Annoying Upgrade Bug - Database Too New

[the_redbeard]

I have Realm Works on my desktop and my laptop. So every time I upgrade, I upgrade one install at a time. So when I next logon to the other machine, I get this message:

"Your Realm Works database version is too new for this version of the Realm Works software. This version of Realm Works cannot use this database and will exit.

The build number for Realm Works you are attempting to run is XXX. The database has been used with Realm Works with a build number of XXX+X."

So then I have to remember to go find the Realm Works Download page. It would be a small improvement to put a reminder and the link with this error message.

 

[Merion]

Never had that issue, but for those who do, simply adding a link to the error message seems like a quick way to improve things.

+1

 

[Viking2054]

Don't know if this would work for sure, but you could try upgrading one machine, but don't sync the database. Then try to upgrade the other machine. Finally sync the database after all your machines have the latest version, preferably from your computer you last did any editing on.

 

[Gord]

If I understand your problem correctly, on the main startup screen when you get that message, you should be able to go to "Tools" on the top right beside "Realms" and then click the "Check for Updates" button which will download and install the latest version of RW.

 

[the_redbeard]

If I understand your problem correctly, on the main startup screen when you get that message, you should be able to go to "Tools" on the top right beside "Realms" and then click the "Check for Updates" button which will download and install the latest version of RW.

Nope. There's only an error message with the ability to close that error message, at which point the whole program is closed.

 

[Parody]

Which makes sense; until it opens the database it doesn't know the name of the Realm Works user.

Here's my question: how are you getting a newer database on a machine with an older version of the application? Are you copying your master.realm file around?

 

[Farling]

Here's my question: how are you getting a newer database on a machine with an older version of the application? Are you copying your master.realm file around?

This is the only way that he would be getting that error message.

 

[Parody]

That's what I'd assume. My thought was that is that if you have to copy a giant data file and you know you need a newer version of the application to use it, copy the installer as well.

I agree with the suggestion that RW offer to go get it for you, though. Just that it's natural for me to bring installers along or go update the software myself when I know it works this way. Maybe I'm just old and used to programs that don't auto-update. :)

 

[the_redbeard]

Which makes sense; until it opens the database it doesn't know the name of the Realm Works user.

Here's my question: how are you getting a newer database on a machine with an older version of the application? Are you copying your master.realm file around?

I login to the application and it checks with the server and then I get the message. I think part of the local db does get updated even if the individual realms are not yet synced. Presumably, I could avoid this if I play offline but then I won't be syncing or using stuff from the other, newer db.

 

[Parody]

Oh. Well, then you have the easy workaround: don't log in. Just switch to the Tools tab and download the latest version. After installing that, then log in. :)

I thought it was giving you that message before reaching the Launcher. It would be clearer if it said something about the database on the server being a newer version than the local one, but I suppose it makes more sense in context as you're getting it right after logging in.

It would still be a good change if it offered to do the update routine when you get that error. (Also if it offered to continue without being online.)

 

[the_redbeard]

Heh, I posted that reply from my main machine, misremembering the order. It's the opposite: I get the error on starting the program.

See attached error pic.

Now I've upgraded and can't reproduce the error until there's a new database upgrade.

 

[Vargr]

Actually I am impressed by that error message (I am probably easy to impress).

Normally programs just say something cryptic along the lines of "An error occurred - the program will close. If the error persists contact your administrator."

But this one message explains what is wrong in a way that is understandable.

But yes, a couple of options (f.ex. download newest version of the program) would make it perfect.

 

[kbs666]

You must be copying your db from machine to machine rather than syncing from the cloud. Either start syncing from the cloud or don't copy over the new db until you've checked for updates on the destination device.

 

[Parody]

Normally programs just say something cryptic along the lines of "An error occurred - the program will close. If the error persists contact your administrator."

You only get a message like that when something goes wrong that the programmers didn't anticipate or cannot possibly handle. Many problems, such as checking the database "version" against the one used by the application, can be handled. (Sometimes poorly, sometimes well, often not as nicely as you'd like. :)

 

[kbs666]

Many cryptic error messages are from error traps. When I write code I place a check any time I request a resource from the system, which is by far the most likely cause of failure in a program besides the software having an actual bug. However the error returns on those requests is usually a cryptic code that maps to some barely in English error message. Since there are literally dozens of possible failures for some of these requests and thousands of such message in Windows total most coders, myself included, simply pass them through to the error popups since making our own messages would be massively time consuming and achieve very little.

RW has a unique use case and this is clearly an error message on a trap specifically about that use case. It isn't a bug in the program. It is in the way the user is using the software.

 

[the_redbeard]

You must be copying your db from machine to machine rather than syncing from the cloud. Either start syncing from the cloud or don't copy over the new db until you've checked for updates on the destination device.

No. Thanks for the support!

 

[kbs666]

Then how are you getting a DB newer than your install on the same machine?

 

[Viking2054]

He's got something weird going on that he should open a bug report on, if nothing else. It may also have been something going on with new accounts and the DNS problem for new accounts LWD is/was having.

Anyway, I took it that he had two computers and it was while trying to upgrade the second computer that he was having problems. It almost sounded like it was syncing down the newer database before doing the upgrade and that was messing things up.

If it was related to the DNS problem that was related to new accounts then hopefully the problem is fixed or soon will be.

 

[the_redbeard]

You must be copying your db from machine to machine rather than syncing from the cloud. Either start syncing from the cloud or don't copy over the new db until you've checked for updates on the destination device.

He's got something weird going on that he should open a bug report on, if nothing else. It may also have been something going on with new accounts and the DNS problem for new accounts LWD is/was having.

Anyway, I took it that he had two computers and it was while trying to upgrade the second computer that he was having problems. It almost sounded like it was syncing down the newer database before doing the upgrade and that was messing things up.

As explained on the first page, it is when updating RW on my laptop. I assure you that the database location is not changed and is not messed with by any cloud service.

I probably have synced from my main computer. I sync pretty frequently. When I take the trouble to upgrade, it's usually when I'm working on the campaign. I've made changes that I want on my laptop when running the game later.

It's got an explicit error message, so it is something that LW is aware can happen. My initial request was just to make the error message a bit more informative or easier to correct: even just the link for the latest download.

Yes, it is avoidable. I'd have to stop work on my campaign, go get my laptop and upgrade it before doing any work on my desktop. They're not in the same room, the laptop is often in a bag by the door, etc. Yes, I'm complaining about convenience.

On the other hand, not being believed, saying I "must" be doing something, is pretty rude conduct.

 

[kbs666]

Are you sharing databases directly between the two computers or not?