SageTV Service crashes after Windows XP autoupdate

[flavius]

Good for you!

You should consider running Sage on a dedicated box, if you don't have that setup already, it's not clear from your posts - if you can. That's the most important thing which doesn't mean that you can't have that box provide other general server functions as well, but otherwise you should stay away from it.

[basset]

Great !!

Glad it worked out ... Acronis is your best friend awesome software.

Basset

[Goodspike]

I didn't have an issue with the new patch, except this. In the past I'd sometimes get an ActiveX error message if trying to watch video with FSE on. Turning FSE off would make it go away. Yesterday I had to exit Sage completely for the error message to go away.

As to Windows Update, I'd strongly recommend against having auto install turned on. I've had two computers where MSFT erroneously set an updated video driver as a critical update. The first was on my prior HTPC, and fortunately I didn't have auto updates turned on for that machine. Otherwise I'd have lost all my Powerstrip settings. The second was on a fairly new base Dell desktop. That did download and install, and caused it to reboot to a blank screen. Thus, now I always have Windows Update set to just notify (I don't like the download only option).

[Oats]

I tried uninstalling the update, reinstalling sage, installing sage beta, but nothing would work. I ended up reinstalling windows.

I didn't have auto updates on either, I installed it. I have been lucky and never had any problems with updates. From now on I'm not gonna update, if it works why break it.

[mkanet]

This is kind of unrelated, but...

I also use Acronis to backup my entire OS/APP/BOOT (sageTV included). It's the only backup app I'm found that has full functionality backup/restore/clone booting from the CD it creates for you. It's easy enough to do a restore.. just pop in the CD, reboot, and point to the backup file.

[Goodspike]

Originally Posted by Oats

II didn't have auto updates on either, I installed it. I have been lucky and never had any problems with updates. From now on I'm not gonna update, if it works why break it.

So your HTPC doesn't become a zombie. There's a reason they call them security updates.

[blade]

Originally Posted by Goodspike

So your HTPC doesn't become a zombie. There's a reason they call them security updates.

If you're HTPC is a dedicated machine that's used for nothing but watching TV there's not much to worry about. I don't see the point of constantly updating a perfectly working machine that's not being used for anything other than viewing TV.

[Goodspike]

Originally Posted by blade

If you're HTPC is a dedicated machine that's used for nothing but watching TV there's not much to worry about. I don't see the point of constantly updating a perfectly working machine that's not being used for anything other than viewing TV.

Where do you get your program information? I've read that an unprotected computer attached to the Internet will become infected in less than 5 minutes on average (this assume NO web browsing). Probably less of an issue if you use a router, and less of an issue still if you use a software firewall, and less of an issue again if you use an AV software product.

[blade]

Originally Posted by Goodspike

Where do you get your program information? I've read that an unprotected computer attached to the Internet will become infected in less than 5 minutes on average (this assume NO web browsing). Probably less of an issue if you use a router, and less of an issue still if you use a software firewall, and less of an issue again if you use an AV software product.

Through personal experience. My Sage server hasn't been updated since I installed Sage and I don't run anti-virus software on it. It's behind a router and I run zone alarm. It is not used for anything but a Sage server. So far it's been up 1 year and it's not a "zombie" yet. I've been on the net for 9 years and I've gotten a total of 2 viruses, both of which were my own fault for installing software that I shouldn't have trusted. I do install windows updates from time to time on my other computers, but I'm not obsessive about it.

Of course if you have an unproteced computer on the internet your asking for trouble; however, an unprotected computer doesn't mean one without updates. I never said you should have an unprotected computer on the net.

[Goodspike]

Originally Posted by blade

Through personal experience. My Sage server hasn't been updated since I installed Sage and I don't run anti-virus software on it. It's behind a router and I run zone alarm. It is not used for anything but a Sage server. So far it's been up 1 year and it's not a "zombie" yet. I've been on the net for 9 years and I've gotten a total of 2 viruses, both of which were my own fault for installing software that I shouldn't have trusted. I do install windows updates from time to time on my other computers, but I'm not obsessive about it.

Of course if you have an unproteced computer on the internet your asking for trouble; however, an unprotected computer doesn't mean one without updates. I never said you should have an unprotected computer on the net.

Well, that's what I was sort of trying to say by "it's probably less of an issue by . . ." several times. There are several things you can do to protect your computer, and each one makes it less likely you'll get infected.

I don't really understand networking protocol, but I've always suspected that those relying solely on being behind a router will be vulnerable to something someday. I'd say your being behind a router and using a real software firewall (not Windows firewall) is the minimum protection someone should use, and that alone is probably acceptable if you don't do any web surfing.

[bcjenkins]

Originally Posted by flavius

The only machine where I have automatic update turned on is the kids box.

I have used Beyond TV for several years. It's no different in that regard, believe me, and you might run into a host of other problems.

I'd recommend patching up that new box up to that wmf update, don't install any other software. Then install Sage 4.1.4b. Keep it as *vanilla* as you can, no recording to network shares, andsoforth.

Does that work?

What is 4.1.4b? I don't see it available anywhere. Is the b referring to the 4.1.4 "beta"?

Thanks,

B

[Opus4]

The v4.1.4 beta information is available in the SageTV Beta Test Software section of the forum, or check the links in my sig lines.

- Andy

[bcjenkins]

Was referring to Flavius' mention of it specifically. I know where the beta is, I am using it ;-)

[Opus4]

heh... that's what I get for reading too fast while typing up some Linux FAQ posts.

- Andy

[JonTom]

I have another client where I also updated for WMF; had same issue. However, I fixed it here by disabling FSE.

FYI

[T3rry]

Originally Posted by JonTom

I have another client where I also updated for WMF; had same issue. However, I fixed it here by disabling FSE.

FYI

what is FSE??



I have auto update turned off on my pvr computer and it did not help, i am still having this crashing issue... i think the WMF update was a non voluntary one that updated wether you have updates turned on or not.

[flavius]

Originally Posted by bcjenkins

Was referring to Flavius' mention of it specifically. I know where the beta is, I am using it ;-)

I see.

[Goodspike]

Originally Posted by T3rry

what is FSE??



I have auto update turned off on my pvr computer and it did not help, i am still having this crashing issue... i think the WMF update was a non voluntary one that updated wether you have updates turned on or not.

Full Screen Exclusive. Many video cards are unstable with it. Mine seems to vary by SageTV release.

I don't think there are any updates that occur if you have auto update turned off. I had to manually install it on each of my computers.

[T3rry]

well i have auto update disabled on my pvr and it is crashing... anyone else have any solutions to this? my wife is going batty without her TV... i'd hate to stray from sage because of a simple issue.

[Oats]

Your PVR could be crashing for any number of reasons, just because you have windows update disabled doesn't mean it is the issue. Have you done a virus and spyware scan? What makes you think not updating is the problem?

I did some very brief reading on this hotfix and it sounds like if you don't browse the internet, use email or open unknown pics(maybe vids too) then you shouldn't have any problem. There are also other workarounds to fix the problem without using the MS hotfix, you can unload a certain .dll file or there is a user created patch that came out before the official MS hotfix. They might also cause problem though.