Conection to tv server lost: tv client (1 Viewer)

[Goodmane1980]

Hi

Can you offer any help please? I have one server desktop running as a tv server, player and general desktop, hostname is james-pc, ip ending 192.

The client is called 'htpc-pc' and is for the last few weeks not working for tv.

I don't know whether any of these will have affected; I've changed quite a bit over the last fortnight:

-changed both computers to run as standard users, not admin
- changed dns servers to open dns (blocks out malware and adult stuff for free at router level; great for security and toddlers!)
- installed mp extended web (works great, including tv server, would ports forwarded or dynamic ddns have caused a problem?

I've attached the logs. Just seems to imply that it can't reach the server (mysql?) ?

Thanks
James

 

[mm1352000]

Hello James

I concur with your assessment - seems like the MySQL database on the server can't be reached.
So you changed the DNS servers and forwarded some ports at the router. Is that correct? I take it you've tried disabling firewalls on the client and server etc.

mm

 

[Goodmane1980]

Thanks for reply. Yes I have tried disabling firewalls, however I could try again and restart the client without firewall as sometimes a restart has helped reconnect with tv server in previous versions etc.

Will do so tomorrow morning and see if that helps, thanks.

 

[Goodmane1980]

Hi

Just to say playing with firewalls didn't work. I get the feeling comodo firewall (on both pcs) may be the problem even when disabled, as I've had problems with firewalls even when disabled before now. I did notice that the server firewall had blocked mysqld.exe so I corrected this, but still no joy.

I've restored windows to a few weeks ago on the client. It still doesn't work. I have an older image I could revert to for the client, and/or I could just try reinstalling media portal on the client (not ideal as have lots of settings, skin customisation etc)

I could install mp on a laptop and connect to the same ethernet outlet as the client pc to test whether the issue is client related?

What do you suggest please? Do you think it could only be firewall and / or would I explore this issue best?

Thanks
James

 

[seco]

Just few days ago I was struggling with moving from single-seat to multi-seat installation and based on my experiences this is what I suggest:

1) Set DHCP on your network to assign specific IP addresses for specific MAC addresses (this way each computer has IP that does not change over time, except if the network card is changed)
2) Use IP addresses everywhere, do not use host names (in TV-Server configuration, MP TV-Client configuration, MySQL configuration)
3) Make sure that all firewalls are disabled on both client and server
4) Make sure that all firewalls are really disabled on both client and server
5) Check that MySQL accepts remote connections for root: http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/1_MEDIAPORTAL_1/15_Customization/TV-Server/SQL_Server/MySQL
6) Check Gentle.config files on both client and server, there is MySQL connection string which should have the IP address of your server
7) Check that you can connect MySQL server from your client computer, on client open Command Prompt and type "telnet <your-server-ip> 3306". If the connection is OK you get some crap on your console window. If you don't have telnet client installed, you can install it in Control Panel -> Programs and Features -> Turn Windows features on or off -> Telnet Client

 

[Goodmane1980]

Wow. thanks.

Okay the short story is I still have a problem. Have undone restore I made earlier in case that helps will check tomorrow now. I'm also not ruling out malware although that would be a surprise. I can revert to an old image or try another machine to test that theory at some point.

Here goes with the details:

1. Static ips for all macs already.
2. I did this, and I think it helped, as I could start the client without error message and see the epg. Sadly could not stream tv though and it crashed the client media portal instance, and possibly explorer too.
3. Done (mysql configuration? - how do I do this is it just the gentle.config?
4. done
5. Mostly done. Couldn't find tv server in start/programs, only the configuration.exe. Could you or anyone else elaborate please if this is key? As for other points...
I went in to mysql and ran the toolbox app but nothing happened, it looked like the screenshots from the link gave me, I wasn't sure how to check whether root had access to the computer as the link didn't go into detail and it all looked okay afaik.
6. Done.
7. Done (thanks for tip regarding turning on telnet as completely missed that first time!) this doesn't work from either client or server. I get some message about a community build (I'm assuming this is the 'crap' that I'm meant to see, and then a few seconds later I get a connection lost message.

Thanks
James

 

[mm1352000]

2. I did this, and I think it helped, as I could start the client without error message and see the epg. Sadly could not stream tv though and it crashed the client media portal instance, and possibly explorer too.

Got logs?

3. Done (mysql configuration? - how do I do this is it just the gentle.config?

TV Server requires unrestricted access too - *really* critical. Port 31456 is used for communication with the client, and 554 plus a whole bunch of dynamic ports are used for RTSP streaming.

5. Mostly done. Couldn't find tv server in start/programs, only the configuration.exe. Could you or anyone else elaborate please if this is key? As for other points...
I went in to mysql and ran the toolbox app but nothing happened, it looked like the screenshots from the link gave me, I wasn't sure how to check whether root had access to the computer as the link didn't go into detail and it all looked okay afaik.

To be clear, this is MySQL configuration that you need to deal with - ie. MySQL GUI Tools or MySQL Workbench depending on the MySQL version you have installed. Have a look here for some tips/instructions.

 

[seco]

If you can see the EPG without problems on the client computer, the SQL connection is working properly.

Why the streaming fails & crashes can only be seen in the logs.

 

[Goodmane1980]

Solved! (kind of, and after much gnashing of teeth!)

I actually had / have two problems.

1. Changed DNS servers was causing a problem, probably with mysql I think. Other forum posts mentioned similar (with Google DNS) and suggested MySQL could no longer get a network connection due to the dns change.

I'd love to know how to fix this as would prefer to have open dns running on my router for website filtering purposes. As soon as I changed back to old dns settings everything was fine. This may be a problem with my dlink router's 'enable dns relay' setting which is enabled and may be sending the old or no dns settings to my lan computers due to them having previously been mac/ip locked and thus perhaps not requesting a new dns setting from the router. Honestly I don't know. When I have the time maybe I'll reconfigure this changing the dns ip settings in each network adapter in the network.

2. The TV server needs to be delayed at startup I think (at least for playback on the server). I hadn't noticed I had this problem before apart from an odd startup message server side about server not being ready (I never realised this was media portal or mysql but now think its mysql not being ready for tv service as after a restart of computer, the tv service needs to be restarted manually then all is well.

Anyway hope this helps others help themselves and others...and possibly me again!!!

Cheers,
James