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Topic: Wedding DJs don't read this, it will scare you.................... - Page: 1

Dieser Teil des Themas ist veraltet und kann veraltete oder falsche Informationen enthalten

It had to happen one day!!! 5.15pm fired up the laptop to update my Top 40 Playlist and chaos!!! My usual startup screen didn't appear, just a black screen with my icons. VDJ8 was NOT among them. I used the browser to get to the VDJ folder in Program Files (x86) and started VDJ8 from there. But, it didn't show any playlists or history, nothing!!! Argh!!! Frantic attempts over the next 45 minutes got me nowhere. Had to leave at 6pm to do a wedding, gulp.

Got to the Hotel and the wedding was running thankfully around an hour late. Took the laptop into the bar and messed around for an hour trying to get VDJ8 working, couldn't understand what had gone wrong. Eventually got into the ballroom and setup the gear. Then continued messing with the laptop. Now it is a Bootcamped MBP 15" i7. I've used it like this for DJing with Windows 7 for over 5 years. I have VDJ7 & 8 on both sides Mac & PC, but, since updating the Mac to Yosemite last year the Mac has become almost unusable. It's really slow, scrolling causes the beachball to appear for ages. I thought I would try running VDJ8 on the Mac. I loaded the first dance song and tried it, it was working OK then I tried loading another song into the other player and it froze!

I went back to have another try of the PC version. The first dance song was working in the headphones and I thought it was OK. introduced the couple for cutting the cake, then the first dance, press play............................................ silence!!!!.................................. no output sound from VDJ8 yet it was in the headphones on the MC6000. I tried the laptop headphone socket but there was no output at all. Meanwhile the couple are on the dancefloor waiting............. The Duty Manager was standing next to me and we quickly hooked his iPhone up as he had the first dance song on it and we did the first dance from there. I had to run my iPod backup for a few songs while I was trying to get the computer working.

Eventually I returned to the Mac version and managed with that for the night, although, my MC6000 right hand fader was not available. I have remapped the PC version but not the Mac version (must do that today). Turned out to be a very good night with the dancefloor packed all night. Of course they weren't aware of the drama behind the scenes, I was very nervous that I would survive the night without the Mac freezing up. Midnight couldn't come soon enough, but, I made it, YES!!!

Got home at 1am and spent the last 6 hours trying to fix it. When I Googled it I found that it's the User Profile that has become currupted. Because of the corrupt User Profile W7 had created a Default User Profile, but, somehow there was no master output from VDJ8. Even the laptop headphone socket had no output. I found on Microsoft's website how to fix it by creating a new User Profile and copying all the files over (65Gb) and deleting the old profile. It took ages, but, VDJ8 is back with all playlists and settings intact.

I've never had a Windows problem like that before, and, what a time for it to happen. I'm always nervous about the first dance, once that's over I feel a bit more relaxed. I'm now wondering should I go to Windows 10 (and the possibility of driver problems) or wait til the wedding season is over (November).

Need to pay a visit to the Genius Bar at the Applestore and see if they can do something with Yosemite. Don't have a gig til next Friday thankfully.

Well, it's 7.30am and time for some much needed downtime, goodnight zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..................
 

geposted Sat 05 Sep 15 @ 6:26 am
Ugh! Just discovered, now that I've deleted the faulty profile I've lost the VDJ8 login. Everytime I switch between PC and Mac I have to login to VDJ8 again grrrrr.......

Can someone from VDJ sort this purleese????
 

geposted Sat 05 Sep 15 @ 6:57 am
Yes, as you found out yourself, it's a windows user profile corruption, and since everything regarding your VDJ use (database, playlists, history, skins, mappings and so on) is stored under your user, it's gone when that happens. Windows simply creates a new empty user profile with nothing in it

Even though you got it working again I recommend backing up your music and your user virtual dj library in you documents folder, and then do a fresh windows install, because I've found that if it happens once with your windows install, it tends to happen again. After the fresh windows install, install VDJ again, put the backed up files back in exactly the same places they were before, and you should be good to go
 

geposted Sat 05 Sep 15 @ 8:08 am
AdionPRO InfinityCTOMember since 2006
It would seem to me that one possible reason for this happening is hard drive corruption, so I would be careful and check the disk's SMART status and check disk results to see if the drive needs replacement before it would fail again.
 

geposted Sat 05 Sep 15 @ 8:15 am
Worst nightmare! Glad you managed to save the night, you must have been sweating.
 

geposted Sat 05 Sep 15 @ 11:57 am
Certainly was a nightmare. In 17 years of using computers to DJ with I've only once before had a major operating system failure (XP) where I couldn't rescue it and had to use CDs for the full night. That was about 2003 in a local bar and not of the same importance as a wedding.

I have an iPod that I use for backup with full nights stored on it, but, obviously can't take requests. I also have access to an SD Card system that is built into the DJ Booth that can be used to DJ with like a pair of CD players, although, it's not up to-date. Think I will get my own SD Cards and set them up with up to-date tunes as an extra backup.

Meanwhile my 'get out of jail card' is being able to switch from PC to Mac, just need to improve Yosemite. I did use the Mac for a few weddings last year when I had Maverick operating system before updating to Yosemite.
 

geposted Sat 05 Sep 15 @ 1:56 pm
This is why the CDJ systems are so good, CD, SD & USB as well as midi for your VDJ playback.

Funny I had trouble the other night, turned PC on and Hercules Config loaded up, didn't think anything of it and closed it. When I open up VDJ Hercules was not recognised, had to download new drivers on 3G whilst playing off my iphone, got it going in the end was weird though.
 

geposted Sat 05 Sep 15 @ 9:15 pm
Charlie Wilson wrote :
This is why the CDJ systems are so good, CD, SD & USB as well as midi for your VDJ playback.


and a cheap controller as a backup.
 

geposted Sun 06 Sep 15 @ 6:14 am
Warakurna wrote :
Charlie Wilson wrote :
This is why the CDJ systems are so good, CD, SD & USB as well as midi for your VDJ playback.


and a cheap controller as a backup.


Totally pointless quotes.

I've used computers to DJ with for 17 years. I even worked in a nightclub with a pair of Pioneer CDJ 1000s and Pioneer DJM600 mixer available, never touched them. As stated this was only the 2nd time in 17 years I've had a major operating system problem (nothing to do with VDJ).

Been thinking about it this weekend; two ideas I'm putting into operation.

1. All our systems at 2 Hotels have twin SD Card Players as backup built into the DJ boxes. They use 2x4gb SD Cards that can contain around 800 mp3s. We mainly use these for background music during the Buffet, but, they can be used to DJ with, although, they haven't been updated for several years.

Since moving into the wedding market last year I have been storing a playlist of all wedding first dances, there's about 36 tunes in there now. Using VDJs 'Export to....' command I've transferred this first dance playlist and tunes to an SD Card. I also have 2 playlists that I work from for all weddings, I've converted any videos in the list to mp3s then transferred the lists and tunes to the same SD Card. I used a 2Gb SD Card and with all these tunes stored on it there is still over 1Gb free!!!

I can carry this tiny SD Card in my wallet knowing I can cover the whole night with it if necessary. I still have the problem of not knowing the first dance song until I get to the Hotel. The company I work for hasn't got the system in place yet to have the first dance provided on removable media. If I have enough time available on the night I could transfer the first dance song onto this SD Card. I could also do this with my iPod however, I hate iTunes with a passion and have wiped stuff off it through not being familiar with iTunes.

2. With Windows I'm thinking it may be a good idea to create a backup user profile with just VDJ7 & 8 on it with Administrator Privileges. If last Fridays situation arose again I should be able just 'Switch User' to the backup profile.

I've checked the hard drive on both the Mac & PC sides and not found any problems. The MBP, although 5 years old, had the logic board replaced 3 years ago and the original hard drive was replaced in November 2013, so, its less than 2 years old.

Next on the agenda is get the mac to the Applestore Genius Bar and see if there is anything that can be done to speed up Yosemite. El Capitino is due out soon, dunno whether updating to that will improve the speed.

Wish me luck.
 

geposted Mon 07 Sep 15 @ 5:49 am
I still find it mind boggling that people gig without a full backup ?????

I have my main gig pc (rack mount dual video), my gig laptop with duel video and my backup laptop, all three machines are synced music wise and the backup laptop is never connected to the internet, on top of this I have my Kam dual usb music player I only ever take two machines with me , my controller is a mk1 mc6000 in mixed mode, and my spare controller is a mixtrack pro (I do have two of these), two amps, two pairs of speakers, and content unlimited and 5gb data contract on my phone/usb modem

So I guess I have a fully redundant system, I don't think I am going over the top , I have always worked like this and have never let a client down.


a corrupt user profile is not uncommon, if there is only one profile windows will indeed generate a new blank profile, always have a second user profile on your machines, it makes recovery easy.

I guess the once the panic has died down and you have got your system back to normal, you can learn form the experience and use some of your very hard earned cash and buy a backup laptop lol!



 

geposted Mon 07 Sep 15 @ 9:34 am
I have a fully synched backup laptop, but it stays at home. I use both the MC6000 Mk1 and DDJ-SX depending on the gig so two controllers are available if need be.

I like Les have been working from a laptop since 1999 and never had a situation where I have not been able to play because of machine failure.

I always have my phone with me and a connection cable, all my music is on the 128gb card so I would still be able to play if something catastrophic happened.

I guess it depends what you are used to doing, but I don't see the point of taking spare gear when I have never needed it to date ......

Good advice about creating another user profile and copying the data over just in case though.

Keith
 

geposted Mon 07 Sep 15 @ 10:03 am
@sureview - Mind boggling eh? So, you didn't read the post above yours? If you had read the above posts you would find that I do have full backup. No, not another laptop, I have a dual SD Card Player system that can be used to DJ with like a dual CD system, also, I have an iPod with full nights recorded that is connected to the MC6000 and constantly playing, just need to push up the fader. I run a boot camped Macbook Pro with Windows 7 on it which I normally use the PC version to DJ with. I have VDJ7 & 8 on both the PC and the Mac, effectively 2 computers in one.

I have never, ever come across a corrupt user profile or even heard of anyone having this happen in 36 years of using computers. So, how is it 'not uncommon'?

I have absolutely no intention of buying another laptop for backup, it's way over the top and an unnecessary waste of money IMHO. I already have the equivalent of two computers with a boot camped Macbook Pro. As stated above, because W7 was not working, I ran the whole night successfully from the Mac version. When W7 refused to output sound I didn't have time to switch to the Mac side while the couple were waiting to do their first dance.

Panic, what panic? System was back to normal by 7am Saturday morning with a new user profile. This was an unusual event which I've never come across before and have already stated the steps I'm taking to cover any future similar event.

This is virtually identical to the twin SD Card Players we use, probably just rebadged;
http://www.djstore.com/item/adjsdj1.htm
 

geposted Mon 07 Sep 15 @ 10:28 am
VDJ RonPRO InfinityMember since 2010
I'm busy creating a new user profile.

It's rare that a well configured laptop fails.
Most of the time I just use a phone as a backup.
I can get a backup laptop should it be needed within a very short time (or speakers, or amp, or cables...).

If you nip off to the local porn shop, or whatever then expect the worst.
Don't abuse your computer, and it will serve you well.
 

geposted Mon 07 Sep 15 @ 11:13 am
bigron1 wrote :
If you nip off to the local porn shop, or whatever then expect the worst.
Don't abuse your computer, and it will serve you well.


Well said that man!

DJSoulman wrote :
Need to pay a visit to the Genius Bar at the Applestore and see if they can do something with Yosemite. Don't have a gig til next Friday thankfully.


Good luck with that .... lest few times I have been in they have been clueless idiots out of school 5 minutes.

 

geposted Mon 07 Sep 15 @ 11:27 am
bigron1 wrote :
If you nip off to the local porn shop, or whatever then expect the worst.
Don't abuse your computer, and it will serve you well.

That made me chuckle. :-)

Just done a little test. On my Mac starting up Yosemite from switch on to getting to the desktop and loading up VDJ8 took 4 minutes and 2 seconds!

Not exactly blistering for an i7 2.6Ghz quad core.
 

geposted Mon 07 Sep 15 @ 2:36 pm
My Windows 8.1 machine goes in to Windows then VDJ in just over 10 seconds (mind you it has a fast SSD)

Even by Mac standards 4 minutes is shocking!
 

geposted Mon 07 Sep 15 @ 3:42 pm
I was helping a friend do a local pub gig a few years back, and his Mac took an hour and 10 minutes to start. I had enough time to set up all his equipment, drive back to my house, and get my old 2006 laptop, get back to the pub, and start vdj, before his had booted.

Needless to say his hard drive was terminally unwell, and needed replacing.



Back on topic. Well done for getting through the gig. I think that's every djs nightmare. As a precaution, I always take a copy of any special songs on a usb stick, just in case. And a bunch of mp3's to get me out of trouble.
 

geposted Mon 07 Sep 15 @ 5:09 pm
There is worst than that kind of GULP..
getting caught for adultery !!! xD xD xD

But i dont understand, you updated your computer or the vdj database ?
As for me, i would double all my stuff so things like these do not happen to me..
2 PCs, and keep backups even in my pockets.
 

geposted Tue 08 Sep 15 @ 3:42 pm
Corrupted user profiles are fairly common. New environments, updates, applications closing improperly or not at all among other things can cause such issues. Being that Windows is boot camped something could have logged off or closed out of order. Regardless of the cause or how common it may or may not be, if/when this does happen DO NOT DELETE THE BAD PROFILE. simply rename it and create a new profile. This way you have the data that you need. While some of the user specific data used by Windows might be bad your VDJ DB and other such data should be fine.
Bummer for sure, sorry you had such a hard time with it but your professionalism and experience got you through the gig. Good job.
 

geposted Tue 08 Sep 15 @ 4:51 pm
Googled it when I got home after the gig, that's when I found out what had happened.

Here is the page from Microsoft with the fix;

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/fix-corrupted-user-profile#1TC=windows-7

I've also created a further basic backup profile with Admin privileges and a copy of Virtualdj. If I ever get a corrupt user profile again it would just be a matter of switching the user profile to the backup.
 

geposted Tue 08 Sep 15 @ 8:18 pm
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