Case of the Disappearing Tuners

[gplasky]

Relatively new load of SageTV with 2 x PVR250. I had the same setup running on a previous mb with slower processor with no issues. Stable for months at a time. Now on the new setup I am seeing, usually within 24 hours these symptoms.

On the server, Sage is in the system tray but totally non-responsive. Doulbe-click, right-click on it-nothing happens. If I end the task and restart or reboot it comes up and runs fine.

From the client it is non-responsive to get into the guide or other library. But what I found out is it will get into the guide. It takes about 1 minute. While I scroll thru the guide there are no tuners listed. None. Needless to say I double-click on a movie or live TV and nothing plays. If I wait long enough I can usually manuever out of the guide and quit the client. Sometimes I have to end the task. I am using the latest drivers from SHSPVR's site. (21337) I will probably clear out the drivers and load something older. Anyone ever seen this or have any clues? Now I can run the client without issues-ran all of yesterday viewing recordings and live TV. About an hour after I quit the client and went to get back in I had this problem. If I watch TV during the night I usually see the issue sometime the next day. Sometimes the client says it can't connect to the server but usually, eventually gets in.


Gerry

[ErsatzTom]

I discussed a similar sounding problem here and here. The server end of things sounds identical but on the client (which I've been using less recently) it would usually just tell me that it couldn't connect to the server. However, it might be the same thing because I don't leave my client running when I'm not using it and the problem always occurs when I've left the system to idle. It seems to help when I minimize the sage ui on the server instead of having it sleep.

t

[gplasky]

Yes- I have seen your post and noticed the similarities. You may want to see if you can duplicate what I found on the Client side and see if you can get the SageGuide to come up and confirm your tuners are gone.

So far I have completed removed the PVR drivers with hwclear, removed SageTV and directory completely. Installed drivers 21288, video decoder and clean install of SageTV. Have basically left Sage settings at all defaults except for audio encoder. I will monitor to see if situation reoccurrs.

Gerry

[ErsatzTom]

I'll leave the client running and check it out next time my server goes off to lala land.

t

[ErsatzTom]

Okay, just checked my server and it was locked up (sage was locked up, not the os) and went over to my client box and it behaved exactly as you stated. Minor timeout, after which it showed the guide with no tuners.

This is really my biggest problem with Sage. I can't even think about showing it off to my Fiancee until it is more reliable. The first time she wants to watch something that it was supposed to record, and I say, "uh, the server locked up so it didn't record it" my campaign to remove the TiVo will set a HUGE setback.

t

[gplasky]

Well so far today I have been testing extensively. Did some recordings, watched some TV. Put it to sleep. Quit Sage completely. I have not seen a reoccurence yet. Maybe it was a driver issue with using the latest. I will keep testing but won't be fully satisfied until I pass the 24 hour mark with no Sage seizure.


Gerry

[ErsatzTom]

Definitely let me know. I'd love to resolve this.

t

[gplasky]

As of this morning everything running good. Server recorded a couple of shows. I can connect from the client and pull up the guide and watch shows and recorded shows. Will continue to monitor but the dropping back to the 21288 drivers might have done it. Got them direct from the Haupague site.


Gerry

[gplasky]

OK-we're past the 24 hour time frame and no issues. Can't say for sure what fixed it but from the above post I unistalled first both the drivers and the decoder. Then I completly removed the PVR drivers and software with hwclear, uninstalled SageTV and removed its directory completely. Rebooted. Installed drivers 21288 for both cards and rebooted. Then installed video decoder and did a clean install of SageTV. Initially I basically left Sage settings at all defaults except for audio encoder. Now I have changed the video decoder to Sonic, just like I did the audio encoder.
My thoughts are this situation was created by the drivers. I will update as anything else crops up but hopefully you won't hear from me. On my last box I had Sage running continously for 48 days without a reboot. I am going to exceed this with this box.

Gerry

[ErsatzTom]

This evening I'll try downgrading just the drivers so we can see if that step alone fixes anything.

t

[ErsatzTom]

I couldn't wait. I installed the new (old) drivers and put it to sleep. We'll see what happens...

t

[ErsatzTom]

Well, it is a little early to really call it but I have had Sage asleep since I changed the drivers without a problem. It used to happen pretty quickly when asleep and about once every 36 hours when minimized. So far, so good.

t

[gplasky]

Good to hear. I hope this fixes the issue. Mine's running like a champ also. It's just amazing how finicky these drivers are. I've never seen so many versions of drivers for one card. Good luck.

Gerry

[ErsatzTom]

Well, this seems to have solved it. I've never had it still recording in the morning (or as close to morning as I get up) after putting it to sleep the night before.

YES! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

t

[gplasky]

Glad I could help. I guess I'll be on these drivers for awhile. Picture quality is excellent-nothing to complain about.


Gerry