I've just upgraded from the previous version of Portable GnuCash to v2.4. When I start the new version, the GnuCash splash screen and the useful tip window appear briefly on my Windows Vista PC. The splash screen and tip windows disappear, and then nothing. The main GnuCash window does not appear. There are no error messages. GnuCash 2.4 does not start up. 
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GnuCash 2.4 fails to start after upgrade
February 6, 2011 - 12:29pm
#1
GnuCash 2.4 fails to start after upgrade
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For some reason, some GnuCash 2.2.9 settings seem to make GnuCash 2.4 unhappy. To remedy this, move your Data folder within GnuCashPortable to another location (perhaps X:\Documents\Financial on your drive) but be absolutely sure not to lose it, and be sure you're backing it up first to another drive (it most likely contains your actual financial records). Then fire GnuCash Portable 2.4 up and it should start just with a blank setup. You don't need to let it create anything, so just cancel the wizard.
In the now-blank GnuCash Portable running, click File Open and then browse to the location where you put your data folder. You'll see a lot of files in there named similar to Filename.20110107022144.log and Filename.20110107022144.gnucash. The file you want should be just called Filename. Open that. You should see your records in GnuCash now. Now save that file into your GnuCashPortable\Data directory or your X:\Documents\Financial directory (I prefer the latter) and GnuCash Portable should automatically open that from then on.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Hi John,
That worked perfectly!! I was worried for a while there that I might have lost my financials. Phew! I do also like you tip about the\Documents\Financial directory. Much better for backup! I've learnt a couple of things from this little hiccup. Thank you.