Is XLights the cause of my problem

[TomL8345]

Yesterday I was preforming a burn in of new pixels.  As I was going through each string of pixels and marking the bad nodes on each string, my lights suddenly went out.  I have been blaming my controller for the problem and have replaced every aspect of that system (Ron's Holiday Lights 16 Univ Controller).

I am using the "test" tool to activate my lights.  As I have been troubleshooting, I noticed that I have started to get an error message as I start testing with xLights.  I have been getting the following Warning Window:
"At least one output could not be started. See log file for details."

The Log reads as follows:
2017-05-15 21:32:14,989 2292 log_base [INFO] Start Time: 2017-04-15_21-32-14-981.
2017-05-15 21:32:14,989 2292 log_base [INFO] Log4CPP config read from xlights.windows.properties.
2017-05-15 21:32:14,989 2292 log_base [INFO]      : ALERT CRIT DEBUG EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,989 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_base : ALERT CRIT DEBUG EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,989 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_conversion : ALERT CRIT DEBUG EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,989 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_generatecustommodel : ALERT CRIT DEBUG EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,989 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_jobpool : ALERT CRIT EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,989 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_opengl : ALERT CRIT EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,989 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_opengl_trace : ALERT CRIT EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,989 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_pianodata : ALERT CRIT DEBUG EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,989 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_prepcustommodel : ALERT CRIT DEBUG EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,989 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_render_log : ALERT CRIT EMERG ERROR FATAL NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,989 2292 log_base [INFO] ******* XLights main function executing.
2017-05-15 21:32:14,989 2292 log_base [INFO] Main: Starting wxWidgets ...
2017-05-15 21:32:14,998 2292 log_base [INFO] Start Time: 2017-04-15_21-32-14-990.
2017-05-15 21:32:14,998 2292 log_base [INFO] Log4CPP config read from xlights.windows.properties.
2017-05-15 21:32:14,998 2292 log_base [INFO]      : ALERT CRIT DEBUG EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,998 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_base : ALERT CRIT DEBUG EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,998 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_conversion : ALERT CRIT DEBUG EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,998 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_generatecustommodel : ALERT CRIT DEBUG EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,998 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_jobpool : ALERT CRIT EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,998 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_opengl : ALERT CRIT EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,998 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_opengl_trace : ALERT CRIT EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,998 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_pianodata : ALERT CRIT DEBUG EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,998 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_prepcustommodel : ALERT CRIT DEBUG EMERG ERROR FATAL INFO NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,999 2292 log_base [INFO]     log_render_log : ALERT CRIT EMERG ERROR FATAL NOTICE WARN
2017-05-15 21:32:14,999 2292 log_base [INFO] ******* OnInit: XLights started.
2017-05-15 21:32:14,999 2292 log_base [INFO] Version: 2017.12
2017-05-15 21:32:14,999 2292 log_base [INFO] Bits: 32bit
2017-05-15 21:32:14,999 2292 log_base [INFO] Build Date: Apr 30, 2017
2017-05-15 21:32:14,999 2292 log_base [INFO] Machine configuration:
2017-05-15 21:32:14,999 2292 log_base [INFO]   Free Memory:1734524928.
2017-05-15 21:32:14,999 2292 log_base [INFO]   Current directory: C:\Program Files\xLights
2017-05-15 21:32:14,999 2292 log_base [INFO]   Machine name: TOM
2017-05-15 21:32:14,999 2292 log_base [INFO]   OS: Windows 10 (build 15063)
2017-05-15 21:32:14,999 2292 log_base [INFO]   OS: Windows NT family(XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 10). 10.0.786432
2017-05-15 21:32:14,999 2292 log_base [INFO]       NOT 64 bit
2017-05-15 21:32:14,999 2292 log_base [INFO]       Little Endian
2017-05-15 21:32:15,382 2292 log_base [DEBUG] xLightsFrame being constructed.
2017-05-15 21:32:15,754 2292 log_base [DEBUG] xLightsFrame constructor UI code done.
2017-05-15 21:32:15,820 2292 log_base [DEBUG] xLightsFrame constructor creating sequencer.
2017-05-15 21:32:15,820 2292 log_base [DEBUG] CreateSequencer: Creating Panels.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,378 2292 log_base [DEBUG] CreateSequencer: Hooking up the panes.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,378 2292 log_base [DEBUG] CreateSequencer: Updating the layout.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,435 2292 log_base [DEBUG] CreateSequencer: Resizing everything.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,437 2292 log_base [DEBUG] CreateSequencer: Done.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,437 2292 log_base [DEBUG] xLightsFrame constructor sequencer creation done.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,457 2292 log_base [DEBUG] LayoutPanel basic setup complete
2017-05-15 21:32:20,523 2292 log_base [DEBUG] LayoutPanel ModelPreview created
2017-05-15 21:32:20,555 2292 log_base [DEBUG] LayoutPanel property grid created
2017-05-15 21:32:20,608 2292 log_base [DEBUG] LayoutPanel model buttons created
2017-05-15 21:32:20,671 2292 log_base [DEBUG] LayoutPanel model group panel created
2017-05-15 21:32:20,680 2292 log_base [DEBUG] LayoutPanel creation done.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,680 2292 log_base [DEBUG] LayoutPanel setup done.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,746 2292 log_base [DEBUG] IconBundle creation done.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,786 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Window Location Restored.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,786 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Config: AppName 'xLights' Path '/' Entries 26 Groups 1 Style 2 Vendor .
2017-05-15 21:32:20,786 2292 log_base [DEBUG] xLightsFrame constructor loading network list.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,788 2292 log_base [DEBUG] xLightsFrame constructor loading config.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,788 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Show directory C:\Users\Tom Little\Documents\Christmas Lights\xLights\Test.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,788 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Media directory C:\Users\Tom Little\Documents\Christmas Lights\xLights\Test.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,822 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Perspectives loaded.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,822 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Backup subdirectories: false.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,822 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Exclude Presets From Packaged Sequences: false.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,822 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Exclude Audio From Packaged Sequences: false.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,822 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Render on save: true.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,822 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Backup on save: false.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,822 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Backup on launch: true.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,822 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Alternate Backup Dir: ''.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,847 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Icon size: 16.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,848 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Autosave interval: 3.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,848 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Force OpenGL version: 99.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,848 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Grid spacing: 16.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,848 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Grid icon backgrounds: true.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,848 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Grid node values: true.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,848 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Effect Assist Mode: true.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,849 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Effects panel initialised.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,947 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Show directory set to : C:\Users\Tom Little\Documents\Christmas Lights\xLights\Test.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,948 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Backing up show directory before we do anything this session in this folder : C:\Users\Tom Little\Documents\Christmas Lights\xLights\Test.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,948 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Backing up file C:\Users\Tom Little\Documents\Christmas Lights\xLights\Test\xlights_keybindings.xml.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,951 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Backing up file C:\Users\Tom Little\Documents\Christmas Lights\xLights\Test\xlights_networks.xml.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,954 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Backing up file C:\Users\Tom Little\Documents\Christmas Lights\xLights\Test\xlights_rgbeffects.xml.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,957 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Backing up file C:\Users\Tom Little\Documents\Christmas Lights\xLights\Test\xlights_rgbeffects.xbkp.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,962 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Backup completed.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,966 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Media Directory set to : C:\Users\Tom Little\Documents\Christmas Lights\xLights\Test.
2017-05-15 21:32:20,974 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Loaded network config C:\Users\Tom Little\Documents\Christmas Lights\xLights\Test\xlights_networks.xml
2017-05-15 21:32:21,049 2292 log_base [DEBUG] e1.31 Sync: false.
2017-05-15 21:32:21,050 2292 log_jobpool [INFO] Background thread pool started with 20 threads
2017-05-15 21:32:21,050 2292 log_base [DEBUG] xLightsFrame construction complete.
2017-05-15 21:32:21,182 2292 log_base [INFO] XLightsApp OnInit Done.
2017-05-15 21:33:28,110 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Viewing log file C:\Users\Tom Little\AppData\Roaming/xLights_l4cpp.log.
2017-05-15 21:35:20,843 2292 log_base [DEBUG] Autosaving backup of sequence.
2017-05-15 21:35:20,843 2292 log_base [DEBUG]     Autosave skipped ... no changes detected since last save.
2017-05-15 21:35:20,844 2292 log_base [DEBUG]     AutoSave took 0 ms.
2017-05-15 21:36:33,418 2292 log_base [INFO] xLights Closing
2017-05-15 21:36:33,438 2292 log_base [INFO] xLights Closed.

Any suggestions on what I should do to eliminate this issue?  Is this is what is preventing me from having my pixels light?

[Phrog30]

Going thru each string and marking the bad pixels? You make it seem like you have a lot. If you do, that's not normal, at least with the vendors I use.

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[TomL8345]

Yes,

I am seeing more failures than I expected this year.  I wanted to get a final count before I contacted the vendor to discuss the situation.  However, I have to get my system running right again before I can do that.

[keithsw1111]

That error is because you are trying to open a serial port that does not exist. Are you sure you have it right.

[keithsw1111]

There is an order to trouble shooting. First check your controller test mode will drive the lights. If it won't XLights won't.
Then fire up XLights and check your controller counts on the universes are going up as expected. If they aren't then again lights won't work.

[keithsw1111]

While bad pixels happen they are really rare and I would never assume that is the case in the first instance unless an identical string works in the same port where another one won't.

[TomL8345]

Keith,

All the ports I have set up are E1.31, why would XLights be trying to open up a serial port?

[Gilrock]

I think the error can display from any output failing to open.  Its just rare to be anything other than a serial port.

[TomL8345]

So what should I do?  Delete XLights and reinstall?

[Gilrock]

Reinstalling xLights almost never fixes any problems.

[Gilrock]

You need to go through standard troubleshooting figuring out what works and what doesn't.  Start at the controller and use it's test mode.  Then use test mode in xLights and see are the packet counts going up in the controller.  There can be so many things that cause a problem it could be bad network setup, bad cables, controller issues, setup problems, etc.  It's usually not xLights.

[keithsw1111]

Maybe you should share your files.

[TomL8345]

Keith,

What would you like to see?  How do you want me to share the files?

[Gilrock]

When I read this thread it doesn't sound like a software problem.  The software would not all of sudden just stop controlling the lights.
http://www.diychristmas.org/vb1/showthread.php?7735-Problem-with-16-Univ-controller-Rev-A

[Phrog30]

When I read this thread it doesn't sound like a software problem.  The software would not all of sudden just stop controlling the lights.
http://www.diychristmas.org/vb1/showthread.php?7735-Problem-with-16-Univ-controller-Rev-A

Plus it wouldn't randomly select a user and decide to stop working (since it works for the rest of us). When you mentioned the board you were using that's what stood out to me. Just get a falcon board. I'm not trying to be mean, but there's just too many posts about getting controllers to work that aren't falcon boards.

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