Skip to main content
jonathanb83069379
jonathanb83069379
Participating Frequently
September 19, 2022
Answered

Chapter files in my Book file cannot be found

  • September 19, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 964 views

All of our chapters and book files are saved in our network drive. The network drive has not been touched or moved at all. 

I got a new computer. I downloaded FrameMaker. When I opened a book file, all chapter files were not linked even generated files such as Table of Contents. 

It can find/relink it if I opened the chapter files from file explorer while I have the book file open.

Is there a better solution to re-link all these files?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Jeff_Coatsworth

    I bet it does - is there a client program installed that allows for check out/in of files?

    2 replies

    Jeff_Coatsworth
    Jeff_Coatsworth
    Community Expert
    September 20, 2022

    Do you have some sort of source control system in play? That's the only thing I can think of that changing a computer might affect.

    jonathanb83069379
    jonathanb83069379Author
    Participating Frequently
    September 20, 2022

    The only thing I can think of is that our Fm files are saved in our Solidworks PDM Vault. I am not sure if that has an effect on it. 

    Jeff_Coatsworth
    Jeff_CoatsworthCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    September 20, 2022

    I bet it does - is there a client program installed that allows for check out/in of files?

    Barb Binder
    Barb Binder
    Community Expert
    September 20, 2022

    Hi Jonathan:

     

    Relink the user files into the book file with whatever method seems easiest. Update the book, look for errors and address those.

     

    You need to be more methodical with the generated files. Be sure the original generated files are in the same folder as the .book file and are using the expected names. (A TOC should be named the book name plus TOC.fm: i.e., MyBook.fm uses a TOC called MyBookTOC.fm.) Add the TOC file back in via the Insert menu in the book window, and pick the same paragraph styles that you used before. When you click Update, Fm will see the old TOC in the folder and will find it so that it will be fully updated when it opens for the same time. Repeat that general procedure for the other generated files. 

     

    ~Barb

    ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
      jonathanb83069379
      jonathanb83069379Author
      Participating Frequently
      September 20, 2022

      The generated files is the same as the chapter files. Once I opened it through file explorer, it will link again as long as I have the book file open.

      What would be the cause of the un-linking of the chapter files?

      It seems odd that it will not be able to link it automatically just because I have a new computer. 

       

      We have 100s of book file and opening up each chapter files associated with it seems counterintuitive. It is easy but it will take some time and cost. 

      K.Daube
      K.Daube
      Community Expert
      September 20, 2022

      IMHo it not your new computer with a fresh FM installation. There must be amismatch between the references (links) in the book file and the actual locations of the chapter files.

      If You save one of the book files as MIF, and open this MIF win an ordinary text editor. How do the references look like?

      Look for <BookComponent (have a blank after the t) - the next line may contain various forms; wherin <c\> stands for the backslash of a path.

      <FileName `<c\>Gugus-bookTOC.fm';  This is located in t he same directory as the book file Gugus-book.book .

      <FileName `<v\>G:<c\>Documents+Refs<c\>DocuMethods<c\>FrameMaker<c\>Gugus-file3.fm'> This is located on another drive.

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices