Hoster Lite 4.03.....upgrade??

[GMANN]

Hi guys,
I have not written for so long because 4.03 Lite is working so well.
No crashes, no slow-downs during database searches, ....works great!
Happy as a clam.
I have only about 2000 songs in my database. 1700 of these songs are from my CDGs that I own. About 300 of these are MP3 (zips) that I have purchased.
My question(s):
1. Should I upgrade to 4.09d?
2. Will the zip files have to be re-imported? (Thought there was some upgrade in the software that imports zips somewhat differently).
3. Do my settings (singers database, insta-buttons, etc.) transfer over?

Thanks for any insight you might be able to offer.
Computer Dell Precision M6300 Laptop
Intel Core Extreme CPU X7900 @2.8GHz
3 GB RAM

[Roy Dennis]

1. Should I upgrade to 4.09d? You can always try the Demo.

2. Will the zip files have to be re-imported? (Thought there was some upgrade in the software that imports zips somewhat differently).

This is posted on the Hoster upgrades page. It was done from version 4.04 on. You can view all the upgrades Here: http://www.mtu.com/upgrades/hoster.h...ec6d09362#409d




NEW Batch Convert KMA HDZIPs in Songs Database - For new features coming such as crossfading. Hoster 4.04 no longer directly plays KMA HDZIP format files. When Hoster 4.04 runs, the HDZIP to HDMP3G Converter requests to run if any HDZIP files are found in your Songs Database. Once you approve converting these, let continue to the end. A flag is then set that tells Hoster that all HDZIP files have been converted.

1. REMOVED Playing ZIP and HDZIP Files Directly - Preparing for new features, Hoster no longer plays ZIP or KMA HDZIP files. Use the Import hard drive files screen to import ZIP files as KMA HDMP3G Type files that will play. You can also manually unzip your files to MP3+CDG pair files and play them with the Audio button.

3. Do my settings (singers database, insta-buttons, etc.) transfer over?
Yes

[GMANN]

Roy,
THank you for the help. Upgraded to 4.09d.....looks great!
I seem to have lost my singers database,,,,not a huge deal.
!
Can i get it back...no big deal if not..Hoster rocks!

[ddouglass]

The Singers Database file (Singers.mdb) should still be in C:\MTU\Hoster.

[GMANN]

Dale,
You got me started in the right direction. Here is what I had to do:

I went into C:\MTU\Hoster and sure enough, singers.mdb was there. I opened it up in MS Excel and saw the correct data was in there. Well, I started up my Hoster Lite and still no singers database.

So next I went into C:\MTU\Hoster Lite and saw a singers.mdb in that folder. It looked supspiciously small (84KB). The light (LITE) went on in my head.....the correct singers.mdb was located under HOSTER folder.
So, I simply copied the singers.mdb from HOSTER folder over to HOSTER LITE folder and viola.

I even added a couple of songs to test out that I was updating the DB properly. Exited HOSTER LITE, started it up again; singers are back in place......Works like a dream....now I just need singers!

Thanks Roy and Dale , your help allowed me to painlessly upgrade with only about 10 minutes of head scratching (singers.mdb was the ONLY issue I had).

Is this something possibly unique to HOSTER LITE? Recall, I upgraded from HOSTER LITE 4.03 to HOSTER LITE 4.09d. Maybe 4.03 placed the singers.mdb under HOSTER folder and 4.09d places it in HOSTER LITE folder.....?? Anyway...product works flawlessly as I have come to expect from MTU.

[hwheeler43]

One thing you might want to consider doing is copying the singers database file to another location as a backup. I try to copy mine to an external hard drive and then onto my backup computer at least every week or so. My singers like it when I recognize them coming in the door and add them to the rotation without them even asking. Without the singers database I would have to try to remember what everyone sings.

[GMANN]

Something that is re-iterated on this forum often (and for good reasons) is the importance of backing up. You reminded me to do mine today. I have added about 100 songs recently and upgraded to 4.09d...so I was due.....and you are absolutely right! Those singers would be disappointed if you somehow lost their "list". "Where's my stuff, man!"

I copy all my MTU files over to an external hard drive (I don't use the external for shows; not that i couldn't.....I just choose to use the internal drive). These are the KMA's, databases, etc.....As well I keep a copy of all this on another hard drive on my home machine and another off-site machine.......just in case........

Another file that I copy over is a file I made as I progressed through the process of loading Hoster over the last several years. This is just a simple text file that has all my XP computer settings and things that I have turned off or optimized to make Hoster run top-notch. I have not had to revert to a backup yet...but, as you all know, it is not a question of IF ...it is WHEN... Hoster (Lite) continues to run show after show without a hitch.

Excellent suggestion Wheeler!..... and I thank you for reminding me of doing this TODAY! ...and about every other week is my usual backup.

Take care and have fun with your shows.

[GMANN]

All is good .....ran 4 shows over 4th of July ( we started Thursday and ran one Sunday eve too) and ran a show July 11th (Sat) and had a great time..........I don't do this professionally, but I guess I have come to expect professional results. I have not been dissappointed yet. Thanks for the board's help with my minor issues (very minor!)....we have soo much FUN with this great software! (4.09d).

Recently, we did a show at a local bar above the baseball field in Dayton OH......rehearsal dinner with family and friends upstairs in the "loft" (about 85 people).....afterwards, bar owner asked if I could do shows up there for him in the future.....we have so much fun doing it for family and friends....don't know if I want to do it and get payed for it? Decisions, decisions.... told bar owner i would think about it and get back with him.

4.09d is working excellent!


--Gmann

[bryant]

Originally Posted by GMANN

don't know if I want to do it and get payed for it? Decisions, decisions.... told bar owner i would think about it and get back with him.

--Gmann

You can always tell the bar owner you'll do it for nothing then.