[no Bug] Media Portal 1.1RC1 Does not install properly for TV Server - Workaround Listed (1 Viewer)

[Schnark]

Hi All,

I tried upgrading my MediaPortal server from 1.02 which it was working perfectly under 2003 R2 x64 with XP clients on 1.02 to 1.1RC1 and i've had nothing but problems. I know you don't have it on your supported list, but i've always been able to run it perfectly and it sounds like a DB issue. I've tried re-installing both configs multiple times, cleaning up old settings and always rebooting, but the issues are common:

Here's the common settings:
- Firewall - Off
- AV - Not installed
- Windows Patches - Current
- Dedicated TV Server Install Selected with TV Option Selected (Yes i'll be watching TV)

When doing a fresh install with the MS SQL Setup:
- Default Password Set, Configure Windows Firewall Option left on, Default Install Directory
- DotNetFix v2.0 installed (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...00-acf8-4fa1-affb-40e78d788b00&DisplayLang=en)
- x64 ver downloaded as per provided webpage - Important note: When moving it from the desktop to the relevant location, make sure you UnBlock the file (2K3 R2 functionality) otherwise the install won't complete properly
- During the install, it errors with "Failed to create the database". it then goes on to say "Congratulations you successfully complete the setup of MediPortal"

I had a look through the log file and it was erroring with this issue:
2010-03-02 23:45:30.140625 [SetupTv(1)]: ********* Error reason: CREATE DATABASE failed. Some file names listed could not be created. Check related errors.
Cannot create file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\DATA\MpTvDb.mdf' because it already exists. Change the file path or the file name, and retry the operation.
2010-03-02 23:45:30.140625 [SetupTv(1)]: ********* Error code: 1802, Line: 1 *********

- I then uninstalled it all again, manually removed SQL, rebooted and the SQL Install component now worked
- Continued the install and then got the attached error
- MediaPortal then advised that it had installed correctly - /sigh
- Checked that the TVService was running - it was
- Reviewed the AppEvent Logs - Services started fine, no obvious problems although there was a SQL sa login error (Login failed for user 'sa'. [CLIENT: <local machine>]) but the database has been added fine as far as I can tell
- Start the TV-Server Configuration App - the same error message is displayed
- Restart (figure it can't hurt) - Service started fine, no obvious EventLog errors
- Checked TCP/IP settings for SQL database - Local and Remote using TCP and named pipes
- Looked through the event logs again - noted : "The configuration of the AdminConnection\TCP protocol in the SQL instance SQLEXPRESS is not valid." - reviewed it on the net, doesn't appear to be a problem and my ip

- /sigh - removed it all again, making sure to manually clean up the folders
- Installed again, deciding to turn on the firewall and changing the MediaPortal password to password
- Made changes as per above, installed to C:\Program Files (x86)\MediaPortal TV Server
- Same problem
- Tried the fix as per https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/...nd-tv-server-90/failed-start-tvservice-56167/ but there was no joy

Finally though - found a way to make it work!
- Reviewed the error.log file and found the following entry:
2010-03-03 00:26:47.812500 [(1)]: Exception ystem.Runtime.Remoting.RemotingException: .Config file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\MediaPortal TV Server\TVService.config' cannot be read successfully due to exception 'System.IO.FileNotFoundException: The system cannot find the file specified. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070002)
at System.ConfigServer.RunParser(IConfigHandler factory, String fileName)

- Had a look, sure enough, there wasn't a default file there so I just copied/pasted the tvservice.exe.config and renamed it to tvservice.config and now it launches!
- Seems to be working fine now - will test and see how I go

Suggestions
- Check for the file name existance and then prompt the user to remove or other appropriate action
- Create the file if its not present or provide a default file for use

MediaPortal Version: 1.1RC1
MediaPortal Skin: Default
Windows Version: Windows 2003 R2 Server x64 SP2
CPU Type: Core2 Duo
HDD: 300GB / 250GB free
Memory: 4GB
Motherboard:
Video Card: NvDieo GeForce 7050
Video Card Driver: WHQL 2003 Driver
Sound Card: Realtek Onboard
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver: WHQL 2003 Driver
1. TV Card: DVB-TV 878
1. TV Card Type:
1. TV Card Driver: WHQL Driver
2. TV Card: DVB-TV 878
2. TV Card Type:
2. TV Card Driver: WHQL Driver
3. TV Card:
3. TV Card Type:
3. TV Card Driver:
4. TV Card:
4. TV Card Type:
4. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec:
MPEG2 Audio Codec:
h.264 Video Codec:
Satelite/CableTV Provider:
HTPC Case:
Cooling:
Power Supply:
Remote:
TV:
TV - HTPC Connection: Server

 

[riksmith]

If i understand right you did an upgrade. That is not supported, you should do a full uninstall (including DB).

Also your OS is not supported.

 

[Schnark]

Hi,

Just a few clarifications:

- I never tried to do an upgrade, but when I uninstalled the previous version (the very first time), I didn't do a full uninstall (cleaning it all up) - I agree a clean (full remove) should have been done
- All of the other times I did an install, it was fresh and I think I included that all inline in the comments
- I'm aware W2K3 isn't a supported OS - you state this quite clearly - however i'm positive that there are others out there who are using it. Is it possible to put it as an unsupported OS but where info, such as mine is provided so that people who want to host it on a true TV server / TV client situation where the server is actually a server platform, have the info on how to do it?
- Is there a way to transition W2K3R2 to be a fully supported OS as its quite a simple process (which i'm happy to full document) on how to set it all up from scratch and have a completely stable Server OS as the TV Server
- I did this partially as a guide for people who want to use TeamMedia Portal which is a damn fine app, the way I have. I figuired you might be able to put the points I ran into into a tips/tricks or faq so if other people ran into it, they'll be aware of how to fix it

Also, i've given you some suggestions (checking for the existing data base files) to help with install problems - if you add that into your install routine (when people haven't cleanly uninstalled), then i'm sure it'll help some other people as well.

The key point is that the missing tvservice.config file is a bug - which I fixed by copying the tvservice.exe.config to that file. I'm happy to try and troubleshoot it to assist the dev team when i'm back at the end of the month.

Hope this clarifies things.

 

[riksmith]

The key point is that the missing tvservice.config file is a bug - which I fixed by copying the tvservice.exe.config to that file. I'm happy to try and troubleshoot it to assist the dev team when i'm back at the end of the month.

That is not considered a bug since it only happens on a server OS. That has been discussed a lot of time.

I am quite sure there is already one or more threads about running MP on server OS, these things should be posted there. It is very good to provide these steps and feedback, it is only in the wrong place. This section is only for bugreports on supported HW / SW.