Same server on two computers

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
1

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For years I had Plex Server on my desktop computer, and also Plex Server on my laptop computer.

For several months Windows Update was messed up on my Desktop computer. After running out of solutions, I made an AOMEI backup of my laptop computer, and restored it to the Desktop computer.

this was much easier than zapping the desktop computer and installing windows all over again.

Now comes the PLEX Server problems.
Only 1 of the servers is visible.
If I manage the server from the browser, whether on desktop computer, or on laptop computer…It i changing the Plex Server on the desktop computer.

I have tried uninstalling Plex and Plex Server from both computers, and reinstalling on both computers, but this does not help at all.

Plex on roku, phone, and tablet only see one plex server.

It seems uninstalling Plex Server does not eliminate all data (or registry items), and I can not run the new Installation Wizard to make a completely new Plex Server installation.

If I remove the Desktop Computer from the internet, only then does the laptop computer Plex Server web interface on the laptop, control the laptop plex server.

Any suggestions ?

2

If you want an easy solution:

https://support.plex.tv/articles/204281528-why-am-i-locked-out-of-server-settings-and-how-do-i-get-in/

There is a registry setting (which is probably left when uninstalled) that identifies your server. When you did a hard drive clone, you now have 2 computers with the same ID, which is what is leading to your problems.

Easiest is to uninstall plex on one, make sure those reg keys are completely gone, and then reinstall.

3

Thanks DBirch.

This is what I did:
Uninstalled Plex Server
Edited the registry, went to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Plex, Inc.\Plex Media Server
and deleted all registry items except “default” item.
Rebooted laptop
Installed Plex Server

Got the New Install Wizard.
Gave it a Plex Server friendly name (happened to type it slightly differently)
Reconnected the desktop computer to the router

Initially had the two laptop server names (old, and the new one typed slightly differently)
But after a minute the old laptop server friendly name changed to the Desktop computer friendly name.

On my phone, the same thing, took a while to show the correct Desktop and Laptop friendly server names.

So, I think everything is fixed.
Tomorrow will try the Roku stick’s Plex client.

Thank you for that Plex article.

Regards,
h

4

The above procedure is not enough if you need to separate a “clone” of a server from its original.
The two instances are still sharing their machine ID. So they will clash in your clients and you can never be sure which one you are actually communicating with.

See Moving/Cloning Metadata - #4 by OttoKerner

5

Thanks Otto Kerner,

I disconnected Desktop computer from router.

On laptop
Uninstalled Plex Server
In Registry deleted all the keys (except Default) in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Plex, Inc.\Plex Media Server

In %LOCALAPPDATA%\Plex Media Server
I deleted the cert-v2.p12 file in to Cache folder.

rebooted laptop
reinstalled Plex Server
Chose a different name for the server (not sure if that was best choice)

Put Desktop computer back on internet.

Now everything works well from both Desktop and Laptop.

Only inconvenience is clients see Desktop, Laptop, and the old named laptop server (old one is unreachable).

Maybe the old named, unreachable Laptop Plex server will eventually leave the Client list ?

6

It will be gone by itself after a few weeks.
You can also remove it from your account before that. But careful to only remove that one, unavailable server!
https://app.plex.tv/desktop/#!/settings/devices/pms

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