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MWT_Team
Joined: 30 Nov 2015 Posts: 16
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Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 9:00 am Post subject: NotePager Pro 5.03 running in background |
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Hi
We used to work with NPP 3 until we upgraded to NPP 5.03 on Win2012R2-64b server.
(Our setup is integrated with SolarWinds)
We noticed that because no-one was logged on to the server, NPP didn't fire pages alerts. They got queued until some one actually logged in to the server.
This was not the case in version 3.x, even though it was not set as a service.
Is there a way to address that?
thank you.
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Tech Support
Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 4367
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Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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After a bit of digging, we discovered what the issue is. There is an update you'll need to apply and a set of steps you'll need to go through to resolve the issue.
1) Download the updated executables here:
http://www.notepage.net/download/dev/npp.exe
http://www.notepage.net/download/dev/nppdial.exe
2) Run NotePager Pro.
3) Go to Help - Folders.
4) Make a note of the Global Database directory.
5) Close NotePager Pro.
6) In Windows, browse in to the Global Database directory.
7) Make a copy of the file npp.mdb and paste it on to your desktop for easy reference later.
8) Copy the files you downloaded in step 1 in to the NotePager Pro program directory.
8a) When prompted, you do want to overwrite the existing files.
9) On your desktop, right click on the shortcut for NotePager Pro and select Properties.
10) In the "Target" field, add /localdb to the end of the path.
For example:
c:\Program Files (x86)\NotePage\NotePager Pro\npp.exe /localdb
11) Click on OK.
12) Run NotePager Pro.
12a) If you're prompted by a Windows File Security warning, uncheck the "Ask me every time" option and select Run.
13) Once NotePager Pro runs, it will inform you that the database directory has changed and that the program must be restarted. Click on OK.
14) Close NotePager Pro.
15) Copy the npp.mdb you made in step 7 in to the GlobalDB sub-directory of the NotePager Pro program directory. For example, if you have NotePager Pro installed to the default location, you would copy the file in to c:\Program Files (x86)\NotePage\NotePager Pro\GlobalDB\
15a) When it asks if you want to overwrite the file, say yes.
The last thing you'll want to do is make sure that you set the /localdb flag on every shortcut to NotePager Pro under every user profile that logs on to that system. If you don't set this property value, the program may not reference the appropriate settings to let the automatic integration function properly. |
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MWT_Team
Joined: 30 Nov 2015 Posts: 16
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Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 2:38 pm Post subject: |
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You rock guys! this worked. just a comment for others:
I had to specify target path with quotes, ie:
"C:\NotePager Pro\npp.exe" /localdb
and just replacing the executables, I didn't have to change/restore DB.
thanks.
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MWT_Team
Joined: 30 Nov 2015 Posts: 16
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Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 11:07 am Post subject: |
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Hello again.
There is still an issue with this version even after installing the 2 new executables and adding the /localdb to the shortcuts.
there is a mismatch between the GUI's and the hidden's (SYSTEM) folders locations for the GlobalDB:
The SYSTEM one points to C:\ProgramData\NotePage\NotePager Pro\5.0\npp.mdb while the GUI points to
C:\NotePager Pro\GlobalDB\npp.mdb
The issue is that I can't update the GUI one to point to the SYSTEM location. It won't let me.
Consequently, any change I would make through the GUI DB would not reflect to the SYSTEM DB.
this leaves me with 2 different DBs and LOGs.
This is also very confusing for users as the change we make through the GUI are not applied to the running instance.
Is there an other way to make the locations match?
Please advise.
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Tech Support
Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 4367
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Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 11:14 am Post subject: |
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Hm... that should actually be taken care of by a flag we added to the portion of the registry that Orion uses to reference our command line executable. Just to verify, let's double check that entry:
1) In Windows, run regedit
2) In regedit, browse to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE - Software - Wow6432Node - NotePage - Transfer
In the keys listed on the right hand side, what is the value of the "SendCommand" entry? |
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MWT_Team
Joined: 30 Nov 2015 Posts: 16
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Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 11:19 am Post subject: |
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The registry settings are:
SendCommand = c:\NotePager Pro\npp.exe /localdb
StartCommand = c:\NotePager Pro\npp.exe /minimized
DBDir = c:\NotePager Pro\GobalDB\
PollingDirectory = c:\NotePager Pro\GobalDB\
However, definitely, the SYSTEM (hidden) instance uses the
C:\ProgramData\NotePage\NotePager Pro\5.0\npp.mdb and
C:\ProgramData\NotePage\NotePager Pro\5.0\npp.log
let me know. thx.
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Tech Support
Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 4367
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Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:48 pm Post subject: |
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We have a new build we'd like you to try. It should set the StartCommand registry entry to include the /localdb statement just in case Orion is referencing that entry first.
If you would:
1) Download the updated executable here: http://www.notepage.net/download/dev/npp.exe
2) Close NotePager Pro.
2a) Open the Task Manager and check the Processes or Details tab to verify that npp.exe and nppdial.exe have closed.
3) Copy the file you downloaded in step 1 in to the NotePager Pro program directory.
3a) When prompted, you do want to overwrite the file.
4) Run NotePager Pro.
4a) If you receive a prompt, uncheck "Ask me every time" and click on Run.
Then log out of the system, run a test message and let's see if that fixes it. |
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MWT_Team
Joined: 30 Nov 2015 Posts: 16
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Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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update:
to have the GUI working as expected (sharing DB and LOG with SYSTEM instance) I had to remove the shortcut switch /localdb that you suggested to enable originally.
Now, GUI points to ORION used DB and LOG. This seems to be fine.
However, when having both the GUI running while ORION sends pages, this is generating tons of log entries about the COM port being used (npp.log is > 12M after just 5-6 pages). I don't remember having noticed that with previous version:
========================================
3/21/2016 2:18:57 PM Start connection to carrier: PageNet
3/21/2016 2:18:57 PM Connect using TAP protocol
3/21/2016 2:18:57 PM Setting communication parameters
3/21/2016 2:18:57 PM Unable to open COM3 - port in use or doesn't exist
3/21/2016 2:18:57 PM ========================================
Please confirm.
Meanwhile I'll leave this as is and touch-base tomorrow in case I notice any other issue.
thanks.
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MWT_Team
Joined: 30 Nov 2015 Posts: 16
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Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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quick addition about registry entries now:
SendCommand = c:\NotePager Pro\npp.exe /localdb
StartCommand = c:\NotePager Pro\npp.exe /minimized
DBDir = C:\ProgramData\NotePage\NotePager Pro\5.0\
PollingDirectory = C:\ProgramData\NotePage\NotePager Pro\5.0\
thanks.
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Tech Support
Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 4367
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Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for following up with us on this. There's a new connector engine we'd like you to try. If you would:
1) Download the updated executable here: http://www.notepage.net/download/dev/nppdial.exe
2) Close NotePager Pro.
3) Copy the file you downloaded in step 1 in to the NotePager Pro program directory.
3a) When it asks if you want to overwrite the file, say yes.
4) Run NotePager Pro.
5) Go to Tools - Settings - General.
6) On your keyboard, press Ctrl + Alt + S
7) Set the following:
Category: connector
Name: close_com_on_hangup
Value: -1
8) Click on Set. |
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MWT_Team
Joined: 30 Nov 2015 Posts: 16
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Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 11:34 am Post subject: |
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Hi
I applied that version of the nppdialer.exe, changed the global settings.
running the GUI, while the system instance is running in background still generates a lot of "noise" in log. same as before.
Should I have expected a different behavior on that point?
thanks.
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Tech Support
Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 4367
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Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 11:36 am Post subject: |
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The update was to resolve the COM port conflicts. Are you still seeing those in the log? |
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MWT_Team
Joined: 30 Nov 2015 Posts: 16
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Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 11:48 am Post subject: |
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Yes, I've seen a bunch of those right away in the log.
so just to make sure, I went back to settings reapplied those and did a GET on
Category: connector
Name: close_com_on_hangup
and that returned -1 as expected.
give me sometime, I'll run more test as alerts come in and I'll update you.
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MWT_Team
Joined: 30 Nov 2015 Posts: 16
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Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 12:27 pm Post subject: |
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So here is what I notice:
1. NPP.log looks different since last Delivery Engine Stopped/Started
no more reference to COM3 conflicts.
2. still getting those on a 1 out 2 page sent basis. When this occurs, this is what we get in ACTIVITY MONITOR. Page sent @ 12:36 was successfully sent and modem hung up properly. but before next page goes out, there are a few "Attempting to reset modem" then the "Unable to open COM3 - port in use or doesn't exist" messages:
3/22/2016 12:36:18 PM Working on message to: TECH_PROD from:
3/22/2016 12:36:18 PM Formatting message
3/22/2016 12:36:18 PM Message contained in single block
3/22/2016 12:36:18 PM Sending block
3/22/2016 12:36:20 PM Block sent successfully
3/22/2016 12:36:20 PM SUCCESSFUL To:123456 Msg: Tuesday, March 22, 2016 12:35 PM
3/22/2016 12:36:20 PM Hanging up modem
3/22/2016 12:36:22 PM Modem hung up
3/22/2016 12:40:53 PM ========================================
3/22/2016 12:40:53 PM Start connection to carrier: PageNet
3/22/2016 12:40:53 PM Connect using TAP protocol
3/22/2016 12:40:53 PM Setting communication parameters
3/22/2016 12:40:53 PM Attempting to reset modem
3/22/2016 12:40:56 PM Attempting to reset modem
3/22/2016 12:40:59 PM Attempting to reset modem
3/22/2016 12:41:02 PM NotePager Pro was unable to to talk to your modem
3/22/2016 12:41:02 PM Please check your modem port setting (Tools->Setup->Modem)
3/22/2016 12:41:02 PM Unable to connect to carrier
3/22/2016 12:41:03 PM Hanging up modem
3/22/2016 12:41:18 PM ========================================
3/22/2016 12:41:18 PM Start connection to carrier: PageNet
3/22/2016 12:41:18 PM Connect using TAP protocol
3/22/2016 12:41:18 PM Setting communication parameters
3/22/2016 12:41:18 PM Unable to open COM3 - port in use or doesn't exist
3/22/2016 12:41:18 PM ========================================
3/22/2016 12:41:18 PM Start connection to carrier: PageNet
3/22/2016 12:41:18 PM Connect using TAP protocol
3/22/2016 12:41:18 PM Setting communication parameters
3/22/2016 12:41:18 PM Unable to open COM3 - port in use or doesn't exist
3/22/2016 12:41:18 PM ========================================
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Tech Support
Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 4367
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Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for following up with this in such detail, it helps.
We have an updated connector executable for you to try again. If you would:
1) Download the updated executable here: http://www.notepage.net/download/dev/nppdial.exe
2) Close NotePager Pro.
3) Copy the file you downloaded in step 1 in to the NotePager Pro program directory.
3a) When it asks if you want to overwrite the file, say yes. |
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