# Couldn't find 'Global Prefs'. Application will exit **URL:** \ **Category:** Get Help\ **Created:** [March 6, 2024, 4:11pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/couldnt-find-global-prefs-application-will-exit/1603 "2024-03-06T16:11:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Andre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6de8d8/32.png) [@Andre](https://speciforum.org/u/Andre)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2024, 4:11pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/couldnt-find-global-prefs-application-will-exit/1603/1 "2024-03-06T16:11:01Z")
Our institution has two Specify7 servers. One of them currently in use is in version 7.3.0, we prepared another server in version 7.9.2 that received a copy of the base that is in the 7.3.0 server. When we logged in to specify7.9.2, the error shown in the article below occurred. We applied the solution as described which resolved the problem. > [@Upgrading to Specify 7.7+: HTTP 500 error](https://speciforum.org/t/upgrading-to-specify-7-7-http-500-error/733): > > If you are updating to Specify 7.7 or newer, Specify is supposed to create new tables related to the security and accounts features. If you encounter the following error upon updating to 7.9.3, you should follow the same instructions: "exception": "ProgrammingError", "message": "1146", "data": "Table 'db\_name.uniquenessrule' doesn't exist" In your docker-compose.yml file, you should use your root user credentials instead of the master user credentials for the first run in Specify 7. You just… We carried out the test on the desktop version and were able to successfully log in to this database, which is on the server that hosts specify 7.9.2. The problem is that when we try to log SP6 back into the base that is hosted on the Specify7.3.0 server, the following message appears: Specify thinks you are already logged in. If you are certain no one is logged in with your user nbame , click ‘Override’. ![override_e](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/specifysoftware/original/2X/7/74fe4fd410aced30f3c83a9c74e3dfccad7ab7d1.jpeg) When clicking on the ‘Override’ button the following error appears: Couldn’t find ‘Global Prefs’. Application will exit. ![globalprefs_e](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/specifysoftware/original/2X/e/e50a2a44601aa15907e979d890de05e4685e1476.jpeg) Could you help us with this problem? ---
**Author:** ![Grant](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/speciforum.org/grant/32/4255_2.png) [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2024, 8:55pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/couldnt-find-global-prefs-application-will-exit/1603/2 "2024-03-12T20:55:53Z")
Hi @Andre, I am glad to hear that you were able to successfully resolve the error that occurred when logging into Specify 7.9.2 by following the solution provided in our article. Based on the error message you have shared, it seems that the application is unable to find the ‘Global Prefs’ and therefore cannot proceed. This could be due to a number of reasons, such as a corrupted file or an incorrect configuration, but it is most likely due to the `preferences` app resource starting with `#Global Prefs` not being present in the database. It’s unclear why logging in with a newer version of Specify 7 would cause this issue, as there is no logic in newer versions that would remove this resource. To help you resolve this issue, I would recommend trying the following steps: 1. Check the server configuration and ensure that the ‘Global Prefs’ file is present at the “Institution” level in the [app resources](https://speciforum.org/t/app-resources-in-specify-7/582) hierarchy in Specify 7.9.2. 2. If the file is missing or corrupted, try restoring it from a backup or reinstalling the server. 3. If the issue persists, please provide us with more details about the server configuration and any recent changes that may have been made. You can also [send us a backup](https://speciforum.org/t/send-a-backup-to-specify-pc/767) so we can investigate further or check this ourselves! ---
**Author:** ![Grant](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/speciforum.org/grant/32/4255_2.png) [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 7:38pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/couldnt-find-global-prefs-application-will-exit/1603/3 "2024-04-10T19:38:57Z")
Hi @Andre, After doing a fresh restore of the database you sent to me on my local system, I was able to log in as `Juliano` after first logging in as `testuser` in Specify 6.8.03. Can you try to log in as another user and let me know if the issue persists?