Could it be a software conflict?? (aarrrggghhh!!!

[John May]

I am trying to set up a new web server and I think I might have a software conflict somewhere, because Filemaker seems to seize up as soon as it is called.

I am trying to duplicate the configuration of my current box, which runs perfectly, but most of the software versions on the new box are slightly different. (Box boxes guest-open the DB files from another box running OSX and FM Server 5.5, which seems rock solid)

Here is my original box, on which I have multiple data-driven sites running well:

Mac G4, 533 mhz, 512 MB

OS 9.1

Webstar 4.4

Lasso 3.6.6.2

Filemaker UL 5.0 v3

Here is the new (problem) box:

Mac G4, 933 mhz, 256 MB

OS 9.2.2

Webstar 4.5

Lasso 3.6.6.2

Filemaker UL 5.5v1, WC 5.5v3

I have checked and rechecked the setups, ports, etc., and all seems to be correct. When it stalls and I do a "Force Quit", Filemaker pops up, even though I have Webstar as the foreground application, leading me to speculate that FM may be the culprit.

Can anyone see anything in this combination that could be lethal? I can get to the first two pages the site I loaded on it, but as soon as I touch the DB, kablooey.....

[IdealData]

WC 5.5.4 is latest download.

Personally I'd go back to OS 9.1 as well.

[John May]

For some reason when I posted this, all the line breaks disappeared. Sorry for the big ugly block of text.

[John May]

I put in the 5.5.4 patch, but that had no effect on the problem.

Is OS 9.2 a more likely culprit?

[scratchmalogicalwax]

I would say it is very likely a 9.2 extension although it is FileMaker that stalls

- how is webSTAR when you quit - does it release all modules OK or does it freeze? and how is it running - do you have GUI stalls with no mouse response? I ask this because I had trouble with WebSTAR and 9.2 myself and WebSTAR could be contributing - or even be the intial cause because of a conflict with a 9.2 extension.

Have u disabled all unused extensions - which is most of them including AppleShare and LaserWriter chooser exts , and especially the infamous control srip

Disable all that are not essential to the running of your server then give it another go, before initialising and starting from scratch with OS9.1 - 9.2.2 is much more stable than 9.2.1 so it should work once it has been suitably streamlined.

I run WebSTAR and Lasso together but seperately from FMU on Mac OS9.1 Server Version (the OS 9.1 that came with the old G4 servers). I had a lot of trouble with 9.2 a little while back (december 2001) (stalling, freezing etc.) so went back to a very stripped down OS 9.1 Server.

[John May]

Thanks so much for the good advice. I was indeed able to get things running by fiddling with the file extensions. Those things are awfully touchy.

I saved a copy of the working settings and now am going to start trying to reduce more to see if I can find the barest level possible.

[scratchmalogicalwax]

Glad you got it sorted extensions are a real pain but once you've got a working set you shouldn't have any problems.

I have an complete copy of my server HDD's on a LaCie pocket drive - apps system folder, web sites etc. - so reinstall is a case of initialise and dump the correct contents of my LaCie on the correct G4. I take a new copy of the system and settings everytime a change is made and archive the previous on DVD.

Takes time to keep up to date but is invaluable if anything goes tits up badly - I can have a G4 with WebSTAR and Lasso up in as long as it takes to initialise, boot with a startup CD with FireWire support and copy from my LaCie.