A single bitcoin is now worth 564.78 McDoubles!

Feel better?

The reason Armory is more secure than Bitcoin Core (formerly BitcoinQt, yes it was renamed), is because Armory allows you to store your private keys (contained in your wallet file) on an air-gapped (not connected to the internet) machine while being able to create transactions with an online installation which you may then sign (via private keys) using the offline machine.

The fact that you apparently have no understanding about how any of that works makes me think that you should do a lot of reading if you want to learn to use Bitcoin securely.


It appears your block chain is synced or very close to synced, but since you've been having such difficulty getting Armory to run properly, there is a chance that parts of your block chain is corrupt. Yes, Bitcoin Core can run and appear to be fully functional while having some issues with block chain corruption.

Another reason that I've suggested a clean install of everything is that there are possibly some settings from a previous installation that are making things more difficult than they need to be. You could try using your current Bitcoin Core install, but start Armory from scratch again.

There is only so much help that can be provided over the internet as we do not have physical access to your machine. I suggested a clean slate because sometimes it has a better chance than trying to salvage something which simply refuses to work.


Log files can only provide clues to the possible problem. They aren't necessarily a kill shot when it comes to finding the issue which is preventing you from getting everything working.


Yes, there is plenty of information about how to do these things available on the internet. Have you looked at the Armory tutorials? Have you read any of the Bitcoin wiki? Expecting people to walk you through every individual step seems a bit much, don't you think? As I've said, Bitcoin requires a lot of user responsibility. While others can provide assistance with specific troubleshooting issues, learning to control your private keys is essential to using Bitcoin securely and something that one should learn on one's own.

http://www.bitcoinarmory.com/tutorials/


BitcoinQt (now renamed to Bitcoin Core) is indeed a standalone Bitcoin client. It is the reference implementation of Bitcoin and every user running it makes up the Bitcoin network which allows Bitcoin to function.

Armory is wallet software which requires a complete Bitcoin Core installation (it uses Core's block chain and network connectivity) in order to function properly.

Armory's creator (who is no longer associated with the project) wanted to make it easier for people to use Armory so he coded the Armory software to install and run Bitcoin Core (bitcoind) for the user. I personally feel that this was a mistake as Armory is better suited for the advanced user who should be able to run Core on their own. Armory controlling Bitcoin Core, as opposed to the user doing it himself, accounts for a large portion of the issues that come up when users are attempting to use Armory. This is why I suggested you start from scratch getting things running correctly one step at a time. Once Bitcoin Core is working properly, Armory typically functions without issue. Many of the issues that users have with "Armory" actually stem from the Bitcoin Core installation. Trying to troubleshoot both at the same time can be a nightmare and lead to a lot of frustration, as seen in this thread.

I simply can not stress enough that Bitcoin requires large amounts of individual user responsibility. It's up to the user to teach himself how to properly use the associated software to protect his private keys.


Perhaps that is the best path. I advise you to do some reading and familiarize yourself with the inner workings of Bitcoin in the meantime (if you plan to use Bitcoin into the future). The most important aspect, which I think anyone using Bitcoin should have a firm grasp of, is how to control and secure your private keys.

Also, if you aren't going to use an offline machine for private key storage, there are better (yet far less secure) solutions to use as Bitcoin wallet software.

Please read my entire reply before continuing.


It is a single file. Yes, that is an Armory wallet file. Unless you've changed the default behavior, on a windows OS, Armory wallet files are located at C:/Users/*yourusername*/AppData/Roaming/Armory. Every file in that folder with the file name extension ".wallet" is a wallet file which you should back up. If you lose this file, you will never access your bitcoins (unless you have back ups of course).


Uninstall Armory. Uninstall Bitcoin Core.

Browse to C:/Users/*yourusername*/AppData/Roaming and delete the following two folders: "Bitcoin" and "Armory".

What makes you think that you have duplicate block chains? The block chain is over 90GB in size and there is no reason for you to have a duplicate.


https://bitcoin.org/en/download

Choose your version and install it. Allow it past your firewall if your system asks.

It is finished syncing with the network when there is a check mark in the bottom right corner of the window. If you mouse over that check mark it will bring up a pop up which says "Up to date. Processed 444xxx blocks of transaction history."

Do not worry about the memory pool.

No, this software never stops until you shut it down. This is a full node on the Bitcoin network.

Your two core CPU is going to take ages to sync the block chain. I would imagine that it could take anywhere from 4 days to a full week of 100% uptime. Your computer may be extremely sluggish during that time.

Maintaining the Bitcoin block chain is not the easiest of tasks, especially on older consumer level hardware. This is why I've suggested that you extract your private keys from offline Armory and import them into a light wallet which does not require the entire block chain. It's either that or takes the steps required to achieve a greater understanding of Bitcoin as a whole, and possibly even purchase hardware suited for the task.

Armory is really designed for the online/offline wallet feature. If you aren't taking advantage of that feature and keeping your private keys on an air gapped machine dedicated to securing those keys, there really isn't a great reason for you to be using Armory in the first place. Armory is targeted more toward the advanced Bitcoin user who has a strong understanding of private keys, wallet files, block chains, signing offline transactions, etc.

If you feel like continuing with efforts to get Armory working, get Core synced with a fresh block chain and go from there.

Again, if you aren't storing your private keys on an air gapped machine (one not connected to any network), then I strongly suggest that you forget about Armory entirely and use a light wallet which does not require the entire block chain and two separate programs to use. If you plan to go this route, then you should be asking how to extract your private keys from your Armory wallet and import them into something more user friendly.

Have you deleted the block chain and started from scratch as I suggested? It seems that you most likely have corrupted block chain data, which is a common problem for people trying to get Armory up and running. The reason you have corrupted block chain data is because there is something wrong with your system. I don't care if it sends emails and browses the web correctly, Bitcoin Core will bring semi-functional hardware to it's knees. How do I know this? I've been running it for 6 years on several different machines ranging from top of the line to budget. Bitcoin Core is practically a stress test on your hardware and will find out rather quickly if you have an issue. That said, thousands of people successfully use Bitcoin Core and Armory on a daily basis. Considering that, there are relatively few threads where users have as much difficulty as you've expressed here. Consider also that half of those issues come from the fact that Bitcoin Core must first be working properly for Armory to even have a chance.

I don't really understand why you are flipping out at the people who are attempting to walk you through this issue step by step. You obviously have difficulty communicating, yet you get angry when someone asks you to be more clear and concise. It's not our fault that you have health issues, perhaps you should have let everyone know from the very start that communication might be difficult and ask that everyone please bear with your attempts. Getting pissed and tossing around insults isn't going to do you a lot of favors in getting further assistance. I've read your post several times and I still can't make sense of it. How are people supposed to provide help when they can't even understand what you are saying?

I'm going to reiterate this very important point. Being successful with Bitcoin requires quite a high bar when it comes to user responsibility. These tools work, they simply may take some extra tweaking depending on your particular system. And there are millions of variations of PC hardware in the world along with a multitude of operating systems. The software isn't going to work perfectly for every user every time. Everything you are using to attempt to access your private keys is still beta software that was provided to you free of charge. Perhaps you need to modify your expectations slightly.

Finally, at any point in time you could have simply extracted the private keys from Armory in offline mode and imported them into a wallet which does not require the entire block chain to use. I strongly recommend this path for you.

I'm not complaining. Like I said, I know I'm posting off-topic. I just can't help it sometimes (especially in this thread).

So what? I've had just as many posts, speaking out against big blocks, deleted from this thread. It has nothing to do with big/small blocks and everything to do with being off-topic. Pretty much all of my posts that have received moderation over the years come from the wall observer thread. It's nothing new.

I know when I'm posting off topic, but sometimes I just can't help myself.

If big blockers are censored, explain how this guy gets a free pass to start new threads daily and bump old ones on a regular basis.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=196289

Come on man...

Hanlon's razor.

There are plenty of very vocal Legendary big blockers who post here quite frequently. New threads in Bitcoin Discussion are created and bumped by them daily.

If it's "fairly obvious", show us some evidence at least.

No, that just means I post here a lot.


I'm sorry, this is a determination which each user must make on their own. You are free to run Bitcoin software with any set of rules you desire!


Anytime.

The 1MB anti-spam limit was in place when they started their business.

Oh, and...


Still here I see, bumping FUD, etc...

...and by "giving up" the OP means he will continue to post FUD well into the future!

Laptops, due to their power saving features, are going to have a more difficult time with the Bitcoin Core software. Syncing the block chain will always take longer on a laptop when compared to a similar generation/tier desktop.

I, personally, would not allow hardware that has had Bitcoin private keys with any sizeable amount on them to be accessed by random, unknown individuals. Are you using an online/offline setup (which I would assume considering we are on the Armory sub-forum)? If the laptop has only had "watch only" wallets on it, you should be fine.

I've been following this thread and it seems that there is a lot of difficulty communicating. Clearly there is a language barrier. Without clear communication, it is extremely difficult to get things accomplished.

Now, here is what I would do to simplify things and almost guarantee a working result.

1. Make sure you have backups of your wallet files.
2. Remove everything Bitcoin related on your PC. Uninstall Armory and Core and delete all associated folders entirely.
3. Install the latest version of Bitcoin Core and let it sync with the network. Forget about Armory until Bitcoin Core is functioning properly and has the most up to date block.
4. Install the latest version of Armory, start it and disable autobitcoind management. Shut it down, copy your wallet file to the appropriate location and then restart Armory and let it do it's thing.

(Extreme version: Prior to those steps, start with a fresh Windows install on your computer.)

If these simple steps do not work, then there is some underlying issue with your OS or hardware. If you are incapable of accomplishing these relatively simple steps or any of this seems confusing to you, read until it's no longer confusing. Perhaps try to find some youtube videos that explain how to get Core synced and running and then Armory running.

If none of that works, start armory in offline mode (unplug your internet if need be) and extract the private keys. Import those keys into a wallet which requires less technical know-how to use.

Finally, if you still can't figure out how to access your bitcoins, pay someone who understands this stuff to do it for you.

Bitcoin has a relatively high bar when it comes to user responsibility. The user is supposed to know how to use the software provided in order to protect and access his private keys. Many people use this software successfully, so when I see a thread where this level of difficulty is experienced, I have to think that there is some underlying issue that is preventing the user from accomplishing his goals.

Armory never was "in business". They got a capital investment many years ago which they managed to spend before ever figuring out what their profit model was.

Yet, since Armory has gone "out of business", the repo has been forked by one of the former employees. Since that time drastic improvements have occurred and Armory is no longer falling behind on development. It doesn't replicate the entire block chain as it used to, and startup times have decreased drastically. The most recent version has separated the client from the database which opens a wide range of use cases that were previously unavailable. The upcoming version brings compatibility with SegWit, among other things. Oh, thanks to Armory going "out of business" the phone home code has been completely removed, which many users saw as an intrusion on their privacy. Apparently the FOSS version of Armory wasn't even going to be continued beyond 0.93.

Armory's development is now in the hands of a talented dev who obviously sees a bright future for Bitcoin, and thanks to him the project has advanced a long way in a short time.

Most startups fail. This is not unique to Bitcoin. Blocks had the 1MB limit long before any of these companies were created. If their business model required writing every transaction under the sun into the permanent ledger that every full node must keep a copy of forever, perhaps they should have reconsidered.

Trying to attribute poor business decisions of various Bitcoin startups to a previously existing 1MB anti-spam limit is disingenuous at best and the fact that you even try gives me some insight into how far you will go to push your agenda.

You have an alternative to the 1MB limit for preventing spam then? Cool. What is it?

You don't need Greg Maxwell's permission. This is Bitcoin. The code is open source. There is even a version that allows for larger block sizes. It's called Bitcoin Unlimited. All you need to do is run that software with whatever perimeter you want for the block size, then mine a block bigger than 1MB. That's it.

I think you are afraid to put your money where your mouth is. If the market truly wants larger blocks, the person who starts mining them is in a position to earn a ton of block rewards for himself before the rest of the miners move over to that fork. It seems like a no-brainer to me.

Actions speak louder than words. If you truly believed what you keep repeating, nothing would stop you.

You can. What are you waiting for? Go build a block bigger than 1MB. You don't need anyone's permission.

Starting another new thread about it isn't going to change anyone's mind. If the past two years hasn't convinced you of that, then I don't know what to say.

If your argument is so strong, and you believe bigger blocks are far superior, the market will obviously choose the chain with bigger blocks. Just do it.

Broadcasting a transaction (which has to be public by it's very nature) with public wifi is perfectly fine.

Connecting any computer with private keys to any network is always a security risk.

Huh? I don't understand. Isn't a bitcoin worth 148.8 McDonald's BigMacs? I price everything in BigMacs.