Backup files broken in new 8.1.2.0

[backtester831]

Cannot import backup from 8.1.1.7 (or earlier version), to 8.1.2.0

The problem: 8.1.2.0 doesn't recognize db file extension .sdf. And on all versions to NT prior to 8.1.2, backup files export the db as an .sdf instead of .sqlite

Steps to replicate:
-Export backup file from version 8.1.1.7 with database checked on (you can also check on other things, doesn't matter, but database needs to be on).
-Import the backup file into version 8.1.2
-See attached screenshot error'



The issue is the exporting a backup file in all versions prior to 8.1.2 exports the db as NinjaTrader.sdf instead of NinjaTrader.sqlite. In all versions prior to 8.1.2, NinjaTrader could open the .sdf file, but version 8.1.2 cannot open .sdf. Or maybe prior versions ignored the .sdf file and opened the blank .sqlite instead, which explains why strategies in the strategy tab never copied in backup files. But now in new 8.1.2.0, the .sdf isn't ignored, and it causes NinjaTrader to fail to open and end process.

Here's an easy fix for your developers for the emergency 8.1.2.1 release: add logic to 8.1.2.1 import function so that after importing the backup file, change the extension on NinjaTrader.sdf to NinjaTrader.sqlite. Without doing this, NinjaTrader will not open, and you're going to have a lot of people complaining soon.

Also one more fix for 8.1.2.1 while you're at it, change the comments of the installer file to the version number (like NinjaTrader has always done with every past version), instead of the useless text currently in 8.1.2.0. The comments show up when mouse cursor is hovering over a file, so it's an easy way to know the version of the installer.

[NinjaTrader_BrandonH]

Hello backtester831,

Thanks for your notes.

Our Development team is aware of this behavior in regard to NinjaTrader Desktop 8.1.1.7 backup files exporting the db file as NinjaTrader.sdf, not as NinjaTrader.sqlite. A fix for this was implemented in NinjaTrader Desktop 8.1.2.0

Please run a repair using the NinjaTrader installer by following the steps below.

Follow the steps below to run a repair using the NinjaTrader installer.

• Close NinjaTrader if you have it opened.
• Download the NinjaTrader installer from this link
  • account.ninjatrader.com
• Once the installer is downloaded, run the NinjaTrader installer.
• Click the Next button
• Click the Repair button to run a repair.
• After the repair is complete, exit the Installer

Once the repair is complete, open a File Explorer window, navigate to the Documents\NinjaTrader 8\db folder, remove the NinjaTrader.sdf file, and restart NinjaTrader.

Next, close NinjaTrader, open a File Explorer window, navigate to your backup file (typically located in Documents\NinjaTrader 8 Backup), right-click on the backup file, select 'Rename', change the file extension from .nt8bk to .zip so it looks something like <backup name>.zip.

Open the .zip folder, open the db folder, right-click on the NinjaTrader.sdf file, select 'Rename', and rename the file to NinjaTrader.sqlite.

Navigate back to the NinjaTrader 8 Backup folder (or whichever folder your backup file is in), right-click on the <backup name>.zip folder, select 'Rename', and rename the file to <backup name>.nt8bk.

Once you have followed the steps above, open NinjaTrader and import your backup file by going to Tools > Import > Backup file.

[backtester831]

So instead of 8.1.2 auto deleting the .sdf file after import, you expect users to do it manually?

The presence of the .sdf file is what is preventing NinjaTrader from opening. If you expect us to manually delete it, then why not add that crucial step to the instructions in the error popup?

[NinjaTrader_BrandonH]

Hello backtester831,

Thanks for your notes.

This is the current workaround that can be done at this time while the Development team investigates this matter further.

[backtester831]

Hello backtester831,

Thanks for your notes.

This is the current workaround that can be done at this time while the Development team investigates this matter further.

What about the new comments when hovering mouse over the installer file? Was it intentional removing the version number from the comments? See attached screenshot

[brucerobinson]

De-dum, de-dum, de-dum.
Yawn.
So frickin’ tedious putting this sort of garbage out.
Release Notes Fixes for .20 reads like Encyclopaedia Britannica

[backtester831]

Next, close NinjaTrader, open a File Explorer window, navigate to your backup file (typically located in Documents\NinjaTrader 8 Backup), right-click on the backup file, select 'Rename', change the file extension from .nt8bk to .zip so it looks something like <backup name>.zip.

Open the .zip folder, open the db folder, right-click on the NinjaTrader.sdf file, select 'Rename', and rename the file to NinjaTrader.sqlite.

I mean I know, but it really should be automatically done in the import process because it's such a simple thing for backwards compatibility.

[NinjaTrader_BrandonH]

Hello backtester831,

Thanks for your notes.

I have reached out to the Development team to inquire about whether removing the NinjaTrader Version comment when hovering the mouse over the NinjaTrader installer file is expected.

Once I hear back from them on this matter I will update this forum thread.

Thanks for your patience.