TY for the clarification, I like learning the correct terms.  

I highly doubt I have a non-upgraded wallet file, but will look, and try that version either way.  Thx again for the thoughts, you guys are the stuff legends are made of, helpful and smart.  I had previously tried to reopen with 3.1.2, but wallet version was like already 18, too new.    so revise/downgrade the wallet, or maybe btc-recover, yet I seem to have already confirmed my password I think.