Startup Problems

[AnnieBody]

UK

I am still getting the issue with OpenVPN.

[simoncn]

What exactly are the steps to make the message appear? For example, does it happen when you launch MinimServer on Windows, open the MinimServer configuration web page, open the License tab from the configuration page, or something else?

[AnnieBody]

As previously advised, it happens when Windows boots then continues all through the day without doing anything.
Getting fed up with not being able to use MinimServer at all at the moment.
Something you have done has changed this as nothing has changed my end.

[simoncn]

The issue is caused by third-party firewall software that my hosting provider has installed and enabled for all users of their hosting service. This appears now to be blocking some requests that weren't blocked previously. This isn't caused by any changes that I have made to MinimServer.

I did make a change in MinimServer update 257 (released on 28th January) to show a "Please wait" pop-up message when the firewall blocks a request. This appears to be producing multiple messages in some cases instead of a single message and I presume these multiple messages are the cause of your difficulty with using MinimServer.

It is difficult and time-consuming for me to develop a fix/workaround for the firewall blocking issue and related problems (such as multiple "Please wait" messages) because I have never seen this problem myself. This means I need to create a simulation testing framework that imitates what the firewall is doing (as far as I can deduce from user problem reports) so that I can test my new code that is intended to fix the problem. I am working on this and I will send you a test build containing this new code as soon I have something that appears to be working.

As an interim step before this full fix is available I can create a special test build that removes the "Please wait" message with no other changes. This should make MinimServer more usable for you. I should have this interim test build available tomorrow and I will send you a PM when it is available with details of how to install it.

[simoncn]

This test build is now available. I have sent you a PM with installation instructions.

[AnnieBody]

This version has a 'integrity check value missing' error.
Anyway, this won't solve the inability to use it due to the connecting error reported.

I now have to stop everyone using the internet when I want to listen to music, which is not acceptable.

You claim this is not a MinimServer issue, but if you choose to use someone you know will block some users then that is on you to resolve, after all, you chose to change your provider!
Please stop blaming someone else and get it working as it did and should.
Regards

[simoncn]

I did not change my hosting provider. My hosting provider activated new firewall software without informing its users. There is no option for a user to disable this software.

You would get the integrity check error if your VPN is enabled while you are installing the new test build. You need to disable the VPN, then install the new test build, then enable the VPN after the new test build has been installed.

After the new test build (update 258.3) has been installed, you should not get any more "Please wait" messages. I presume this is what you mean by a connecting error.

I am working on a solution for the integrity check error. This isn't simple and is taking some time for the reasons I explained in my previous post.

[AnnieBody]

The connecting error is the one previously reported where MinimServer does not connect and disables my licence until it does. Which now requires I turn off my VPN.
As you have changed the way MinimServer works, for whatever reason, this is your responsibility to resolve. In the meantime I note you do not advertise this new requirement on your website or in the terms and conditions, Why is this?

If your provider has changed the way MinimServer works which affects your business, then why not sue? You must have business insurance which covers this. In the meantime you have a legal responsibility of duty of care for your customers, so please stop making excuses.

I shall be happy to accept a refund of half my license for a service you have changed half way through.

[simoncn]

(17-05-2025 19:10)AnnieBody Wrote:  The connecting error is the one previously reported where MinimServer does not connect and disables my licence until it does.

This connecting error (where your full license is disabled) should be fixed in update 258.3. Are you currently running with this update level or are you on some earlier update level? You can check the update level from the MinimServer taskbar icon Properties dialog (Packages tab).

From this post I had the impression that the connecting problem was fixed after installing update 258.2. If I misunderstood this post, I apologise for the misunderstanding. You subsequently posted about a problem with "Please wait" messages and I have provided a fix for this problem in update 258.3.

If you are still getting the connecting error when running on update 258.3 with your VPN enabled, please send me the wsidchk.err and wsidchk.txt files from the C:/Users/your-user-name/AppData/Roaming/Minimserver/data folder so that I can find the cause of this problem and fix it.