Base not responding when working on TABLE (only) (Forms work fine)

barefoot.suncatcher · December 2, 2024, 9:27pm

Using Base, whenever I try to edit the data in a Table (edit: now in table definition, also), it locks-up (“not responding”) and I have to kill it in Task Manager. I can add and change records via a Form, but as soon as I open Table data for direct editing, it won’t even display the toolbar and locks up. This also happens if I create a brand new database from scratch.

It worked at one point, as I was in the process of creating a beautiful contact manager (which I can still work with the Form that I was creating), but now I can no longer pull in the Calc datasheet for the data).

I have changed from no graphics acceleration, to hardware only, to SKIA, to forced SKIA…changed performance of everything else (Libre), but didn’t solve the problem. I reset my user profile (a few times, and once it seemed to make a difference - temporarily). I have completely uninstalled (using BCUninstaller, to get all the registry keys) and re-installed. I have disabled other running programs: AIMP (audio player), Stickies (notes). Nothing works and out of ideas. Thought I would consult with the pro’s.

Everything else Libre (and non-Libre, for that matter) is stable and reliable.
I am running Windows 11 and Libre 24.8.3.2

Any suggestions and help is tremendously appreciated.
Daniel in Virginia
(Only online a few days a week, so may not respond immediately)

Version: 24.8.3.2 (X86_64) / LibreOffice Community
Build ID: 48a6bac9e7e268aeb4c3483fcf825c94556d9f92
CPU threads: 4; OS: Windows 11 X86_64 (10.0 build 22631); UI render: Skia/Vulkan; VCL: win
Locale: en-US (en_US); UI: en-US
Calc: threaded

Villeroy · December 2, 2024, 10:12pm

Restart in safe mode, open your Base document and see if the problem persists

RobertG · December 3, 2024, 7:04am

Might be a cache problem. How many rows and columns are in the table?

barefoot.suncatcher · December 5, 2024, 7:43pm

The problem is VERY erratic and not easily reproducible. I restarted in Safe Mode and created a new (tiny test table, 3 fields) from scratch without a problem (used table wizard). Added 3 rows of data. Closed the table. Opened a previous test database that had no tables (thus no data). Went to create a table from scratch (non-wizard). As soon as I designated the data-type as BIGINT (to create a Primary Key), it locked up. I re-started again in Safe Mode, opened the first database (where I had made the 3-row table), and when I opened the table (9x9 of data), locked up.
So I rebooted the whole PC, opened the tiny test database, edited data, no problem. Opened the other one, edited some data, no problem. Opened a 3rd (3rd times a charm…?), as soon as I opened the table to edit/input data…locked-up. No toolbar, no nothing. So strange and can’t seem to nail a consistent reason.
The only thing that is consistent is that forms open every time and allow edits and inputs of the data in the underlying table, but to do ANY table manipulation (structure or data) is roulette.

RobertG · December 5, 2024, 8:56pm

Which database engine do you use? Internal HSQLDB? Then: What version of Java did you install?

barefoot.suncatcher · December 10, 2024, 8:40pm

I created the database from scratch in Libre and HSQLDB is the only option provided, so it (they) have all been HSQLDB.
As for JAVA: version 8, update 421 (build 1.8.0_421-b09) per the JAVA installation. The Options>Advanced in Libre shows the same build (1.8.0_421), JRE is enabled, no experimentals or macros.

RobertG · December 11, 2024, 6:52am

What I would try first is: Update the Java version.
But: I have never seen such a behavior you reported for Base and HSQLDB. Only using Linux here.

barefoot.suncatcher · December 17, 2024, 9:16pm

I updated Java (and there must have been a problem, as I couldn’t auto OR manual update, I had to uninstall with BCUninstaller completely, and install afresh). I verified that Libre “sees” the updated version (1.8.0_431). Then tried out a table. I can create 1 (one) new table. Then when I re-open the little table - CRASH! Such a weird problem and nearly non-reproducible. If anyone has any further suggestions, or suggestions for a different database front-end software that I should try out.

Version: 24.8.3.2 (X86_64) / LibreOffice Community
Build ID: 48a6bac9e7e268aeb4c3483fcf825c94556d9f92
CPU threads: 4; OS: Windows 11 X86_64 (10.0 build 22631); UI render: Skia/Vulkan; VCL: win
Locale: en-US (en_US); UI: en-US
Calc: threaded

RobertG · December 18, 2024, 3:15pm

Only possibility I see here is to try it with Firebird file database.
New → Database → Connection to an existing database → Firebird (extern)
File will be created.
Try to create tables. It is independent of Java, if you don’t use wizards in Base and won’t use ReportBuilder. Don’t know what else could be going wrong with your installation …

barefoot.suncatcher · December 18, 2024, 11:02pm

Thanks. Didn’t know how to use the alternative database…well, I know how to connect ODBC’s in MS Access…but didn’t know that LO Base would create the external database when choosing “connect to”. Thanks and I will see what happens.

Villeroy · December 18, 2024, 11:31pm

File>New>Database…
Connect to existing db
Type: ODBC
Specify the ODBC name.
Register the database (for usage with Calc/Writer)
Save the database.

The embedded HSQL/Firebird databases, that can be generated from scratch are good enough for demos and educational purposes. Do not use them for anything serious, unless you can live with a database for a single user on a single machine having an elaborated backup strategy. As the database grows, complete loss of data becomes more likely.

RobertG · December 19, 2024, 7:56am

Firebird could be created as embedded database and also as link to external file. If external file doesn’t exits it will be created.
If I won’t need a server installation this external database file is what I would use. Data will be saved when I’m leaving a row or save it in a form. If LO will be killed all data will be save also.