 2009 for Free.

Family Tree Maker 2009 Free to Those Who Registered FTM 2008

If you have a copy of FTM 2008 and have not yet registered, now is the time to do so by going to Help>Register FTM inside the program. All those who registered their copy of FTM 2008 will receive FTM 2009 for free. Here are the new features of FTM 2009. Here is the notice I just received from the FTM team:

We’ll soon be releasing Family Tree Maker® 2009. When we do, we’ll send you an email that will tell you how to get this latest version for FREE.

We want you to have a wonderful experience with Family Tree Maker. Because you registered Family Tree Maker® 2008, we’re giving you this new version at no cost so you can enjoy all the latest additions and improvements...

Purchase Family Tree Maker 2009

For those who would like to purchase FTM 2009, it will be released on August 26, 2008 and is available for pre-order now:

• Family Tree Maker 2009 Essentials
  
• Family Tree Maker 2009 Platinum
  
• Family Tree Maker 2009 Deluxe

and the Official Guide is also available for pre-order:
The Official Guide to Family Tree Maker 2009



Added 8/29/09: FTM 2009 is now available at the Ancestry store




If you have not been able to register FTM 2008, then phone Ancestry.com at 1-800-ancestry for help. Help is also available at the FTM 2008 Knowledge Base. There are two articles on registration and solving registration problems on the FTM 2008 KB at http://ftm.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ftm.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_sid=HDkJsgKi
Type in "registration" in the Keyword search box or the numbers of the articles, 3072 and 3050. Note that the letter I received did not specify the registration date cutoff to receive the free copy of FTM 2009.


If you do not live in the USA, a similar message about a free copy will be sent out within the next two weeks or so.