After 3 months, I started Roon and got an error message that I already ad an activated core, and whether I want to add a subscription or deactivate that core (I have only one core)
The problem was solved by deauthorizing my core and restarting Roon
Current problem: something is still not correct with my database
Not all covers are shown. I think the covers from albums that Roon doesn’t know are not shown, although these albums have cover arts embedded and often there is a folder.jpg file in the folder included with the cover file. 3 months ago, all these covers where shown in Roon without any issue
Not an issue, but maybe an indication what might be the cause: albums that I added over 3 months ago are shown as added 3 days ago
Some elements I tested and can be ruled out:
Hardware of the NAS: there were no hardware changes during the last year and it operated well till now. CPU load during playback is 2% and RAM usage stays under 35%
OS from the NAS: I forced the NAS back to a OS (DSM) version from approx 4 months old. No change. So it is not caused by a DSM update from the NAS
I have not installed any new software on the NAS during the last 4 months and didn’t change anything in my network setup, firewalls, antivirus etc. etc.
Turning on/of the apps didn’t solve the issue
Possible options that I can think of:
Forcing a rescan? (not sure how to do this)
Restoring an old backup Roon dabase from beginning 2023
The first setting was as shown in the picture above, the second wasn’t, so I put that on ‘yes’ but it didn’t solve the issue yet.
I also further deep dived to see whether I can see any correlation and I think there is some correlation:
In most cases, it concerns a copy of an album (sometimes even 2 copies) while there is only one occurence available on my NAS. Eg:
This CD from Lady Gaga and Bradlley Cooper shows up 3 times in my catalogue. First is correct with correct meta data. The other two are ‘ghost albums’ (don’t know a better name for it)
Here some other examples:
I also notice that in almost all cases it concerns CD’s that I added last. And also the other way around: all albums I added last have one or more ghost albums.
See eg. Eva Cassidy. I added that album 277 days ago and 4 days ago the ‘ghost album’ was added.
4 days ago I had another issue: I couldn’t log in because Roon thought I had 2 cores and had to deauthorize my core to be able to login again. I am affraid by doing that, my database got compromised?
So, I can see three options:
Rescan libary? Not sure if this is possible.
Restore old database? Not sure what the impact is and how to do it.
Manually correct the ghost albums? Not sure how, and maybe te database is intrinsically corrupted and I don’t want to further build on a weak or broken foundation
Having read several different recent threads of yours, we seem to always miss conclusive info on installed versions of Roon on your NAS core and any remotes you might be using when experiencing issues.
There may well be a version clash involved with all those unusual problems you were/are dealing with - none of which seem to be properly understood so far.
One common shortcoming is, that you‘re using an under-spec core device - no matter how nicely it seemed to work for some time in the past, there‘s just no guarantee when not adhering to recommendations.
I am afraid there’s no specific help I can offer here.
I can only tell you what I would (try to) test), after logging out from your streaming service(s) if any.
Check Settings-Storage to see if you do not have double, or even nested, folders with the same albums.
I would add a new local album that you are 100% sure of, that is not on your storage now, and not in your Roon Library.
I would complete remove all instances from a particular album, preferably for an artist with only 1 album (with correct and ghost version(s)) . Make a backup of the album folder, containing the music tracks to your PC!
1st Remove the album from your Roon Library, then actually delete the (remaining empty) folder from your Music folder.
Check on your NAS if you can find any instance of this album (folder), and if so delete it.
check Roon again if all versions have dissappeared.
then copy the album folder back from your PC to your NAS music folder.
Give it 1 to 2 minutes, and check if the album appears in Roon.
If no result force a rescan of your Music storage:
Let me give an update (also for others that might experience the same issue in the future)…
First, in a leap of faith, I restored an old database from january this year. All went well and when I opened room I saw the catalogue as it should be. BUT… .after a couple of seconds, it started to add exactly the same ghost albums! So it doesn’t happen to arbitrary albums, but exactly the same albums!
I checked the folders for nested folders etc, and didn’t find any nested folders or double files there.
I added a new album. All without any problems. It shows up in Roon and no ghost album is created. Interesting…
I removed one file from my NAS that has the ghost album issue (Alabama Shakes) and the original album disappears from Roon. But: the ghost album was still there! I tried to play the music from the ghost album and it played! I was surprised, so it must link to an actual music file somewhere on the NAS! So I looked for the file details and this is what it shows:
It links to a file in the recycle bin folder within the music folder! Music_MP3 is a folder on my NAS where I store copies of all albums in MP3 format to transfer them to my phone, car etc. Of course, this folder is not added to the Roon library. I think in the past I accidently added new MP3 files to my music folder instead of the MP3 folder and when I noticed I made a mistake, I deleted these MP3 files. But… .they are still stored in the recycle bin folder in the music folder! That is where the ghost albums are coming from!
So, I deleted the files in the recycle bin folder and all ghost files are gone in Roon!!!
Thanks to everybody that helped to solve the issue without trying to blame my 4 year old NAS and of course a special thanks for @Dirk_De_Taey who give the valuable suggestion for the test that helped to discover the real problem.
Lesson learned:
clean up the recycle bin when you delete music files from you music folder.
don’t let other people make you believe that more expensive hardware will solve your issues
Rah rah! Indeed too many people like to say negative things about Roon On NAS with no direct experience using one. It works great, even on a 918+. The problems people have are usually the same that anybody else might have on another platform.
@Marin_Weigel : what other unresolved issues? As far as I know, there are no unresolved issues. I would call it ‘unresolved root cause analysis’ but I leave that for the Roon support dept (and I guess they will never do it anyway). Not everybody has a cash tree in their garden to buy the newest equipment. And also from sustainability perspective: let’s try to keep our gear as long as possible. The advice ‘buy a new NAS’ is for me the last resort after all else failed. I think people came to fast with this suggestion. But that is just my 2cts.
I’m talking about this thread, containing several funky issues - is all of that suddenly magically fixed, you gave no feedback, really, or did I overlook something here?
I also asked you about all your device’s software revisions regarding possible inconsistencies, but you chose to ignore.
And while I’m at it, I didn’t recommend to buy a new NAS, but found it a shortcoming to not even follow recommendations but request premium service.
I really, honestly, wanted to give further troubleshooting input and still hope everything else straightens out for you - good luck!
Don’t ask me what I did that made it work again, so, sorry that I can’t provide feedback on root cause nor counter measure let’s settle on ‘magic’. (the ‘all recently added music file’ where the ghost files, so my analysis was het spot on when I wrote this message)
With respect to the versions: I didn’t decide to ignore you. I already shared in a previous message that I reinstalled the PC and android version of Roon (so latest version) so that would probably not be the isse. I don’t know how I can see the latest version installed on my NAS. So for that reason, I first tried the suggestion in the next message from Dirk. Can’t do everything at the same time. And also because the comment in your last paragraph, didn’t resonate with me: you stated that my NAS is under spec and I don’t agree with that and even if that is the case, it doesn’t help me to solve the issue (I have not the funding for a new NAS).
On the premium service: I disagree with you. Roon support didn’t do anything to help (not even ‘not premium’). And I believe: first try to fix the issue with the hardware somebody has, and if all fails you can consider to find funding to upgrade the harware. My comment on that is by no means meant as a personal attack towards you or anybody specifically, but it just doesn’t align with my believes. Sorry for that. And I’m glad I didn’t follow the recommendation to upgrade the hardware as the cover problem had absolutely nothing to do with the hardware but was an human error from myself.
I am thankfull that you also tried to help me with your recommendation (although I think Roon should do this themselves) and I’m glad that my old NAS is still going strong and the issues could be resolved.
Indeed too many people like to say negative things about Roon On NAS with no direct experience using one. It works great, even on a 918+. The problems people have are usually the same that anybody else might have on another platform.