[reindex]

According to bitnodes.io  I run the only BTC Full Node (Core v22; 24/7; on Win 11 GUI) in the Dominican Republic.  In addition I also run a DAO Full Node, bisq, which recognizes and utilizes the BTC blockchain. Maybe one day I will trade on bisq IF I can figure it out! Meanwhile, I am just enjoying the technology and supporting decentralization.

As you know, the worst thing that can happen is an unintended pc shutdown (e.g. power outage) that prevents a Core shutdown and leads to various kinds of corruption.  Having to uninstall and re-start IBD from the genesis block is a major hassle tantamount to having to do a clean OS install after an irrecoverable OS crash.

In spite of having a UPS and an AC/DC inverter for the house, I am now on IBD #3, with days to go. And the Dex DAO is suspended until I can reach current block height. 5 seconds faulty Win shutdown = Disaster.

The purpose of this post is to collate Core Recovery Options. Some of the information I have gleaned from posts in this sub-forum. But I want to start a thread that puts the general recommendations in one place as well as encouraging other members to correct me and to add more information.

The context here is for OS Windows, the GUI program:

(1) After re-booting and confirming failure of the program to start, the first step is fact finding. Even though you cannot start the program, you can still inspect debug for errors. Go to the Bitcoin folder. The filepath is: C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Bitcoin. Open the Bitcoin directory and look for debug. Click on that.

Remember that the debug file starts at the top in the past and proceeds down to the bottom in the present, so scroll down. Look for an error and/or a suggested solution, write them down, and continue. If not self-explanatory, you could copy/paste and google or c/p to this sub-forum.

(2) If that doesn’t work, do a reindex.  Go to the Core application program in Downloads: bitcoin-22.0-win64-setup. Right click properties. Next to the Bitcoin logo you will find a writable field. Type in this flag:

. . . setup –reindex

and click Apply. I have seen instances where the flag is designated with one hypen; others with a double hypen. I think that the double hyphen is correct.

(3) Another option, and it is one I’m most unsure about, is a backup of the entire core data directory which then enables a replacement of the corrupted directory with a known good one.

This is the filepath to the directory:

C:\Users\MyName\AppData\Roaming\Bitcoin\blocks
The data directory is Bitcoin and it includes the subfolder blocks.

I have copy/pasted Bitcoin to an external drive. The question is:

Will copy/pasting the known good data directory to the corrupted one solve the corruption problem? Is it as simple as re-booting and starting fresh with the one exception that the new program will have to re-build to the current height?

Some thoughts:

a. Copy/paste or delete old and replace new?
b. Ditto EXCEPT do this only with the blocks subfolder?
c. Since the contents of the data directory are dynamic, the data increasing roughly every ten minutes, you would need to do a backup frequently. It could be that a copy/paste of new over old will replace extant files and add new.

Based on your responses, I’m most interested in finding out if a complete backup and restore is possible.

Hello All,

I hope you all are safe and enjoying . . .

This is my first time configuring bisq.network to use as my DEX on Windows 11. I have backed up the directory, written my seed words, and have my passphrase.

Now I am looking at TWO NODES, that is, my BTC Full  Node, that  bisq.network recognizes and utilizes, as well as the option for Bisq DAO Full Node (network settings).

Question 1:

Bisq needs to ensure that in my BTC node, that:
bloom filters are enabled: peerbloomfilters=1 in bitcoin.conf AND that pruning is disabled: prune=0 in bitcoin.conf.

How do I check this? I cannot find bitcoin.conf and I cannot find a console command that could give me these confirmations.

Question 2:

I want to turn on Bisq Full Node in Settings. I need to enable RPC. bisq.network documentation gives me these parameters:


# The default rpcPort for regtest from Bitcoin Core 0.16 and higher is: 18443
# The default rpcPort for testnet is: 18332
# For mainnet: 8332
[regtest]
peerbloomfilters=1
rpcport=18443

Question 2:

Since I intend to use mainnet only, will it be sufficient to open 8332 mainnet port (in my router port forwarding config.) ONLY?  [I also see that the default rpc port for regtest for Bitcoin Core is the same as the rpcport, which is a little confusing].

What I’m not understanding is reciprocity, that is, what my running a bisq full node has to do with my use versus the uses of others. So that if I open the mainnet port only does that mean that I am preventing others from using regtest and testnet?

So again, open all ports or only what I need?

Side questions: Resources? Will I benefit the bisq network if I run a full node? FYI, I run BTC Core 24/7 to support the blockchain, not to use the wallet. If it helps, I'd like to do the same for bisq regardless of whether this DEX even works for me as an exchange.

Many thanks!

I have a problem. As an expat., I am a U.S. citizen with my financial services and my identity in the U.S. but living in the Dom. Rep. with a Dom. Rep. phone number (no U.S. phone number). If I was just on vacation here, no problem. But I'm living here for the rest of my life . . .

I have been trading successfully at gemini.com for some months. I passed the vetting, linked my bank account, and the algorithm accepted my Dom.
Rep. phone number for 2FA. Unwittingly, when I changed phones and my number, I no longer had access to my account. Via Support I submitted to a secure drop a
photo of my face, my passport, and a card with a code they gave me and my new phone number. They responded that I could only use a U.S. number even though
the Gemini website already accepted my Dom. Rep. number. Support refused to change my old number to my new number. I have been locked out of my account
for almost a month and may lose my ACH deposits. Fortunately, my keys are already offloaded to my cold wallet, so I will not lose my cryptocurrency. I'm still going
back and forth with Support . . .

This post is NOT about the above problem per se. My question is:

Do you know of any currency exchange where I can be accepted as a legitimate client and not have to "game the system"? This morning I signed up at
etoro.com and completed the vetting process. Further, the site accepted my Dom. Rep. phone number for 2FA AND I stated that I was a U.S. citizen.
But, while browsing the site, I found a statement to the effect of, Due to regulatory blah, blah, we are unable to serve American citizens who do not resied in the U.S.
Now, would they find out if I traded there? I closed the account. If I am in violation of something, and I game the system and then have a problem, then Support can say "because you are in violation . . . " This is not a way to live. I want to find a site where I can do business honestly and transparently.

gemini.com is a "no go."
coinbase.com is a "no go."
binance.com us a "no go" because I am a U.S. citizen and it does not offer services to U.S. citizens.
binance.us is a "no go" because it requires TWO 2FA's!--one with Google Authenticator and the other with SMS to a U.S. number only. I had already set up Google Authenticator succesfully but when I proceeded to Identity Verification, I failed the second 2FA because I didn't have a U.S. number. So I closed that account.
utoro.com is a "no go" for the reason stated and I closed that account.

I don't see anyway forward without finding ways to cheat the system.

Any recommendations for a site where I can be a legitmate client or, to put it more generally, is there anyway someone in my situation can buy cryptocurrency at all without being dishonest in one way or another??

Hello All,

I am locked out of my funded Gemini account due to 2FA issues AND it appears that tech support is unwilling to help further.
This post is NOT about that problem or I would provide the details. But I may need to post about that soon.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume that every coiner uses some kind of online fiat/crypto exchange. That being the case
I thought that there would be a sub-forum here devoted to exchanges. It seemed a no-brainer. But I can't find any reference to
exchanges . . .

What is the best sub-forum to post about exchange issues?

Thanks.

Until recently, I had robust data I/O on Full Node, Windows 11. Recently, "in" dropped to zero. Since I had been successful and since I
had configured port forwarding correctly both in my router and in Windows, I assumed that my configuration had become corrupted, so I
decided to re-check my configuration:
a. From the router I confirmed port forwarding range 8333 to 8333.
b. In Windows 11, I followed the steps in this tutorial https://linuxhint.com/port-forwarding-windows/ both for creating a new inbound rule
and designating 8333 and for insuring pass through in Windows Defender Firewall as well as introducing manual settings for my LAN configuration (the writer didn't explain why this would be better than "automatic" but I did it anyway).

I can still confirm by my Information window and by https://bitnodes.io/  that 8333 is closed and I'm not receiving data.

I can't figure out my next troubleshooting step because I can't find errors in my configuration. A "hatchet" approach of re-installng Windows and Core I want to avoid at all costs!

The purpose of this post is FYI, helpful hints and “gotchas.”

Although I have been running a Full Node for a couple of months now, it was only yesterday that I optimized** my node by successfully achieving port forwarding (8333).

That is not straightforward. Let’s add a VPN to the mix, even though I’m not running one, and consider that in an optimized Full Node there are three links in the chain that you have to consider: the OS, the modem, the VPN. This is a “gotcha” because if you fail to consider one of these components, you may not be able to optimize. Further, each of these links, if you think of it as a coin, has two sides: One side is that 8333 is explicitly made open. The other side is that even if 8333 is explicitly made open, another software feature could be blocking it, in which case, you cannot optimize. So, actually, there are six variables to consider: the OS, open versus block; the modem; open versus block; the VPN open versus block.

Further on in this post I will describe my initial failures, confusions, and how I fixed the problems.

I am running Windows 11 Pro and my modem is ARRIS TG2482. I also run Linux but I choose Windows for some projects and Linux for others (e.g. BOINC).

I am proud to say that as a nearly 69 year old retiree in the Dominican Republic, that I am running the only Full Node in this country. I can confirm this at the website  bitnodes.io When you are up and running go to this URL to confirm your status. It has a “CHECK NODE” tool that will tell you if you are receiving connections from other nodes. Hint: If you have configured your modem with a range 1024 and 65535, you will not see that range here. You will simply see “8333” next to your ip address. The tool already “sees” your status, so just click on the “CHECK NODE.” If you get a green bar, you can receive data from other nodes; if you get a red bar, you cannot.  For my output I get:  148.103.81.99:8333 /Satoshi:22.0.0/

This site also shows the number of running nodes (~ 15260) as well as a world map, a list of all countries running nodes, and the number of nodes per country.
And much more.

CUTTING TO THE CHASE

You are thinking about running a BTC Full Node on Windows. (Remember that the source code for the BTC blockchain is open source so that altcoin will each run its own nodes, procedures may be different, etc.)

The first step is to eyeball your modem for the make and model and download the manual or quick start if you don’t have it. The manual will tell you your modem’s ip address and the default user name and password. “Enter” your modem” by typing its ip address into a browser. (If you are not online and/or your computer does not have a wi-fi, just connect an ethernet cable to the modem and you will have access. Any configuration changes you make and save in the modem from your computer will occur regardless of your online status).

Look for a tab or a menu item that says “firewall” or “advanced configuration” or “port forwarding” or “port triggering.” It is mandatory that your modem have the capacity for port forwarding or port triggering. If it doesn’t you cannot optimize your node and must buy a new modem and have your ISP provision it. Many ISP’s will list compatible modems on their website. You can then download the manuals of various ones to see which have advanced configuration.

Doing it. Problems, Confusions, and Solutions.

To set up, I turned off my modem’s firewall. YMMV. My modem had two different menus: one for port forwarding and one for port triggering. Since you can use either one, choose the simplest one. For me, that was port forwarding. The first thing I could see was that it was not possible to open port 8333 because there was no field in which to put a single port, that there were only fields to express a range, so I put in 1024 and 65535. For the ARRIS modem there were clickable “helps” which told me that for both incoming and outgoing ranges, that they would be the same, so I put in these values for both incoming and outgoing. That doesn’t make sense to me but that’s how it was. Besides inputting a name, the only other field was for my ip address. For that I opened Windows Search < Command Prompt and typed in  ipconfig. Then I saved all and logged out of my modem.

Then, to be on the safe side, I rebooted both my computer and the modem. After that, I went to Bitcoin Core Information tab and saw “0 in; 10 out.” Problem! I’m not optimized even though I configured my modem. Did I make a mistake in the config.?

Then from the same tab I opened my Debug log file. Remember to scroll DOWN for the present time. If you read data from the top, you are looking at the past time.

Here I discovered “New outbound peer connected.” This is good. My modem is configured correctly! But confusing too. If my info tab shows “0” in, I’d expect to see “New inbound peer connected.” What is going on? I think that “outbound peer connected” means that I am now connected to other nodes. THEIR DATA IS OUTGOING FOR THEM BUT INCOMING TO ME. So the log should NOT say “inbound peer connected.”

But I still have a problem. The Bitcoin Core is a program designed for Windows OS. It is embedded in Windows, the registry, etc. So although Windows is showing via my log that I’m connected to outbound peers, I’m not receiving data from outbound peers.

And here’s a reminder of the “Gotcha!” that you have to consider the three links in the chain: the OS, the modem, the VPN; and not only port forwarding but port blocking.

So now I have a hunch that Windows is blocking my incoming data (showing “0” on the info tab).

I go to Settings < Privacy & Security < Firewall & Network Protection. Lo and behold! I have THREE firewalls turned on. I disable: Domain network firewall; Private network firewall; Public network firewall. Disable and apply and ignore Windows’ warnings. Whether you need to disable all three: YMMV.

Then I reboot, after shutting down CORE, then re-start Core (I turn off autostart and prefer manual stat), go to Info tab and see In: 14/ Out: 10! I go to Network Traffic and for the first time I get two real time graphs, green received and red sent. And at bitnodes.io I am recognized and get a green bar. Success! I have optimized! Needless to say, I still had “failure” after a proper modem config. because of an OS block.

**Full Node optimization. Turns out that before I optimized I was still running a Full Node but a lesser Full Node. A Full Node is made up of different components. If you run 1 but not > than 1 you are still running a Full Node but less that optimized. Analogy: Given an identified music composition that you are listening to on your computer, the name of the composition is the same, but you can alter it qualitatively by adding or subtracting data, say by using the DAC soldered onto your motherboard versus buying an independent external DAC and bypassing the inferior one. The name of the composition is the same (Full Node) but the qualitative degrees are different—same in kind, different in degree, if you will.

You can see the various components of BTC Full Node when you look at your peers’ data per individual. These are the permutations possible:

Inbound  (This is me before)
Outbound Full Relay (This is me after)
Network
Bloom
Witness
Network Limited

One peer may run 1 or more of the above. I guess it’s obvious why I am NOT listed as a peer here. To see my “component” status as a peer, I go to bitnode.io and I find out that my services are: node witness and node network limited (1032). Service is the correct word, so I will substitute that for “component.”

I’m sure that further service tweaks are possible and I will investigate those as time goes on.

N.B. Needless to say using hyperlink and code in context created major problems in the preview, so I left them out.

[Cutting to the Chase]

First, let me state my bias: I hate, oh, wrong word, I LOATHE Windows OS. I have been running Linux as my primary OS since 2001. Like a lot of Linux users, I run Windows because I must, in my case, mandatory imaging software for my Zeiss microscope. I also run the Core on Windows because my linux box doesn’t meet the hardware specs I need for a complete blockchain without pruning.

Cutting to the Chase

When you download the Core from bitcoin.org you can see that the team, the devs, recommend checking the box in settings for running at logon to Windows. I did that.

Windows being Windows, in spite of the fact that I have a newly purchased Dell machine and a virgin Windows 11 OS and 16 GB of RAM, that all programs, in general, are very slow to load—think minutes rather than seconds. On my Linux machine, loading is in seconds. And the Core in Windows is so slow that many a time I did not know if there was an error and it had failed to load.

In fairness to Windows, I do have a hardware bottleneck. Although I have the storage capacity I need for personal use and running the Core, 1 TB, on Windows, on Linux I have a Samsung ssd on a fast M.2. bus whereas on Windows I have a hdd on SATA. This explains some of the problem but not, I think, all.

When it seemed that the Core was having a problem and not loading, I then went to the app directly and initiated it. Then I got a message that said it was already running. Hmm. It’s already running but it’s nowhere to be found. It’s running but it hasn’t yet loaded on the level of the GUI yet. Of course, running a daemon from CLI would bypass all that nonsense but also be more difficult to interact with.

Then, for some weeks, I was playing cat and mouse between "start when login" and going directly to the app. After playing for a while, the app ran until I needed to reboot a few days later, and play another cat and mouse game.

I run the Core 24/7 and if I had my druthers I’d never reboot but, as you know, sometimes it’s necessary.

Suffice it to say that eventually my under the hood start files became corrupted as indicated by an error message. After googling, it became pretty obvious that there was no solution except uninstall and reinstall the Core, a major hassle, second only to doing a fresh install of the OS.

So, as I now count the hours, for the second iteration of the blockchain to download—it’s been about 48 hours—so that progress shows 1.0, I decided to NOT check start at login. With Windows’ wonkiness and one more thing to break, I decided to go without.

When I had network issues during the downloading, I checked out my new protocol. Shutdown via stop command in the Console. The GUI window appears and disappears. I also keep Task Manage open and can confirm that that process is killed.

Then when I reboot, the Core is doing nothing, ah good, just what I want. Then I wait for Windows GUI to stabilize. Generally, when Dropbox gives me a check that it’s up to date, I know that the system is stable. Dropbox takes some time because it must connect, index, etc.

Then I go to the Core app click on it and wait for it to load. It still takes some time and I can see that it loads different things at different times but fine, I can eyeball what is happening whereas in the start on log I can’t see anything, it’s taking forever, and I don’t know if it’s broken.

So, for now, never start at logon!

What’s your experience with start at logon, particularly for Windows, but also for Linux and Mac OS?

Hello All,

The content of my post has been touched on in this sub-forum, but my take is a little different, so please bear with me!
I am running a BTC Full Node, 24/7, on Windows 11, in a developing country, the Dominican Republic. I have two linked issues, so I am posting them simultaneously.

My concern is that I’m running less than a Full Node because my node is not optimized. When I go to the Network section of the Bitcoin Core Node window Information tab, I see 10 connections,  (In: 0 / Out: 10). Zero in must indicate that although my node is functioning it is not optimized.

Question 1: Exactly what does zero in mean? What data is missing? (In the Peers tab I see 10 User Agents and I can watch data received in real time, so data is coming in. Data  in but zero connections sounds contradictory.

Now the linked problem. I’m showing In = 0 is because Port triggering (forwarding) settings in my router/modem via Port 8333 or a range between 1024 and 65535 do not exist, so I cannot make the changes I need.  (I have enabled Port 8333 in the LAN Wi-Fi of Windows 11 and the Firewall as well, so Windows is ready to receive via 8333.)  The port I need is closed at a higher ISP level. If this is true, and I should confirm it, a router with the settings I need will not work.

This closed port issue is confirmed when I go to bitnodes.io and enter my IP address with 8333. I get a “red bar, system unreachable", which means that my client is not accepting connections from other nodes.

In a country where FB jokes are more important than blockchains, I’m not sanguine about getting a sympathetic ear when I go to tech support and see if they can accommodate me. But I will try.

Question 2: Any work-around to bypass my ISP's restriction?

[FYI, I have read https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node  It’s pretty general for new people. I have also searched my router for UpnP. No setting.
Looked at “telnet to port 8333 . . . Couldn’t find a clearly stated solution.]

Again, any work-around to bypass my ISP? I am determined to run a bona fide Full Node!! Thank you!

Hell All:

Ditto for you, I'm sure, I have had it drilled into me, "Not your keys, not your coin." But now that I have successfully set up Trezor Model One, I have no idea what my key is. I mean if it is MY key but I don't know what it is, then what does that mean?   In the setup process the word "key" was never mentioned. I assume that the "key" must be on the blockchain and not on my device but when I plug in my device, how can my BTC data (on the blockchain) be retrieved into the Trezor Suite on my PC without some kind of key or password?   Sounds like a dumb question I am asking but I don't know the answer . . . And, again, if "key" is such an obvious thing, why was it never mentioned in setup?                                           

Hello All:

These are brief concerns, so I'm not posting separately. My concerns are numbered. Anythings else is informational.

I just completed setup for Trevor One. FYI, there is a loop that has not been rectified. When you plug in the device it tells you to go to trevor.io/start (and so do the printed directions) but when you do that, you find out that there is NO start process at this site, that you must use the application (Chrome browser only). And, by the way, before you receive your wallet in the mail, you can set up the app (called Suite) and explore part of the UI and adjust a few settings. Also the support section at trevor.io has a nice tutorial on the Suite application.

(1) When I'm in Suite with Trevor plugged in, I see no way to properly exit from the device without yanking it out of the port. I did find an "Eject" button but it doesn't work. So right now, I'm just pulling the device out. Leave it at that? I just realized I could try logging out of Suite, then pulling the device. I'll get back on that.

(2) Completing "seed" backup no issues. But helluva time setting PIN. The device generates 9 random digits. In the Suite, you can see the same 9 boxes. I see no choice other than inputting those digits, then re-confirming, however, mismatch every time, so I aborted that and have no PIN. This item is NOT about how I set the PIN. I can review the tutorial at the main site. What I'm thinking is that it might be a mistake to set a PIN. Besides the seed, that's one more item that must be kept secret and in a different place from the seed, offering more opportunities for errors and losing all.
What's your view?

FYI, I had no issues immediately transferring coin from Gemini to my wallet. However, Gemini, shame on them, makes it very hard in their UI to find out how to withdraw.

(3) I've had it drilled into me: "Not your keys, not your coin." That's why I figured that a cold wallet was the ONLY way to go . Now that I have set up my wallet, I have no idea what my private key is or even exactly what it means. In the setup process, the word "key" was never mentioned. I'm assuming that the seed backup is the backup to a lost key, but what key?

(4) At Gemini, in my Portfolio I have "X" USD available. Of course, I do not want fiat currency sitting there. I want to buy BTC--like everyone else! But I have no idea how to do it. I search the FAQ's, I search the menus and I can't figure it out. You could say that this is a really dumb question or you could say that Gemini is equally opaque on this most obvious item. If it's a dumb question, I take responsibility, but I still need an answer!

(5) I run a full node to support the blockchain. Can someone give a brief explanation on the relationship between my cold wallet Trezor and also setting up a hot wallet on the blockchain. Please check my assumption: A wallet on the blockchain is a hot wallet but it's very secure because the BTC blockchain has never been hacked and cannot be hacked unless > 50% of all nodes in thew world agree on the same hack. Meanwhile, I'm afraid to set up a wallet from my full node because there are no instructions and I don't know what I'd be getting into. (For example, will I receive a  public address?) I might be better sticking with my cold wallet but since I do have the option of a wallet from my full node, I at least want to understand its possibilities.

Subtractions, additions, comments and critiques are most welcome. Thank you!

             

I am writing this post hoping it will be helpful for relative noobs (like me) who are either vetting currency exchanges based in the U.S. or are using Coinbase or Gemini and are experiencing issues.

I give you a bona fide: I am running a Full Node (BTC) to support the blockchain.

After reading several books from Amazon on cryptocurrency in general and Bitcoin in particular, it appeared that three currency exchanges were deemed trustworthy: Coinbase, Gemini, and Kraken. That is with the caveat that all exchanges are subject to hacking (versus the blockchain) and that it behooves a user to offload coin and private key ASAP.

I first registered with Coinbase. I was impressed by the layout and UI. However, when it came time to link my financial source, I found a page that was crude: no more than fields for mandatory card data. My CapitalOne debit card failed either with a generic “card not accepted” message or “JWT token fail.”
I then tried a bunch of permutations to try preventing the error messages from triggering:

a. VPN vs. no VPN = fail
b. CapitalOne vs. Wells Fargo = fail
c. Both banks confirmed that there were no security issues on their end.
d. Linux OS, Ubuntu LTS, vs. Windows 11 = fail
e. Chrome browser vs. Microsoft Edge = fail

Strong suggestion here that the problem was with Coinbase. I emailed tech support and still haven’t received an answer after two weeks.

I then aborted Coinbase and registered at Gemini. FYI, Gemini required uploading a photo I.D. (passport for me), which Coinbase did not. When I was ready to link my funding source within Gemini, I found a much more sophisticated layout than in Coinbase. There was a dropdown menu of many financial institutions, with their logos, and these items were actually links to the websites of those institutions. CapitalOne was on the list, I navigated to the site, provided identification information and other (my memory fails me) and I was linked. I made the required wired deposit, then another amount for coin. Through the entire process there were no issues, smooth as glass.

In addition, Gemini has a Cryptopedia section in which you can access articles on BTC, its history and structure, without logging in.
I found these articles to hit the sweetspot between not too simple and not too complicated. Coinbase also has tutorials.

Meanwhile, as I continue to bullet proof my Gemini account, I ran into a problem for which I cannot find a resolution. In the Security section of Settings I have the option to change 2FA from SMS (my default) to the Authy app. However, this has failed and I see no solution. The Gemini page instructs to “select” your option. However, there is means of selection. I have looked everywhere on the page, hovered my cursor. There is nothing clickable except a “learn more” link which is irrelevant to making your selection. So I’m unable to select my choice.

Then, when I go to the Authy app, I’m asked to add an account and input the QR code from that account or manually enter a code but I can find none of those items in the Gemini security setting. It seems that it is a critical error to offer “select” and then to have no means of executing that selection. Here, too, I tried different browsers to no avail. Any ideas?

I hope that my user’s experience, good and bad, may be useful to others.
                     

     
N.B. The purpose of my question is informational; my "problem" is of not understanding.

I have just begun to run a full node on Windows 11 in order to support the blockchain. It is a bit confusing that there are two programs rather than  one consolidation.
The first, an orange icon, Bitcoin Core (64 bit); the second, a green icon, Bitcoin Core (testnet, 64 bit).

Both programs are the SAME in that they can be initiated and exited independently. Both programs include one window; have the ability to "create a new wallet,"; and have the tabs Overview, Send, Receive, Transactions.

Both programs are DIFFERENT in that only the green icon Bitcoin Core (testnet, 64 bit) adds a "Node Window" which includes the tabs Information, Console, Network Traffic, Peers.

Instead of asking questions, I'm going to tell what I think is true. Please correct where I am wrong and/or add information that you think would be helpful.

Here it is:

Either/or program, when initiated, will run the blockchain. It is not necessary to run both programs simultaneously.  If you need the "Node Window" you run that program. If you don't you run the other.

Buy why not one program with an optional node window? Most confusing. Thank you!