HD200 occassionally won't connect

[bsung]

I haven't figured out any specific pattern but once every week or two, one of my two HD200's won't connect to the server. It sees the server and starts trying to connect but can't bring up the main page on SageTV. If one doesn't work, the other one won't work either. Stopping and restarting the service on my server fixes the problem. Any idea why this happens or how to prevent it?

[kenP]

I have the same problem 1-2 times a week.
I have 2 hd200's and usually if one wont start the other wont either. Tonight one was working but the second wouldn't start. client and placeshifter will connent. Have changed network connections, no difference. Even if it wont connect, it will play youtube videos just fine.

For me, 99% of the time a reboot is required, restarting service is not good enough.

I am running 6.5.11 on XP SP3. Hardwired to a netgear 10/100 switch. This seemed to start with the 6.5 beta releases.


I'd welcome *any* ideas on what to do next.

I am offically at wits end. Wife wants me to go back to BTV. Wailing and gnashing of teeth occuring whilst I type.
Ken

[bnh]

this happened to me tonight as well. attempting to stop the service timed-out, so i had to reboot the server, and the hd200 eventually reconnected...just in time for the next scheduled recording. haven't noticed any pattern as yet, when it happens. it hasn't happened very often, so it's an acceptable nuisance at this point.

[kenP]

I started the same way. Occasionally couldn't connect. Reboot fixed it. Now it is happening 2-3 times a week and it is a big problem to reboot since we usually notice the problem in the evening when we want to watch the previous night's programs while recording tonight's. What really POs the wife is when it fails during the day and she can't easily reboot the server.
Ken

[bsung]

Sorry to hear that others are having the same problem but maybe that means there's a solution out there. In case this tidbit helps coax the answer from someone, sometimes when the service locks up, the HD200 locks up too. It won't turn off unless you pull the plug.

[bsung]

I've submitted a ticket and will update if there is any resolution.

[comet48]

Wish they would put a hold on new features and fix this POC. It's really a buggy product.

[dadof4]

The next time it happens check the Java Heap size from the server. Since the last release I've had issues with extenders connecting. I've noticed as the Java "used" approaches Java "total" I start seeing the problem. I've tried increasing the Java heap size but ultimately the Java "used" still climbs close to Java "total". I've taken to rebooting the server every day to eliminate the issue. In the past I could go for weeks without rebooting.

I'm on Java 1.6.0_13 and Sage 6.5.9.204

[kenP]

OK, dumb question -- I am running Sage as a service. I start the client on the server and look at the Jave heap info (from within SageMC) and see some numbers ##/##/##. Alright then, are these numbers what the client OR the server using? Is this where you go to see the server java memory usage?
Ken

[gplasky]

If you're running the client on the server then this can be considered your number for the server and one connected client. Any Extender client that connects to the server will consume more java heap memory from the server. Any PC CLient that connect will NOT alter the server java heap.

Gerry

[wayner]

Originally Posted by comet48

Wish they would put a hold on new features and fix this POC. It's really a buggy product.

I have four extenders and one client and I never have this problem. My server is running WHS.

[HuMan321]

I am also starting to have my extenders fail to connect until I reboot the server.

[bsung]

My server has 2 network cards. So one connects to a router which then connects to an HD200. The second network card connects through a crossover cable to the second HD200. Support told me that using a crossover cable is my problem. Unfortunately, I can't currently change that.

Are the other people who are having this problem using a crossover cable?

[wayner]

Can't you just buy a cheap switch for $20 and plug everything into that?

[bsung]

HD200 sits very close to the server with a short crossover cable. There is a long distance between my server and my router. Then another long distance between my router and my second HD200. I've finally cleaned up the wires well enough so that my puppy is unlikely to chew on it. First of all, I would have to order another 50ft cable and buy a swith. Then either it will take some effort to cleanly rewire the HD200 near my server or I risk my puppy chewing it up.

I was hoping to find out from others having this problem if they're using a crossover cable as well. If that's the case, I'll definitely go through this process now. If not, I may wait 2 months when I'll wire my new house without crossover cables anyway.

[bsung]

I tried a switch and that doesn't work either. Anyone else have any suggestions?

[tahoetim]

Since you haven't provided too many details:

1. Check the bios on your server for any settings that puts the server or drives to sleep.

2. Do you shut off your HD200's when you finish watching tv? Do you push stop when you finish a show?

3. Java heap mentioned above?

4. Are you using the server as a client?


The fact that its a random event tells me the problem is the server/network. The HD200 is rock solid and to suggest that it is buggy is simply false.

[Narflex]

Originally Posted by bsung

I tried a switch and that doesn't work either. Anyone else have any suggestions?

How did you use the switch? What you have now is this: (I know, I've seen your support requests)

Router->HD200 #1
Router->PC NIC #1
PC NIC #2->HD200 #2

What you should do instead is this:

Router->HD200 #1
Router->Switch
Switch->PC NIC #1
Switch->HD200 #2

And then it should all work fine. I'm guessing you just tried putting the switch between the PC NIC#2 and the HD200 #2 which wouldn't have any effect basically.

[kenP]

narflex,
While your network suggestions may go a long way toward solving bsung's problems, I am pretty sure my issues are not related to the network. All my computers and 2 HD200s are plugged into the same switch which is inturn plugged into a router.

I have checked the heap: usually > 200 used of 799 avail
Checked the server is in sleep mose -- never
Do have the client running on the server, but don't actually use it.
Changed back to std UI from SageMC on the server's client.
Always turn off the hd200 after using it.
And for the last 2 weeks, sometimes when the hd200s can't connect it seems like the server is recording something and when I go in at the server's client the UI locks up. As an example: my wife records Oprah at 4 pm and it eventually shows as the last recording, but when I go in at 8-9pm with a can't connect, the drive light is flashing like a recording on going on. Wife says she hasn't used sage since noon.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as this has become quite frustrating.
Thanks,
Ken

[Narflex]

Ken,

Please submit a bug report so we can get a log file; I'd need to see more specifics on what's going on. http://sagetv.com/bugs.html