Compatability

If you are happy with XP , the partial answer is yes.

However

Some laptops don't have drivers for it's components that work under XP , you need to make sure that there are windows xp drivers , even if only network and wifi drivers , as that will allow you to go online and search for others.

p.s. which family tree program ?

Thanks for that Gary.
I will talk to my computer guy about those issues. I thought it would be a straight, no problems, swap over.

Family Tree Maker 10.

Cheers.

Hi Fergie
I'm currently using Family Tree Maker 2011 and previously used FTM 2009 on Vista Home Basic machines. Don't have any problems with it. I'm not sure which version FTM 10 is, but I've recently had emails from Avanquest (who distribute FTM in the UK) offering FTM 2009 or 2010 quite cheap. I must admit that 2011 doesn't run as smoothly as 2009 did though, I think because they've put a lot more features in it, most of which I don't use! Might be worth you looking at upgrading FTM, especially if you don't have an Ancestry subscription as if you buy the Platinum edition, you get 6 months free subscription, which is worth over £80. I think it was less than £20 for the platinum edition in the offer. I bought both the 2009 and 2011 editions just for the free subscription, get as much info as I can, then spend the months when I don't have the subscription inputting all the info!

Hello Dave.
Not sure how long I've had 'Version 10', it's been a while though.
I have been thinking about an upgrade but unsure as to what the advantages would be. And I would need a cast iron guarantee that there would be a glitch free transfer of files.

A months free subscription to Ancestry would be a bit handy but apart from the various census records, Ancestry has very little to offer researchers north of the border.

Having said that, I will still consider going for an upgrade.

Cheers.

ps..Are you a RootsChatter ?

Fergie, check out "Scotlands People" if you havn`t already done so.

I think FTM 10 may have been DOS based, from reading some of the posts on the Ancestry FTM forums. FTM 2009 was my first FTM version, I bought it when I lost the install disk for Sierra Generations, and I replaced my computer. It was a straight gedcom import. When I went from FTM 2009 to 2011, it all worked fine, copying the media files, sources, places as well as the people. 2011 does seem to be rather slow, and not as smooth as 2009, whether a more powerful PC would help, I don't know, but I am using a 2.4Ghz Pentium Core 2 Duo with 2Gb of RAM, but I do have nearly 1500 people in the tree and the database backup file is over 2Gb (it does include all the media files)

I'm not a RootsChatter, what is it? I've been doing mine since 2002, it does tend to take a lot of time!

Barry.
Had a go at Scotlands People a couple of times. My credits seemed to vanish very quickly.
I used my free bus pass about three weeks ago to make the journey from Stirling to Edinburgh and enjoyed a day long visit to the records Office.
It's brill. £15 for the use of a computer screen and viewing all the certs and records that you want. And for a mere 50p each you can copy the records etc to a USB stick.
Been there two or three times in the past and for folks like myself it's like walking into Aladdin's cave of treasures.

Dave.
Thanks for that further info. I have noticed that the screen disply is given as 1024x768 resolution and that would not suit the 'square' screen I have here.
The RootsChat web site address is http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php
and I would strongly recomend a visit there.
The forums are populated by the friendliest and most helpful people you could wish to meet.
Try it and let me know what you think.
(You too Barry)

Cheers.

Coming back to this Fergie just to let you know that I have had an email from Avanquest advertising 50% off Family Tree Maker 2011 Deluxe at £19.99. With that you get 3 months free access to Ancestry's premium membership.