[Solved] Errors on installation of version 7 Build 7?

Hi Peggy,

Thanks for posting. I am digging into this.

This may take 10 minutes or 2 hours.

What antivirus program(s) are you running?

Hi again Peggy,

And thanks for the screenshots. It really helps.

INCORRECT DATE/TIME IN VIEW SIGHTINGS GRID

The repeating date/time issue was an introduced bug in Build 6. It will be fixed in Build 8 - probably out later today.

Note: this issue does not affect the underlying data in your database. It is just displaying incorrectly in that grid. Once you upgrade to Build 8, your date/time values will display correctly.

LICENSE CONTROL ERROR

This indicates a corrupt license file. This can also be caused by one of a few antivirus programs commonly used on PCs today. Windows Defender does not cause this problem. So, this problem could be in coordination with an antivirus program on your computer, hence my question above. I need the answer to that question first before giving you the solution to this.

PRESET_DROPDOWN_4 ERROR

This is interesting and should not happen in v7.0.

Try to reproduce this again, and if you can, show me a screenshot of the dropdown contents with the dropdown part showing, just before the error occurs. Such as I have included here:

I think I know the problem, but the screenshot should confirm it for me.

Thanks much. And sorry for the snafu and frustration of this problem. 

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Hi Jeff,

Thank you so much for the quick reply. I honestly did not expect a reply on a Sunday afternoon so I didn't check before this.

My antivirus is the infamous Norton 360. I just got a new computer that has the Windows Defender, but it is turned off.

As you well know, Norton dislikes any update to Birder's Diary. After years of fighting with it, I now know to create an exclusion and can usually get a new update installed fairly quickly. So I was surprised by the License error as I didn't enter a license. I did for the Version 7 a few weeks ago, but not for this new Build 7.

Ok, so for the next part - the repeating date/time issue - phew! That is a huge relief that it will be solved by Build 8. I was picturing going through all my old written records for the past 26 years to find the correct dates for the sightings! That is a scary thought!

The Preset Dropdown Error - I don't know - it won't reproduce. I never got as far with it as your screenshot. As soon as I clicked on "Trip Report" tab at the top, the last button on the right, it showed that error screen. I saved the screenshot of it and I think I pressed the X at top right rather than "OK". Then I clicked on the "Sightings" tab at the top left, and got the same error screen. 

I closed BD and didn't open again until a few minutes ago. It still showed the License error message, but after a time (seems longer than usual) it did open. The repeating date/time issue is still there, but not the Preset dropdown error.

Please don't bother with this tonight! Tomorrow will be just fine.

Thank you so much for your help,

Peggy

Thanks for the additional information, Peggy.

The License Control error is not related to entering a new license for Build 7. Your existing Birder’s Diary license file has become corrupted. This is likely due to Norton. However, let’s try the simplest repair first in order to gain some information:

1. Exit Birder’s Diary.

2. Go to the Downloads page.

3. Scroll to the bottom under Miscellaneous Downloads.

4. Download and run Fix Corrupted License File. This replaces the corrupted license file with a new, empty one.

5. Run Birder’s Diary normally and let me know whether the License Control error appears.

6. If no error appears, exit Birder’s Diary.

7. Right-click the Birder’s Diary shortcut, select Run as administrator, and reactivate your licenses.

8. Exit Birder’s Diary and then run it normally again.

Please let me know whether any errors occur during any part of this process. If everything works normally afterward, you may be good to go.

However, Norton is very likely what corrupted the license file. It can also damage or permanently block licensing components that Birder’s Diary installs in Windows. If the error returns, resolving it will be more complicated.

I always recommend removing/uninstalling Norton. You do not need it. Microsoft Defender is built into Windows, is free, provides excellent protection, and does not cause these problems with Birder’s Diary.

Since the PresetDropdown error is not occurring now, we will leave that alone unless it returns. Build 8 should be available tomorrow and will correct the repeated-date display problem.

Please let me know exactly what happens as you work through the license-file steps above.

As before, please provide screenshots of any errors or out of the ordinary messages.

Birder’s Diary v7.0 Build 8 is now available and corrects the date/time display problem reported above.

You can update using either of these methods:

1. Go to the Downloads page and follow the instructions to download and install the latest build.

OR

2. Run Birder’s Diary and select Help > Internet: Check for a Program Update.

Please let me know if you encounter any problems after installing Build 8.

Hi Jeff,

Thank you for the detailed instructions.

I went through all the steps as you layed them out.

I put in my Annual Everything License ID and password from the latest edition - Dec 30, 2025 and then closed and opened normally and have not had any errors.

I just checked my life list and everything seems to be ok and up to date.

I have turned off the Norton and turned on the Windows Defender, so I hope that will help with the next time I need to install an update.

I will try Build 8 when it is ready to hopefully fix my date/time issue with the View/Edit Sightings window.

Thanks so much for your help!

Peggy

Thanks for the update, Peggy. That is excellent news. The license-file repair worked, your licenses activated successfully, and your database and sightings were not damaged.

Our posts crossed: Birder’s Diary v7.0 Build 8 is available now and corrects the date/time display problem. Please install it using either method described in my post above, then verify that your sighting dates display correctly.

Since the PresetDropdown error has not returned, we will leave that alone unless it occurs again.

One clarification: you mentioned that you turned off Norton. I strongly recommend completely uninstalling Norton, rather than merely disabling it. Disabled Norton components may remain active or Norton may turn itself back on, potentially corrupting the license file again. Microsoft Defender is built into Windows, is free, and does not cause these problems with Birder’s Diary.

Please let me know whether everything works correctly after installing Build 8.

Hi Jeff, 

Yay! Everything works!

I installed the Build 8 and the Dates/Times in the View/Edit Sightings window display correctly.

By the way, I love the feature of hovering over a photo and seeing the name, date, and location. That is very cool!

I uninstalled Norton and will rely on Windows Defender. My husband uses Norton on his computer and installed it on mine. But it has always made installing updates on Birder's Diary so difficult. I did not realize it could damage BD. So Norton is gone!

Thanks again for your awesome support - Birder's Diary is the best!

Peggy

Thanks for the kudos and the update Peggy.