Hoster 4.006

[EmilioM]

Originally Posted by EmilioM
Running AMD Athlon 64X2 dual 4200+ 2.2Ghz 2.0GB ram NVidia GeForce 7300G5. Ever since I've gotten the 4.xxx series, I've had problems with it. I've had the lyric sync problem like everyone else but not as bad as earlier versions. And when I restarted Hoster to correct the synch problem, I lose the singers/ song list so I have to write it down before I restart to keep my rotation correct. Also once in a while when I open Hoster, Windows opens a box that says there is a problem with the Hoster application and closes it down. Usually the problem is corrected once I restart again. Now I have another problem which I've had happen before. While running my show Sat. Feb. 7th, about midway through I went to search for a song, and Hoster couldn't find the songs database. I couldn't find any music with the search box. The only ways to get to the music is to either go through the book ID window which doesn't help because there are no titles, or through the singers database which doesn't have 1/10th of the music of my songs database. I have gotten all Windows updates, tried redownloading Hoster 4.006 and rebuilding my database to no avail. By the way, I am running Windows XP Pro, not Vista. I went to Hoster 3.4 and I can access all the song from the search box. It's like the database in 4.006 got wiped out, even though the music is still there. Any suggestions, I would really hate to have to wipe everything and start all over.

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by EmilioM

Running AMD Athlon 64X2 dual 4200+ 2.2Ghz 2.0GB ram NVidia GeForce 7300G5. By the way, I am running Windows XP Pro, not Vista.
Ever since I've gotten the 4.xxx series, I've had problems with it. I've had the lyric sync problem like everyone else but not as bad as earlier versions. And when I restarted Hoster to correct the synch problem, I lose the singers/ song list so I have to write it down before I restart to keep my rotation correct. Also once in a while when I open Hoster, Windows opens a box that says there is a problem with the Hoster application and closes it down. Usually the problem is corrected once I restart again.

First check here http://www.mtu.com/upgrades/hoster/xp-changes.htm and make sure you have done all of those requirements. Especially you need to check the Custom Updates if you haven't done so for a while. Microsoft is constantly coming out with new updates.

You need to redownload the Hoster 4.06 setup file and re-install it. There was a 4.06a that was released a short time after 4.06 was out that fixed a couple problems. This should also fix your Windows error message.

Originally Posted by EmilioM

Now I have another problem which I've had happen before. While running my show Sat. Feb. 7th, about midway through I went to search for a song, and Hoster couldn't find the songs database. I couldn't find any music with the search box. The only ways to get to the music is to either go through the book ID window which doesn't help because there are no titles, or through the singers database which doesn't have 1/10th of the music of my songs database. I have gotten all Windows updates, tried redownloading Hoster 4.006 and rebuilding my database to no avail. I went to Hoster 3.4 and I can access all the song from the search box. It's like the database in 4.006 got wiped out, even though the music is still there. Any suggestions, I would really hate to have to wipe everything and start all over..

There is a big difference how the 3.4 and 4.06 versions use Search with the songs database (both however use exactly the same database file). This sounds like you have either the Duet or Mux button on and/or the Karaoke button off. (Off the buttons are grey and on they have a background color showing)

[EmilioM]

ddouglass, thanks for replying,
I've done everything as far as windows updates, deleting 4.006 and reinstalling, rebuilding database. Mux and duet are both off. As I pointed out previously, it happened in the middle of a show. I wasn't connected to the internet at the time and everything was going just fine, then it wouldn't find any songs from the search box. I also tried adding from the folder and when it got done, it said it added 14 new songs, so it's like the database is there, but hoster doesn't recognize it. I know the songs are there, it's just the search box doesn't pick it up.

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by EmilioM

ddouglass, thanks for replying,
I've done everything as far as windows updates, deleting 4.006 and reinstalling, rebuilding database. Mux and duet are both off. As I pointed out previously, it happened in the middle of a show. I wasn't connected to the internet at the time and everything was going just fine, then it wouldn't find any songs from the search box. I also tried adding form the folder and when it got done, it said it added 14 new songs, so it's like the database is there, but hoster doesn't recognize it. I know the songs are there, it's just the search box doesn't pick it up.

I will tell you my experience. It may not be the same, but it might also. My daughter experienced the same thing 3 times in a row while covering for me on karaoke. Come to find out, when the search window opened the mux button appeared in the same location as the search button on the main screen. She was inadvertently double clicking and hitting the mux button. I just moved the search window a little to make sure it didn't happen again.

[EmilioM]

Thankx for the reply marklwood,
The mux and duet buttons were not pushed in.

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by EmilioM

ddouglass, thanks for replying,
I've done everything as far as windows updates, deleting 4.006 and reinstalling, rebuilding database. Mux and duet are both off. As I pointed out previously, it happened in the middle of a show. I wasn't connected to the internet at the time and everything was going just fine, then it wouldn't find any songs from the search box. I also tried adding from the folder and when it got done, it said it added 14 new songs, so it's like the database is there, but hoster doesn't recognize it. I know the songs are there, it's just the search box doesn't pick it up.

You said you deleted and re-installed, but did you download it again from MTU so you got the current update?
The only way the Search cannot find the songs (and 3.4 working) is if some Search item is either turned on that shouldn't be or one that should be that isn't.
Try using a "*" to search on. Make sure at least Title, Artist, and Karaoke buttons are on.

[EmilioM]

ddouglass,
Yes I downloaded from MTU, in fact I just did it again. Also the book ID, Title, Artist, Disc ID, and Karaoke buttons are on. I've tried rebuilding and adding the database, but it still won't take. I've tried with an (*) and with titles with no luck.

[ddouglass]

Where is your Songs.mdb file located?
Do you have any additional copies of the file? (Do a Windows Explorer search for the file on the C:\ drive)

[EmilioM]

My H:\ is my main drive and the songs are located at H:\MTU\Hoster. Also, when opening Hoster, after the box that says about converting HDZIP files, another box opens that says H:\MTU\Hoster\def001.hst is an invalid playlist format. Please open a playlist with a hst. extension created by Hoster. The thing about it is I've seen this for awhile, and it's always found the music. This started after I downloaded 4.004 or 4.005 when I was having some problems with those programs, and stayed there after getting 4.006.

[ddouglass]

What drive is your Windows O\S located on H:\ or C:\?
Your Song files (KMA) can be located any where on internal or external drives with no problems.
However your program files and associated files have to be on C:\ drive.
In C:\Program Files\Micro Technologies Unlimited\Hoster are the program files.
In C:\MTU\Hoster should be your display (HTM) files, your database files (Songs, Bucket, and Songs_Backup) and all your playlist (HST) files.
If you move any of these from those locations Hoster will have problems and may not find them.

[EmilioM]

Like I said, H:\ is my main drive. Windows OS, Hoster, and all my programs are located there along with the music. C:\ is my recovery drive. The letters got switched when I reformatted a while back, but everything that was drive C:\ was switched to drive H:\ and vice versa. H:\ was my recovery drive and C:\ used to be my main, but when I reformatted, all it did was rename C:\ to H:\ and H:\ to C:\. Also, it's been like that for a long time. I've been running Hoster since then with no problems.

[ddouglass]

Wow. That is strange. I guess as long as it is bootable it should work.
To fix the playlist not opening just delete it and Hoster will create a new one.
When you open Tools\Songs Database Rebuild, what is the Destination location at the bottom (in Green)? Is it pointing to H:\MTU... or C:\MTU...? Check it in both 4.006 and 3.4 to make sure it is the same. It should be.
Is your C:\ drive accessable or do you have these two drives set up in a Mirror?

[EmilioM]

Yeah, it was a little strange, but it worked so I was alright with it. I was just worried at first about anything that I would install that I'd have to remember the drive letter but it's worked fine. As far as rebuild, it's located at H:\MTU\Hoster\songs.mdb in both places. Now you said to delete the folder which appears when I go to rebuild it? I actually have 2 folders there, 1 for my main database, and one for all the new songs that I get. Thanx.

[ddouglass]

No don't delete those folders. Those are ok, I just wanted to make sure it wasn't looking back to C:\ drive on one and H:\ on the other.
I am stumped.
Let me think about this some more.

[EmilioM]

I do appreciate it very much for the help. I do have both folders backed up to an external. I'm seriouly thinking of deleting those 2 folders from rebuild database and reinstalling from external. What do you think?

[ddouglass]

You can do that but I don't think it will make any difference.
Can you open the Search and get a print screen picture of it to attach here?

[EmilioM]

I don't quite understand what you mean. Do you mean the search box in Hoster? If so, it won't let me print screen.

[ddouglass]

Open Hoster, open the Search, then do a Shift-Print Screen (keyboard).
Open Paint (Windows included program) and Paste the picture in it. You can trim off the excess leaving just the Search Window. Save as a JPG file and attach it to a post here.

Like this one. This is from Beta copy not the current one you have. I don't remember if anything was changed but I don't believe so.

[EmilioM]

ddouglass, Just want to say, I appreciate everything you have done. I've got it working now. I ran antivirus, and found one, manually deleted it with a removal tool, redownloaded Hoster and she works. Still have that box that says H:\MTU\Hoster\def001.hst is an invalid playlist format please open a playlist file with a hst. extension created by Hoster, but she's working again, YIPPEE!!! THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP. PS. The shift print screen didn't work for me, but that's alright now.

[ddouglass]

Do you remember what virus it found? This could be helpful later for someone else. I'm glad you found it, but I really am amazed that it was a virus.
Did you delete the existing Def001.HST file?