Sage TV Data Files

[wolfpackmars2]

I'm not entirely sure how sage tv tracks it's configuration files and database files (Watched shows, favorites, favorites settings, etc.), but I would like to know which files these are, and if they can be moved to a location other than where the program is installed.

I would like to make a restore disc for my computer should the windows image become corrupt, either through a virus or any number of ways that windows can be corrupted, or if the software stops functioning "as configured", either through settings changes or anything else that can happen to software. But if I restore my windows Image, I still want to have all my settings and favorites, watched shows, etc. to be immediately available after restore... basically bringing the computer right back to where it was.

The goal is this: HTPC stops functioning as expected, computer is restored via DVD, computer is rebooted, computer is just like it was before the restore (except working).

If there is a registry setting that can be changed to tell SageTV where to find the database and configuration files, that would be the easiest way to adjust these settings.

Thank you!

[Opus4]

The show data, viewing history, Favorites, etc. are in wiz.bin. Your settings are in Sage.properties. Covering everying possible that you can do with these files would take a little time, so...

There are a few backup utilities in the link in this list: Utilities for use with SageTV

The SageTV FAQ thread has a few entries dealing with saving & restoring those files, or moving things to a different system.

- Andy

[wolfpackmars2]

Ok, after reviewing the faq, I see some good reasons to restore the sage.properties file with the program... but would it be possible to keep the live version of wiz.bin on another hard drive/partition?

While completely unrealistic... and something I would never do... the idea is that IF I wanted to, I could set the computer up to automatically reload the base image every night at midnight, and I wouldn't be able to notice that anything changed the next day.

I've given some thought to simply installing sage on the other hard drive... but this is much less flexible, and if something with the program became corrupted, it would be more difficult to fix.

I want to restore the windows image and retain the important settings (wiz.bin) without using a mouse or keyboard.

[Opus4]

I'm not sure if I understand what you are trying to do... be able to restore the OS partition from a backup image, while automatically keeping your SageTV settings? I see there is a property to specify where the wiz.bin file is located, but I've never tried changing it. Even if that worked, I think Sage.properties has to be in the same dir as the exe. It sounds like you would need to restore SageTV's data files separately from your OS image.

You mentioned installing SageTV on another drive... that would at least separate its settings from the OS image & you would just have to keep the SageTV data files backed up as usual.

BTW: Don't forget that there are other things you may wish to backup too: the ChannelLogos dir if you add logos & any customized config files for a custom STV or add-on, for example.

- Andy

[wolfpackmars2]

K, figured it out.
I changed the location of the wiz.bin file in the config and moved the wiz.bin file to another hard drive.

Things I've learned:
Must close SageTVService for settings in config file to be saved

Music library was giving error when trying to play music from mapped network drive. Changed music library from using the shared drive to using the UNC path.

DVD player currently locks up when starting a movie. I still have some more troubleshooting to do on this issue before I really ask for help. Movie: AliensVS.Predator Problem: Movie displays FBI warning and video rating screen, then goes to the next chapter (not sure if it's the DVD menu or if it's a commercial). Sage hangs with a black screen, and will not accept input from the remote. I can Ctrl-Alt-Del and shut down sage or I can eject the DVD, in which sage will return to the main menu and works from then on.

As for the sage.properties file... I'm content with leaving it on the C drive with the program. If it gets overwritten during a restore, that's fine, as most problems will probably be caused by a faulty configuration setting anyways. However, some day, some one may want to change the default location of the config file. It may not be a bad idea to use a registry setting that points to the location of the config file. From a programming point of view, I think this is fairly simple to do.

I'll be building a second Sage TV box next week. I'm going to lend this box to friends as a demo. My goal is to build a Sage TV box which is as easy to use and set up as a DVD player.

Thank you for your help, Opus, as always.
And thanks to Sage for a good, stable product. I've reviewed all the other options on the market, and Sage is the one which most closely meets all my requirements.