Flip Video Unable to Upgrade the Database

“Flip Video Unable to Upgrade the Database: Please contact technical support at support@theflip.com”

That was the message I got when I plugged my Flip into the USB port of my laptop to access some videos I was making for a squeeze page. I of course Googled the error message, expecting to easily find the solution, but no. I went to the Flip website and seached suppord, but again, no readily apparent solution. So I accessed the chat option, began interacting with a customer support rep, and was given the solution.

I was grateful for the help of the rep, but wondered why there was no written documentation to give the solution. So, I figured I’d post my findings here, try to optimize the page for the error message, and save someone else a bit of time- even though it really has nothing to do with this blog!

So, if you got that message, read on…By the way, I was not asked which camera I had, but only the specs on my computer to make sure it was adequate for the software. (I have 2 gigs of ram and a T8100 chip at 2.1 ghz, running XP as an operating system.) Also, the date of this call was June 30, 2010, so how long this solution is relevant may be limited.

Here, in point form, are the instructions I was given to resolve the problem:

Remove the camera from the computer, if attached.
Close the Flip software on the computer if it’s open. (Mine wasn’t open and let her know.)
With the camera disconnected, try to start the software. (I got the same error message.)
We need to uninstall and install the software.
Copy your entire FlipShare Data folder onto your desktop or another drive. (This can take a while if you have a lot of videos. Make sure there’s space on your machine if you are copying it to another place on the same computer.)
Check the copy to make sure it looks complete.
Delete the Flipshare Data folder from My Documents/My Videos, or wherever you have it.
Uninstall the existing Flipshare software components (3ivx, flipshare.exe) under Add/Remove programs in Control Panel.
Reboot computer.
Go to this link and follow the on-screen instructions to install FlipShare 5.6 onto your computer: http://download.theflip.com/update.theflip.com/app/fvsw/560/update/Setup_FlipShare.exe
Once FlipShare 5.6 has fully installed, launch the program.
Go to the Help directory and choose “Recover other FlipShare files…
Click Proceed and select the Videos folder of the drive where you saved your FlipShare Data folder. The FlipShare Data recovery tool will import your videos into FlipShare.

It took a while for the final step to happen, but when all was said and done, everything was in place and my camera started the software as in the past when it was plugged in. No guarantees that this will work for you, but it fixed the Flip Video Unable to Upgrade the Database error message for me. Good luck!

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This entry was posted on June 30, 2010, 8:42 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

#1 by Marianne on July 12, 2010 - 7:19 am

Thanks for this. I was having the same problem and really appreciate your taking the time to document this information. It’s perfect!

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#2 by Daren on July 12, 2010 - 9:42 am

You’re very welcome- I hoped it would save a few people some time. It’s odd to me that they don’t have this laid out on their website, but rather require you to go though support.

#3 by Marianne on July 12, 2010 - 12:22 pm

I completely agree! I was *dreading* having to contact Flip and work with their support staff. I’m sure they’re very competent and helpful, I just don’t have the time (or patience). These directions were spot-on.

#4 by Megan on July 21, 2010 - 10:32 am

Thanks so much – your directions worked perfectly.

#5 by John on July 23, 2010 - 12:02 pm

It’s rare the first site I look at fixes my problem.
Thanks for saving me time I don’t have.

#6 by gosnis on August 1, 2010 - 1:36 pm

I would like to exchange links with your site kelownainternetmarketing.com
Is this possible?

#7 by Daren on August 1, 2010 - 2:10 pm

Glad to see a few people needed this info. Regarding link exchanges, I have an upcoming post addressing the issue. Stay tuned.

#8 by Mary Ann on August 25, 2010 - 1:18 pm

Thank you very much for posting these instructions. I had the same problem and followed your instructions. The only think a bit surprising is when I copy the videos back into FlipShare, it is loading every frame of the video as a separate .jpeg, in addition to the video itself. And of course, it does not put the videos back into the designated folders. I originally had maybe 100 videos, but now, because of all the .jpegs created, have over 2400 files to sort through. Will go through the process of moving the videos back into the proper folder and then delete the .jpegs. At least there is now a drop down box at the top that allows you to sort by type.

Thanks again for your great instructions!

#9 by shmulik israel on December 5, 2010 - 2:24 pm

thanks\\\\\\\’ all i needed to do is delet flip share data files from my Documents/My Videos.
you were very helpful, i was a litlte bit lost .

#10 by Joe on December 26, 2010 - 10:46 pm

Thank You !!!!!
I have flailed around with this issue for several days – with no success – till I finally found your page.
Simple as “A” “B” “C”
Again – Thank You!!

#11 by Dennis on January 13, 2011 - 7:58 am

Thanks, It worked like a charm. Thanks for saving me a support call along with the usual frustration. Saved me lots of time.

#12 by Sarah on January 28, 2011 - 4:09 pm

I uninstalled the 3ivx but it comes up with an error message when I try to uninstall flipshare. “A network error occurred while trying to read from the file” Not I am really lost…