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"World Does Not Have A Valid MUSHClient Signature" Error

Posted by Bobo_the_bee on Fri 22 Dec 2006 10:41 PM — 5 posts, 17,384 views.

Bobo_the_bee USA #0
A few times lately I've been getting an error with my MUSH worlds when I've tried opening them, they've given me a "World Does Not Have a valid mushclient signature" error, then an "Unexpected file format" error, and refuses to open the world.

This is ... fairly annoying, as I loose the world + everything stored in there.

Any suggestions on what's happening?
Nick Gammon Australia Forum Administrator #1
What version are you using? Sounds like a very old one.
Nick Gammon Australia Forum Administrator #2
In May 2002, MUSHclient version 3.21 was released that uses XML-format world files. The message you got only applies to worlds created with earlier versions, so either you are still using a MUSHclient version earlier than 3.21, or are opening world files created a version earlier than that.

I suggest upgrading to the latest version, then your problems should go away.
Bobo_the_bee USA #3
Nope, I've only used MUSH since 3.73, and currently have 3.78.
Nick Gammon Australia Forum Administrator #4
Early on in the loading process MUSHclient tries to work out if the world file is from an old version, or the new XML format. It looks for something like this in the first 20 or so bytes:


<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE muclient>
<muclient>
<world


If it doesn't find that it assumes an old version file, which (if not the case) will lead to the message about "World Does Not Have A Valid MUSHClient Signature".

The only reasons I can think of that your file is not being read are:

  • You have edited it with an editor and changed it.
  • The disk was full and the file is empty.
  • You opened the file in another program (like Word) and saved it in a different format (eg. Word Document) in which case the start of the file will look completely different.


If you are editing the world in an external editor make sure that you save in "text" format. Suitable editors could be Notepad, Crimson Editor, or other similar editors.