RM11 won't open

RootsMagic
,
1

I spent several hours working in RM11 this morning. As usual, I created a backup upon exiting. When I came back to the computer about 2 hours later and tried to open the database it appeared to open on the taskbar, but I was unable to actually open the database or a file in it.

Here’s what I have tried so far:

~Restarted my pc (2x). Both times I received a message that Roots Magic was preventing me from restarting. I restarted anyway.

~Shut my pc down (no message this time). Left it off for about 15 minutes. RM still would not open.

~Uninstalled older versions of RM (9 and 10). RM still would not start.

~Uninstalled RM11. (Version 11.0.4.0) and reinstalled from the Setup that I received upon purchase back in October 2025. The database opened - yay! There was a message on the home screen that there was an update available (11.0.4.0). I downloaded the update and then RM would not open.

~I went through the uninstall/reinstall process again.

~I currently have access to the database (11.0.2.0) and the file I was working on includes all the updates that I made this morning - - but I am getting the message that an update is available to 11.0.4.0. They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. So, I don’t think I want to install the update.

What do you suggest I do?

2

Did you run the indexing and compact database tools and did the integrity check on your working database. Other than that, perhaps you should have RM tech support check your database. My guess is that Renee will weigh in.

3

Yes. That is part of my shut down and backup procedure - always! :slight_smile:

1 Like
4

I think you might have more than one version of RM 11 installed and possibly a 32bit and 64bit version.

if windows go to Programs/features (usually under Control panel is one way)

sort order by name and look for this

image
image842×104 9.69 KB

What might be happening is the shortcut or task bar is not set the the desired version.

you may need to update the shortcut to run desired version.

you should only see one version running in task manager

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you can then drill down to see what database is open by that RM

if you have same database open by two RM11 that could be part of the problem

5

What exactly happens when you start RM and it doesn’t work?

For example, does RM appears in the taskbar and then the RM window never opens? Or does the RM window appears but the database doesn’t appear? Or what exactly?

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6

I deliberately left my RM 11 open and tried restarting the computer and got the same message that Roots Magic was preventing me from restarting. and I had to restart anyway.

So what that is saying is that you did have some version of RM 11 still running and @kevync1985 definitely is correct that if you have both 32 and 64 bit, only one can be open at a time

1 Like
7

I would just use this since it works and skip the update. There will be another update at some point.

As you say “insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly expecting different results”

8

Only one version of RM11 - I did have older versions, but they have been uninstalled.

9

Yes. Weird, though, that a version that worked suddenly stopped…

10

RM appears in the task bar, but the window never opens.

11

After installing ALL versions and reinstalling 11.0.2.0. then updating it to 11.0.40 it goes back to the bad behavior. So, somehow when I install the latest update it installs a 2nd version instead of updating the existing??

12

A support agent can remotely view your computer to see what is happening. The best time to reach an agent is Mon-Fri, 8:00 - 4:00 (MT). The chat button is in the bottom right corner of the website - www.rootsmagic.com

2 Likes
13

Those Leprechauns LOL

14

What drive have you installed RM on?
If you perform the initial install on a drive other than the C drive, running the update from RM will put the update on the C drive … hence multiple copies.

Dave

15

Only thing I would suggest is to Uninstall RM and then go to the website and install the latest from there.

16

Gee I strongly suggest you take Renee’s suggestion of contacting support and letting them help you with the issue–I ran your problem thru A I and it’s saying it is a RM11 start up corruption issue and that RM 11.0.40 is re‑corrupting its own UI/state files the moment it launches–it gives a solution as to how to fix it BUT I personally would NOT do this without a more qualified person around to help me and that is why I’m NOT going to post what it said..

Your database is fine.

Your installation of 11.0.2.0 is fine.
The update to 11.0.40 is what reintroduces the broken state.

Why it Happens

  1. RM11 fails to close cleanly
    If RM11 hangs during shutdown, it can leave behind:
    • A corrupted settings file
    • A corrupted UI state file
    • A locked process that Windows doesn’t fully clear
  2. The RM11 installation becomes partially corrupted
    This can happen after:
    • A Windows update
    • A crash
    • A freeze in a large Notes/Research Note field
    • RM11 being open for many hours
  3. RM11 tries to reopen the last-used window position
    If that position is off‑screen or corrupted, RM11 “opens” but you never see the window.

BTW-- are you using a cloud service that is running while you are using RM?

1 Like
17

I have it on my C drive.

18

Thanks, I will contact support when I can sit down and work with them. I have OneDrive but the syncing feature is turned off. I only use it on an as needed basis.

19

Agreed – unless you are a highly technical person there things can be difficult to diagnose. You still need to know where to look. And giving advise based on what someone else is seeing/describing is also hard. Someone need to see what going on in real time to resolve quickly.

Kevin

1 Like