mcupdate constantly reading/writing database

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technodevotee

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mcupdate constantly reading/writing database

#1

Post by technodevotee » Sun Dec 20, 2020 3:32 pm

Hi.

I cloned one of my computers onto a different hard disk on 13/12/2020 and other than a bit of a delay in WMC doing anything, the PC is working normally.

While investigating the slowness, I discovered that the mcepg database is constantly being read/written by mcupdate and has grown by almost 150Mb since installing the new Hard Disk.

I assume it is doing a garbage collection but I've never seen it take this long before. To try and help reduce updates to the database, I've disabled the EPG123 schedule and set the garbage collection registry entry a week in the future.

The recording schedule is quite busy and I'd really rather not start from scratch because I would lose my recording history, which would mean I would get duplicate recordings because a lot of the channels here don't flag repeats.

Any ideas of things to try?

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garyan2

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#2

Post by garyan2 » Sun Dec 20, 2020 9:21 pm

Does the event viewer show a "Client Maintenance" has been started and not completed? A garbage cleanup will increase the size of the db while in progress and then will reduce in size once complete. Not sure why it would be acting like this after a close.
- Gary
Keeping WMC alive beyond January 2020. https://garyan2.github.io

technodevotee

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#3

Post by technodevotee » Sun Dec 20, 2020 11:44 pm

Hi Gary, Thanks for that.

No maintenance that didn't complete as far as I can tell. Not sure what is going on.

Never had a garbage collection take this long before. I once had it take a couple of days but that was on a 2.6GHz Core2Duo with 4GB. This is a 2.83GHz Quad Core with 8GB and a GC normally takes an hour max.

I don't think it is connected with the clone but one way to prove it would be wait until there's a gap in recordings and put the old HDD in to test it. Hopefully, it will finish soon and that won't be necessary.

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garyan2

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#4

Post by garyan2 » Mon Dec 21, 2020 1:00 am

I don't know what it could be, either. Last year someone had a problem with the PVR indexing taking forever (more than a day), but that was due to him having >1,000 scheduled recording requests and it was taking WMC a long time to determine how to handle conflicts I believe. If you reboot the machine, does the mcupdate start back up without opening WMC?

Maybe 'Delete and rebuild index' in Control Panel->Indexing Options?
- Gary
Keeping WMC alive beyond January 2020. https://garyan2.github.io

technodevotee

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#5

Post by technodevotee » Mon Dec 21, 2020 10:57 am

last time I restarted it, the process kicked of again almost immediately but I restarted it last night and it didn't so the PC is running completely normally at the moment.

I'm going to leave it alone until things quieten down and then re-enable everything to see what happens.

Thanks for your help.

technodevotee

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#6

Post by technodevotee » Sat Dec 26, 2020 12:10 pm

I re-enabled the EPG123 scheduled task and manually started it this morning.

The PC was sat with mcupdate reading and writing the database but didn't seem to have imported the downloaded data as no new recordings were scheduled.

I left it alone for a while then killed the epg123 client process and used it to manually import the download. It appears to have (mostly) worked as new scheduled recordings appeared.

However, the trace log contains the following:

Code: Select all

[17/12/2020 10:09:51] [ INFO] Successfully queried the Task Scheduler for status. Disabled. Last Run 17/12/2020 07:17:32; Exit: 0x00000000
[17/12/2020 10:20:59] [ INFO] **** Invalid arguments for epg123Client.exe; "-updateTrigger" ****
[18/12/2020 09:34:36] [ INFO] **** Intercepted "mcupdate.exe -u -nogc" call. Ignored. ****
[19/12/2020 11:37:00] [ INFO] **** Intercepted "mcupdate.exe -u -nogc" call. Ignored. ****
[19/12/2020 19:37:00] [ INFO] **** Intercepted "mcupdate.exe -u -nogc" call. Ignored. ****
[19/12/2020 20:06:34] [ INFO] **** Intercepted "mcupdate.exe -u -nogc" call. Ignored. ****
[20/12/2020 09:19:28] [ INFO] **** Intercepted "mcupdate.exe -u -nogc" call. Ignored. ****
[20/12/2020 13:13:02] [ INFO] **** Intercepted "mcupdate.exe -u -nogc" call. Ignored. ****
[20/12/2020 18:45:07] [ INFO] **** Intercepted "mcupdate.exe -u -nogc" call. Ignored. ****
[20/12/2020 21:49:03] [ INFO] **** Intercepted "mcupdate.exe -u -nogc" call. Ignored. ****
[26/12/2020 10:56:04] ===============================================================================
[26/12/2020 10:56:04]  Beginning epg123 update execution. version 1.3.9.10
[26/12/2020 10:56:04] ===============================================================================
[26/12/2020 10:56:04] [ INFO] Beginning EPG123 update execution. 2020-12-26 10:56:04Z
[26/12/2020 10:56:04] [ INFO] DaysToDownload: 21 , TheTVDBNumbers : True , PrefixEpisodeTitle: False , PrefixEpisodeDescription : False , AppendEpisodeDesc: True , OADOverride : False , TMDbCoverArt: True , IncludeSDLogos : False , AutoAddNew: True , CreateXmltv: False , ModernMediaUiPlusSupport: False
[26/12/2020 10:56:06] [ INFO] Token request successful. serverID: 20141201.web.1
[26/12/2020 10:56:06] [ INFO] Status request successful. account expires: 2021-10-23T08:28:39Z , lineups: 3/4 , lastDataUpdate: 2020-12-25T22:42:48Z
[26/12/2020 10:56:06] [ INFO] system status: Online , message: No known issues.
[26/12/2020 10:56:06] [ INFO] epg123 is not up to date. Latest version is 1.6.0 and can be downloaded from http://epg123.garyan2.net.
[26/12/2020 10:56:08] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved TMDb configurations.
[26/12/2020 10:56:08] [ INFO] Successfully requested listing of client lineups from Schedules Direct.
[26/12/2020 10:56:09] Entering buildLineupServices() for 3 lineups.
[26/12/2020 10:56:09] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved the station mapping for lineup GBR-1000066-DEFAULT.
[26/12/2020 10:56:09] [ INFO] Subscribed lineup GBR-1000066-DEFAULT has been EXCLUDED from download and processing.
[26/12/2020 10:56:09] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved the station mapping for lineup GBR-1000067-DEFAULT.
[26/12/2020 10:56:09] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved the station mapping for lineup ZZZ-19.2E-DEFAULT.
[26/12/2020 10:56:09] [ INFO] Subscribed lineup ZZZ-19.2E-DEFAULT has been EXCLUDED from download and processing.
[26/12/2020 10:56:09] Exiting buildLineupServices(). SUCCESS.
[26/12/2020 10:56:09] Entering getAllScheduleEntryMd5s() for 21 days on 148 stations.
[26/12/2020 10:56:11] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved Md5s for 148 station's daily schedules. (0:00:00:01.4059615 /   267.653 KB)
[26/12/2020 10:56:16] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved 148 station's daily schedules.          (0:00:00:05.0468863 /     6.710 MB)
[26/12/2020 10:56:21] [ INFO] Found 514 cached daily schedules.
[26/12/2020 10:56:21] [ INFO] Downloaded 2002 daily schedules.
[26/12/2020 10:56:22] [ INFO] Processed 2516 daily schedules for 148 stations.
[26/12/2020 10:56:22] Exiting getAllScheduleEntryMd5s(). SUCCESS.
[26/12/2020 10:56:22] Entering buildAllProgramEntries() for 18618 programs.
[26/12/2020 10:56:27] [ INFO] Found 10944 cached program descriptions.
[26/12/2020 10:56:31] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved 2674 program descriptions. (0:00:00:04.2030882 /     3.520 MB)
[26/12/2020 10:56:35] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved 5000 program descriptions. (0:00:00:08.5625008 /     8.861 MB)
[26/12/2020 10:56:40] [ INFO] Processed 18618 program descriptions.
[26/12/2020 10:56:40] Exiting buildAllProgramEntries(). SUCCESS.
[26/12/2020 10:56:40] Entering buildAllGenericSeriesInfoDescriptions() for 4132 series.
[26/12/2020 10:56:40] [ INFO] Found 3132 cached series descriptions.
[26/12/2020 10:56:41] [ INFO] SD API WebException Thrown. Message: The remote server returned an error: (400) Bad Request. , Status: ProtocolError
[26/12/2020 10:56:41] [ INFO] SD responded with error code: 2002 , message: Did not receive request. , serverID: 20141201.web.1 , datetime: 2020-12-26T10:56:40Z
[26/12/2020 10:56:41] [ INFO] SD API WebException Thrown. Message: The remote server returned an error: (400) Bad Request. , Status: ProtocolError
[26/12/2020 10:56:41] [ INFO] SD responded with error code: 2002 , message: Did not receive request. , serverID: 20141201.web.1 , datetime: 2020-12-26T10:56:40Z
[26/12/2020 10:56:41] [ERROR] Failed to complete request. Exiting
[26/12/2020 10:56:41] [ERROR] Did not receive a response from Schedules Direct for   0 generic program descriptions. (0:00:00:00.4370561)
[26/12/2020 10:56:41] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved 500 generic program descriptions. (0:00:00:00.6400771 /   126.437 KB)
[26/12/2020 10:56:42] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved 500 generic program descriptions. (0:00:00:01.2650028 /   150.687 KB)
[26/12/2020 10:56:42] [ INFO] Processed 4132 series descriptions.
[26/12/2020 10:56:42] Exiting buildAllGenericSeriesInfoDescriptions(). SUCCESS.
[26/12/2020 10:56:42] Entering getAllMoviePosters() for 1175 movies.
[26/12/2020 10:56:42] [ INFO] Found 805 cached movie poster links.
[26/12/2020 10:56:43] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 370 programs. (0:00:00:01.2187340 /     2.538 MB)
[26/12/2020 10:56:43] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Trouble Brewing" from 1939 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:44] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Don't Ever Leave Me" from 1949 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:44] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Mr. Reeder in Room 13" from 1938 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:44] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Who Goes Next?" from 1938 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:44] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "I Met a Murderer" from 1939 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:44] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Jazz Mad" from 1941 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:44] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Jazz Mad" from 1940 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:44] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Jazz Mad" from 1942 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:44] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Profile" from 1954 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:44] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "The Jealous God" from 2019 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:45] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "The Jealous God" from 2018 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:45] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "The Jealous God" from 2020 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:45] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Churchill: The Finest Hours" from 1964 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:45] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Churchill: The Finest Hours" from 1963 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:45] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Churchill: The Finest Hours" from 1965 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:45] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Meteorites!" from 1998 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:45] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Redistributors" from 2015 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:45] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Redistributors" from 2014 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:45] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Redistributors" from 2016 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:46] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Columbo: Make Me a Perfect Murder" from 1978 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:46] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Columbo: Make Me a Perfect Murder" from 1977 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:46] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Columbo: Make Me a Perfect Murder" from 1979 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:46] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Nanny's Killer Scandal" from 2021 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:46] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Nanny's Killer Scandal" from 2020 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:46] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Nanny's Killer Scandal" from 2022 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:46] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Killer Mother: Switched At Birth" from 2020 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:46] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Killer Mother: Switched At Birth" from 2019 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:47] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Killer Mother: Switched At Birth" from 2021 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:47] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Stalked by My Husband's Ex" from 2020 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:47] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "It Happened in Soho" from 1948 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:47] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Turn of the Tide" from 1935 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:47] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Primal Force" from 1999 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:47] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Defending Our Kids: The Julie Posey Story" from 2003 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:47] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "An Emma Fielding Mystery" from 2017 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:47] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "The Ex Next Door" from 2019 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:47] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Lost Letter Mysteries: From the Heart" from 2016 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:47] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Deadly Paradise" from 2016 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:47] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Lost Letter Mysteries: The Impossible Dream" from 2015 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:47] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Lost Letter Mysteries: The Impossible Dream" from 2014 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:48] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Lost Letter Mysteries: The Impossible Dream" from 2016 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:48] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Lost Letter Mysteries: Truth Be Told" from 2015 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:48] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Lost Letter Mysteries: Truth Be Told" from 2014 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:48] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Lost Letter Mysteries: Truth Be Told" from 2016 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:48] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Manny Dearest" from 2016 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:48] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Manny Dearest" from 2015 found 0 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:48] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Manny Dearest" from 2017 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:48] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "The Disappearing Male" from 2008 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:48] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Springtime" from 1947 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:49] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Fools Rush In" from 1955 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:49] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "A Scream in the Dark" from 1943 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:49] [ INFO] TMDb catalog search for "Culloden 1746" from 1994 found 1 results.
[26/12/2020 10:56:49] [ INFO] Processed 1175 movie poster links.
[26/12/2020 10:56:49] Exiting getAllMoviePosters(). SUCCESS.
[26/12/2020 10:56:49] Entering getAllSeriesImages() for 4132 series.
[26/12/2020 10:56:49] [ INFO] Found 3052 cached series image links.
[26/12/2020 10:56:49] [ INFO] Refreshing 80 series image links.
[26/12/2020 10:56:49] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for  80 programs. (0:00:00:00.5000601 /   811.303 KB)
[26/12/2020 10:56:51] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 500 programs. (0:00:00:01.7187868 /     4.034 MB)
[26/12/2020 10:56:53] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 500 programs. (0:00:00:03.5938356 /     4.563 MB)
[26/12/2020 10:56:53] [ INFO] Processed 4132 series image links.
[26/12/2020 10:56:53] Exiting getAllSeriesImages(). SUCCESS.
[26/12/2020 10:56:53] [ INFO] Completed compiling keywords and keyword groups.
[26/12/2020 10:56:55] [ INFO] Completed save of the MXF file to "C:\ProgramData\GaRyan2\epg123\output\epg123.mxf".
[26/12/2020 10:56:55] [ INFO] 11170 entries deleted from the cache file during cleanup.
[26/12/2020 10:56:58] [ INFO] Downloaded and processed    31.551 MB of data from Schedules Direct.
[26/12/2020 10:56:58] [ INFO] Generated .mxf file contains 148 services, 4132 series, 18618 programs, and 26738 people with 5102 image links.
[26/12/2020 10:56:58] [ INFO] Completed EPG123 update execution. SUCCESS.
[26/12/2020 10:56:58] [ INFO] epg123 update execution time was 00:00:53.4999232.
[26/12/2020 10:56:58] ===============================================================================
[26/12/2020 10:56:58]  Beginning epg123 client execution. version 1.3.9.10
[26/12/2020 10:56:58] ===============================================================================
[26/12/2020 10:56:58] [ INFO] Beginning epg123 client execution. 2020-12-26 10:56:58Z
[26/12/2020 10:56:58] [ INFO] Import: True , Match: False , NoLogo: False , Force: False , ShowProgress: False
[26/12/2020 10:56:58] [ERROR] Could not verify when garbage cleanup was last run.
[26/12/2020 10:56:58] Entering PerformGarbageCleanup().
[26/12/2020 11:02:15] [ INFO] **** Intercepted "mcupdate.exe -u -nogc" call. Ignored. ****
[26/12/2020 11:04:43] [ERROR] Unhandled exception caught from epg123Client.exe. message: Access to the path 'Global\{CD7E6857-7D92-4A2F-B3AB-ED8CB42C6F65}' is denied.
[26/12/2020 11:06:10] [ERROR] Unhandled exception caught from epg123Client.exe. message: Access to the path 'Global\{CD7E6857-7D92-4A2F-B3AB-ED8CB42C6F65}' is denied.
[26/12/2020 11:12:21] ===============================================================================
[26/12/2020 11:12:21]  Activating the epg123 client GUI. version 1.3.9.10
[26/12/2020 11:12:21] ===============================================================================
[26/12/2020 11:12:22] [ INFO] Successfully queried the Task Scheduler for status. Ready. Last Run 26/12/2020 10:56:58; Exit: 0x00000001
[26/12/2020 11:12:41] Entering importMxfFile() for file "C:\ProgramData\GaRyan2\epg123\output\epg123.mxf"
[26/12/2020 11:16:01] [ INFO] Successfully imported .mxf file into Media Center database. Exit code: 0
[26/12/2020 11:16:01] Exiting importMxfFile(). SUCCESS.
[26/12/2020 11:16:01] Entering runWmcTask(ReindexSearchRoot)
[26/12/2020 11:16:01] [ INFO] SUCCESS: Attempted to run the scheduled task "Microsoft\Windows\Media Center\ReindexSearchRoot".
[26/12/2020 11:16:01] [ INFO] Successfully started the ReindexSearchRoot task. Exit code: 0
[26/12/2020 11:16:01] Exiting runWmcTask(ReindexSearchRoot). SUCCESS.
[26/12/2020 11:16:01] [ERROR] The imported MXF file contained an ERROR in its status field.
I assume that the error in the download is a one off but the failure to import the update seems to be down to something else.

Does EPG123 attempt to do a Garbage Collection before running the importing and if it does, Is there a way to stop it doing that as it seems to be causing issues on this particular PC?

Would there be any benefit in upgrading EPG123 to the latest version?

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garyan2

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#7

Post by garyan2 » Sun Dec 27, 2020 8:03 pm

EPG123 will perform the garbage cleanup every 5 days prior to the import so on those days it won't import until garbage cleanup has completed. If you never want to perform garbage cleanup (not recommended in normal situations), you can edit the scheduled task for the client and add " -nogc" (without quotes) in the arguments.

The latest version of epg123 includes a new method accessing the WMC database that I believe will reduce the risk of a database crash after a garbage cleanup, the client is more efficient, and whatever other changes I've made since 1.3.9.10. I would recommend upgrading (after I release v1.6.0.6 soon with some fixes) but you can look through the release notes to determine for yourself.
- Gary
Keeping WMC alive beyond January 2020. https://garyan2.github.io

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#8

Post by technodevotee » Sun Dec 27, 2020 8:11 pm

Thanks Gary

I don't know why but the scheduled guide update hasn't been working since I added -nogc to the arguments.

It seems to be stuck in a loop as it keeps downloading the data and creating an mxf file but doesn't run the import.

I did a manual import and it worked.

I just updated to 1.6.0.6 and it hasn't made any difference.

This is the task:

Code: Select all

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-16"?>

-<Task xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/windows/2004/02/mit/task" version="1.3">


-<RegistrationInfo>

<Author>GaRyan2's epg123</Author>

<Description>Utility to update the Windows Media Center Electronic Program Guide by downloading guide information from Schedules Direct and importing the created .mxf file.</Description>

<URI>\epg123_update</URI>

<SecurityDescriptor>D:(A;;FRFWSDWDWO;;;BA)(A;;FRFWSDWDWO;;;SY)(A;;FRFWFXDTDCSDWD;;;NS)(A;;FXFR;;;AU)</SecurityDescriptor>

</RegistrationInfo>


-<Triggers>


-<CalendarTrigger id="epg123 Daily Trigger">

<StartBoundary>2020-12-11T07:17:00</StartBoundary>

<Enabled>true</Enabled>


-<ScheduleByDay>

<DaysInterval>1</DaysInterval>

</ScheduleByDay>

</CalendarTrigger>

</Triggers>


-<Principals>


-<Principal id="NT AUTHORITY\NETWORKSERVICE">

<UserId>S-1-5-20</UserId>

<RunLevel>HighestAvailable</RunLevel>

</Principal>

</Principals>


-<Settings>

<MultipleInstancesPolicy>IgnoreNew</MultipleInstancesPolicy>

<DisallowStartIfOnBatteries>false</DisallowStartIfOnBatteries>

<StopIfGoingOnBatteries>false</StopIfGoingOnBatteries>

<AllowHardTerminate>true</AllowHardTerminate>

<StartWhenAvailable>true</StartWhenAvailable>

<RunOnlyIfNetworkAvailable>false</RunOnlyIfNetworkAvailable>


-<IdleSettings>

<StopOnIdleEnd>true</StopOnIdleEnd>

<RestartOnIdle>false</RestartOnIdle>

</IdleSettings>

<AllowStartOnDemand>true</AllowStartOnDemand>

<Enabled>true</Enabled>

<Hidden>false</Hidden>

<RunOnlyIfIdle>false</RunOnlyIfIdle>

<DisallowStartOnRemoteAppSession>false</DisallowStartOnRemoteAppSession>

<UseUnifiedSchedulingEngine>true</UseUnifiedSchedulingEngine>

<WakeToRun>false</WakeToRun>

<ExecutionTimeLimit>PT23H</ExecutionTimeLimit>

<Priority>6</Priority>


-<RestartOnFailure>

<Interval>PT30M</Interval>

<Count>5</Count>

</RestartOnFailure>

</Settings>


-<Actions Context="NT AUTHORITY\NETWORKSERVICE">


-<Exec id="epg123 Execution Action 1">

<Command>"C:\Program Files (x86)\epg123\epg123.exe"</Command>

<Arguments>-update</Arguments>

<WorkingDirectory>C:\Program Files (x86)\epg123</WorkingDirectory>

</Exec>


-<Exec id="epg123 Execution Action 2">

<Command>"C:\Program Files (x86)\epg123\epg123Client.exe"</Command>

<Arguments>-i "C:\ProgramData\GaRyan2\epg123\output\epg123.mxf" -nogc</Arguments>

<WorkingDirectory>"C:\Program Files (x86)\epg123"</WorkingDirectory>

</Exec>

</Actions>

</Task>

technodevotee

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#9

Post by technodevotee » Fri Jan 01, 2021 7:49 am

Seems to be the quotes in <WorkingDirectory>"C:\Program Files (x86)\epg123"</WorkingDirectory> that broke it as it works without them.

So, quotes must used in one entry but must not be used in another. That make perfect sense - not.

technodevotee

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#10

Post by technodevotee » Sun Jan 10, 2021 10:43 pm

Just an update in case anyone else is having an issue with garbage collection never finishing.

These are the thinks I tried that didn't make any difference:
I disabled the EPG123 schedule.
I left it running for three days with virtually no recordings taking place.
I shut down and disabled all the media center services.

Eventually I copied the database to a different PC and it completed within an hour.

I compared the software on the PCs and realised the one I copied it to didn't have Recording Broker on it.

I disabled the service on the original PC and it finished within and hour.

So I think it is actually to do with having the Recording Broker service running.

In case you were wondering; the database shrunk from 889MB to 226MB.

technodevotee

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Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2015 4:10 pm
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#11

Post by technodevotee » Sun Feb 07, 2021 7:44 am

I re-enabled garbage collection by removing the -nogc from the arguments in the EPG123 task and my PCs ran OK for a while.

However, I was soon back to having a red EPG123 tray icon and messages about not being able to complete garbage collection within 30 iterations.

Once again, manually running a GC caused mcupdate to sit reading and writing the database for days on end.

I disabled garbage collection by adding -nogc to the arguments in the RPG123 task, stopped RecordingBroker and manually ran a GC. It completed within an hour.

I intend leaving gc disabled in the EPG123 task from now on and will execute a separate task that runs a script that stops RecordingBroker before running a GC then restarts RecordingBroker.

The other thing I have done is to disable Windows Error Reporting for MCUpdate.exe.

The question is: Why am I now having this problem on two PCs that never used to do this with the Recording Broker service running?

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garyan2

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#12

Post by garyan2 » Sun Feb 07, 2021 10:56 pm

When you manually ran -dbgc while RecordingBroker was running, what command line switches did you use? I'm wondering if the -updateTrigger that epg123 uses may prevent a timeout from occurring to complete the task.
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Keeping WMC alive beyond January 2020. https://garyan2.github.io

technodevotee

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#13

Post by technodevotee » Mon Feb 08, 2021 3:16 pm

my script runs the command %systemroot%\ehome\mcupdate.exe -dbgc

I have used this with the recordingbroker service running for years and never had this problem until recently.

I've now had it happen on three separate PCs.

Thing I noticed after stopping recordingbroker;
mcupdate reads/writes blocks.mem but doesn't seem to do that while it is running.
mcupdate reads/writes the database much faster (almost twice as fast).

I assume this is because mcupdate can't get exclusive access to the database when recordingbroker is attached?

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#14

Post by technodevotee » Fri Apr 22, 2022 10:17 am

Update:

Garbage collection has been running without any problem when triggered by EPG123 since I created a VB script that runs in the background to stop the Recording Broker service when mcupdate.exe is running and start it when it isn't.

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