Amarok/Manual/Various/TroubleshootingAndCommonProblems: Difference between revisions
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Problems installing - bad packages, difficulties building from source | Problems installing - bad packages, difficulties building from source | ||
Problems starting up | ==Problems starting up== | ||
===Playlist errors=== | |||
The current playlist can occasionally get corrupt, which will prevent Amarok from starting. This can be fixed by simply removing the current playlist file in the Amarok directory, $HOME/.kde/share/apps/amarok/current.xspf (note that on some systems, this may be under .kde4 rather than .kde). | |||
===Database issues=== | |||
If the database is corrupt and this is preventing Amarok from starting, you can move the database to a backup location (or simply delete it). This will cause Amarok to rebuild the database from scratch. Move the $HOME/.kde/share/apps/amarok/mysqle folder to a backup location (such as $HOME/.kde/share/apps/amarok/mysqle~) and restart Amarok. | |||
===Other issues and backing up settings=== | |||
If the above two items do not help, or you otherwise need to restore Amarok to a clean configuration, you can move to a backup location (or delete) the Amarok directory at $HOME/.kde/share/apps/amarok and the Amarok config files at $HOME/.kde/share/config/amarok* (there may be two or three files matching this pattern). Again, the directory may be .kde4 rather than .kde. | |||
== Problems Scanning, Sorting files == | == Problems Scanning, Sorting files == | ||
'''Amarok''' scans your music files on first startup, and will keep your collection up-to-date automatically, if you chose <menuchoice>Settings -> Configure Amarok -> Collection -> Watch folders for changes</menuchoice>. | '''Amarok''' scans your music files on first startup, and will keep your collection up-to-date automatically, if you chose <menuchoice>Settings -> Configure Amarok -> Collection -> Watch folders for changes</menuchoice>. | ||
If you don't want '''Amarok''' scanning for changes, uncheck that, and use <menuchoice>Tools -> Update Collection</menuchoice> whenever you make changes to your collection. | |||
More about [[Amarok/Manual/AdvancedFeatures/CollectionScanning|'''Amarok''' collection scanning here]]. | |||
=== Corrupt tags === | === Corrupt tags === | ||
Some folks notice that Amarok seems to be missing some files. One of the causes can be corrupt tags, which you can check using the tagging application [http://kid3.sourceforge.net/ kid3]. More about tagging [[Amarok/Manual/AdvancedFeatures/TagEditor |here]]. | Some folks notice that Amarok seems to be missing some files. One of the causes can be corrupt tags, which you can check using the tagging application [http://kid3.sourceforge.net/ kid3]. More about tagging [[Amarok/Manual/AdvancedFeatures/TagEditor |here]]. | ||
To find the bad file(s), run ''amarokcollectionscanner'' from the console. Details [http://amarok.kde.org/wiki/Batch_Mode here]. | To find the bad file(s), run ''amarokcollectionscanner'' from the console. Details [http://amarok.kde.org/wiki/Batch_Mode here]. | ||
=== Inability to write tags === | |||
If Amarok is not saving changes to tags, you may have permissions problems. Ensure that your user has write permissions to your music. For example, {{Input|chown -R youruser Music/}} to change ownership to your user, or {{Input|chmod -R +w Music/}} to add write permissions to the owner. | |||
=== Incorrect Sorting (Various Artists) === | === Incorrect Sorting (Various Artists) === | ||
Sometimes people report that tracks are in Various Artists when they should not be, or are sorted into "Unknown Album." What separates Various Artists albums and tracks and albums sorted under their artists is the Album Artist tag. When you click <menuchoice>Show under Various Artists</menuchoice> in the context (right-click) menu, that tag will be emptied if it is filled. The opposite happens to a file in Various Artists when you choose <menuchoice>Do not show under Various Artists</menuchoice>, but the Album Artist tag will be auto-filled from the Artist tag. | Sometimes people report that tracks are in Various Artists when they should not be, or are sorted into "Unknown Album." What separates Various Artists albums and tracks and albums sorted under their artists is the Album Artist tag. When you click <menuchoice>Show under Various Artists</menuchoice> in the context (right-click) menu, that tag will be emptied if it is filled. The opposite happens to a file in Various Artists when you choose <menuchoice>Do not show under Various Artists</menuchoice>, but the Album Artist tag will be auto-filled from the Artist tag. | ||
If there is no Album tag, and no Album Artist tag, '''Amarok''' will put the track into Unknown Album in Various Artists. If you want them sorted otherwise, tag them the way you want them sorted. If you don't know some of the information, try out the new ''MusicBrainz'' function in the tag editor, or use a tagging application. | If there is no Album tag, and no Album Artist tag, '''Amarok''' will put the track into Unknown Album in Various Artists. If you want them sorted otherwise, tag them the way you want them sorted. If you don't know some of the information, try out the new ''MusicBrainz'' function in the tag editor, or use a tagging application. | ||
==Problems playing files== | |||
===Amarok skips over tracks, or appears to play them without sound=== | |||
If the files you are attempting to play are in MP3 format, please see instructions for enabling MP3 support on your distro, linked [[Amarok/Manual/FAQ#What_media_types_does_Amarok_support.3F |here]]. Note that one piece of software being able to play MP3s on your system does not necessarily mean Amarok has had the required codecs installed. | |||
===No sound, or bad sound=== | |||
For more general sound issues, first check what Phonon backend you are using in <menuchoice>Settings > Configure Amarok > Playback > Configure Phonon > Backend</menuchoice>. Consider switching to a different backend - VLC, GStreamer and Xine backends should be available from your distro. VLC is usually recommended. Also check whether the standalone software can play the files correctly; if not this is an issue with that software and you may find information in that software's help files. | |||
==Crashes and bugs== | |||
How to run '''Amarok''' from the command line: {{Input|amarok -d --nofork}} | How to run '''Amarok''' from the command line: {{Input|amarok -d --nofork}} | ||
'''Amarok''' crashes, but '''Dr. Konqi''' doesn't pop up -- run in '''gdb''': {{Input|gdb --args amarok --debug --nofork}}, run, <wait for crash>, bt | '''Amarok''' crashes, but '''Dr. Konqi''' doesn't pop up -- run in '''gdb''': {{Input|gdb --args amarok --debug --nofork}}, run, <wait for crash>, thread apply all bt | ||
Filing bugs: If triggered, Dr. Konqi will provide an option to report a bug and do most of the work for you. If not, you will need to submit the bug manually at [https://bugs.kde.org/ bugs.kde.org]. For crash bugs, please include the backtrace from gdb as a comment. | |||
How to get personal support with problems: IRC (#amarok on Freenode IRC), | How to get personal support with problems: [irc://irc.freenode.net/#amarok IRC] (#amarok on Freenode IRC), [http://forum.kde.org/viewforum.php?f=127 Forum], [https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/amarok Mailing list] | ||
{{Prevnext2 | {{Prevnext2 | ||
Revision as of 22:27, 26 January 2011
Under Construction
Problems installing - bad packages, difficulties building from source
Problems starting up
Playlist errors
The current playlist can occasionally get corrupt, which will prevent Amarok from starting. This can be fixed by simply removing the current playlist file in the Amarok directory, $HOME/.kde/share/apps/amarok/current.xspf (note that on some systems, this may be under .kde4 rather than .kde).
Database issues
If the database is corrupt and this is preventing Amarok from starting, you can move the database to a backup location (or simply delete it). This will cause Amarok to rebuild the database from scratch. Move the $HOME/.kde/share/apps/amarok/mysqle folder to a backup location (such as $HOME/.kde/share/apps/amarok/mysqle~) and restart Amarok.
Other issues and backing up settings
If the above two items do not help, or you otherwise need to restore Amarok to a clean configuration, you can move to a backup location (or delete) the Amarok directory at $HOME/.kde/share/apps/amarok and the Amarok config files at $HOME/.kde/share/config/amarok* (there may be two or three files matching this pattern). Again, the directory may be .kde4 rather than .kde.
Problems Scanning, Sorting files
Amarok scans your music files on first startup, and will keep your collection up-to-date automatically, if you chose .
If you don't want Amarok scanning for changes, uncheck that, and use whenever you make changes to your collection.
More about Amarok collection scanning here.
Corrupt tags
Some folks notice that Amarok seems to be missing some files. One of the causes can be corrupt tags, which you can check using the tagging application kid3. More about tagging here.
To find the bad file(s), run amarokcollectionscanner from the console. Details here.
Inability to write tags
If Amarok is not saving changes to tags, you may have permissions problems. Ensure that your user has write permissions to your music. For example,
chown -R youruser Music/
to change ownership to your user, or
chmod -R +w Music/
to add write permissions to the owner.
Incorrect Sorting (Various Artists)
Sometimes people report that tracks are in Various Artists when they should not be, or are sorted into "Unknown Album." What separates Various Artists albums and tracks and albums sorted under their artists is the Album Artist tag. When you click in the context (right-click) menu, that tag will be emptied if it is filled. The opposite happens to a file in Various Artists when you choose , but the Album Artist tag will be auto-filled from the Artist tag.
If there is no Album tag, and no Album Artist tag, Amarok will put the track into Unknown Album in Various Artists. If you want them sorted otherwise, tag them the way you want them sorted. If you don't know some of the information, try out the new MusicBrainz function in the tag editor, or use a tagging application.
Problems playing files
Amarok skips over tracks, or appears to play them without sound
If the files you are attempting to play are in MP3 format, please see instructions for enabling MP3 support on your distro, linked here. Note that one piece of software being able to play MP3s on your system does not necessarily mean Amarok has had the required codecs installed.
No sound, or bad sound
For more general sound issues, first check what Phonon backend you are using in . Consider switching to a different backend - VLC, GStreamer and Xine backends should be available from your distro. VLC is usually recommended. Also check whether the standalone software can play the files correctly; if not this is an issue with that software and you may find information in that software's help files.
Crashes and bugs
How to run Amarok from the command line:
amarok -d --nofork
Amarok crashes, but Dr. Konqi doesn't pop up -- run in gdb:
gdb --args amarok --debug --nofork
, run, <wait for crash>, thread apply all bt
Filing bugs: If triggered, Dr. Konqi will provide an option to report a bug and do most of the work for you. If not, you will need to submit the bug manually at bugs.kde.org. For crash bugs, please include the backtrace from gdb as a comment.
How to get personal support with problems: IRC (#amarok on Freenode IRC), Forum, Mailing list