Unrecognized Database Format 7.5 and earlier - ‘C:\Legacy\Data\filename.fdb’

Please restore your family file from your backup. To restore a family file from a backup copy, please click on File and select Restore Family File.  Next, browse to your backup file and follow the screen prompts. For detailed backup and restore guidance with helpful screen shots please visit: http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/helpLegacy7Backup.asp.

In Legacy Family Tree the most common reasons for serious file errors are:

   • Converting a family file to a higher version where there are undetected/unrepaired errors in it that have built up over time
   • Importing into a family file where there are undetected/unrepaired errors in it that have built up over time
   • Merging records in a family file where there are undetected/unrepaired errors in it that have built up over time
   • Legacy left open and unattended for an extended time (for example, Legacy left open overnight when an automatic Windows update with computer reboot occurs)
   • Electrical power failures, power surges or power “brown outs” while using Legacy
   • System crash due to abrupt or incorrect system shutdown (for example, low system resources leading to a lockup or crash)
   • Faulty hard drives with bad sectors (family file saved in a location where bad sectors develop)
   • Exceeding the 2 GB size limit for a family file. As a family files approaches this limit, it is highly susceptible to fatal, unrepairable errors.
   • Viruses, worms, Trojans, etc.

Prevention and recovery:

   • Regularly do Check/Repair of your family file as preventive maintenance. Click on File on the menu bar and select File Maintenance > Check/Repair and proceed with the repair. If any error messages occur during the Check/Repair process, click No to finish with the repair. Do Check/Repair twice if errors are found.
   • Always do Check/Repair before and after importing one file into another; before and after merging duplicate persons; before and after updating the Legacy program.
   • Use an uninterruptable power supply or APC to protect your computer from sudden power loss and to filter out power surges/fluctuations.
   • Don’t leave Legacy open and unattended for prolonged periods. Shut it down if you are going to bed or will be away for more than a few minutes.
   • Run ScanDisk / Disk Defragmenter regularly on your computer's hard drive and replace bad drives.
   • Don’t push the 2 GB size limitation for a family file. As a file approaches the 2 GB limit it becomes susceptible to errors that can’t be fixed
   • Back up your family file on a regular basis, especially before any major file operations like importing and merging records, or using any tools like Advanced Deleting,  Advanced Sourcing or Search and Replace which make global changes to your family file. For additional information:

 Backing Up/Restoring a Family File in Legacy Family Tree 7.x - http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/helpLegacy7Backup.asp%20
 Backing Up/Restoring a Family File in Legacy Family Tree 6.0 - http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/helpLegacy6Backup.asp%20
 Multimedia File Backup and File Restoration - http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/helpMediaBackups.asp