Why did upgrading to 4.8.7 lose my database?

I have been using BC 4.7 for some time, and decided to upgrade to 4.8.7, and subsequently (without using 4.8.7) to 4.8.8

I keep my database on Dropbox, so that it is accessible to all my devices. When I upgraded, my folders, lists and items reverted to a much earlier version of the database, missing most of my later additions. I went to my laptop, with its WiFi off, and the database there was fairly recent, though not completely up-to-date. After some attempts to restore in various ways, I eventually used Time Machine to revert to BC 4.7 and all is now well: my folders, lists and items are again complete. However, I don't feel I want to upgrade.

I don't understand how the upgrade could have somehow found an earlier version of the database: the name of the database was unchanged.

This was how 4.8.8 saw the database:

This was how the laptop (4.7) saw apparently the same database:

And this is how BOTH devices now see the -- correct -- database:

The location of the database in Preferences was unchanged.

Any ideas?

0 daknudsen over 5 years ago in reply to NevWG

Yes it does if you select Preferences -> Advanced -> Library -> Use Default

0 NevWG over 5 years ago in reply to daknudsen

I've looked at the package contents of my BC database on Dropbox. It explains why BC 4.8 seems to have lost my data, but not how. Why didn't 4.8 pick up its database from 4.7, and how can I make sure that it does?

Here is database 4.7:

and here is 4.8:

Perhaps I should -- as above -- simply relabel 4.7 as 4.8?

Neville

0 NevWG over 5 years ago in reply to NevWG

Actually -- while I'm asking questions about v4.8.8 -- does it work with Catalina? I'm currently still on Mojave and am anxious about upgrading if BC won't work?

0 daknudsen over 5 years ago in reply to NevWG

NevWG said:
Perhaps I should -- as above -- simply relabel 4.7 as 4.8?

It's worth a shot, and looking at your folder data, I can almost guarantee success. If it doesn't work, you can always go back via Time Machine.

NevWG said:
Actually -- while I'm asking questions about v4.8.8 -- does it work with Catalina?

Yes.

0 SUSSAMB over 5 years ago in reply to daknudsen

Your data, unless you geocache etc, is all contained in AllData.gdb and the folder structure is in FolderData.gfi

If you correctly point BC at the 4.7 folder and if that contains your data that's all you need to do, you can then delete 4.8

My concern is that as you've been trying various things, and bearing in mind BaseCamp saves the data every time you close it, you may not find a database that contains everything you expect. Without trying though you'll never know

0 NevWG over 5 years ago in reply to SUSSAMB

Well, I copied BaseCamp190607.bclibrary to the desktop, just in case, and upgraded to 4.8.8 As before, it found the wrong database. I went to package contents, deleted 4.8, renamed 4.7 to 4.8. re-opened BC 4.8 -- correct database. As far as I can tell from a quick look and clicking on one or two lists, everything is there. I still don't understand it, and I suppose it might be because I keep the database in Dropbox. Whatever, thanks for the assistance: there might be no answer, but there is a solution!! Cheers!

0 SUSSAMB over 5 years ago in reply to NevWG

Good to know, thanks.

0 daknudsen over 5 years ago in reply to NevWG

Good on ya. Cheers, indeed.