Armory states not to be online and does nothing to change this

[DrakonX]

I downloaded the Armory zip under Win 10 recently and recreated my wallet from the paper backup. But Armory states me it is offline and doesn't do any effort to prepare the database or anything like this. So my question is, what else do I have to do?

[HCP]

Have you installed (and fully synced) Bitcoin Core? https://bitcoincore.org/

Also, where did you get the "Armory zip" from? Is it version 0.96.4 and did you download it from here: https://btcarmory.com/ ?


If you don't have Bitcoin Core installed (and fully synced), Armory will not be able to go "online"... as there won't be a local Bitcoin Core node to connect to!

[bob123]

As HCP has mentioned, to properly use armory you'll need to have core downloaded and fully synced.


But you don't need core if you only want to access/move your coins. You can simply open armory, export the private keys and import them into another wallet (e.g. a ligtweight client: electrum).

To export the private keys, start armory -> click 'Backup this wallet' -> 'Export key list' -> Then tick 'Private key (Plain Base 58)'.

In electrum: Create a new wallet -> 'Import Bitcoin addresses or private keys' -> Paste the private keys.

[DrakonX]

Thanks for the hint, but I want to use Armory.

I use the portable version of Bitcoin Core. The blockchain is fully synced.

[HCP]

I use the portable version of Bitcoin Core. The blockchain is fully synced.

You mean you're just running the bitcoin-qt.exe (or bitcoind.exe) and haven't used the windows installer?

If so, there is a chance that Bitcoin Core is NOT using the "default" location for the blocks database... If you run Bitcoin Core, what does it show in the "Help -> Debug Window -> Information" tab where it says "Datadir"?



It's likely that you'll need to specify this path explicitly when running Armory (using Armory.conf or commandline arguments), so that it can find the blocks folder: https://btcarmory.com/docs/pathing

Also, you'll need to setup Bitcoin Core so that it allows "incoming connections"... otherwise Armory probably won't be able to connect to your local node.


If none of this works, you'll need to post your Armory logs so we can get a better idea of why Armory is not finding your Bitcoin data directory.

[DrakonX]

If Armory is not able to find the blockchain within its non-default location there should be an easy to use configuration option. The options offered by the gui simply don't work.

The link provided by you also is just confusing.

The debug window states: "D:\Blockchain"

[goatpig]

If Armory is not able to find the blockchain within its non-default location there should be an easy to use configuration option. The options offered by the gui simply don't work.

The link provided by you also is just confusing.

The debug window states: "D:\Blockchain"

There's a better GUI option in the upcoming version. For now the best way for pathing is to use config files: https://btcarmory.com/docs/pathing

[DrakonX]

I don't understand the statements of that website. Having at least an example conf file in the directory would be helpfull. Need the better options of the upcoming version as soon as possible!

[bob123]

There are examples. At least examples of everything you need:

Code:

satoshi-datadir="/custom/blockchain/path"
dbdir="custom/database/path"

If your blockchain is stored in D:/Blockchain, then put this into the config file:

Code:

satoshi-datadir="D:/Blockchain"

Pasting this one line into the config file is everything you need to do.


Another option would be to start armory with the startup parameter --satoshi-datadir
So it would look like this when stating from command line:

Code:

armory --satoshi-datadir="D:/Blockchain"

[DrakonX]

I tried the option with the config file. That doesn't work, since Armory and Bitcoin Core are crashing without error message during start of Armory.

Maybe I made sth. wrong:
Do I have to write "D:\Blockchain" or "D:\Blockchain\blocks"?
Do I have to put this file into the directory of Armory or into the corresponding AppData folder from Windows?
Is it neccessary not having Bitcoin Core running while Armory runs?

[bob123]

Do I have to write "D:\Blockchain" or "D:\Blockchain\blocks"?

I believe D:\Blockchain\blocks would be correct. Sorry for confusing you.

Do I have to put this file into the directory of Armory or into the corresponding AppData folder from Windows?

It needs to be placed into the Armory data directory. Usually this is in your AppData directory.
The standard path is: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Armory

You can access it by pressing WIN-key and R, then entering: ~/Armory

The config file is called armoryqt.conf

Is it neccessary not having Bitcoin Core running while Armory runs?

Core needs to be running and fully synced for armory to function properly.

But if you don't want to send your funds (or don't want to have armory in online mode), core does not need to be running.



If it still doesn't work, upload the log files to pastebin and provide us the links.
The log files can be found in the data directory of armory (named: armorylog and dblog).

[DrakonX]

Again, do I need to install Bitcoin Core, or is the portable version sufficient?

[bob123]

Again, do I need to install Bitcoin Core, or is the portable version sufficient?

Again ? That's the first time you are asking this question.

There is no portable version of core. Running core as a portable version means manually settings the data directory to the portable device.


So.. yes you need core installed. You can't use core otherwise.

The important part is this:

Core needs to be running and fully synced for armory to function properly.

It doesn't matter HOW you have installed it. But it has to be installed (= running and synced).

[DrakonX]

It is not installed, just running (and is holding the blockchain up to date). Actually I'm running a "full node".

"Again" referes to your previous statement regarding Core.

I don't trust Electrum. Is it as save as Armory is?

[bob123]

It is not installed, just running (and is holding the blockchain up to date). Actually I'm running a "full node".

If you - by installed - define a software which has entries written into the windows registry.. then alright, it is not installed.

You are still able to use armory.

I don't trust Electrum. Is it as save as Armory is?

Actually, both wallets are as safe as the computer they are running on is.

On an offline computer, both are perfectly fine.
On an online computer, it depends on whether your wallet is password protected (can be done in armory and electrum).

Electrum can definitely be regarded as a safe wallet. The downside of electrum is that the electrum-server you are connecting with can learn your habits and addresses, therefore compromising privacy.
Note that this doesn't mean that those servers are logging everything, but the possibility exists.

With armory, you are connecting to your own full node, therefore protecting your privacy as much as possible.

[HCP]

Find the file called armorylog.txt on your system and copy/paste the contents of that file to pastebin.com and then post the generated pastebin link here...

Without that debug info, it is very difficult to understand what is happening with your setup.

[DrakonX]

I'm not going to show you the log file, since this wouldn't help. I alreade checked the log file and there is nothing unusual. But thank you.

[bob123]

I'm not going to show you the log file, since this wouldn't help. I alreade checked the log file and there is nothing unusual. But thank you.

If it's not working for you, the solution is inside of the logs.

Just because you weren't able to find it, it doesn't mean that the logs are useless.

If you don't want to post your log files, that's alright. But don't claim that it 'would not help', since this is definitely up to us.

[DrakonX]

So here is the log file: https://pastebin.com/knSSVrwM

[bob123]

Code:

2018-11-11 12:27:53 (ERROR) -- ArmoryQt.py:1862 - Failed to setup SDM
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "ArmoryQt.py", line 1857, in startBitcoindIfNecessary
  File "SDM.pyc", line 190, in setupSDM
BitcoindError: bitcoind not found

You need core to be synced AND running.

Also make sure it is the latest version (0.17.0)