QNAP - Cannot connect to Slimserver

[Scamp]

I'm running two Squeezeboxes from a QNAP TS-101 (firmware 6.3.1) with a 3-Com wireless router. Apart from the odd hiccup,it has performed really well.

However, last week, both Squeezeboxes have stopped connecting to Slimserver and I can no longer access Slimserver via the web interface. I've tried several re-boots both of the router and the QNAP, but to no avail. After a cold start, the Squeezeboxes obtain an IP address from the DHCP server and give the option of connecting to Slimserver-01, but never manage to connect. If I retry, I get the emssage "waking up Slimserver", but the SB screen then goes blank.

I can still access the QNAP using my laptop and can browse to folders and play music in Media Player, so I'm assuming that the hard disk is OK. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Andy_W]

I'm running two Squeezeboxes from a QNAP TS-101 (firmware 6.3.1) with a 3-Com wireless router. Apart from the odd hiccup,it has performed really well.

However, last week, both Squeezeboxes have stopped connecting to Slimserver and I can no longer access Slimserver via the web interface. I've tried several re-boots both of the router and the QNAP, but to no avail. After a cold start, the Squeezeboxes obtain an IP address from the DHCP server and give the option of connecting to Slimserver-01, but never manage to connect. If I retry, I get the emssage "waking up Slimserver", but the SB screen then goes blank.

I can still access the QNAP using my laptop and can browse to folders and play music in Media Player, so I'm assuming that the hard disk is OK. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Wierd!! - exactly the same thing happened to me last night (it is Halloween!) I rebooted the QNAP, restarted the router etc (ie all the usual suspects) Then I went back through the network set up menu on the SB3 and re-entered the WPA key and everything is now back on line!

So I would suggest that you try that first and then if that does not work, switch off your encryption on the router for a short while and test that you can get back on line.

Andy

[Andy_W]

Just had another thought - do you use Zone Alarm free edition? - I seem to notice that my network is not as reliable since ZA started downloading automatic updates. Maybe its changed some of the settings?

[RichardEvans]

I had something similar a few days ago, and I think I know what caused the problem in my case.

I was brousing trough my music and adding more songs to the Playlist (using the + Button). Then I wanted to get more info on a particular file, and so used the right arrow to browse through Artist Title Etc. I pressed the + button again, and the whole thing froze saying "Adding To PlayList".

After restarting and waiting ages to get a response, I discovered that the playlist now contained my entire music collection (about 4400 tracks).

So it would seem there is a bug, that adds everything to the playlist, if you are looking at the details of a track, when you press the + button. (or at least there is on my setup). Presumably adding 4400 tracks to the playlist is enough to slow the TS101 to a crawl.

Richard.

[happyfishman]

I had something similar a few days ago, and I think I know what caused the problem in my case.

I was brousing trough my music and adding more songs to the Playlist (using the + Button). Then I wanted to get more info on a particular file, and so used the right arrow to browse through Artist Title Etc. I pressed the + button again, and the whole thing froze saying "Adding To PlayList".

After restarting and waiting ages to get a response, I discovered that the playlist now contained my entire music collection (about 4400 tracks).

So it would seem there is a bug, that adds everything to the playlist, if you are looking at the details of a track, when you press the + button. (or at least there is on my setup). Presumably adding 4400 tracks to the playlist is enough to slow the TS101 to a crawl.

I mentioned this (or something similar) a little while ago. If you accidently press play when you have "Browse Artist" on the display the Qnap loads every track into the current playlist, which, with my 20,000 tracks, takes well over 30 minutes. The result is that there is no way of stopping it, since no remote buttons work and the slimserver interface is locked up. The first time I did it I rebooted the Qnap and pulled the power from the Squeezebox after 10 minutes of lock-up. Bad mistake! All sorts of inconsistencies appeared in SS (all my previous settings were lost) and I had to reinstall. When it happens you're best just watching the TV, grabbing some food or heading off to the pub while it does its own thing. What is REALLY needed is a "bail-out" or escape button (or combination of buttons) that allows you to escape immediately from a command. I'm surprised there isn't one ...or is there...?

[Scamp]

Thanks to everyone for responding:

I turned off encryption a while ago, as the SB went through a phase of requiring the key to be entered on a regular basis, and I've now realised that I never turned it back on (tonight's #1 task). So it's not that.

I checked the playlists folder trhough Windows Explorer and it's empty (I don't use playlists). Can it appear elsewhere?

My next theory is either database or software corruption, which I may be able to cure by running the database clearing utility or upgrading to SS6.5 then downgrading back to SS6.3 (to avoid issues with disk spin down etc.

Before I try that, I will try a 'factory reset'on each of the two Squeezeboxes.

[Scamp]

Thanks to everyone for responding:

I turned off encryption a while ago, as the SB went through a phase of requiring the key to be entered on a regular basis, and I've now realised that I never turned it back on (tonight's #1 task). So it's not that.

I checked the playlists folder trhough Windows Explorer and it's empty (I don't use playlists). Can it appear elsewhere?

My next theory is either database or software corruption, which I may be able to cure by running the database clearing utility or upgrading to SS6.5 then downgrading back to SS6.3 (to avoid issues with disk spin down etc.

Before I try that, I will try a 'factory reset'on each of the two Squeezeboxes.

Factory reset didn't work, so I downloaded Paul's 'database clear' tool. Everything is now working, although a bit slowly as it has a big music archive to search. I suspect that it probably was a playlist issue/ as my 16 year old stepson was giving the system a good thrashing during half-term (listening to my 1970's prog rock!). He'll be here in 15 minutes so I won't be getting any grief off him or the current Mrs. Scamp.

Thanks again to everyone for their suggestions - a relatively quick and painless fix.

[Chris Hollands]

"Factory reset didn't work, so I downloaded Paul's 'database clear' tool. Everything is now working, although a bit slowly as it has a big music archive to search. I suspect that it probably was a playlist issue/ as my 16 year old stepson was giving the system a good thrashing during half-term (listening to my 1970's prog rock!). He'll be here in 15 minutes so I won't be getting any grief off him or the current Mrs. Scamp.

Thanks again to everyone for their suggestions - a relatively quick and painless fix."

I am excited to hear that there might be a "relatively quick and painless fix" to the connection problem between the SB3 and the QNAP TS-101 running the Slimserver. I have encountered exactly this same issue last weekend for no apparent reason. Could you please point me in the direction of Paul's 'database clear' tool i.e. from where I can download it and also how I manage to install and run it on the Slimserver running on my QNAP TS-101?

Thanks and Regards

Chris