I had an an ancient HP Microserver setup as a Synology NAS DiskStation using XPEnology (DS3612xs running DSM 5.0-4993). It worked fine until Plex Media Server app was unable to find my server, it was just stuck on ‘looking for servers…’ then displayed the message ‘A server could not be found. Download and install Plex Media Server, and it will appear here.’ (post about it here: https://forums.plex.tv/t/server-cannot-be-found-but-plex-is-the-server/864932
I was unable to update Plex (v3.39.5) due to the ancient DSM, which I’ve since migrated to DS3622xs running DSM 7.1.1-42962. I reinstalled Plex (v4.87.2) and reclaimed the server with a token from plex.tv, fixed the permissions but I cannot find my library. New server is shown under devices as follows:
1.29.2.6364-6d72b0cf6
Plex Media Server
DS3622xs+
Linux DSM 7.1.1.42962-1
Why wouldn’t I be able to find my Plex library? Is the jump in versions too large?
I’m not very savvy with regard to Plex setup, hence not updating for so long when I had something that was working. Is the library gone forever?
We need to get sorted out where you’re actually at.
Basic questions:
In the Plex shared folder
– Is it empty (no “Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server”)
– Or is this where your pre DSM 7 server is (which must have been VERY old)
DSM 5 was a long time ago. Confirm for me please that your XPE completely skipped over DSM 6 ?
NOTE: I ask because DSM 7 Plex upgrades (from 6 → 7) get a Migration.log in the Plex shared folder during the upgrade process
Hi Chuck, thanks for responding. Reading it back it’s not at all clear, apologies.
It’s still the same server, the HP Microserver. It is very old but it’s been reliable and people have been having success updating them to DSM 7. Following their guide I was able to do the same. All my media files remained intact (I only use Plex for music, it’s all still there. I use Kodi to to manage my video media and am able to use that without issue or updating the source libraries.)
Yes, I skipped over DSM 6 I was able to migrate it to DSM 7. I can have a look for the migration.log if you can advise where?
On the server there are two plex folders:
/Plex (which is empty, not sure if it’s a relic from the original installation or something else)
/PlexMediaServer/AppData/Plex Media Server (which contains Cache, Codecs, Drivers, Logs folders etc as well as Preferences.xml)
Before any of the migration, I backed up the ‘Plex Media Server’ folder and I’ve just noticed that the Media and Metadata folders are present in the backup but are are not present on the server any longer which I assume is why my library is not showing in Plex (feeling a bit silly).
I have a vague memory of restoring Plex from a backup a long time ago and just copying the entire ‘Plex Media Folder’ over and overwriting the original data. Not sure if this will cause problems with such a significant version change.
Let me know if there is anything else I can provide. Thanks again
When PMS itself upgrades to DSM 7 Plecx correctly, the Plex shared folder will be empty.
There will be a new “PlexMediaServer” shared folder with all the server internals in there.
— DO NOT TOUCH!!! lol (it’s very fragile in DSM 7 thanks to how DSM 7 is)
What’s changed in DSM 7
– Plex shared folder and structure → PlexMediaServer shared folder and structure
– “Plex” username no longer used → “PlexMediaServer” (system internal user) used
For each of your shared folders containing your media you’ll need grant permission.
DSM 5 → DSM 7 shared folder MIGHT need upgrading
– If you have trouble assigning permissions to your media (Step 4 above), let me know and I’ll write out how to do the shared folder upgrade
Once all the shared folders have their permissions upgraded AND
Apply to this folder, sub-folders and files has been applied to get ALL the media files – Then PMS should find everything again (Scan files)
I was able to update the permission to the Music shared folder without issue, I had given the original ‘plex’ entry read/write permission not realising I needed to create a new rule for ‘PlexMediaServer’ which has now been done and has read/write permission.
I restarted the server (just in case) and ran Plex but my library called ‘Music’ is still empty. When I first installed Plex on the updated DSM 7 server and saw my library was missing I created a new library with the same name as the old library (Music) to see what options it might have (I don’t know if this would cause Plex any confusion). You wrote ‘scan files’ above - do I need to scan the files on the empty ‘Music’ library and that will bring up my old library?
I also noticed no Media or Metadata folders have appeared (the ones that still exist in the backup). If there’s any way to make the new Plex see the old library (tags, artist & album artwork etc) that would be amazing. Understand if not possible though.
Is this a Music shared folder which you created or is it one Synology provided ?
Synology-provided ones are problematic.
They take ownership inside DSM and cause problems with Plex (age-old problem) until you change the name (even upper/lower case will suffice)
Might that apply here?
Be specific here. I have no idea what you’re looking at.
I would not be surprised if there’s nothing we can bring forward from that DSM 5-based (something before PMS 1.18.x) server
The ‘Music’ shared folder is one that I created on the original DSM 5 server. All my shared media folders came through the migration unscathed. It’s exactly as it was. It doesn’t look like Synology has done anything with it (to my untrained eye). DSM 7 server has no new shared folders (other than PlexMediaServer) that weren’t on the DSM 5 server.
The Media and Metadata folders I’m referring to are present in the ‘Plex Media Server’ folder (same folder that has the Cache, Codecs, Drivers, Logs folders & Preferences.xml) in the backup of the original Plex installation (v3.39.5) from the DSM 5. They aren’t present in the new ‘Plex Media Server’ folder on the new DSM 7 server. I assumed they hold all the library ‘data’ and when I didn’t see them in the new Plex folders I guessed that might be why my library isn’t showing (highlight to words ‘assumed’ and ‘guessed’).
Could the new Plex ‘Music’ library I created with the same name as the old Plex ‘Music’ library cause the new Plex installation to not be able to see the original library? (grasping at straws here).
I believe if I scan the new Plex ‘Music’ library it will start finding music media, I didn’t want to do that yet just in case a salvage of the old library was possible and it ruined any chance of pulling the old library in.
Version 3.xxx as you keep referring to them, is NOT the version.
Settings - Server - General will show you the server version
What you’re referring to is the Plex/web bundled web page player.
(The bundled web player will be used across multiple server versions)
Regarding salvage. If you’re not seeing Media & Metadata –
– The migration simply moves the files from the Plex share to the new structure
– The new Plex versions minimally create empty directories.
Here’s the next (TENTATIVE) step
1.Stop Plex
2. FileStation → PlexMediaServer
3. Rename “AppData” → "AppData-FromOld’ so we know what’s happening
At this point, your previous server instance is safely tucked off to the side
Package Center
– Unstall Plex with the KEEP option (First radio button)
– Install 1.29.2 again AND
–Use the Plex Claim Token option
Now open Plex/web
You will start a whole new server setup
– This includes giving the server a tempory “Friendly Name” so you can easily identify it
Test each library section slowly (one at a time)
– There are a LOT of new settings and capabilities everywhere so look at everything.
– add only one media source / folder and confirm everything is working how you want it before you load up all the other folders in that library section.
I know you’re focused on Music from what you post.
Music got at least 1 full re-write during the DSM 6 days with multiple heavy updates along the way
I can only suggest you proceed slowly. This will not be a an easy transition.
