Upgrade questions

[gilded07]

I've been on v6.3.5 since late 2007 and I'd like to upgrade to the latest version in order to add an HDHR to get locals in HD. Apparently, there's some problems with the SageTV version I'm on and the HDHR. I know I'll need to add a HD extender too. Regarding upgrading, I found the FAQ at the bottom of this post in a SageTV FAQ sticky.

Questions

1. Comskip: With the help of a friend who uses SageTV, I was able to get Comskip installed and as a former BTV user, I love CS and can't live with out it. I'm concerned however, that the upgrade may mess up CS. I have a folder on my server's desktop called Comskip_Playback_151 that has an STVI file and some PNG images. I also have a folder on my desktop called ComskipMonitor-v2.7 that contains Comskip application files (Comskip and ComskipGUI) that are version 79.76. In addition to not wanting to lose this functionality, I thought maybe I could take this opportunity to upgrade to the latest comskip versions (does the monitor need upgraded?). Will upgrading SageTV cause problems with my existing CS functionality? And, what's the best way to upgrade CS to the latest version(s)?

2. I have that add-on installed that shows a hdd space meter at the top of the SageTV menu screens and I find it very helpful. Will I lose that? I don't remember what it's called to search for it on this forum. Can anyone tell me what it's called or give me the link to it?

3. When I upgrade, do I simply save the latest file I download from the SageTV website into the sage directory C:\Program Files\SageTV\SageTV and launch it from there? I already have my Wiz.bin, Wiz.bak, and Sage.Properties files saved in a separate directory.

I know the questions probably seem obvious to most of you but since I haven't upgraded since I started it up, I want to make sure I'm taking the proper steps to manage the risk of an upgrade. Now that my wife and kids are thoroughly addicted to SageTV (not to mention me too!), having downtime with SageTV would not be good for the WAF or the kids either!

Thanks much.

What should I do if I plan to upgrade to a newer version of SageTV?

Note: There are some extra details for beta installations here: How to install a new version of SageTV


There 3 ways to answer this question:
*Before following any of the directions below make sure SageTV is shutdown. SageTV must be closed, "Sleep" mode will not work for doing a new install. If you can still see the SageTV icon in the lower righthand corner by the system clock SageTV is just in sleep mode. To close SageTV in this case, right click the icon and select exit.

1) The easy/lazy answer is nothing, just install the new version to the same directory as the previous version and you are ready to go. This works over 99% of the time.

2) Some people suggest uninstalling the old version before installing the newer version. I personally do this. You can uninstall the older version from the Windows "Control Panel" under Add/Remove programs. Just select SageTV from the list and select Remove. Windows should then remove the old copy of SageTV. You can now install the newer version of SageTV. If you wish to be a little extra carefull you can reboot windows before you install the new version of SageTV.

3) This is the safest method, especially if you are planning to install a beta version of SageTV. This is the method I always use since I try a lot of betas.

1. Go to your SageTV directory, usually "C:\Program Files\SageTV\SageTV".
2. Once there make a copy of each the following 3 files and place it in a backup directory(any directory you can easily find).
"Wiz.bin" "Wiz.bak" "Sage.properties".
(Or just make a complete backup of your entire SageTV installation directory.)
3. Now that you have backed up these files you will be able to restore your "Favorites" and all your personal SageTV settings if something should go wrong.
4. Now you just do the same as suggested in method #2.


If you used method #3 and something did go wrong with your upgrade you can now restore your previous version of SageTV. You can do this by...

1. Uninstalling the failed upgrade. (You should know how to do this from above)
2. Reinstall your older version of SageTV. Note: I suggest you always keep the previous SageTV setup file until you are sure you are happy with the newer version.
3. Then delete the "Wiz.bin" "Wiz.bak" and "Sage.properties" files from your SageTV folder. Make sure you don't delete you backups by mistake.
4. Copy your backups of the "Wiz.bin" "Wiz.bak" and "Sage.properties" files to your SageTV directory.
5. Reboot and restart SageTV and you should be back to your old version.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by gilded07

I've been on v6.3.5 since late 2007 and I'd like to upgrade to the latest version in order to add an HDHR to get locals in HD. Apparently, there's some problems with the SageTV version I'm on and the HDHR. I know I'll need to add a HD extender too. Regarding upgrading, I found the FAQ at the bottom of this post in a SageTV FAQ sticky.

Questions

1. Comskip: With the help of a friend who uses SageTV, I was able to get Comskip installed and as a former BTV user, I love CS and can't live with out it. I'm concerned however, that the upgrade may mess up CS. I have a folder on my server's desktop called Comskip_Playback_151 that has an STVI file and some PNG images. I also have a folder on my desktop called ComskipMonitor-v2.7 that contains Comskip application files (Comskip and ComskipGUI) that are version 79.76. In addition to not wanting to lose this functionality, I thought maybe I could take this opportunity to upgrade to the latest comskip versions (does the monitor need upgraded?). Will upgrading SageTV cause problems with my existing CS functionality? And, what's the best way to upgrade CS to the latest version(s)?

I know the comskip playback STVi works just fine in 6.6. I use Dirmon so I have no idea what happens with the monitor.

2. I have that add-on installed that shows a hdd space meter at the top of the SageTV menu screens and I find it very helpful. Will I lose that? I don't remember what it's called to search for it on this forum. Can anyone tell me what it's called or give me the link to it?

If you enable the "unsupported" extras, the stock STV has a disk space bar on the main menu.

3. When I upgrade, do I simply save the latest file I download from the SageTV website into the sage directory C:\Program Files\SageTV\SageTV and launch it from there? I already have my Wiz.bin, Wiz.bak, and Sage.Properties files saved in a separate directory.

There's at least one FAQ on this, actually the one you quoted says exactly what you do. You just download and run the installer, backup your old SageTV directory just in case.

[gilded07]

Originally Posted by stanger89

I know the comskip playback STVi works just fine in 6.6. I use Dirmon so I have no idea what happens with the monitor.

Thanks Stanger - how 'bout upgrading my version of comskip from 79.76?

[stanger89]

You mean the actual executable? That's independent of Sage.