Error Initializing

gothbabe2 · 2nd January 2004, 04:04

when i enter Winamp i keep getting an error message in my media player saying

Error Initializing Database!!!

and it is unable to play any playlists i have set up and occasionally wishes to be shut down

(

please tell me how to fix this

luv shell xxxx

DJ Egg · 2nd January 2004, 05:44

Seems like your media library database is corrupt.

First of all, close Winamp, then go to this folder:
C:\Program Files\Winamp\Plugins\ml

and delete the file main.dat
(you can back it up first if you wish, just in case)

When you reopen Winamp, the media library will now be empty
and a new main.dat file will be automatically created.

You will now need to add all your media folders again

If the problem persists, then repeat the steps above,
except this time delete the entire ml folder
and also delete gen_ml.ini in the Winamp\Plugins folder.

It is advised that you backup any saved playlists first.
These are the M3U files in the Plugins\ml folder,
eg. plfEA4.m3u

Now reinstall Winamp 5.01

Everything should now be fixed
and you can add your playlists and folders again.

As to why this happens though, I honestly don't know.
Could be hardware related (eg. failing hard drive), virus or spyware related, a defrag which went wrong, an incompatible 3rd-party plugin or skin, etc...

gothbabe2 · 2nd January 2004, 22:40

Thanks a lot - i finally have my media Library working again

xxxx

DragonFlyEye · 21st January 2004, 18:34

So, this may actually answer a question of mine, albeit a slightly different issue: I'm looking for a method of Media Library backup, so that those MP3's who's ID tags I could not modify can still be correctly identified by WinAmp after my impending reload.

Am I to understand that the Main.dat file is the source of this info? If I back that one file up to an external source, will it still work after a format? What if I change the location of the files? Say, to another HDD?

Thanks in advance for the info!

DJ Egg · 21st January 2004, 20:25

If you change the name/location of the files, then no, all backups will be worthless.

main.dat stores the main library database
gen_ml.ini (in the Winamp\Plugins dir) stores the library structure.

You can also use the Import/Export Manager to export the library database to an XML file.

2nd January 2004, 05:44	#2
DJ Egg Techorator Winamp & Shoutcast Team Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 35,894	Seems like your media library database is corrupt. First of all, close Winamp, then go to this folder: C:\Program Files\Winamp\Plugins\ml and delete the file main.dat (you can back it up first if you wish, just in case) When you reopen Winamp, the media library will now be empty and a new main.dat file will be automatically created. You will now need to add all your media folders again If the problem persists, then repeat the steps above, except this time delete the entire ml folder and also delete gen_ml.ini in the Winamp\Plugins folder. It is advised that you backup any saved playlists first. These are the M3U files in the Plugins\ml folder, eg. plfEA4.m3u Now reinstall Winamp 5.01 Everything should now be fixed and you can add your playlists and folders again. As to why this happens though, I honestly don't know. Could be hardware related (eg. failing hard drive), virus or spyware related, a defrag which went wrong, an incompatible 3rd-party plugin or skin, etc... Playlist -\|- Twitter

2nd January 2004, 22:40	#3
gothbabe2 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wee bonnie Scotland Posts: 3	Thank U Thanks a lot - i finally have my media Library working again xxxx

21st January 2004, 20:25	#5
DJ Egg Techorator Winamp & Shoutcast Team Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 35,894	If you change the name/location of the files, then no, all backups will be worthless. main.dat stores the main library database gen_ml.ini (in the Winamp\Plugins dir) stores the library structure. You can also use the Import/Export Manager to export the library database to an XML file. Playlist -\|- Twitter

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21st January 2004, 18:34	#4
DragonFlyEye Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 3	So, this may actually answer a question of mine, albeit a slightly different issue: I'm looking for a method of Media Library backup, so that those MP3's who's ID tags I could not modify can still be correctly identified by WinAmp after my impending reload. Am I to understand that the Main.dat file is the source of this info? If I back that one file up to an external source, will it still work after a format? What if I change the location of the files? Say, to another HDD? Thanks in advance for the info!