Issues when using Family Tree Maker (or files that use linked attachment files)

Question

I uploaded my FTM file and media files to Dropbox, then linked my two laptops to the folder they are in. Everything worked well and I was able to open the same FTM file directly from dropbox and all the linked media files showed correctly. Two days ago that changed. Now when I open the main file and try to view any attached media files, they are not found by the program, even though they have not changed locations at all. This happens on both computers.

I tried re-linking some of the media files on one computer, letting Dropbox update, then went to 2nd computer to see if change showed there. It does not show the re-link. And when I re-link on 2nd computer, the link gets removed from the 1st computer.

This issue may be similar in other program user files that use linked attachments that do not get embedded just linked (ie AutoCad DWGs w/ Xrefs, etc)  I'm curious how to get everything working again.

Thank you for any thoughts.

mlm · Answer

I also tried to restore my FTM-DP file from before the date every changed. The file was there but still nothing linked to media files.

mlm · Answer

That was my first thought, so I've also been talking with a FTM group. So far they have not come up with anything. So I thought I should see if its something Dropbox related. Just before all this happened, i had a PC update and then discovered there seemed to be a Dropbox update (my backup files on dropbox listed as "new Location" (or similar wording).

A few months ago I purchased PC2 to eventually replace PC1. PC1 and PC2 are each set up to backup to Dropbox (BU1, BU2). I then created a standalone folder on Dropbox (DP-Doc) and transferred copies of my doc files, from PC1. (Note: The Family Tree Maker program is installed on each computer.)

I renamed the FTM main file on DP-Doc to FTM-DP, opened that program and started using this FTM-DP file directly from Dropbox. I closed PC1 after update to DP complete, when to PC2 and opened FTM2. Dropbox downloaded changes. I opened FTM-DP file, everything was exactly the same as saved on PC1.

Using the FTM-DP file, and accessing it from either computer worked great for abt the next two months. The program file, linked properly to the 25K media files well during that time. (Note: I never use both computers at the same time, always making sure uploads finish before closing, etc)

On the day it happened, I opened FTM-DP and found that none of the media files were found any longer (they were still in folders but the path was not recognized by FTM-DP. I then checked from the other computer. Same thing.

I re-linked a few media files from PC1, then checked on PC2. The re-link was not recognized on PC2, so re-linked on PC2. PC1 no longer recognized the link now.

I would like to learn what might have happened and if I will be able to use Dropbox for this in the future? Unfortunately, re-linking all those files from one computer is going to be an arduous task in itself. So I'm not going to re-link anything until I learn as much as I can. I still have my AutoCad, plus other files to transfer to my Dropbox_Docs folder but will put that off also for now.

Thanks for any insight you might offer.

Hannah · Answer

Hey @mlm, thanks for reaching out to the Dropbox Community.

This sounds like a Family Tree Maker issue, but let's see what we can find.

Can you please give us more info on how you linked your laptops to the folder that your files are in?

Also, any screenshots showing the issue/errors, would be really helpful.

Thanks in advance.