I now have my copy of Family Tree Maker 2017 installed. After I finally found a way to contact FTM, I waited a long time but finally got a resolution. The customer service Representative had me try a different browser! And it worked! Who knew?
For those who may not know, Family tree maker is a program for genealogy tracking. It was originally offered by Ancestry.com, a subscription-based genealogy research website.
I installed this program back in 2012 and upgraded it to the 2014 version when it became available.
It always had issues with the ‘sync’ process and eventually I stopped using it when Ancestry.com stopped supporting this program as the sync issue wasn’t really working without a lot of troubleshooting.
Then Mackiev.com took over Family Tree Maker and promised to make it better. They offered an update and FTM worked pretty good for a while.
With much ballyhoo on the part of Mackiev, they announced they were working on a new version, Family Tree Maker 2017. They offered a real deal I could pre-order the new version for only $29.95. Since the new product was going to cost $79.95 this seemed like a no-brainer, I went for it. This was in March of 2017.
Fast forward to July 2017 and the new version is ready!
I followed the instructions to download my new version.
I clicked the Verify User and then I got this:
Since I save everything I had my receipt and uploaded it and now I wait.
In the meantime, I opened Family Tree Maker 2014.1 and saw there was an upgrade available and dummy me, I clicked to upgrade. Later after the so-called upgrade, when I tried to connect to Ancestry I got this:
So now I don’t have any connection with Family Tree Maker and still no Family Tree Maker 2017. My Firewall isn’t preventing Family Tree Maker from accessing the Internet.
I suspect the last ‘upgrade’ was deliberately set to have no Internet connection just to persuade users to buy the ‘new Family Tree maker’ which as of this moment I don’t have but paid for it in March.
At least I can still manually input information into the working but not connecting to the Internet, Family Tree Maker.
I am still waiting!
I have the problem with FTM not being able to access the internet. I was using web search one day and , I got the same message you did. Now that I heard your story,I am not sure whether to even keep FTM or if I should try the update(I didn't pre-order it) or try something like Legacy through Familysearch or Rootsmagic. I am very discouraged with this program right now.
ReplyDeleteHi Jim,
ReplyDeleteTry the Chat for Customer Service for help.
https://support.mackiev.com/597357-Live-Chat-service
Martha
Ancestry dropped more than the software. They also discontinued access for all but the 2017 version. See here: https://support.mackiev.com/731351-Ancestry-Services-in-Older-Editions
ReplyDeleteI will NOT be wasting my money with these people after them forcing those of us who paid for software to upgrade. Rootsmagic is looking like a much better option now.
I am experiencing the same problem. Thanks for the link to Customer Service. Finding a contact for them was frustrating. Not sure of the benefit for 2017 version, so far. I am told that my download is available but all I get are prompts for additional products, not the one that I have already purchased.
ReplyDeleteI'm also running FTM 2014.1 and recently getting error messages - no internet connection etc
ReplyDeletePrior to MacKiev taking over, my version of FTM 2014 was just months old, we users were all relieved when Mackiev took over with the promise of tree sync continuing and it did for a while. Well me and many others I'm sure are well dissapointed with now having to pay for the new version - no free download, must have receipt etc.
So okay, I decide to purchase the offer online from Mackiev for the new version of FTM, what a nightmare I had after four failed attempts (declined) to purchase from Australia. trouble was the 4th attempt was charged to my card. This resulted in many trips to my bank to sort out the mess, never again and thanks not for not replying to my email - bad customer service.
This is insane.. I too got the new 2017 version and paid the $29.95 and NO INTERNET CONNECTION what-so-ever.... it all STINKS. In my opinion Mackiev have taken us all for a ride.... switching to Heritage from now on.
ReplyDeleteTry a different browser.
ReplyDelete