Mist: 'Import Accounts' not highlighting or working from GUI but works fine with 'Ctrl+I' Ethereum Mist and Wallet

[lubi888]

System information

Linux 4.4.0-53-generic #74-Ubuntu SMP Fri Dec 2 15:59:10 UTC 2016 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

``````
Version: mist --version
[2017-03-25 17:04:57.090] [INFO] main - 0.8.9

OS & Version: Llinux/ Mint 18
Node type: eth/geth(default)
``````
Unable to load presale eth from 'Accounts'->'Import Accounts'.

However, simple 'Ctrl+I' is functioning fine.

This is for both Mist and Wallet.

[evertonfraga]

@lubi888 thank you for the report and pictures.

Related to #2066.

[luclu]

@lubi888 the import menu entry will be disabled if you run an external node that Mist/Ethereum Wallet connects to. Furthermore the hotkey should be disabled, too.
I tried to reproduce this issue on windows 10 but failed.
Could you kindly recheck if the hotkey is enabled if you are running an external node?

Eventually this will be improved as lined out in https://github.com/ethereum/mist/issues/1796.

[lubi888]

Hi luclu,

I have rechecked for you.

1, The 'Accounts' -> 'Import Accounts' does indeed show up if I'm not running 'geth --cache= .....' before starting Mist||Wallet. As does the 'Ctrl+I'

2 However, the hotkey 'ctrl+I' is still operational if I run 'geth ...' and then start Mist || Wallet.

I have checked and all of the hotkeys (ctrl+N, ctrl+q, etc) are all still functional even though I started geth before opening mist.

Thus, it appears hotkeys are not disabled.

If there's anything more I can help you with then let me know. If you need logs, etc.

[luclu]

Thank you very much!
I wil give this some love.

[RichHorrocks]

With regards to this comment from @luclu:

import menu entry will be disabled if you run an external node that Mist/Ethereum Wallet connects to. Furthermore the hotkey should be disabled, too.

What's the rationale behind this behaviour? Just wondering...

[rstormsf]

I can't import an account. Hotkey also doesn't work. I don't run any other geth node. Fresh install

https://gist.github.com/rstormsf/ca8c85f0fb0d2aa4608e4d1f0450487c

[HaleTom]

I can't press Ctrl-i to import an account. I'm running geth --light before starting mist.

What is the work-around?

[evertonfraga]

@HaleTom @rstormsf

The workaround is place your wallet into the keystore folder. (File > Backup > Accounts...)

[BlockWaving]

freshly downloaded and installed mist 2 days ago. same problem happended, import account disabled, hotkey not working. Also, dropping keystore file in the folder to File>Backup>Accounts>Keystore doesn't work as well.

[yackx]

Same running 0.11.0 on GNU/Linux. Ctrl-I does not work either.

[tomachinz]

This does not instill trust. I should be able to use the same private key in testnet as livenet. The UI stops me from importing keys when I'm on testnet? Why?!
I don't want to add another account, too many accounts already.

[tomachinz]

Not being able to import keys is so annoying. Now I gotta go get some more test Ether at https://faucet.rinkeby.io/ not sure why this was done.
then again kinda fun to get free money from a faucet.