Windows Upgrade: DW Spectrum Licenses and Credentials Lost
-----------------------------------
Affected Roles: Administrator, Owner
Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps: DW Spectrum® IPVMS
Complexity: Medium
Last Edit: May 20, 2022
-----------------------------------
What Causes This Issue?
During an OS upgrade (e.g., from Win 8.1 to Win 10 or Win 10 to Win 10 Anniversary), Windows will create a directory titled as “Windows.old” within the OS drive and will move all files from the previous “Windows” folder. It will then replace the previous folder with a new folder that will contain the new Windows OS installation image.
This causes an issue for DW Spectrum Servers, because the “C:\Windows” directory often contains essential information for applications like DW Spectrum IPVMS.
In relation to upgrading the OS, the DW Spectrum database will be inadvertently moved to the new folder location which will cause the DW Spectrum Media Server application to lose the ability to connect with the original DW Spectrum database (moved to the “Windows.old” folder) which will still contain the Recording Licenses and login credentials for the DW Spectrum System.
This article will outline how to locate, copy, and move the database files from the old OS folder to the new folder following a Windows OS upgrade.
Resolving the Issue
To resolve an issue regarding unavailable licenses and credential loss after a Windows OS upgrade on an operational DW Spectrum Server computer:
- Stop the DW Spectrum Media Server program.
- Right-click on the DW Spectrum tray tool within the taskbar
- Select Stop Server (started)
- Next, open the File Explorer and navigate to the old Windows directory:
C:\Windows.old\WINDOWS\System32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Digital Watchdog\Digital Watchdog Media Server
- From the directory, copy the “ecs.sqlite” file and “ecs_static.sqlite” file.
Paste these files in the new Windows directory:
C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Digital Watchdog\Digital Watchdog Media Server
- After moving the database files, start the DW Spectrum Media Server program again.
- Right-click on the DW Spectrum tray tool within the taskbar
- Select Start Server (stopped)
- The issue should now be resolved and the database accessible again for the DW Spectrum Server.
Confirm that the Recording Licenses have been recovered for the system by checking in the DW Spectrum Client’s “Licenses” menu.
