Postgres Start Problem - ERROR 3534

[oracle3001]

I have been running postgres 8.4 for a number of weeks now with no problems at all. I restarted my machine today, and noticed that the postgres service hadn't started up. So, I went and ran the standard "start service" command and got the following error message


The PostgreSQL Server 8.4 service is starting...................................................
The PostgreSQL Server 8.4 service could not be started.

The service did not report an error.

More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 3534.

The start command returned an error (2)

Press <return> to continue...

Any ideas?

[WhiteRider]

Did you type "NET HELPMSG 3534"?
You'll probably need to do that at the command prompt: Start --> Programs --> PostgreSQL --> Command prompt.
What does it say? (I tried it myself but I guess because I haven't had the error it didn't tell me anything - possibly also because I have 8.3 not 8.4).

If it still fails after a reboot you can attach the last couple of log files from "C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\8.3\data\pg_log" to a Support ticket so we can see if there's anything in the logs.

[oracle3001]

Ok done that, and all I get is "The service did not report an error".

Checked the log and nothing in there that relates to todays activity. In fact no logs since 09 July (have been away so not been using PC for past couple of weeks).

[WhiteRider]

What firewall do you use? Did you update it?
Some firewalls prevent postgres starting - this is less likely since you've been running OK previously but still possible if the firewall updated itself. Try disabling it temporarily while you start PT3.

If postgres still won't start have a look at Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer for any errors - attach a screenshot to a ticket if you don't know what you're looking for.

[oracle3001]

No, I haven't changed or updated my firewall. I actually changed it from Bitdefender to Zone Alarm, precisely for the reasons I had problems with postgres (and haven't had any problems since the change until the other day).

Tried turning off firewall, still no go.

As for Event Viewer, there are errors relating to postgres, lots of

FATAL: unrecognized configuration parameter "max_fsm_pages"

[WhiteRider]

I guess you didn't change anything in your postgres configuration?
You might need to re-install postgres. How to reinstall Postgres

[oracle3001]

No, no changes to config. Literally booted up pc after a couple of week away, noticed no postgres running, tried to start service, that failed.

[WhiteRider]

Try re-installing postgres - if it's reporting unrecognized configuration that sounds like something is wrong in your postgres installation.
Make a backup of your database(s) before you re-install, just in case, although the guide explains how to keep your databases intact.

[oracle3001]

Just checked the release notes for postgres 8.4, the following passage maybe of interest,

"Free space discovered by VACUUM is now recorded in *_fsm files, rather than in a fixed-sized shared memory area. The max_fsm_pages and max_fsm_relations settings have been removed, greatly simplifying administration of free space management."

So makes me wonder why my postgres service is looking for that setting when it has been removed. Could it have anything to do with PT3 and Housekeeping i.e Vacuum action?

[oracle3001]

Ok, found the bug, it is due to the EnterpriseDB Tuning Wizard (must have run it the last time before I had a break),

It inserts max_fsm_pages and max_fsm_relations settings into the postgresql.conf file. As the release notes of 8.4 state, these settings are no long supported (must be a bug in Tuning Wizard).

I have commented those out, and postgres service has started up perfectly. Probably something to note for you support guys as people move to postgres 8.4 and continue to use EnterpriseDB Tuning Wizard (as suggested on the PT3 forums). I have no idea who this clear postgres bug needs to be reported to, but clearly a postgres problem.