BittMaxz, interesting.  The original wallet was from around ~2014 as you stated, then my transactions show I used it last in 2016, but yes, the original version was likely very old.  thanks for the info guys, I will have to try btc-recover I guess.  I hope it works and there's not some other issue.  I shouldn't have to have backup files, and I never forget passwords, but this lesson is one I get to learn again.  I will try 3.3.4....