Slow load/freeze loading window plugins (1 Viewer)

[ChrisOfCatford]

MediaPortal Version: 1.02
MediaPortal Skin: Blue3 Wide
Windows Version: XP Pro
CPU Type: AMD
HDD: 250GB SATA
Memory: 1 GB
Motherboard: abit BF-M2SV
Video Card: Onboard NVIDIA 6100
Video Card Driver: Latest availible
Sound Card: Onboard
Sound Card Driver: Whatever windows update gave me last
1. TV Card: N/A (Client)
MPEG2 Video Codec: Default
MPEG2 Audio Codec: Default
h.264 Video Codec: N/A
HTPC Case: Homebrew old DVD case
Cooling: Air
Power Supply: Cheap
Remote: MCE (through ORIGINAE VFD)
TV: Monitor
TV - HTPC Connection: VGA

Hello,

I have a MP client with some issues.

I use hibernate for a quick start and this has usually worked. A while ago (after going to the current stable version) I started having problems with a freeze on loading.

It is intermittent and can happen after a re-boot or hibernation. It freezes on "Loading Window Plugins". After this, if I exit MP by forcing quit (alt+F4 does not work so it is via Task Manager) I have issues, especially with networking: long freezes and no response from "My Network Places". Mediaportal Config' won't run either after such an issue. It is like a plugin is still running.

The only solution is to re-boot. Which does not always work either.

I found recently that if I leave it for ages, like 5 minutes+, it does eventually load. If this happens, I get the same sort of delays on network stuff. The Guide takes more than a few minutes to come up. TV does work after this, but I get drop-outs and freezes.

When it does load without this delay, it works great. No problems at all. Just this is happening more frequently recently.

I had Vista on this machine before and it still did this, so I am thinking maybe it is something to do with hardware. I tried disabling minidisplay plugin, Weather (found that on another post) but nothing has worked so far.

Logs attached from start MP, wait for freeze to end, Load guide....., try TV, exit MP.

Can anyone tell me what might be the issue here please?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[ChrisOfCatford]

Hi,

Still have the same problem.

If I force quit of MP then restart the PC, it gives a fast not responding (Perhaps of the offending part of MP) but this is too fast to read.

It seems to be that this helps after the restart. Could be just random though.

Someone out there must have had this issue???

Thanks,
Chris

 

[ChrisOfCatford]

Hello,

Sorry to spam but...

Others have similar problems here:
https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/...-hangs-loading-w-plugins-when-htpc-off-69939/
and here:
https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/...-seat-tv-server-s3-sleep-client-freeze-59022/
and this one ends the same unanswered:
https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/.../fresh-install-vista-mp-freeze-startup-52632/
and a bit here:
https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/...-1-0-multiseat-really-slow-please-help-51898/
comes up here too:
https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/...client-can-t-connect-server-46567/index2.html
also here:
https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/1-0-rc1-svn-builds-271/issues-muti-seat-setup-39034/

I have no firewall on all my machines.
Connect by wired LAN
Have other clients without this problem.

I am happy to assume that this is a hardware issue, just don't know what to look for beacuse noone is talking to me. Please help!

Seriously, any ideas???? Anyone????

Thanks,
Chris

 

[ChrisOfCatford]

Oh! Now I get it...

Hi,

Three words:

Overheating Network Cable

Why did it only go wrong in the morning? Why did it work fine in the afternoon?

Finally figured out that the heating, set to come on at 5:30, was to blame. I isolated the cable and insulated where it crossed a heating pipe and the problem is now solved.

Still think it would be good if MP gave some sort of on-screen message (like "Cannot connect to server, please check your crappy cabling for contact with heating pipes you idot!"), rather than effectively locking you out and refusing to load for ages, but you can't have it all!

Thanks,
Chris