How to retrieve an event log in Windows

If Family Tree Maker is closing unexpectedly, event logs and system information can help us identify and diagnose the source or reason. Please follow the steps below to share your event log and system info.

• Retrieving an Event Log using Family Tree Maker 2014
• Retrieving an Event Log using Windows
• Exporting System Information

Retrieving a Windows Event Log using Family Tree Maker 2014

These steps are specific to Family Tree Maker 2014. 

1. If Family Tree Maker 2014 crashes on start-up, close it if it isn't already and then re-open it. Once re-opened, a window will appear with two options. Select Advanced Startup Options .

   

   Note: You can also hold down Shift on your computers keyboard and without releasing it open Family Tree Maker 2014 to display this window.

2. If you are successful, this will display the Family Tree Maker Startup Options window. Click the View Most Recent Crash Log button.

   

3. The event log will open. In the top left-corner of this window, click File .

   

4. From the drop-down list, select Save As .

   

5. The Save As window will open. Select a save location (we recommend the desktop), then click Save.

Retrieving an Event Log using Windows

1. From the start screen or desktop, press Windows logo key + Q to open the search pane.
2. Type eventvwr in the search box and press Enter on your keyboard. This will open the Event Viewer. 
3. In the console tree on the left of the Event Viewer window, expand Windows Logs and click on Application.

   

4. In the Applications pane at the top, double-click the first error with Family Tree Maker listed under the Source column.

   

5. The Event Properties dialog box containing header information and a description of the event is displayed. Click the Copy button in the bottom left of this window.
6. Hold down the Windows key then press R to open the Run dialog box.
7. Type Notepad in the box then click OK to open the Notepad program.
8. Click Edit then select Paste. The data from the event log will be copied into the program.
9. Click File then select Save. Save the file to a location on your computer which is easy to locate (the desktop, for example).

Exporting System Information

1. From the start screen or desktop, press Windows logo key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type MSINFO32 in the box then press Enter on your keyboard. This will open the System Information pane.
3. Click File in the top left corner then select Export from the drop-down menu.

   

4. An Export As dialog box will be displayed.
5. Click the Desktop option on the left, give the file a name, and click on the Save button at the bottom.