PMS isn’t running - should I start it?
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Help! (please)
I run Plex from a Synology DS220+ (DSM7.1.1-42962 (Update 2)).
Plex ran like a dream yesterday but I kept getting a message to say a Plex update was available and a Server update - I thought it best to update Plex first so off I went.
I updated it (not sure what version from, but to 1.29.2.6364-7000 - the latest version available from the Package Center).
It behaved a little odd and the package said it was still starting for a while when in fact it was already running by that stage in another window.
When Plex booted it asked for my login information and then ran me through creating a new server (odd as I already have one).
I created a server knowing I could remove it later and reclaim my own server, then when I got into Plex I got a message on my original server saying “The server “PlexServer1” is unreachable. Make sure it’s running, double check your network, and try again.”
I tried the fix of changing the permissions of the media folder in the shared folder part of DSM - no luck.
I tried then manual installing Plex “1.30.1.6562-915986d62-x86_64_DSM7” - no luck.
I’ve uninstalled that version and reinstalled 1.29.2.6364-7000 from the package center for now. (I selected the second option of the three - telling it not to delete my server completely).
I’m now stuck!
I’ve still got access to my media files on the NAS but I’m more concerned about my metadata (I think this is the right term…) - where I’m upto, what I’ve watched/listened to etc… and I don’t really want to have to rebuild my server from scratch.
Please could someone advise if they know how to fix this?
Thanks in advance!
Matt,
Sometimes you need to hit Control+F5 when it’s sitting showing you “Maintenance” (browser silliness)
Now, as to what you did to the server?
Which folder(s) did you change per 
?
As for being unavailable, that’s easily fixed at the package install stage.
I would like you to open https://app.plex.tv
Settings → Authorized Devices → Server (Change ‘all’ to 'server)
Look at what’s there (based on when last seen and what you know is gone)
Clean out whatever might be appropriate.
When you’re done
With PMS package uninstalled (but your server data still in PlexMediaServer)
- Install package again
- Select “New or Lost Servers” option (Plex Claim Token method)
- Click ‘Get Plex Claim Token’
- Browser opens
- COPY token from browser
- Promptly return to installation tab
- PASTE into the box
- Click NEXT NEXT DONE
- wait for it to respond confirming it’s installed and claimed to your username
- “Bob’s your uncle”
Hi @ChuckPa, thanks so much for getting back to me.
I’m lost on the “Control F5” comment - sorry?
Okay - so I went into Control panel - shared folder - PlexContent (where my files are).
Edit - Permissions - System Internal User. Then ticked “Read/Write” on “PlexMediaServer”.
I’ve been into Settings - Authorized Devices - Server…and I can see my old server alongside the new one it made me create. I removed the new one and kept the old one.
I then uninstalled the package and reinstalled.
I’ve “claimed the server” (although I don’t know which one it’s claimed…)
Then logged back in to the new install.
I signed in and it asked whether I want my old server or new server as my primary.
I selected my old one…
I still can’t get into the old one, same “verify you have a network connection etc…” message and it keeps retrying.
The new server is there and can be accessed.
Sorry to be a pain. I’ve just no idea what I’ve done to it.
I never had Plex installed on DSM6 by the way if that helps. I bought my Syno NAS when DSM7 was out and Plex was only ever installed on DSM7.
Thanks again
EDIT - looking in the PlexMediaServer folder in File Station I’m a little worried that all of my old data has been removed as the “created date” doesn’t go back any further than yesterday evening for any of my files…
Rut Roh!
Which option did you select? " Uninstall Only " ???
This one or the 2nd one?
If you did the 3rd option (ERASE) then it’s indeed ALL GONE
So when I first “updated” I just clicked the “update” button in the Package Center.
It didn’t give me any of the above options and just went about its update.
It was at that point the server went ‘unavailable’.
After that when I uninstalled, all I used was option 2, my thinking it would let me reclaim it later - nu-uh!
Thanks
You did a Sign Out??? or the BIG RED ERASE ?
“Option 2” doesn’t mean much unless you meant “The second choice – SIGN OUT”
It sounds like you hit the big red button 
Sorry - to clarify - I definitely didn’t hit the big red button at any stage.
I selected the middle option “Sign out and unclaim this server.”
Assuming the server has deleted…(and I genuinely haven’t deleted anything I shouldn’t have so how this has happened I’ve no idea…)
Where it still shows in my Plex app… if I just click the “X” in Authorized Devices, will it go without a trace? i.e. nobody can access it somehow in the future without me knowing?
Also - I’ve been using Tautulli for 12 months at least and there’s a lot of watched data in there from my old server.
Is there any way to keep this and just continue to build on that with my new server?
Thanks
EDIT - I think Tautulli is looking at my new server too. It can see me adding new content. This is one positive.
Can we backup a bit please?
When you upgraded to 1.29.2.6364 , What did you update FROM ?
(this is important)
Did you update from 1.21.0.3744 ??
Now this is where I can’t help you… that is, unless, DSM7 has logged it somewhere?
Because I just went all gung-ho with the update button and didn’t look what the previous version was.
Oops!
I am , at the moment, eyeballs deep with a user.
If you’ll give me a bit to finish there, i’ll come back and help you finish?
Matt,
I found your current (new) server at Plex.tv
I also found your old server right where I suspected it would be.
You had 1.21.0.3744 (the BETA package from the Syno Package Center)
We “might” be able to upgrade this but not knowing what you did during that first upgrade attempt… anything can happen.
- it might be sitting there waiting for you
- It might already be gone.
If I give you a user-script to run in task scheduler, would you be ok with that?
Oh absolutely! I appreciate you even replying to me. I’m in no rush - if you’re busy you’re busy 
I’ve just checked and my old server is showing 1.21.0.3744 as you said earlier.
I can wait as long as you need dude.
Regards
I’ve no idea what a task scheduler is, but if you tell me what I’m doing I’m more than happy to try!
Again though… no rush!
Thanks
I’ll write up some ‘prestidigation’ scripting and we’ll see what we see / can find / make happen.
I’ll be back as soon as that user confirms he’s running again.
1 Like
Ready to ride the wild software? 
-
Control Panel - Task Scheduler
-
Create a Scheduled Task → User-defined script
-
Name it “Find Plex”. Change the username to be ‘root’
-
In Task Settings is where we do the work.
– Send yourself the job output results (your email)
– Paste the text into the shell script window:
#!/bin/sh
for i in /volume*/@apphome/PlexMediaServer
do
[ -d "$i/Plex Media Server" ] && echo Found Plex in "$i"
done
It looks like this when done
OK that.
SAVE
SAVE to acknowledge the warning about modifying system stuff 
Now RUN the task once
– highlight the task
– Click “RUN”
– CONFIRM to run it
Check your email. This runs almost instantly
Task Scheduler has completed a scheduled task.
Task: Find Plex
Start time: Tue, 24 Jan 2023 21:24:29 GMT
Stop time: Tue, 24 Jan 2023 21:24:29 GMT
Current status: 0 (Normal)
Standard output/error:
Found Plex in /volume1/@apphome/PlexMediaServerFrom Syno-1
Syno-1 is my latest server.
My old one is called PlexServer.
You have a choice.
What would you like to do?
Slide the old server over into position?
We won’t know until we move it out from that hidden beta location.
What I can write for you is another script (to augment what you have)
- We’ll rename your current “AppData” to “AppData.KEEPTHIS” before we start
- We’ll then run the script I updated to move the files over and make it your new “AppData”
As far as “PlexServer” is concerned, it’ll wake up from a long nap;
It will update the database to 1.29.2 (which will take few minutes – be patient)
It will then be there with all your library sections intact.
Sound like a plan?
