can't change data directory bitcoin-core 0.19.0.1 ubuntu 19.10

[minertalk]

hello

I try to run bitcoin-core 0.19.01  on ubuntu 19.10 but I can't choose the data directory (I want it to be to different partition ).
When I choose change data directory  the window that's pop-up do not display the tree directory and if i write it manually (/media/user_name/multimedia(the name of the partition)/bitcoin)) I get the error " A fatal error occurred.Bitcoin can no longer continue safely and will quit "

I record the screen to see what I'm talking about




directories: media,asus,multimedia,bitcoin have 777 permision for the user asus, group, others
Even if i edit the bitcoin.conf with datadir=/media/asus/multimedia/bitcoin will not work but if I type the path where bitcoin choose to download by default will work datadir=/home/asus/snap/bitcoin-core/common/bitcoin 

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[nc50lc]

The GUI detected that there's already a "bitcoin" folder in that directory.
There might be something in that folder that makes bitcoin-qt to crash.

Try to delete the bitcoin folder in that partition, then try again. (backup everything if you purposely added/copied that folder).

[minertalk]

I install ubuntu 19.10 and 18.04.3  3 times,  I try different partitions ntfs,  ext4 , I choose a different folder but nothing  same error I get the only way to make the bitcoin-core to work is to let  download the block chain to the default directory but that's not what I want.

by 3 days I try many things but nothing , that's why I choose to open a  post here

On Ubuntu Software-Center somebody else left a review with the same  problem (he can't choose a different folder for the block chain)

[minertalk]

The GUI detected that there's already a "bitcoin" folder in that directory.
There might be something in that folder that makes bitcoin-qt to crash.

Try to delete the bitcoin folder in that partition, then try again. (backup everything if you purposely added/copied that folder).

I try other directories and in other partition, but same error I get

[LoyceV]

I'm using slightly different software versions, but this just works:

Code:

mkdir /dev/shm/bitcoin; bitcoin-qt -datadir=/dev/shm/bitcoin

It saves on /dev/shm (which is more or less a RAM-drive in Ubuntu). Can you test this, just to see if that gives you the same error?

the only way to make the bitcoin-core to work is to let  download the block chain to the default directory but that's not what I want.

Just in case: In your screenshot, you ticked pruning. That means it'll fit on the default location too.

[NeuroticFish]

If nothing else works, another idea could be to make a symlink with the name Bitcoin expects and which points wherever you want.

[minertalk]

I'm using slightly different software versions, but this just works:

Code:

mkdir /dev/shm/bitcoin; bitcoin-qt -datadir=/dev/shm/bitcoin

It saves on /dev/shm (which is more or less a RAM-drive in Ubuntu). Can you test this, just to see if that gives you the same error?

the only way to make the bitcoin-core to work is to let  download the block chain to the default directory but that's not what I want.

Just in case: In your screenshot, you ticked pruning. That means it'll fit on the default location too.

I wanna  download the all block chain that's why I  got the 500gb hdd

 but my question is why when I click the  "..." to choose the download directory the "computer" "recent places" are grey and no  directories are display. I install ubuntu 19  more then 3 times and also version 18 and the same stuff I see  the same  grey  "computer"  check out the video and you will understand exactly what I mean https://streamable.com/x1nct

If nothing else works, another idea could be to make a symlink with the name Bitcoin expects and which points wherever you want.

I did , same error the only way that the bitcoin-core can work if I let it download the blockchain to the default partition.

[minertalk]

I use another computer and I record  what I do  https://streamable.com/ve1mp

What I  observe:
  the block chain can be  downloaded only after the  "common" directory    /home/ubuntu/snap/bitcoin-core/common/.bitcoin
  if is before the directory "common"  the bitcoin QT start to give errors


I test it on a different computer , ubuntu 19.10

[HCP]

It seems like that would be a "permissions" issue of some description.

You'll need to double check what user/group the app/process is running as, and what permissions the various directories have. It's quite possible that your user/group doesn't have read/execute permissions for anything higher than the "common" directory. That could explain why the app is unable to browse those directories.

[minertalk]

It seems like that would be a "permissions" issue of some description.

You'll need to double check what user/group the app/process is running as, and what permissions the various directories have. It's quite possible that your user/group doesn't have read/execute permissions for anything higher than the "common" directory. That could explain why the app is unable to browse those directories.

I give 777 to all  directories still nothing

[LoyceV]

I give 777 to all  directories still nothing

Have you tested my suggestion?

Code:

mkdir /dev/shm/bitcoin; bitcoin-qt -datadir=/dev/shm/bitcoin

[minertalk]

I give 777 to all  directories still nothing

Have you tested my suggestion?

Code:

mkdir /dev/shm/bitcoin; bitcoin-qt -datadir=/dev/shm/bitcoin

command not found

What I see is:
1. if when I install ubuntu I choose the partition to have the mount point /home then the  blockchain will be downloaded to  the larger partition



2. if I use the partition like a  normal partition/external device (lets say an external hdd) will not work



I give all the directories  to have 777
I also choose the mount to be "media" but same error, unfortunately I can't give the mount point /home I think that can be done only when I install ubuntu


I wish to have the blockchain to the partition like in case 2 but I really do not know why


Other think very odd, when I start the bitcoin QT  and I choose the directory in the window "Choose data directory" the "make a new directory  button is grey , inactive, and the folders are not showing there



at this point I try it on 3 different computers
I'm new in ubuntu  but I watch some online curses about linux command line   ubuntu OS  and I'm good on computers but  I really do not get it why the blockchain can't be save where I wanna.

I can easy install windows 10 and  put bitcoin there but I wanna have ubuntu (give me a reason to learn about linux system)


best regards and happy Christmas to all from here

[HCP]

Could always try installing Windows 10... and then setup the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and then once it is setup, you can try and install Ubuntu (you can basically just goto the Microsoft Store and click "install") and then try running Bitcoin Core using that.

[LoyceV]

I give 777 to all  directories still nothing

Have you tested my suggestion?

Code:

mkdir /dev/shm/bitcoin; bitcoin-qt -datadir=/dev/shm/bitcoin

command not found

Maybe it's just called "bitcoin" instead of "bitcoin-qt" on your system (I'm using slightly different version numbers).

[minertalk]

I give 777 to all  directories still nothing

Have you tested my suggestion?

Code:

mkdir /dev/shm/bitcoin; bitcoin-qt -datadir=/dev/shm/bitcoin

command not found

Maybe it's just called "bitcoin" instead of "bitcoin-qt" on your system (I'm using slightly different version numbers).

no  is not working

different  version of  bitcoin core?

[minertalk]

Could always try installing Windows 10... and then setup the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and then once it is setup, you can try and install Ubuntu (you can basically just goto the Microsoft Store and click "install") and then try running Bitcoin Core using that.

why should I install windows 10 and then ubuntu from inside windows? do not make any sense then I rather use windows 10


Even if I use "try ubuntu" w/o installing it and I download the bitcoin core  same stuff  can't choose a  different location for the  blockchain directory , you can try it  is fast and easy with an usb3  you are in ubuntu   in 5min:)

[bob123]

Maybe it's just called "bitcoin" instead of "bitcoin-qt" on your system (I'm using slightly different version numbers).

no  is not working

different  version of  bitcoin core?

Check the directory for the executable and run it using:

Code:

./NAME -datadir=...

Replace NAME with the name of the executable and ... with the path you want to use (e.g. the one proposed by LoyceV to test).


Regarding your issue.. it definitely seems like a permission issue or a bug.
How did you install core ?
Did you already try to start it via the console and giving it the datadir path via the parameter (i guess you didn't yet?) You might want to try that out.
Also could you give us the output of the directory you are trying to use (using ls -al inside of /media/asus/multimedia) ?
Btw, how is your external drive formatted ? Which format did you use ?

[minertalk]

Maybe it's just called "bitcoin" instead of "bitcoin-qt" on your system (I'm using slightly different version numbers).

no  is not working

different  version of  bitcoin core?

Check the directory for the executable and run it using:

Code:

./NAME -datadir=...

Replace NAME with the name of the executable and ... with the path you want to use (e.g. the one proposed by LoyceV to test).


Regarding your issue.. it definitely seems like a permission issue or a bug.
How did you install core ?
Did you already try to start it via the console and giving it the datadir path via the parameter (i guess you didn't yet?) You might want to try that out.
Also could you give us the output of the directory you are trying to use (using ls -al inside of /media/asus/multimedia) ?
Btw, how is your external drive formatted ? Which format did you use ?

I install the bitcoin-core from inside the Ubuntu Software

all the directories have 777 permision (directories: asus, multimedia and bitcoin) to "media" directory I can't change permissions.

is not an externa drive is just one 500gb HDD that I partitioned 100gb-for ubuntu OS- and 400gb-for bitcoin blockchain- (ntfs , ext4  I try with both but same error) see the picture https://i.ibb.co/NpM2kyg/not-working.jpg

the only way to work is if when I install Ubuntu I  give the 400gb partition mount point "/home" but  this is something else  is not that I want cause will not show the partition like a device is just a folder.

you can try it yourself  without installing ubuntu you will see   when you choose to safe the blockchain to a different location (a partition) will not work, I  try it on 3 different computers  with ubuntu 18 and 19, I think is something with the bitcoinQT


see this video https://streamable.com/ve1mp and you will understand better what I mean, is a recording of the screen when I try to change the directory

[LoyceV]

I don't have a clear answer to your problem, but I'll highlight several things I've noticed:

all the directories have 777 permision (directories: asus, multimedia and bitcoin) to "media" directory I can't change permissions.

This is bad security, you should use something like 750 or 700.

is not an externa drive is just one 500gb HDD that I partitioned 100gb-for ubuntu OS- and 400gb-for bitcoin blockchain- (ntfs , ext4  I try with both but same error) see the picture https://i.ibb.co/NpM2kyg/not-working.jpg

Don't use NTFS, use a filesystem designed for Linux. Ext4 is fine.

the only way to work is if when I install Ubuntu I  give the 400gb partition mount point "/home" but  this is something else  is not that I want cause will not show the partition like a device is just a folder.

Everything is just a file or folder on Linux. You could mount it as /home/asus/snap/bitcoin-core/common/.bitcoin if you want.

you can try it yourself  without installing ubuntu you will see   when you choose to safe the blockchain to a different location (a partition) will not work

Wait: did you install Ubuntu on your PC, or are you running Ubuntu LIVE without installation?

[minertalk]

I don't have a clear answer to your problem, but I'll highlight several things I've noticed:

all the directories have 777 permision (directories: asus, multimedia and bitcoin) to "media" directory I can't change permissions.

This is bad security, you should use something like 750 or 700.

is not an externa drive is just one 500gb HDD that I partitioned 100gb-for ubuntu OS- and 400gb-for bitcoin blockchain- (ntfs , ext4  I try with both but same error) see the picture https://i.ibb.co/NpM2kyg/not-working.jpg

Don't use NTFS, use a filesystem designed for Linux. Ext4 is fine.

the only way to work is if when I install Ubuntu I  give the 400gb partition mount point "/home" but  this is something else  is not that I want cause will not show the partition like a device is just a folder.

Everything is just a file or folder on Linux. You could mount it as /home/asus/snap/bitcoin-core/common/.bitcoin if you want.

you can try it yourself  without installing ubuntu you will see   when you choose to safe the blockchain to a different location (a partition) will not work

Wait: did you install Ubuntu on your PC, or are you running Ubuntu LIVE without installation?

i know about the permisions , I just choose  777 to be sure (is just a test , I just want the block chain to be in a different partition)
I test it on ntfs , ext4 , fat

Everything is just a file or folder on Linux. You could mount it as /home/asus/snap/bitcoin-core/common/.bitcoin if you want.

this will work only  when I install ubuntu and choose the second partition (400gb) to have the mount point "/home"  but this will not  show the second partition like a  different drive (mounted drive), a drive that I can mount  it and unmount

I install ubuntu 6 times now(choosing diffeent type of instalation, with second partition  having the mount point "/home"  with second partition as ntfs , with windows 10 instaled on another partition and ubuntu in parallel ) and also try it with ubuntu live  same thing, I can't choose to have the blockchain saved on a different partition.

I make a video, you can just see the error