Content Manager Issues
Fragg1960
Posts: 356
Ever since I upgraded to Studio version 4.6 the content manager service has been out to lunch. Sometimes it starts with the program, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes I start it manually and it works fine for that session, other times I start it manually and it picks up the names of installed products, but won't open them--sometimes it opens them and then cuts out and the content disappears. Anyone else seeing this too, or just me?
I'm running Studio on Windows 7, 64-bit, 2.93 GHz dual core, 8 GB RAM. Never had any issues with this rig and Studio before.
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Comments
You may need to uninstall CMS if it used to work OK, and is now behaving badly. Problems can be caused by Firewall or AV programs, but if it worked before, it may just need updated to the latest version.
Uninstall CMS from Start > All Programs > DAZ 3D, and then reinstall DS4.6, which will also install the latest version of CMS. See if that helps any.
I've had nothing BUT problems with version 4.6 and the CMS. And I see posts from other people where this stupid thing just stops and works off and on. I would think it isn't a firewall when it works then stops, works then stops- the firewall would stop ALL of it?
Thanks JimmyC and Novica. I guess I'll have to try the uninstall/install route since there is no way I can find to re-install Content Manager on it's own (which is incredibly stupid since it appears as separate software,but cannot be treated as such). There needs to be a way to install content manager independent of Studio (how about it DAZ guys). And while you're at it, figure out the bugs with CMS and 4.6.
Uninstalled and re-installed 4.6 to try and fix CMS--didn't do a damn thing. CMS sees the content at first and then it randomly cuts out and stops working. Piece of crap CMS is now useless in 4.6.
Anyone know how to access/load installed content without using CMS? Been using it so long that I forgot how to find and import my stuff any other way (and now it appears I'll have to). Otherwise I'll just have to dial Studio back a version--this is too freaking annoying to deal with.
Just went through the "Trouble-shooting the Smart Content Pane" guide and executed the suggestions in order. Now CMS won't even run after re-installation of Studio 4.6. I've been f***ing with this for the last two hours when I just wanted to work on a simple scene, I'm starting to understand why people prefer Poser.
Before you upgraded did you stop and uninstall the old content manager?
If not that could be causing your issues. Here are some steps you can try. Before doing any of this I would suggest you backup your content library to a temp location
1. Uninstall DS 4.6
2. Stop the Daz CMS (Start Menu->Daz 3d->Daz Content Managment Service->Stop Content Management Service)
3. Uninstall the CMS (Start Menu->Daz 3d->Daz Content Management Service->Uninstall)
4. Re-install DS 4.6
This should re-install the new version of the CMS and allow you to get back up and running.
Even if you decide not to try installing again you should be able to get to your content via the Content Library tab. Yes, it takes a bit more work on your part and you need to know where things are to find them but once you get used to it it's actually a better system than smart content. You should learn to use this system anyway as you'll have to do it if you're using free content that doesn't have metadata or you want to use something created for V4 on Genesis since that stuff won't show up in Smart Content anyway.
By the way, Poser doesn't have smart content either so you'll be using the equivalent of the Content Library tab there as well.
Personally I prefer Daz's way of doing things but that's more to do with the fact that I can't pose, light and render a scene decently in Poser than with the content management. This isn't a knock on Poser it's just that I can't wrap my head around how they do things while Daz has always been intuitive for me. Still, if you find it frustrating there's no harm in trying out something else to see if that works better for you.
Sisca:
Thanks. Yes, I followed those steps in the exact order in which you listed them (they were listed the same way in the guide). I also tried re-setting the database and re-importing the metadata. The process ran fine, but when I close Studio and re-open, nothing, no smart content is listed. I even re-booted the PC. I click on products and it doesn't open into the alphabetized list at all.
The problem is the CMS used to run and then cut out--now it doesn't run at all (even when I close Studio, start it manually and then re-open Studio). You're right though, I should get used to just going back to the Content Library tab again and finding things (even though it's more work). It just annoys me when "updates" end up being downgrades. Is it possible to still download the previous Studio version (4.5) from our accounts?--I'm just curious if it's a version 4.6 issue or something else (because CMS worked perfectly for me in 4.5).
The way to fix it, is to get rid of (or move) your database files, and run DS4.6 to create new ones, and run the Metadata in again.
I don't know where your files are, mine are in C:\Program Files\DAZ 3D\Content Management Service\databases, but most people have them in Program Data which is a hidden folder in Windows, you will need to unhide it if they are in there.
Delete or move the five files that are in there, and restart DS and do the Metadata reinstall again, and it should all work OK. No need to go back to 4.5, and it wont help anyway if your databases are corrupted. If you use your own Categories, I'm afraid they will be lost, but otherwise, it is the only solution.
Another member also posted that she saves the newly created db files, so that if it happens again, you can just move them to the original folder again.
Not sure if you can still download 4.5 or not you could check your product library and see.
The thing is they upgraded the CMS with 4.6 so it's different than the one in 4.5 though I believe it still uses the same data files.
The problem is if those data files got corrupted during the initial install even uninstalling may not remove the actual files.
A couple of more options though I have no idea if any of these will work or if they'll just make things worse so you might want to wait until someone with more experience chimes in.
If you go to the Content Library tab then click on the little arrow/lines menu where you get to the database options there is a selection for Migrate Database. I have no clue what this one does or if it's even appropriate but I just noticed it.
The other option is to shutdown the CMS and make sure it actually stops running then go into where the actual database files are stored (for Win7/8 it should be C:\ProgramData\Daz 3d\Content Management Service\databases) and delete those files. Then re-start the CMS and see if it will rebuild your database. Again, I have no clue if this will work so you might want to wait for someone that knows more about it to tell you if it's a good idea or not. I would suggest if you decide to try it you copy those files off somewhere so you can put them back if you need to.
Once again use the above at your own risk.
Looks like we crossposted :). So my second idea above will actually work.
If you need to find out where your db files are you can open C:\Program Files\Daz 3d\Content Management Service\ContentManagementServer.ini in Notepad or any text editor and look for the line that says SystemCatalog=, that will show you the path. Oh, replace \Program Files\ with \Program Files (x86)\ if you're using the 32bit version of DS.
If you have DIM there is a "cms" folder included in the install location that contains the CMS installer DAZContentManagementService.exe., no need to uninstall/re-install Studio. After uninstalling CMS run a registry cleaner like CCleaner. When re-installing CMS don't install it in Program Files and don't have the database in ProgramData. I have it installed in c:/3D/Apps/DAZ/CMS and the database in c:/3D/Apps/DAZ/CMS/CMS db and have had no problems with it since.
Thanks Sisca,
This crops up all the time. Good info about the ini file.
Thanks a lot for your helpful suggestions guys--got it sorted out. I had to delete the database files (which must have been corrupted somehow) twice and then I had Studio rebuild it. Of course I wasted the entire time I was planning on playing with Studio to fix it...:-/
Glad you got it sorted for next time at least.
I'm glad you figured it out. Could you send me a link to the guide you used? It should have something in there about clearing the database files manually. If not then I need to add it.
The guide has the instructions to clear out the guide manually so you don't need to update/add anything, but for some reason I had two folders with those database files--don't ask me how. Deleted them both and the db built itself back up.