PowerScheduler++ test versions (3 Viewers)

[Lehmden]

AW: PowerScheduler++ Test Version 1.2.5.x for MP 1.2.x / 1.3 Alpha

Hi
Today I've done lots of testing with this version. Can't get it to work. On my system there are always some kernel calls preventing system from going to S3/S4. No way to get rid of this, so no Standby with this PS++ version. Only way would be change of MB, CPU RAM and TV Card... That is something I don't want to, as all other things are working as they should. Changed back to old one and all is working as expected.

I think this is the wrong way to develop this plugin. There is too much hardware with not perfect drivers available so windows power management did not do the job in too much cases. That's why we need an alternative. Before 1.2.5.x PS++ was the alternative, but now it is useless for lots of people with not that perfect hardware...

 

[michael_t]

AW: PowerScheduler++ Test Version 1.2.5.x for MP 1.2.x / 1.3 Alpha

@all:

I have to make a decision whether to drop the old "PowerScheduler++ forces system to go to standby when idle" option or not.
This does mean a lot more than just deleting a checkbox in the config GUI. PS++ can only issue a forced standby, if it has full information about the system state (not only about MP client and server).It has to check for user activity (mouse, keyboard, ...), active shares, running processes and a lot more activities that should prevent standby and that have to be configured properly to get everything working. This makes PS(++) difficult to understand, complicates its configuration and thus might lead to some frustration by users who just want a "plug and play" solution.
With PS++ 1.2.5.x I wanted to give up the legacy behavior (inherited by the original PS) that PS can actively send the system to standby (if configured) and rely totally on Windows standby functionality. This would make PS++ easier to understand, because it has to care only for MP internal states, which need no configuration at all (maybe besides EPG grabbing). All the network, process, shares configuration would be unnecessary then. Of course you have to setup your Windows Power Settings properly to enable standby and wakeup, but this will be done automatically by the PS++ configuration. The only thing a user should have to setup is the type of his PC (dektop, HTPC, ...) and the idle timeout. This would be real "plug and play".
But I have learned now that there are (still) some systems that have problems with proper Windows standby, possibly because of some hardware / driver issues. This would of course make it necessary for PS++ to be able to force a system to standby furthermore. So I am torn between continuing the way that I have begun or to leave PS++ as it was. What are your ideas? How could I match both approaches?

Michael

 

[Jay_UK]

Re: PowerScheduler++ Test Version 1.2.5.x for MP 1.2.x / 1.3 Alpha

Hi there,

I can see you dilemena, and there is not a right or wrong answer....

But most software has to be written to handle unexpected issues (ie hardware or other software that does not work as expected) - Its an unfortunate truth.

The only way around this is to make software and hardware "closed source" - where you can guarentee everything will work, as you control all aspects.

I had been running your "traditional" version (force shutdown), since the beginning and it worked great (I had Windows power management turned off as such).

Recently I tried your new alpha build and relied on MS power management. Everything seemed to shutdown down ok, but I had problems waking, where MePo client would hang, or the HTPC didnt always wake (never got to the bottom of why)

Today I have reverted back to your traditional version to see if those issues have now gone.

Surely your original/tradition version catered for both options:

Enable force shutdown/sleep = let plugin control shutdown
Disable force shutdown/sleep = let Windows control pwoer management

J.

 

[Holzi]

AW: PowerScheduler++ Test Version 1.2.5.x for MP 1.2.x / 1.3 Alpha

You can continue developing both versions. =)
Personally I really like it the way it is now with windows power option involved. Everything works great and you don't have to configure much.

 

[doveman]

Re: PowerScheduler++ Test Version 1.2.5.x for MP 1.2.x / 1.3 Alpha

Personally, as I use my HTPC for more than just MP, I couldn't let PS++ control standby as it was doing it when I was playing a game, etc and I didn't fancy adding every process I might run to the process list, so I just disabled PS's control and manually activated hibernate when I wanted.

Using Windows Power Options it should go to standby when I'm not using the PC, watching TV, recording, etc and stay awake when I'm doing something, without lots of configuration, so that's what I'll use, but like Jay says, I'm not sure what the problem with having the option in PS++ is (although obviously it's a lot more complicated for Michael to manage). It would probably be a good idea to default it to off, so it doesn't affect users who use their PC for other stuff and then it can be enabled by users who don't, or for whom Windows Power control doesn't work properly.

 

[michael_t]

AW: Re: PowerScheduler++ Test Version 1.2.5.x for MP 1.2.x / 1.3 Alpha

...It would probably be a good idea to default it to off, so it doesn't affect users who use their PC for other stuff and then it can be enabled by users who don't, or for whom Windows Power control doesn't work properly.

This is the way I will do it in the next version.

Michael

 

[Lehmden]

AW: PowerScheduler++ Test Version 1.2.5.x for MP 1.2.x / 1.3 Alpha

Hi.

This is the way I will do it in the next version.

Maybe this is the most work for you but I think this is the way nearly all users can use PS++ with as less issues as possible, thanks.

 

[woschi1]

AW: PowerScheduler++ Test Version 1.2.5.x for MP 1.2.x / 1.3 Alpha

Hallo Michael,

i've installed PowerScheduler++ 1.2.5.1, but I didn't notice any changes in the configuration menues compared to the version 1.2.1.2. Is it necessary to copy the xml-File update.xml in a mediaportal folder?

Thank you for your atvice,

WOSCHI1

 

[michael_t]

AW: PowerScheduler++ Test Version 1.2.5.x for MP 1.2.x / 1.3 Alpha

Hallo Michael,

i've installed PowerScheduler++ 1.2.5.1, but I didn't notice any changes in the configuration menues compared to the version 1.2.1.2. Is it necessary to copy the xml-File update.xml in a mediaportal folder?

Thank you for your atvice,

WOSCHI1

The newest version is 1.2.5.2. If you install this (manually), you should not have to bother with update files anymore...

Michael

 

[Jay_UK]

Re: PowerScheduler++ Test Version 1.2.5.x for MP 1.2.x / 1.3 Alpha

Hi Michael_t,

Thought I would just feedback...

I reverted to your none alpha version (where PS++ handles the shutdown/sleep) and everything is working fine for me again. I can resume my HTPC and Mepo responds (whereas with your Alpha version, MePo had hung and would not respond).

Thanks,

J.

ps - Thumbs up from me for keeping the none 1.2.5.x version