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QuintinSeegers
QuintinSeegers
Legend
August 6, 2023
Question

Bulk dowgrade FM files to previous version (Structured FM 2022 v17.0.2)

  • August 6, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 1653 views

I have constant battle with FrameMaker crashing with Internal Error 17024. The files can be opened one day, worked on and saved without any issues. The next day, opening the same file results in the Internal Error. I have uninstalled/reinstalled FM2022 numerous times for it only to work for a few days before the error starts again. And it's all files, not just specific ones. I have noticed that the error only occurs when I'm using Structured FrameMaker. If I switch to 'normal' FrameMaker and open the same files, no error occurs (other than the warning about opening a structured file in unstructured mode.)  Opening backup files (.backup.mf) or backup copies of the files makes no difference. I've also moved all the FM files (including images) to a local external HDD to elimiate network environment issues. I'm at a point where I'm pulling my hair out in frustration.

Because I can't open a single file in FM2022, is there a way to bulk-convert all files back to FM2020? Note I can't open a single file in FM2022, so the option to open them in FM2022 and Save As FM2020 or MIF isn't possible, so need an alternative, external, way to do this. 

Any suggestions?

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    2 replies

    R
    Russ Ward
    Legend
    August 10, 2023

    Hi Quintin, I'm a little late to the party because I was on vacation, but in addition to all the suggestions here, I would also craft some strongly-worded correspondance for Adobe. In my opinion, this is a ridiculous problem and they should help you for free. If not, I would tell everyone I knew about my experience. It should not be possible to make a file with some program that the same program can not open up later.

    QuintinSeegers
    QuintinSeegersAuthor
    Legend
    August 10, 2023

    @Russ Ward I couldn't agree more. I have already emailed fmerror@adobe.com with the details of the error. I've also logged a bug report. Both with screenshots of the errors and copies of one of the problem files. I managed to open a backup copy (though it was a couple of weeks old) and (down) saved the file back to FM2019. So far, no error, which makes me believe the issue is with Structured FM2022. That and the fact that the errors don't occur when opening the file in standard (unstructured) FM2022.

    W
    Community Expert
    Winfried RengCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 11, 2023

    Hi Quintin,

    Just two things:

    Did you test to do a MIF wash of your files? Did this help anything?

    And: Could it also be that the cause is your structured environment? Do you have colleagues with the same issue? (It could be that you described this already.) Are really all of your files affected? Also title, back, table of contents?

    Best regards, Winfried

    Bob_Niland
    Community Expert
    Bob_NilandCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 7, 2023

    Did it ever work with FM2022? (i.e., is this a new problem)

    Did you ever get to try saving the strucs.fm as strucs.mif and see what happens on re-open as MIF?

    Is the plan to revert to using FM2020?
    If so, have you a naive machine on which the '22 files could be MIF'd using a trial version of '22?

     

    I suspect the real solution is to fix the bug (something in the EDD?)
    I'm not aware of any tool (other than FM itself) to convert .fm22 to .fm20 (which doesn't mean there isn't one).

     

    QuintinSeegers
    QuintinSeegersAuthor
    Legend
    August 7, 2023
    quote

    Did it ever work with FM2022? (i.e., is this a new problem)

    By @Bob_Niland

     

    That's part of the mystery. It would sometimes work for hours/days/weeks/months on end, then suddenly "internal error" irrespective of the file I try to open.

    quote

    Did you ever get to try saving the strucs.fm as strucs.mif and see what happens on re-open as MIF?

    Is the plan to revert to using FM2020?
    If so, have you a naive machine on which the '22 files could be MIF'd using a trial version of '22?

     

    I suspect the real solution is to fix the bug (something in the EDD?)
    I'm not aware of any tool (other than FM itself) to convert .fm22 to .fm20 (which doesn't mean there isn't one).

    By @Bob_Niland


    The problem is I can't open the files to save them as MIF in Structured FrameMaker. I can open the files in standard  (unstructured) FrameMaker without any issues, but then I loose all the structure. I can open the EDD (thank goodness that still opens) and validate it - no errors come up so I assume there isn't a structure problem with the EDD.

    I do have another PC with FM2022 installed, but that gives the same error when I try to open the documents.

    What is most confusing and frustrating, is that I worked with a particular set of document all of last week without any issues. When I tried opening one of them this morning, the error started and now happens with every document I open. It's like FM itself gets corrupted and dies. (Would have been helpful if the error message was actually meaningful and actually explained what the issue is.)

    QuintinSeegers
    QuintinSeegersAuthor
    Legend
    August 7, 2023

    The error now also occurs when I add a file to a Book - not even opening a file.

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