Database error

[BBG]

I sent an email to support@bruji.com in December but I'm not sure how much that gets looked at so I thought I would try here.

I'm trying to help my 83 year old father, who suddenly developed issues with his software months ago and hasn't been able to figure out how to fix it. I'm not familiar with the software but I am pretty computer savvy so I'm trying to help.

Basically the DVDpedia app stopped working for him and he is getting an error message every time he tries to open, and his database appears to be empty, whereas before he had 2900 movies catalogued. When you open DVDpedia, a pop-up comes up and says "could not save changes" and "The database in memory is not in a valid state and will be reloaded from the hard disk."

I did send the database file and backup database file to the support email but haven't heard back yet.

Has anyone else encountered this and if so, what can I do to help get it back?

Thank you!

[FineWine]

Basically the DVDpedia app stopped working for him and he is getting an error message every time he tries to open, and his database appears to be empty, whereas before he had 2900 movies catalogued. When you open DVDpedia, a pop-up comes up and says "could not save changes" and "The database in memory is not in a valid state and will be reloaded from the hard disk."

I did send the database file and backup database file to the support email but haven't heard back yet.

Has anyone else encountered this and if so, what can I do to help get it back?

Thank you!

Yes I have and it I attributed it to macOS software update, major release.

So have a good read of this Topic: Pedia Maintenance Practices

Delete the entire DVD program and associated files except for those mentioned in Blue including the Database.*****pd. Re-install the program and copy over the backup database file.

'That should do the trick. It worked for me.

[BBG]

Thank you for the reply!!! I'm assuming that the database file is where all his DVD lists reside, so in keeping that he will not lose all his previous work?

[FineWine]

Yes that is correct. Delete that problematic file and reinstall backup file

Let us all know how you got on

[BBG]

Perfect, thank you SO much! Just one follow up question, if I'm deleting all those files, how do I copy over the backup file? Or will redownloading the program create a new backup file that I will copy over to the library folder? Thanks again!

[FineWine]

Perfect, thank you SO much! Just one follow up question, if I'm deleting all those files, how do I copy over the backup file? Or will redownloading the program create a new backup file that I will copy over to the library folder? Thanks again!

No, redownloading will not create a new backup file.

So when you delete the program, just ensure you leave these Folders and Files that are in ~/Library/Application Support/dvdedia/

FOLDERS
Covers
InfoTemplates
Plug-ins
Templates
and these files
AddMultiple.xml
autofill.xml

All else within ~/Library/Application Support/dvdpedia/ location can be deleted.

If the backup database is in a zip format file, then double click on it to unzip and there should be Database.dvdpd. Now copy that file into ~/Library/Application Support/dvdpedia/. Reinstall DVDpedia and fire it up. It should automatically locate the database so long as you have placed it within the default location as just mentioned.

It would also be a good idea to run this program which is available here: Titanium Software - Onyx. ONLY DOWNLOAD THE VERSION FOR YOUR macOS After deletion and prior to reinstalling DVDpedia. This will get rid of any cache and other extraneious files from within the overall system. PS: if you do this ensure within the Onyx program you untick anything to do with internet bookmarks/faviourites otherwise you will loose them.

[FineWine]

As a follow-up to above but in a WAY WAY more technical bent, if above fails you could try the following:

1 - Reset your SMC by unplugging the power cord or remove the battery, unplug all USB accessories and wait 30 sec. Reattach everything. Wait a few more seconds and power up again.

2- Finally reset your PRAM or NVRAM by shutting down and starting up again but as soon as you have pressed the start button hold the following combination of keys together: Command (⌘) + Option (⌥) + P + R, then release the keys after you hear the start-up sound for a second time. NOTE: do a dry run to ensure your fingers can reach all four keys at the same time.

3 - have read here: Repair a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac

4 - and have read here: Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac

Oh, dear, I just realised how scary some of the above sounds. Hopefully one or some or all of the above releases the memory loop that may have occurred.

HOPEFULLY it does not come to all this

Let the forums know how you get on

[BBG]

Haha, no worries, I can follow this!!! The main thing I want to make sure of is that my father's database remains so that he doesn't have to start all over again, so that's why I'm a little paranoid, but this is extremely helpful!!!! I will try this this week and report back as soon as I can get it done. If this gets fixed, you have no idea how happy you will have made him!

[BBG]

I'm reporting back after spending the afternoon at my parents' house. Phew!

The short version is that I got it to work. The long version is that I used the App Cleaner app to delete all the files except the database files in the application support library. However, my father had about 5 different DVDpedia applications downloaded, and he had not one but 2 DVD library folders, one called DVDpedia and another called DVDpedia Secondary. Within those folders, there were a combined 20 dvd database files as well as multiple backup files. So even when I deleted the other files and kept those and then redownloaded the application, it still wouldn't work.

What wound up working was going through the various database files and asking the program to allow me to choose which database file to use to open the program. Many of them gave me the error and I had to force quit. But I did find a couple that would allow me to open the program and I found one with his 2900 DVDs listed, which thankfully worked and now we are back in business. I closed and reopened the program a few times and it seems to now work. My assumption is that one of those database files was corrupt and the DVDpedia application was trying to open the program using one of those corrupted files, but now that I've told it which one to use to open, it opens. My only concern is now what happens when he adds things and if the app will backup the new data and use the right file to open. But I guess we wait and see. So far it seems to be working.

THANK YOU!!!!!!

[FineWine]

My only concern is now what happens when he adds things and if the app will backup the new data and use the right file to open. But I guess we wait and see. So far it seems to be working.

THANK YOU!!!!!!

Well Done! What a nightmare.

I think the big question is how did he manage to get so many Databases

There will be no problems adding new entries, as that process does not interfere with the location of the database.

As for creating backups:

Up to three backup.dvdpd files of the original Database.dvdpd file are created automatically by the program every month, the oldest first being overwritten etc.

However, you can create a manual backup by going: File > Export > Backup. This backup command creates a copy of your DVDpedia data folder, which includes everything from the data file to the covers folder and any personalized templates or plug-ins you might have, and compresses it into a .zip file to save space. For extra security, move this .zip file to a different location such as an external hard drive.

If you ever need to restore your database from a backup, make sure DVDpedia is not running, unzip the .zip file by double-clicking it and then move the DVDpedia folder into the default location (~/Library/Application Support/). Then restart DVDpedia.

Then of course there is the greatest backup system ever and has saved my arse multiple times, Apple's own in built TimeMachine using an external drive. In my case, a 2TB one.

Good Luck

PS: Make sure there is only one DVDpedia in the Applications folder, that being the latest version from the Pedia's Beta download pages.

Secondly that you also run some hidden menu tasks by 'hold down the option key and click on the main Help menu in each program once and select - each in turn: 'Verify Database', 'Remove Orphaned Covers' and 'Clean Duplicates in Fields' these may not solve your problems but it wont hurt either.

[BBG]

I think the big question is how did he manage to get so many Databases

Ah, if only you had seen the many stacks of papers that were printed out with handwritten notes and stickies with various instructions and information he has gathered over the past months trying to sort this out!! I think in his desperation he just kept copying or backing up multiple things, creating multiple files in the hope of somehow figuring it out, but it just got all tangled up.

I'm definitely going to save this info for future use. Your help has been absolutely invaluable, and I really do appreciate how quickly and thoroughly you responded.

[FineWine]

I just sent an update to my above post

[BBG]

PS: Make sure there is only one DVDpedia in the Applications folder, that being the latest version from the Pedia's Beta download pages.

This is something I'm not sure about. So he has 2 folders in Library/Application Support and one is called DVDpedia and one is called DVDpedia Secondary. I'm honestly not sure which one the application is pulling from so I'm a little nervous about deleting one of the folders.

[FineWine]

This is something I'm not sure about. So he has 2 folders in Library/Application Support and one is called DVDpedia and one is called DVDpedia Secondary. I'm honestly not sure which one the application is pulling from so I'm a little nervous about deleting one of the folders.

Unless you are an expert in computer programs and know what you are doing, in this case a DVD shop owner running multiple databases for various retail reasons, then you should only have one database location and one database within that location. In the case of all the pedia's the correct location is:

~/Library/Application Support/DVDpedia/

To check what database location DVDpedia is using, goto menubar: DVDpedia > Settings > General and down the bottom of that panel is the Data folder location.

Delete the folder of the one NOT mentioned in this location setting. IF it is the Secondary folder the program is using, then you can either leave it as is and delete the other folder or you can delete that folder anyway and rename the Secondary folder to the program's default name. Make sure you Quit in the Dock first and when the deletion and renaming has occurred restart up the program by holding down the Option key at the same time and follow the on-screen instructions. Now double-check the program has the correct location by looking in the afore mentioned Settings location. Then carry out the PS instructions above.

[BBG]

Oh perfect, thanks, this is helpful and I will definitely follow up and make sure there is only one folder. I was not prepared to turn into the family IT support, but here I am, haha!!