Updated to Hoster 4.06 and no video

[kickstar]

I updated to Hoster4.06.
The program told me it was going to change some files and asked if I had a backup of my files (I do on another external drive).
The new Hoster plays the audio from my old files but no graphics.
The marquee runs and the next singers/songs works fine.
Suggestions?

[Beavis]

how about a little more info:

1. OS
2. Video card
3. WIndows update status
4. Memory

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by kickstar

I updated to Hoster4.06.
The program told me it was going to change some files and asked if I had a backup of my files (I do on another external drive).
The new Hoster plays the audio from my old files but no graphics.
The marquee runs and the next singers/songs works fine.
Suggestions?

All it changed was the location of some files, like the songs database file, the bucket database, playlists, etc. any files stored in the program files area (except the program itself) that change. Did you make all the changes required in this list http://www.mtu.com/upgrades/hoster/xp-changes.htm for XP or this list http://www.mtu.com/upgrades/hoster/v...de-hoster4.htm for Vista?

[kickstar]

OK - Since it didn't work Friday and I had a show, I had to do a system restore - thank goodness it worked! Now, to answer the following:
1. OS - Windows XP Media Center Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 3 on an eMachines N10 Mobile AMD Sempron Processor 3200+, 1.6 GHz
2. Video card - NVIDIA GeForce Go 6100 - 1st display is 1200 x 800, 16 bit, 2nd display is 1024 X 768, 16 bit.
3. WIndows update status - Updated all the XP Optional Downloads (IE7, WMP 11, and associated updates - there were no Critical updates and now there are no Optional downloads left. DID NOT DOWNLOAD ANY OPTIONAL HARDWARE UPDATES. I use directX 9.0c.
4. Memory - 1.43 GB Ram

This is the original Laptop that I installed Hoster 3312 initially - then upgraded to Hoster 3316, then 3321. Have been using 3321 for my shows for 2 years with no problems. Decided to upgrade to the 4.06 after receiving email about it. I use a Western Digital 500 GB external HD for my KMA storage of approximately 9000 songs and a WD 320 GB HD as a backup of the KMA's.
I've used dual display with a singer's monitor - have just had to re-do the "display properties", "Settings", "2nd display", "extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor" & "Apply" every time I used Hoster (which is no big deal to me).
After downloading all the updates and changing the settings for XP (yes, I did each update 1-at-a-time and restarted after each download/installation), I reloaded the Hoster 4.06 and... Bob Seger sings in my ear "still the same, baby baby still the same..." - it still only plays audio, with marquee and singer's names but no lyrics...
Is it possible I have to choose every format on Windows Media Player 11 as the default program to play every file format??? If not, which do I choose?
And if that's not enough, I bought a Toshiba Laptop with 4 GB Ram, 250 GB HD, VISTA and tried to load Hoster from my original downloaded 3312 file (placed on a jump drive) but the Vista won't read it - I went to the 3321 file and it started to install. When it sent info to MTU, it says I've already got it installed on 2 computers (but I don't...), soooo I tried installing 4.06 but it won't install as I don't have a previous version of Hoster installed on the new laptop (I paid for the upgrade).
Not sure of the next step, now...
Thanks in advance for the help.

[billyo]

have you done the necessary changes in vista before you installed hoster, if not you have to, or hoster wont run right, if its an upgrade you have to have an old version of hoster to upgrade from..

[kickstar]

Originally Posted by billyo

have you done the necessary changes in vista before you installed hoster, if not you have to, or hoster wont run right, if its an upgrade you have to have an old version of hoster to upgrade from..

Yes - updated and changed Vista.
Yes - older version tried and failed (3312). Tried 3321 and it loaded all the way up to contacting MTU for registering - thay's where it said I already had it loaded on two computers (which I don't).
Bought the upgrade (4.06) and tried to load it on Vista but knew it wouldn't because the older version would not load so it could be upgraded.
Thanks.
BTW - Vista laptop has ATI Radeon X1250 video adapter.

At this point, I really want the XP laptop to work with Hoster 4.06 as it is my show machine. The Vista was only to be a backup/test machine.
If it doesn't work (4.06), I'm out the upgrade money and I go back to version 3321 (which worked flawlessly).

[marklwood]

kickstar, The major problem I see is the video subsystem. The NVIDIA GeForce Go 6100 does not have any dedicated memory. Hoster's minimum requirements. Quoted from the Hoster page:

Graphics Video card with at least 32MB of RAM. that supports Direct-X 9.0b or higher (cards with less than 32MB RAM usually don't support 9.0b). Dual-display requires an ATI Radeon 9000 or higher, or NVidia equivalent. S3 video cards or chips in laptop computers don't support Direct-X 9.0.

While your card will support direct-x 9, it is starving for memory. Is this a dedicated machine, or do you use it for other things? If it is a dedicated machine, you can go here http://www.blackviper.com/ and use the info to tweak your system to get rid of any overhead. This may allow you to run 4.06 on your older laptop. I have had good success in the past using these methods.

Unless you are very comfortable making these changes (I am), I would wait untill you have Hoster installed on your newer machine before you make these changes. You seem to have been able to avert disaster by using system restore. You could always do it again.

As far as the Vista machine click here to visit the page that tells you what the required changes are to Vista. Then, if you still can't install 3.321, submit a support ticket to see about clearing up your reg code for a second install.http://www.mtu.com/support/support-frame.htm

I hope this helps you in some way. Please post back here with your progress. It may help someone in the future.

[marklwood]

I guess you replied while I was composing my reply. On Vista, did you turn off UAC? It sounds a lot like an issue with User Account Control, or some other spyware/anti-virus software.

[marklwood]

btw, where in Kansas are you?

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by kickstar

At this point, I really want the XP laptop to work with Hoster 4.06 as it is my show machine. The Vista was only to be a backup/test machine.
If it doesn't work (4.06), I'm out the upgrade money and I go back to version 3321 (which worked flawlessly).

In case you are not aware you have a copy of version 3.321 already on your computer that is installed along with 4.06. Look in C:\Program Files\Micro Technology Unlimited\Hoster and find the file named Hoster34.exe. Create a shortcut to it on your desktop.
Double click on the shortcut and you are running version 3.4 (only change was for the registration code) which is actually version 3.321.
Try that and see if it will work so you won't lose shows until you get your problems with 4.06 worked out.

[kickstar]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

In case you are not aware you have a copy of version 3.321 already on your computer that is installed along with 4.06. Look in C:\Program Files\Micro Technology Unlimited\Hoster and find the file named Hoster34.exe. Create a shortcut to it on your desktop.
Double click on the shortcut and you are running version 3.4 (only change was for the registration code) which is actually version 3.321.
Try that and see if it will work so you won't lose shows until you get your problems with 4.06 worked out.

Tried what you said - there is no "hoster34.exe". The only .exe file is Hoster version 3.3.2.1 which is 2.04 Mb in size- I removed (system restore) the 4.06 when it didn't work by restoring to an earlier time.
If I understand you correctly, you are saying to install 4.06 and then go look for the "hoster34.exe" file inside that folder, correct?

As far as the changes to the Vista (Toshiba) laptop, I did all of them, too.
I have already submitted a ticket to MTU yesterday and I await their response.

[kickstar]

Originally Posted by marklwood

btw, where in Kansas are you?

Larned - Fort Larned is on the Sante Fe Trail.

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by kickstar

Larned - Fort Larned is on the Sante Fe Trail.

About 300 miles more than I'm willing to drive to catch your show

To answer your other question, yes Dale was talking about hoster34.exe in the 4.06 install. You can try installing it again and see if 3.4 plays for you. That would give you time to work out the kinks.

[kickstar]

Originally Posted by marklwood

kickstar, The major problem I see is the video subsystem. The NVIDIA GeForce Go 6100 does not have any dedicated memory. Hoster's minimum requirements. Quoted from the Hoster page:

Graphics Video card with at least 32MB of RAM. that supports Direct-X 9.0b or higher (cards with less than 32MB RAM usually don't support 9.0b). Dual-display requires an ATI Radeon 9000 or higher, or NVidia equivalent. S3 video cards or chips in laptop computers don't support Direct-X 9.0.

While your card will support direct-x 9, it is starving for memory. Is this a dedicated machine, or do you use it for other things? If it is a dedicated machine, you can go here http://www.blackviper.com/ and use the info to tweak your system to get rid of any overhead. This may allow you to run 4.06 on your older laptop. I have had good success in the past using these methods.

Unless you are very comfortable making these changes (I am), I would wait untill you have Hoster installed on your newer machine before you make these changes. You seem to have been able to avert disaster by using system restore. You could always do it again.

As far as the Vista machine click here to visit the page that tells you what the required changes are to Vista. Then, if you still can't install 3.321, submit a support ticket to see about clearing up your reg code for a second install.http://www.mtu.com/support/support-frame.htm

I hope this helps you in some way. Please post back here with your progress. It may help someone in the future.

Under Display Properties/Settings/Advanced/Adapter it says:
The NVIDIA GeForce Go 6100 has integrated RAMDAC and the memory size is 256 MB. The display is set to multiple monitors and has supported the Dual Display option with no problems, thus far.
Under Display Properties/Settings/Advanced/GeForce Go 6100 tab, the following is noted:
Video bios version is 5.51.28.42.39
IRQ is 17
Bus is integrated
Memory is 256 MB
Forceware version is 84.64
DirectX version is DirectX 9.0 or better.
OS is Windows XP SP3
Processor= Mobile AMD Sempron Processor 3200+
There is a check mark under Display properties that says, "Hide modes that this monitor cannot display" It is checked. It says further, "Clearing this check box allows you to select display modes that this monitor cannot display correctly. This may lead to an unstable display and/or damaged hardware".
Reading that makes me leery of unchecking the box.
There is also a check mark in the "Enable Write Combining" box under the Troubleshoot tab. In this same tab, the hardware acceleration is set to full and has not been a problem.
I'm not sure I want to go to the tweak site and remove any overhead since it has worked flawlessly before... I have used DirectX 9.0 for other applications prior to this.

[marklwood]

What is the driver version? If it is not 178.24, go here http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_178.24_whql.html and download it.

When your system says it has 256mb video memory, that is really a false assumption. What you are seeing is what is supported. The video card "borrows" system memory. System memory is much slower bus speed, and Windows decides how much it can use of that 256mb at a time. The newer version of Hoster requires more horsepower to run the 3 different displays on both monitors. That is why I suggested going to Black Viper's website. If you are having problems, this can be one way to get the resources freed up to help get your system over the hump. The other is to make sure you disable all other programs that may be running in memory. Anti-virus, disk utilities, spyware, other DJ programs etc. The problem you are describing seems to be centered around video memory. The only way Windows will give more memory to the video card is if it doesn't need it elsewhere. (ie: sevices and other running programs)

[kickstar]

Originally Posted by marklwood

What is the driver version? If it is not 178.24, go here http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_178.24_whql.html and download it.

When your system says it has 256mb video memory, that is really a false assumption. What you are seeing is what is supported. The video card "borrows" system memory. System memory is much slower bus speed, and Windows decides how much it can use of that 256mb at a time. The newer version of Hoster requires more horsepower to run the 3 different displays on both monitors. That is why I suggested going to Black Viper's website. If you are having problems, this can be one way to get the resources freed up to help get your system over the hump. The other is to make sure you disable all other programs that may be running in memory. Anti-virus, disk utilities, spyware, other DJ programs etc. The problem you are describing seems to be centered around video memory. The only way Windows will give more memory to the video card is if it doesn't need it elsewhere. (ie: sevices and other running programs)

OK, I see what you're saying.
One other thing worth mentioning is that I've heard people talk about the default MTU message - about whether tey could change it or not. I think I see this "message" in the small preview pane (upper left corner of Hoster) on my laptop VERY BRIEFLY when Hoster 4.06 first loads up. It appears in the area where the lyrics normally belong - above the singer's names and below the marquee. Just as my eye sees it (out of the corner of my eye, I should say) and I look up at it, it fades to nothing but the scrolling marguee area and the singer's names area.
Driver version is 84.64

I went to the website and downloaded the driver, extracted and installed it. After installing, a screen poped up that said it couldn't find any drivers for my hardware and would now exit - I clicked OK and it exited.

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by kickstar

Driver version is 84.64

I went to the website and downloaded the driver, extracted and installed it. After installing, a screen poped up that said it couldn't find any drivers for my hardware and would now exit - I clicked OK and it exited.

I humbly apologize. I didn't take the time to look back at your earlier post. This is an e-machine notebook. All your drivers are here http://www.emachines.com/support/pro...ies&model=N-10 There is an updated video driver and some others you may not have. Look at the file type, it will say "updated driver". Check these against the versions you have and update as necessary.

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by kickstar

One other thing worth mentioning is that I've heard people talk about the default MTU message - about whether tey could change it or not. I think I see this "message" in the small preview pane (upper left corner of Hoster) on my laptop VERY BRIEFLY when Hoster 4.06 first loads up. It appears in the area where the lyrics normally belong - above the singer's names and below the marquee. Just as my eye sees it (out of the corner of my eye, I should say) and I look up at it, it fades to nothing but the scrolling marguee area and the singer's names area.

What you are seeing is actually a short video file that Hoster uses to initialize the "video" part of Hoster. It "plays" and then goes away.
The message the others are talking about is a default "Marquee" message that MTU added to be displayed if you do not add your own messages. The default message goes away as soon as you add your first message to the Marquee through the Marquee button.

[kickstar]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

What you are seeing is actually a short video file that Hoster uses to initialize the "video" part of Hoster. It "plays" and then goes away.
The message the others are talking about is a default "Marquee" message that MTU added to be displayed if you do not add your own messages. The default message goes away as soon as you add your first message to the Marquee through the Marquee button.

Thanks, Dale - thought it might have something to do with the video memory...

[kickstar]

Originally Posted by marklwood

I humbly apologize. I didn't take the time to look back at your earlier post. This is an e-machine notebook. All your drivers are here http://www.emachines.com/support/pro...ies&model=N-10 There is an updated video driver and some others you may not have. Look at the file type, it will say "updated driver". Check these against the versions you have and update as necessary.

OK - updated the two drivers for my XP. Will try it later after supper.
As far as the vista machine - I double checked all the changes required and all were done except the following (and I do have Windows Vista Home Premium):
"Double left click Window Color and Appearance and uncheck Enable transparency"
There is no option to uncheck anything on my Vista machine. The only choice there is the views (Classic, etc).
Still waiting on a decision from MTU about their insistance I have Hoster 3312 and/or 3321 installed on two machines already (I don't). I'd still like to install the Hoster (3321 file) on Vista and then upgrade it to the 4.06 I purchased for my XP (sigh).
Will try reloading 4.06 on both and see what happens.
Thanks to all who have helped!