WinDVA version 1.0 for DVArchive 3.0 is now available

[j.m.]

This is something I have been working on for a while now. I hope Win32 users of DVArchive 3.0 find it useful... From the README.TXT:

WinDVA for DVArchive 3.0
Version 1.0.1 (04/02/04)
By j.m.

___________
Description

WinDVA is a Win32-based launcher program for DVArchive 3.0. It offers the
following features:

* Easy customization of key Java options including memory and JVM launcher
* Support for all current DVArchive command line parameters
* Ability to hide the DVArchive window on startup, with access via an icon in the system tray
* Ability to install DVArchive as a service on Windows NT/2K/XP
* Automatic deletion of any obsolete semaphore files before launching DVArchive
* Automatic restart of DVArchive if it is terminated while WinDVA is still running
* Support for multiple profiles for those running multiple DVArchive servers on a single PC
* Gracefully shuts down DVArchive upon Windows shutdown/logoff (only in tray icon or service mode)

While WinDVA is free, I do accept donations. If you like WinDVA and want to donate, you can do so in any amount you like via PayPal to jm409@hotmail.com (if you prefer some other method, email me).

I greatly appreciate any donations you can make!


WinDVA has only been tested on XP so far but should work on other Win32 flavors. Please post any bugs, feedback, etc. in this thread. Remember, WinDVA is my own doing, so please don't bother Gerry with any problems you may have with it. ;)

[EDIT (04/02/04) - Posted version 1.0.1 which fixes a last minute bug I introduced that caused a failure to start DVArchive in service mode. Please download the corrected version if you plan on using DVA as a service. Sorry for any inconvenience.]

[smckean]

Very cool j.m.

It works perfectly for me. It's going to be a boon to Gerry and others (including you) who attempt to help Gerry out with new users. WinDVA has the potential to cut out 25% (or more) of the "same old, same old" questions on DVA. Of course users are going to have to figure out how to connect this up (and I'm discovering how infrquently they are willing to read anything first :))

This needs to announced with proper highlighting of potential as a sticky msg in the DVArchive froum.

[j.m.]

Argh, someone just pointed out that WinDVA 1.0 fails when starting DVA as a service. I made a last minute change to WinDVA relating to the way it obtains its "startup" directory (which should be the directory in which it and DVarchive.jar are located). Unfortunately, the change I made leads to the incorrect startup directory being used when run as a service. Sorry for this. I will correct this immediately and post a revised version that should fix the problem.

[EDIT - The corrected version 1.0.1 is now attached to the initial post.]

[xstrym]

Well, it seems to be working right for me so far on 1.0... I will keep my eyes out for this error.

Pretty handy so far... Thanks j.m.!

[l8er]

Very handy program. Thank you kindly.

[Amazingly Smooth]

How can you change the configuration file?

[Phule]

Very nice!

Thanks j.m.! Works like a charm on my Win2K server!

[MethodMachine]

j.m.

This is exactly what I have been trying to do since DVA 3.0 came out. Many thanks.

It works just fine on my Windows ME box (I know...boo...hiss...).

[zulu2003]

WOW!

How did you get to read my thoughts? :)

This is such a nice tool that makes DVA a lot more 'Windows-friendly'. I love the hidden with tray icon option.

Try to organize the development and distribution on a website or sourceforge. You have a great start, but distribution through forum postings is not what you want to do. Suport and feedback is what you want here.


Congratulations!!!

[JenEric]

Originally posted by zulu2003
but distribution through forum postings is not what you want to do.
WOW!

How did you get to read his thoughts? ;)



Mind reading quote added:
Steve Martin: He says we're going the wrong way...
John Candy: Oh, he's drunk. How would he know where we're going?

[Norbert]

I had a problem running it on a win98se box, PII-350, 336MB, 80Gig HD. I got it to bring up DVA 3.0 but only a Grey screen in the window. Any thoughts? This box is a DVA 3.0 server only, no users or anything. I am running Grisoft AVG antivirus and I think zonealarm (basic). Zonealarm might not be on there, I'll have to check, too many computers, not enough organic memory for my CPU.

Anyway, any other users running DVA 3.0 and WinDVA 1.0 successfully?

[Wrecks]

I got it to bring up DVA 3.0 but only a Grey screen in the window. This sounds like a java problem.

[j.m.]

Originally posted by Norbert
I had a problem running it on a win98se box, PII-350, 336MB, 80Gig HD. I got it to bring up DVA 3.0 but only a Grey screen in the window. Any thoughts? This box is a DVA 3.0 server only, no users or anything. I am running Grisoft AVG antivirus and I think zonealarm (basic). Zonealarm might not be on there, I'll have to check, too many computers, not enough organic memory for my CPU.

Anyway, any other users running DVA 3.0 and WinDVA 1.0 successfully?

Does DVA launch okay without WinDVA on your Win98 box? There is a known problem with DVA and/or Java that some have termed "GSOD" ("Grey Screen of Death"). Many people have experienced it, usually intermittently while DVA is running. There is a thread on it in the official DVA forums. As of yet, the cause is unknown. It is proving very tricky to track down.

Your problem is probably related somehow. The next time I get a GSOD I am going to try sending a WM_PAINT message to the main DVA window and see if that will force it to repaint itself... If so, hopefully I can work around the problem with WinDVA by sending such messages on hide/show commands.

[j.m.]

Originally posted by Amazingly Smooth
How can you change the configuration file?

If you mean manually edit it, you can't really. I may make it possible in later versions, but for now you must use the GUI only.

[j.m.]

Originally posted by zulu2003
WOW!

How did you get to read my thoughts? :)

This is such a nice tool that makes DVA a lot more 'Windows-friendly'. I love the hidden with tray icon option.

Try to organize the development and distribution on a website or sourceforge. You have a great start, but distribution through forum postings is not what you want to do. Suport and feedback is what you want here.


Congratulations!!!

Thanks. I'm glad people are finding it useful. I hope to put up a very simple page with it and various other ReplayTV-related tools I've offered in the past soon.

[Norbert]

DVA 3.0 works fine running by itself. I upgraded about 2 weeks ago and was running fine. It only failed to come up fully when using WinDVA. I closed out, rebooted, and ran DVA standalone and it worked flawlessly. I have the latest java that Gerry requires. This machine does nothing but serve up DVA shows. No other applications running except for that listed above.


I can, after work, reboot the machine, capture the list of process running and then try again. Then I can report back.

It will not matter here in a few months, as I will be upgrading to an XP machine and new motherboard. I will also be putting a MUCH larger drive. Hopefully that will solve the problem.

[smckean]

Norbert,

The DVA GSOD is a timing issue (Gerry is working on it for DVA 3.01), and as such it does not occur everytime -- for some not even most times. You can easily run DVA stand alone, or start it with WinDVD, and get, or not get, the GSOD in any combination.

[Norbert]

I have restarted DVA 3.0 stand alone as it runs quite well and my son likes to watch his Replay shows, over and over and over.....

This is why I need a DVD burner to make copies of his DVD movies and let him wear them out instead of the $20 disk that I will have to buy again, and again ....

I love DVA 3.0 and would like to run WinDVA as it looks to be a nice app. I just need to upgrade anyway and unify my home network to all XP machines. It will tighten up my security and ability to maintain all the machines (3 home computer, 1 work laptop, 3 RTV 5040s and any guest machines with 802.11b capability).

[Bigjohns]

running dvarchive as a service without specifying the full path to its store can cause unpredictable results....

Umm, but where do I specify??

John

[JenEric]

Originally posted by Bigjohns
running dvarchive as a service without specifying the full path to its store can cause unpredictable results....

Umm, but where do I specify??

John
In the "DVArchive Configuration File" Box. Browse to your DVArchive.xml file, usually under a "Documents and Settings" subfolder. I think DVArchive displays the full path when it's running, near the top.

[j.m.]

Originally posted by Bigjohns
running dvarchive as a service without specifying the full path to its store can cause unpredictable results....

Umm, but where do I specify??

John

As JenEric said, use the button next to the "DVArchive confguration file" text box to select the location of your existing DVArchive config file (usually "C:\Document Settings\YOUR_USER_NAME\DVArchive.xml"). This will essentailly just pass that value on to DVA via its "--store" command line parameter.

Just to explain this a little further for those interested, in my testing of DVA as a service on XP, when using the default config file (i.e. not specifying "--store" but instead letting DVA determine where to store it), DVA will sometimes use the "D&S\system" folder to store its config files and other times will fall back to using "c:\." I think this is due to the nature of how and when Java determines what a user's HOME directory is. In any case, to be sure the service always uses the same config file, it is best to explicitly specify it when starting DVA as a service.

[corgi1]

Probably a "noob" question, but what is the beneift of installing DVA as a Service in WinXP?

[krkaufman]

Originally posted by corgi1
Probably a "noob" question, but what is the beneift of installing DVA as a Service in WinXP?

She'll start running before you've even logged in, so DVA is always there so long as your computer is powered-on.

[highdm]

I downloaded and set it up. As I set it up I got the following message, "Running DVArchive as a serivce without specifying the full path to it store file can lead to unpredictable results! Continue Anyways?"


I want to get this righ the first time and would prefer not to have to go back and make modification. Can you tell me What I am missing.

Thanks

[krkaufman]

Originally posted by highdm
I downloaded and set it up. As I set it up I got the following message, "Running DVArchive as a serivce without specifying the full path to it store file can lead to unpredictable results! Continue Anyways?"

Change the "Default" value in 'DVArchive configuration file' to the specific (DVArchive.xml) file for the DVA instance you're setting up. To do so, just click on the ellipses (...) and find/select the file.

p.s. See this earlier post for more info, HERE (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=3616426#post3616426)

[krkaufman]

Thanks for this maximally groovy utility, j.m. I tried using TrayIt! but it fell far short.

Only problem I've run into so far is that the "Exit" option has grayed out, so I can't close WinDVA.http://home.comcast.net/~krkaufman/missing_exit_windva.jpgFortunately, I spent enough time blathering on about other desired features (below) that it eventually dawned on me that the "Exit" option became disabled because I'd set WinDVA to run as a Service. (duh!)

And so now WinDVA is controlled via the Services panel, found at:

Start->Settings->Control Panel->[Administrative Tools]->[Services]
http://home.comcast.net/~krkaufman/windva_service_entries.gifExcellent utility for an excellent app.

-----

To be presumptuous, here's some other features I'd love to see added.... brainstorming, without much regard for merit....

- Ability to kill 'java' VM associated with specific DVA instance, for when DVA hangs. (Can't tell one 'java' entry from another in the Task Manager listing.)[COLOR=blue]Likely handled via Start/Stop in Services panel, but NOW my DVA won't hang so I can test it.[/COLOR]- Ability to set a given DVA profile as "auto-restart"; or to temporarily (cleanly) shutdown the DVA instance associated with the WinDVA profile. (on reboot, the instance would start normally) [COLOR=blue]Handled via Start/Stop in Services panel.[/COLOR] - Ability to name main profile. [COLOR=blue]Well, I can't name the nameless main profile, but there's no reason I can't just name all the profiles I'm using. Just run WinDVA with the "configure profile_name" arguments to create a profile, and then install it as a service. If you don't wanna run WinDVA as a service, then just create a shortcut to WinDVA and add the profile name to the shortcut's "Target" field.[/COLOR] - Ability to change "priority" of DVA profiles, promoting some other profile up to the "main" profile.[COLOR=blue]Moot, now that I'm only using named profiles -- bypassing the "main".[/COLOR]- Rename README.txt and CHANGELOG.txt so that they won't overwrite DVArchive's files of the same name, on extract to the "DVArchive.jar" directory.

(more... added post-orig post)
- When trying to open a given WinDVA profile via "WinDVA profile_name", if WinDVA's already open and running the profile just pull up the already-active instance of DVA.

[FlipFlop]

I have a couple requests:

1) When in the tray icon mode, and then you minimize DVA, it should automatically hide DVA. Currently if you minimize DVA (using the minimize system command/button), you still get the DVA icon in the taskbar, and you need to click on the WinDVA tray icon to completely hide DVA.

2) Support the -server option if using the SDK version of Java.

3) Automatically open up the configuration window if something causes DVA to fail to launch (e.g. misconfigured pointer to java, or WinDVA.exe in different directory than DVArchive.jar)

4) Pop a better warning message if WinDVA.exe and DVArchive.jar are not in the same directory

[back40]

Does WinDVA have the ability to start the JVM with a different priority than normal? It would be nice to be able to start DVA with below normal.

[krkaufman]

Originally posted by FlipFlop
1) When in the tray icon mode, and then you minimize DVA, it should automatically hide DVA. Currently if you minimize DVA (using the minimize system command/button), you still get the DVA icon in the taskbar, and you need to click on the WinDVA tray icon to completely hide DVA.
Yeah, this'd be nice. (That's how TrayIt! works.)

[j.m.]

Originally posted by krkaufman
Yeah, this'd be nice. (That's how TrayIt! works.)

I am noting all the requests made here, and I will definitely consider implementing some of them in future versions.

Minimize to tray using the standard minimize button is one I definitely want in there. Unfortunately, it is a little tricky to do because it will require "hooking" the DVA window with a separate .dll that then becomes part of the DVA process space and can intercept its windows messages. This is what TrayIt and similar programs do. I hope to add this in the future but wanted to get what I had done out now.

BTW, the profiles support was somewhat of an afterthought as I believe few people actually run > 1 DVA on one PC, and those who do probably know enough to make do with the simple support it has so far. I might improve the profile support in the future, but it is low priority since I doubt the bulk of WinDVA users will ever use it.

[krkaufman]

Originally posted by j.m.
I am noting all the requests made here, and I will definitely consider implementing some of them in future versions.
...
I hope to add this in the future but wanted to get what I had done out now.

BTW, the profiles support was somewhat of an afterthought as I believe few people actually run > 1 DVA on one PC, and those who do probably know enough to make do with the simple support it has so far. I might improve the profile support in the future, but it is low priority since I doubt the bulk of WinDVA users will ever use it.
Thanks for the feeback, j.m. You definitely made the right call. I've already rolled it out to 4 computers. (With 2 to go.)

[drosenth]

J.M.,

Very nice! Just what I have always wanted! Works great in my system tray on XP.

Thanks!
DaveR

[TheDreamer]

Originally posted by j.m.
Minimize to tray using the standard minimize button is one I definitely want in there. Unfortunately, it is a little tricky to do because it will require "hooking" the DVA window with a separate .dll that then becomes part of the DVA process space and can intercept its windows messages. This is what TrayIt and similar programs do. I hope to add this in the future but wanted to get what I had done out now.


If you do...hopefully you'll fix the window sizing problem after unhiding.

After I unhide, my window isn't long enough to include the status bar...but then it draws it anyways....which moves the click area for the tabs up....but if I minimize and restore it repaints the window correctly.

The only problem I have is sometimes it never starts....just shows the splash with please wait. First noticed it because I tried to turn on debug and logging....and after a couple hours it was still showing just the splash.

Turn debug off, leave logging on....still wouldn't get past the splash. Turn both back off....and it works again.

Though if I select the default of no tray...how do I change my settings? (other than delete windva.ini).

There also might be a timing issue the very first time it starts after a reboot.....I have autologin, because before WinDVA...I had my DVArchive shortcut in the startup folder.....though this was before I upgraded to DVA3.0 and started having problems with it going GSOD every 2-3 days.

My fix....add a set of scheduled jobs to do "net stop windva" and "net start windva".....at regular intervals. :D

The Dreamer.

[highdm]

Thank You. Maybe next I should look harder where the instructions told me to look. For some reason I missed the button where you specify the address. And this is come from someone who works with computers for a living. Bad me I am blind!!!!!!


LOL

[xstrym]

Originally posted by krkaufman
She'll start running before you've even logged in, so DVA is always there so long as your computer is powered-on. This especially comes in handy if you have multiple logins on the same 'puter. Now I am thinking about removing 'fast-user switching' because I always had to be logged on to my account so that DVA could run.

Now we can have the 'old' user switching back... buh-bye welcome screen!!! Thanks WinDVA!!! :)

[burger23]

I recieved the a java launcher error message when clicking on the winDVA shortcut. I am trying to force it to 1/4.1_07 (I checked the 1.4.1 box). Java is located at default: C:\Program files\Java. Note that winDVA icon is displayed in the lower right tray, and that java is running, but maybe frozen since memory usuage is way too low.

My normal DVA short-cut with the command line works fine:


http://www.gradygroup.com/windva2.jpg






Ideas???

Thanks...

[JenEric]

Originally posted by highdm
Thank You. Maybe next I should look harder where the instructions told me to look. For some reason I missed the button where you specify the address. And this is come from someone who works with computers for a living. Bad me I am blind!!!!!!

We're the worst kind. Think we're above the law. I had the same problem as burger23, because I thought I could put WinDVA in it's own directory. The first instruction is to put it in the same directory as DVArchive.

[smckean]

Hey burger......don't tell me, YOU of all people need some of my medicine :D :D :D :D :D :D

[burger23]

Holy cow!!!!!! Am I embarrassed. In the DVA forum, how many times have I thought, if not said, "please read the instructions." Actually, I did browse the readme-- and at the first sign of a problem I should have come back and really studied them. Caulk this up to a great lesson learned!!

[drosenth]

J.M.,

As I mentioned above, this is a great app! If you have a mailing list started, please add me to it. I really want to keep this application up-to-date on my machine, and I am afraid I might miss an update. Also, if you are going to setup a webpage, please let me know as well. This little app is AWESOME!

Thanks!
DaveR

[mhargr03]

Thanks for the great app!

[Scallica]

Hello,

I am running W2K SP4 with JRE 1.4.2_03. When I start WinDVA and enter my settings, I click OK and I receive an error message. See the attached picture. :confused:

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Scallica

[j.m.]

Originally posted by Scallica
Hello,

I am running W2K SP4 with JRE 1.4.2_03. When I start WinDVA and enter my settings, I click OK and I receive an error message. See the attached picture. :confused:

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Scallica

Do you have WinDVA in the same directory as DVArchive.jar? This is a must.

[j.m.]

Originally posted by FlipFlop
I have a couple requests:

1) When in the tray icon mode, and then you minimize DVA, it should automatically hide DVA. Currently if you minimize DVA (using the minimize system command/button), you still get the DVA icon in the taskbar, and you need to click on the WinDVA tray icon to completely hide DVA.


Just an update on this--I now have this working here in a test build. It is something I wanted to do from the start but skipped for the initial release because it does add a little bit of complexity to things since it requires injecting a .dll into the DVA process (actually java). With this, however, I can take over a few more things such as the windows close button, mimimize button, etc. Thus, I can prevent the close button from shutting down DVA when WinDVA is running. Unfortunately, it appears that there is no way for me to intercept the menu commands from within DVA in order to prevent the user from exiting via File | Quit. Java doesn't use standard Windows WM_COMMAND messages for its menus. :(

[Scallica]

Originally posted by j.m.
Do you have WinDVA in the same directory as DVArchive.jar? This is a must.

Nope, I did not have it there. WinDVA works now! Thanks!

-Scallica-

[krkaufman]

Originally posted by j.m.
Just an update on this--I now have this working here in a test build. Most excellent!

Thus, I can prevent the close button from shutting down DVA when WinDVA is running. Unfortunately, it appears that there is no way for me to intercept the menu commands from within DVA in order to prevent the user from exiting via File | Quit. Personally, I don't view this as problematic, but understand where you're coming from. I figure, if somebody's going through the trouble of selecting File->Quit from the menu, then they probably really want to exit. Preventing the "X" rapid exit will be a big PLUS.

[jrgreenman]

Originally posted by FlipFlop
2) Support the -server option if using the SDK version of Java.
Second that!

[meehawl]

Tas getting the "semaphore" message on startup, WinDVA seems to have fixed that.

Great program!

Perhaps supporting the -server option might be A Good Thing, as others have pointed out.

[gduprey]

If you were getting the semaphor problem on startup, WinDVA is not *fixing* anything -- you have a problem (in the way you shutdown or something).

I think WinDVA is the cats meow and have all my Windows based friends using it with DVA. However one point myself and j.m differ on is this: WinDVA will delete obsolete semaphor files for you. I really don't think this is good because if you really have a problem, it needs to be fixed. With WinDVA deleting them, you may never suspect there is something about the way yo run DVA that may need to be addressed (like killing it or shutting down improperly).

That said, one concern folks had was that in 3.0, if there was an obsolete semaphor, DVA hung until you pressed OK. In DVA V3.1, the dialog box is modeless, so DVA will continue to startup even while telling you about the obsolete semaphor.

Here is my warning: Unless you are very confident of why you get those obsolete semaphors and are sure that however DVA shuts down does not imperil your configuration, you should NOT ignore these. Doing so, especially if this happens a lot, is an open invitation to corrupted DVArchive configuration files and possible loss of data. Please don't plan on sending corrupted files to me to fix -- I generally can't.

[TheDreamer]

Though hopefully with 3.1 the chief cause of obsolete semaphores will go away....and possibly the reason I use WinDVA will also go away. :D

I use WinDVA so that I can schedule 'net stop windva'/'net start windva' to keep my DVArchive server going. Though this isn't 100%...because sometimes DVArchive hangs on start....it shows the splash, but won't go any further....though it does poll the previously known addresses (because when I'm not running DVArchive on my main desktop...my ad blocker is running, which makes a sound whenever something connects to port 80)


I have a similar process on my Linux box to keep DVArchive running, except that I do an 'rm -f ...' on the semaphore between the stop and start.

Though the Linux DVArchive instance is my way to handle the mix of RTVs and guide line ups.

The scripts to run DVArchive on Linux are pretty slick though.....since my Linux box is headless.

The Dreamer.

[JohninLA]

Great program, but since installing it, I'm running into a problem I never had with DVArchive before. Every time I switch to stream a program on my pc, Replay reports, "No Signal," then reboots. DVArchive reports it lost the signal from my RPT. After the reboot, all is fine, and I can view the programs.

This never happened, and while it's not catastrophic, it is a nuisance. I can recreate it each time. No one else is reporting this, so it seems that it's something on my system. I'm running DVArchive 3.0, WinXP Home, java 1.42, and the recent WinDVA.

Any suggestions??? Thanks.

[j.m.]

Originally posted by JohninLA
Great program, but since installing it, I'm running into a problem I never had with DVArchive before. Every time I switch to stream a program on my pc, Replay reports, "No Signal," then reboots. DVArchive reports it lost the signal from my RPT. After the reboot, all is fine, and I can view the programs.

This never happened, and while it's not catastrophic, it is a nuisance. I can recreate it each time. No one else is reporting this, so it seems that it's something on my system. I'm running DVArchive 3.0, WinXP Home, java 1.42, and the recent WinDVA.

Any suggestions??? Thanks.

Given how little WinDVA does once DVArchive is running, I can't imagine it is anything but coincidence that you are only getting this problem now. Have you tried starting DVA without WinDVA to see whether you still have the problem?

If it is some strange problem with WinDVA, I would like to track it down because I've started work on it again and hope to release a new version soon.

[JohninLA]

Originally posted by j.m.
I can't imagine it is anything but coincidence that you are only getting this problem now. Have you tried starting DVA without WinDVA to see whether you still have the problem?

OK, it must have been a coincidence as I have the same thing happening if I just start DVA alone. I'll have to figure out what the problem is now. But now, I can't seem to start WinDVA at all.

I am getting:

"JAVA MACHINE LAUNCHER" error Fatal Exception Occured, Program will Exit and WinDVA shuts down. I've tried rebooting, and nothing, I can't get WINDVA to run again. DVA runs alone, no problem.

Thoughts? Thanks.

[j.m.]

Originally posted by JohninLA
OK, it must have been a coincidence as I have the same thing happening if I just start DVA alone. I'll have to figure out what the problem is now. But now, I can't seem to start WinDVA at all.

I am getting:

"JAVA MACHINE LAUNCHER" error Fatal Exception Occured, Program will Exit and WinDVA shuts down. I've tried rebooting, and nothing, I can't get WINDVA to run again. DVA runs alone, no problem.

Thoughts? Thanks.

The only thing that would cause this is some invalid parameters passed to Java in launching DVArchive. You can try deleting WinDVA.ini and starting over with the configuration. I'm not sure what else could cause any problems assuming WinDVA is located in the same directory as DVArchive.jar. WinDVA is pretty simple actually, especially the currently released version. The next version will "hook" DVA such that it will minimize to tray when the DVA minimize button is used. This improves the usability but will add a layer of complexity not present in 1.01.

[Rollinthundr]

Very nice little utility. I was using a Java wrapper, a system tray tool, and it wasn't easy to set up!

This is VERY easy to set up, and works very nicely.

Thanks again!

[j.m.]

Originally posted by Rollinthundr
Very nice little utility. I was using a Java wrapper, a system tray tool, and it wasn't easy to set up!

This is VERY easy to set up, and works very nicely.

Thanks again!

Glad you like it! The next version should be even better. I am doing true "hooking" of the DVA window now, which allows me to intercept the minimize/close command and send DVA to the tray instead.

[krkaufman]

This may be more of a Windows issue than WinDVA, but need some help regardless.

I'm running DVA thru WinDVA 1.01 on XP and it works as expected, with the occassional GSOD. The only "problem" I've run into is with a Local_Guide storage path configured in my DVA instance, where the Local_Guide directory is on a network-mapped drive.

DVA mounts the storage path fine if I run DVA directly (outside of WinDVA), but when trying to mount the path via a WinDVA-managed DVA instance I get the following error message:
06/12 18:17:25 ERROR: STORAGE:: Unable to mount path N:\DVArchive\Local_Guide in PATHS -- path doesn't exist, isn't a directory or isn't accessible -- PATH NOT MOUNTEDThe path *does* exist, and is currently mapped -- but the WinDVA-managed DVA instance appears not to have access to it. My assumption is that the problem relates somehow to the fact that the WinDVA process is running under the "Local System" account....
http://home.comcast.net/~krkaufman/log_on_as.jpg... and that the Local System account cannot access the network-mapped drive.

However, I've tried configuring the WinDVA service to run under the ID with which I'm logging in to XP, but then the DVA icon never shows up in the System Tray -- even though I can access the DVA instance via the web interface.

Any thoughts/suggestions...?

Thanks in advance.

[j.m.]

Originally posted by krkaufman
However, I've tried configuring the WinDVA service to run under the ID with which I'm logging in to XP, but then the DVA icon never shows up in the System Tray -- even though I can access the DVA instance via the web interface.


The easiest thing to do would just be to grant the "SYSTEM" account the appropriate permissions to access your "N:\DVArchive\Local_Guide" directory.

[krkaufman]

Originally posted by j.m.
The easiest thing to do would just be to grant the "SYSTEM" account the appropriate permissions to access your "N:\DVArchive\Local_Guide" directory.

Sadly, I'm not well-versed in Windows security or how to arrange such access. I was able to map the drive as the SYSTEM account, but the WinDVA-managed DVA still couldn't access it.

Short-term, I can run DVA outside of WinDVA. I'll post back if/when I figure out a config that works.

Thanks for the feedback.

[R.R.H.]

I have a very similar set-up to yours. I know exactly what your problems are. I just don't know of any real "fix" for them.

It all boils down to Windows services and the accounts they run under. By default Windows service run under the LocalService account. Unfortunately this account is generally prohibited from accessing network shares, which causes DVArchive to not be able to see any of the programs you have stored on a network share when it starts. At least in my case DVA will start, but the Local_Guide will be empty and DVA will tell you it path doesn't exist, een though it does, because the user account "LocalSystem" is not allowed to access it. You can access it and browse it just fine because you are not logged into your desktop session as "LocalSystem", but trust me, WinDVA is, so it can't access the files.

In theory you can give "LocalSystem" permission to your network share by using regedit to alter the value stored at: HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters[NullSessionShares]
Add the name of the share to be accessed in this list already there.
I tried it, but it still doesn't seem to be able to access the network share where I keep my Local_Guide.

j.m. suggests, "The easiest thing to do would just be to grant the "SYSTEM" account the appropriate permissions to access your "N:\DVArchive\Local_Guide" directory." But I don't see any way that is possible because the PC that "N:\DVArchive\Local_Guide" lives on has no knowledge of the local "SYSTEM" account of a completely different PC (the one where DVArchive is running).

Another option is to run the WinDVA service under a different account. One that does have the ability to access the appropriate network share. In your case "N:\DVArchive\Local_Guide". However when you tell Windows to run a service under any account other than "LocalSystem" the little checkbox that says "Allow service to interact with Desktop" is not available. If the WinDVA service is not "allowed to interact with the desktop" then the DVArchive GUI can not start. This is what you are experiencing. Both WinDVA and DVArchive are indeed running and you can access DVA via the web interface and from your ReplayTV. Only the local java application's interface can not be accessed. Since there are many tasks that can not be accomplished via the web interface, this sucks pretty bad. It the web interface was "full featured" I wouldn't even mind. But it's not.

In theory again, you can use regedit to manually change a service to to allow it to interact with the desktop:

HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDVA\Type

You would need to change the value there from 0x00000010 to 0x00000110 to allow this.

Again, I tried this as well to no avail. WinDVA runs, DVA starts w/o the GUI just as before. Frustrating!

Maybe some one else can figure this out? I don't know what else to try other than to install DVA on the PC where the Local_Guide files actually exist, but I have reasons for not wanting to do this. For now I'm just running is with not local GUI, using the web interface. If I really need to do some moving around of files or task scheduling or anything else that can't be done from the web interface I will have to manually stop the WinDVA service and launch DVA manually. At least until some one can figure this out.

[j.m.]

Originally posted by R.R.H.
j.m. suggests, "The easiest thing to do would just be to grant the "SYSTEM" account the appropriate permissions to access your "N:\DVArchive\Local_Guide" directory." But I don't see any way that is possible because the PC that "N:\DVArchive\Local_Guide" lives on has no knowledge of the local "SYSTEM" account of a completely different PC (the one where DVArchive is running).


I *believe* you can use the Security editor to allow access to user accounts from another PC. However, this may only be available under certain setups--e.g. if there is a domain controller. I'm not sure though. It is worth a try. I'm sure someone here will verify whether one can do this and, if so, under what circumstances.

[Wrecks]

Since for the most part I'm the only one who uses my computer, I just configured Tweak UI to have my account automatically logged on every time the computer reboots. A shortcut to a batch file in the Startup folder that runs DVArchive was the only thing I had to do to get it started automatically.

[R.R.H.]

j.m.:

It is quite possible that you can do this through one of the security and/or policy editors. I do have a domain controller, however for whatever reason (I not even sure myself) the PC that DVA runs on is not a domain member, while the PC that the Local_Guide files resides on is. It's very likely that this just adds to the security issues.


Wrecks:
What you are describing is exactly how I had my DVA server set-up prior to installing WinDVA. I did not use Tweak UI, but I did manually edit the registry to configure the PC (running Windows 2000 server) to auto log-in to a predefined user account at boot and then put a batch file in the startup to launch DVArchive. But this is not the same at all to running WinDVA as a true Windows service, which is what we are discussing here.

[TheDreamer]

Originally posted by Wrecks
Since for the most part I'm the only one who uses my computer, I just configured Tweak UI to have my account automatically logged on every time the computer reboots. A shortcut to a batch file in the Startup folder that runs DVArchive was the only thing I had to do to get it started automatically.

That's how I ran my DVArchive server...until I upgraded to 3.0.

I was then using WinDVA as a service, and scheduling it to restart regularly....to try to avoid the GSOD issue. Only problem is that it didn't.....I still get the GSOD with it restarting every day....and that's already too frequent, because restarts mess up my scheduled archive events and shows set to download later. Plus sometimes it will hang while starting and not progress beyond the splash.

Though now that there are less new shows on....it has become less of a problem....otherwise, I might contemplate the hassle of downgrading 4 computers back to the previous version of DVArchive.

Someday I'll start streaming back to catch up on the shows I didn't watch during the season....

The Dreamer.

[JRWilliams308]

This is a GREAT App! I was loving it for the couple of days it worked. But somehoe, my DVArchive.xml became corrupt after WinDVA caught and restarted DVA for me. I couldn't figure out why I would just see the DVArchive splash screen come up for a sec and then disappear with out the program launching. I read up the DVA FAQs and tried moving the xml out of my Documents and setting folder and now DVA opens fine. But I can't follow the instructions for how to recreate a show database because it requires loading with the corrupted xml to export the show list. ANything I can do? I tried opening the xml in Notepad to see if i could find the corruption, but it appears to just be a blank file now. Is anyone else having this problem since running WinDVA?

Like I said, great app, I think I'm just going to follow Gerry's advice and not let WinDVA delete my obsolete semaphore when it crashes.

Any help is appreciated.

[j.m.]

Originally posted by JRWilliams308
This is a GREAT App! I was loving it for the couple of days it worked. But somehoe, my DVArchive.xml became corrupt after WinDVA caught and restarted DVA for me. I couldn't figure out why I would just see the DVArchive splash screen come up for a sec and then disappear with out the program launching. I read up the DVA FAQs and tried moving the xml out of my Documents and setting folder and now DVA opens fine. But I can't follow the instructions for how to recreate a show database because it requires loading with the corrupted xml to export the show list. ANything I can do? I tried opening the xml in Notepad to see if i could find the corruption, but it appears to just be a blank file now. Is anyone else having this problem since running WinDVA?

Like I said, great app, I think I'm just going to follow Gerry's advice and not let WinDVA delete my obsolete semaphore when it crashes.

Any help is appreciated.

WinDVA doesn't touch DVArchive.xml, so any corruption there would have happened regardless of whether you had been using it. At worst, WinDVA prevented you from seeing the semaphore warning, which may have given you a clue that DVA failed to shutfown properly (i.e. crashed). It wouldn't have prevented the corruption, however. Also, for DVArchive 3.x, DVArchive.xml does not store any shows' specific information. All of that is kept in your Local_Guide directories along with the shows themselves. Once you point the fresh copy of DVA to your various storage paths, it should automatically list your stored shows again.

[JRWilliams308]

Wow, thanks for the speedy reply!

And your right, I just opened DVArchive again and now all my shows are listed. However, the channels that don't have any show currently aren;t there. DOn't know if they will show up once a show gets downloaded or not, but the main thing is a that I can see my show database again. Very strange that I couldn't see this before.

All I'm missing is the DVArchive properties and the name got reset to my PC name. Just like a fresh install. Minor, I can work around that.

Thanks again.

[burger23]

I'll make a guess that you have DVA installed twice. Do a global search for dvarvhive.xml and see how many copies are reported. No problem if you have two- but you should delete the one that does not work to prevent future confusion. Also, if there is more than one DVArchive.xml, you could determine the correct one, rename current dvarchive.xml in the correct location the something like dvarchive.old, copy the old dvarchive.xml to the working location and all your original settings will be back. Do the ONLY if both versions are the new DVA 3.1. Remember that DVA 3.1's dvarchive.xml contains no show information so nothing will change here.

[MaxH]

Originally posted by JRWilliams308
Wow, thanks for the speedy reply!

And your right, I just opened DVArchive again and now all my shows are listed. However, the channels that don't have any show currently aren;t there. DOn't know if they will show up once a show gets downloaded or not, but the main thing is a that I can see my show database again. Very strange that I couldn't see this before.

All I'm missing is the DVArchive properties and the name got reset to my PC name. Just like a fresh install. Minor, I can work around that.

Thanks again.

It looked like it was a new install because it sounds like the dvarchive.xml file had to be recreated. That's why there were no empty channels; the show list was recreated based on the files that were found. And the same for the unit name, it was set to the default. This is how I "moved" DVA to a new computer; I just installed it fresh, moved my shows over, and re-jiggered all the settings from scratch. Probably the easiest thing for you, too. Oh, and your scheduled tasks probably have to be recreated. Again, a very quick fix.

[JRWilliams308]

Originally posted by burger23
I'll make a guess that you have DVA installed twice. Do a global search for dvarvhive.xml and see how many copies are reported. No problem if you have two- but you should delete the one that does not work to prevent future confusion. Also, if there is more than one DVArchive.xml, you could determine the correct one, rename current dvarchive.xml in the correct location the something like dvarchive.old, copy the old dvarchive.xml to the working location and all your original settings will be back. Do the ONLY if both versions are the new DVA 3.1. Remember that DVA 3.1's dvarchive.xml contains no show information so nothing will change here.


Nah I didn't have it installed twice. The point was that I moved the DVArchive.xml in order to confirm whether it was the cause. When I opened DVArchive the first time, I didn't see any of my shows so I assumed the DVArchive.xml contained this data. But then when I opened it a second time, they all popped up. Like DVArchive needed a reboot to recognize the "new" shows.

I got everything re set up, except I can't remember all the schedule shows setting. Shame, cause I had a lot, but I'll fix them as they come up.

Final question, i have a aboout 18 DVarchive.xml~ files in the profile directory. I thought they were backups in case of a corrupt file, but all 18 have been updated date and time to the date that I got everything fixed. Why are there so many of these files? Note I'm not talking about DVArchive.xml but rather DVArchive.xml~.

[gduprey]

You control how many backups there are and the frequency they are created in the DVA Properties dialog, Backup tab. In your case, you probably would have been OK when the problem started by just looking at all the backup files and installing then, one at a time, until DVA started (thus preserving your channels, tasks, etc, etc). If you have a backed up copy somewhere, you can still do this.

[spydermonkey311]

Whats the advantage of running WinDVA? Is it faster than the java program?

[l8er]

Originally posted by spydermonkey311
Whats the advantage of running WinDVA? Is it faster than the java program? Um, WinDVA launches DVArchive (the java program). ... WinDVA is a Win32-based launcher program for DVArchive 3 ... from: the first post in this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=3610722#post3610722). You might try reading the thread you're posting in first before posting a question next time.

[spydermonkey311]

Originally posted by l8er
Um, WinDVA launches DVArchive (the java program). from: the first post in this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=3610722#post3610722). You might try reading the thread you're posting in first before posting a question next time.

Yes, but is it faster than the java one?

[burger23]

Um, WinDVA launches DVArchive (the java program). As I8er said, winDVA is a cool utility that simply launches java. It has nothing to do with speed- it is all about getting rid of command lines-- and ease of changing parameters.

[j.m.]

Originally posted by burger23
As I8er said, winDVA is a cool utility that simply launches java. It has nothing to do with speed- it is all about getting rid of command lines-- and ease of changing parameters.

Also, it allows running DVA as a service and hiding it to the system tray. (Note to self: still need to release the internal version I've been running for months that allows true minimizing to tray instead of the released version's hide/unhide menu option).

[leedef]

I have been using WinDVA for about 6 months with no problems. Then just last week I noticed DVArchive was closing and restarting over and over again. I closed WinDVA and started DVArchive as a standalone and it works fine. I went back and tried WinDVA... and again DVArchive wants to keep restarting, over and over again.

I am running aWinXP-SP2, Intel Pentium 4, 1.7 mhz, with 1 GB Ram

I do indeed have the WinDVA in the DVArchive directory and am running only Java 1.4.2. Like I say, it was working fine for months.

Any ideas you might have would really be appreciated!

[FlipFlop]

Check your WinDVA options. It may be using a different configuration file than is used by default. Also, you can enable debug mode and logging to a file options, which will output some logs that will report what is going wrong.

The command line to just get the configuration dialog is:

"C:\Program Files\DVArchive\WinDVA.exe" configure

[JRWilliams308]

[QUOTE=leedef]I have been using WinDVA for about 6 months with no problems. Then just last week I noticed DVArchive was closing and restarting over and over again. I closed WinDVA and started DVArchive as a standalone and it works fine. I went back and tried WinDVA... and again DVArchive wants to keep restarting, over and over again.

I am running aWinXP-SP2, Intel Pentium 4, 1.7 mhz, with 1 GB Ram

I do indeed have the WinDVA in the DVArchive directory and am running only Java 1.4.2. Like I say, it was working fine for months.

Any ideas you might have would really be appreciated![/QUOTE]


This happens to me every so often as well. Usually indicates the DVArchive.xml is corrupt. It is odd that you're able to open DVArchive without using WinDVA to launch it though. Anyway, try renaming dvarchive.xml and using one of your backups.

[Salty.Dog]

I'm trying to DL WinDVA using the link previously posted in this thread, but the file can not be found on avsforum according to the error I'm getting..

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions??

Thanks

[Salty.Dog]

[QUOTE=Salty.Dog]I'm trying to DL WinDVA using the link previously posted in this thread, but the file can not be found on avsforum according to the error I'm getting..

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions??

Thanks[/QUOTE]


Nevermind... I found it... Sorry to waste the post... :)