OsX Private Server: Error loading config file!

[Stoorat]

Hi - I’ve been noodling with Ninjam for a while joining in on public servers for a few weeks and thought I’d take the plunge and try setting up a private server on my iMac running OsX High Sierra 10.13.6

I’m afraid I’ve run into the “Error loading config file!” problem in terminal

Here’s what I’ve tried so far:

I downloaded the compiled Ninjam server from elieserdejesus's post (03-05-2016, 08:28 AM) in this thread:
https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=165468

I’ve edited and renamed the example config file (now called config.cfg) and put ninjamsrv + config.cfg loose in my Applications folder as suggested by Maccool in this thread:
https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=18730

However, when I try to run it in Terminal I end up with this:

Last login: Wed Mar 25 08:58:37 on console
UNKNOWN:~ stuart-imac21$ cd /Applications
UNKNOWN:Applications stuart-imac21$ ./ninjamsrv config.cfg
NINJAM Server v0.06 built on Dec 17 2015 at 10:48:21 starting up...
Copyright (C) 2005-2007, Cockos, Inc.
[config] error opening configfile 'config.cfg'
Error loading config file!
UNKNOWN:Applications stuart-imac21$

Any ideas on things to try would be most welcome

Thanks in advance!

(The other alternative is having a go at setting up the server on my Windows work laptop but I might get told off!)

[pljones]

Do you have a file called "config.cfg"? If not, that may well be your problem.

[Rastko]

I have the same error and yes the config file does exist .

[pljones]

So you have a Terminal window open.

You are in the folder where the ninjamsvr program is.

Do "ls" (first character is letter L lowercase) and paste the output here.

[Rastko]

Originally Posted by pljones

So you have a Terminal window open.

You are in the folder where the ninjamsvr program is.

Do "ls" (first character is letter L lowercase) and paste the output here.

Hi , this comes out after "ls" in the folder :

rastko-mbp:ninjam_server Rastko$ ls
cclicense.txt example.cfg license.txt ninjamsrv
rastko-mbp:ninjam_server Rastko$

then I try to start :

/Users/Rastko/Desktop/ninjam_server/ninjamsrv example.cfg

and get this :

NINJAM Server v0.08 built on Mar 26 2020 at 18:02:01 starting up...
Copyright (C) 2005-2017, Cockos, Inc.
[config] error opening configfile 'example.cfg'
Error loading config file!
rastko-mbp:~ Rastko$

[akademie]

Originally Posted by Rastko

Hi , this comes out after "ls" in the folder :

rastko-mbp:ninjam_server Rastko$ ls
cclicense.txt example.cfg license.txt ninjamsrv
rastko-mbp:ninjam_server Rastko$

then I try to start :

/Users/Rastko/Desktop/ninjam_server/ninjamsrv example.cfg

and get this :

NINJAM Server v0.08 built on Mar 26 2020 at 18:02:01 starting up...
Copyright (C) 2005-2017, Cockos, Inc.
[config] error opening configfile 'example.cfg'
Error loading config file!
rastko-mbp:~ Rastko$

Hi Rastko,
maybe try to add full path also before example.cfg, like this:
/Users/Rastko/Desktop/ninjam_server/ninjamsrv /Users/Rastko/Desktop/ninjam_server/example.cfg

or, check if example.cfg file can be in fact read (read permissions) by user starting ninjam server.

[pljones]

Yep, maybe "ls -l" would have been a better request.

But it does look like "./ninjamsvr example.cfg" should work. It's not saying "not found"... hm... Did you edit the file on your Mac?

[Rastko]

Originally Posted by akademie

Hi Rastko,
maybe try to add full path also before example.cfg, like this:
/Users/Rastko/Desktop/ninjam_server/ninjamsrv /Users/Rastko/Desktop/ninjam_server/example.cfg

or, check if example.cfg file can be in fact read (read permissions) by user starting ninjam server.

Hi Akademie ,

the full path helped and now I get this :

rastko-mbp:~ Rastko$ /Users/Rastko/Desktop/ninjam_server/ninjamsrv /Users/Rastko/Desktop/ninjam_server/example.cfg
NINJAM Server v0.08 built on Mar 26 2020 at 18:02:01 starting up...
Copyright (C) 2005-2017, Cockos, Inc.
Error opening license file cclicense.txt
[config] warning: invalid parameter on line 13 of /Users/Rastko/Desktop/ninjam_server/example.cfg
Server starting up...
Port: 2049
Error listening on port 2049!
Using defaults 120 BPM 8 BPI

I am sure that Error listening on port 2049! is because I did not yet open that port but not sure about the other ones.

In any case thank you for helping me

rastko

[Rastko]

Originally Posted by pljones

Yep, maybe "ls -l" would have been a better request.

But it does look like "./ninjamsvr example.cfg" should work. It's not saying "not found"... hm... Did you edit the file on your Mac?

I did not edit anything left it as it was from the zip

thank you

rastko

[akademie]

Originally Posted by Rastko

Hi Akademie ,

the full path helped and now I get this :

rastko-mbp:~ Rastko$ /Users/Rastko/Desktop/ninjam_server/ninjamsrv /Users/Rastko/Desktop/ninjam_server/example.cfg
NINJAM Server v0.08 built on Mar 26 2020 at 18:02:01 starting up...
Copyright (C) 2005-2017, Cockos, Inc.
Error opening license file cclicense.txt
[config] warning: invalid parameter on line 13 of /Users/Rastko/Desktop/ninjam_server/example.cfg
Server starting up...
Port: 2049
Error listening on port 2049!
Using defaults 120 BPM 8 BPI

I am sure that Error listening on port 2049! is because I did not yet open that port but not sure about the other ones.

In any case thank you for helping me

rastko

Great, so we are nearly done

First, the server is running even now, no matter it give sthis error message, but it is missing cclicense.txt, which is declared at line 13 of CFG file.
Simply add that "cclicense.txt" file next to your example.cfg file (if it still does not help, write also full path to cclicense.txt in CFG).

cclicese.txt is displayed when connecting to server to say user about, well licenses of work presented in jam etc... and has to be confirmed by user (checking "I agree..." checkbox and confirming by clicking the "Accept" button). You can write anything descriptional there.

I think you can even comment out that line altogether (using #) if it is for your private use and your bandmates and do not need it.


EDIT: About the Port error. Try another port, like 2050, 2051 or 2052. I have had problems using 2049 port also at work where those other port work flawlesly.

[Stoorat]

Wow - that was an amazingly quick response guys. Sorry for not responding (to my own question!)
I'm going to give all that advice you gave to Rastko a go and see where that gets me.

[Stoorat]

Originally Posted by akademie

Hi Rastko,
maybe try to add full path also before example.cfg, like this:
/Users/Rastko/Desktop/ninjam_server/ninjamsrv /Users/Rastko/Desktop/ninjam_server/example.cfg

or, check if example.cfg file can be in fact read (read permissions) by user starting ninjam server.

Thanks for all this brilliant advice guys

I’ve tried moving the folder that Ninjamsrv files are contained in to my Desktop and adding the full url but unfortunately continue to get the Error loading config file

———————————

Stuarts-iMac:~ stuart-imac21$ /Users/stuart-imac21/Desktop/ninjamserver/ninjamsrv /Users/stuart-imac21/Desktop/ninjamserver/config-2.cfg
NINJAM Server v0.06 built on Dec 17 2015 at 10:48:21 starting up...
Copyright (C) 2005-2007, Cockos, Inc.
[config] error opening configfile '/Users/stuart-imac21/Desktop/ninjamserver/config-2.cfg'
Error loading config file!
Stuarts-iMac:~ stuart-imac21$

———————————

I have also tried re-saving the config file in the Apple script editor (because I’ve noticed it won’t let me just delete the .txt extension from the example.cfg.txt file) as pljones queried. (hence the it being called config-2.cfg)

I’ve also tried putting the ninjamsrv and config cfg files loose in my Users/stuart-imac21/Applications folder but end up with the same result.

———————————

Stuarts-iMac:~ stuart-imac21$ /Users/stuart-imac21/Applications/ninjamsrv /Users/stuart-imac21/Applications/config.cfg
NINJAM Server v0.06 built on Dec 17 2015 at 10:48:21 starting up...
Copyright (C) 2005-2007, Cockos, Inc.
[config] error opening configfile '/Users/stuart-imac21/Applications/config.cfg'
Error loading config file!

———————————

This is what I get when I perform the “ls” command in the stuart-imac21/Applications folder - is this useful?

———————————

Stuarts-iMac:~ stuart-imac21$ cd /Users/stuart-imac21/Applications
Stuarts-iMac:Applications stuart-imac21$ ls
Adobe bunkajam config.cfg.txt ninjamsrv
Stuarts-iMac:Applications stuart-imac21$

———————————

I’m so jealous of Rastko for getting some movement!

[Stoorat]

Hold the phone - I may have just answered my own question there
I just noticed the config.cfg file still has .txt extension on it when performing the "ls" command - I'm just going to google how to fix that!

[akademie]

no need to rename it I think, just put the correct name in the commandline, so instead of "config.cfg" type "config.cfg.txt"

[Stoorat]

OK - tantalisingly close now!

I created a new blank cfg file using the terminal window, copied and pasted the config file text into it and resaved in Textedit (which oddly didn't put the .txt extension back) and placed the licence document in my applications folder along with ninjamsrv and the new config file (config-2.cfg)

and voila...

---------------

Stuarts-iMac:Applications stuart-imac21$ ./ninjamsrv config-2.cfg
NINJAM Server v0.06 built on Dec 17 2015 at 10:48:21 starting up...
Copyright (C) 2005-2007, Cockos, Inc.
Server starting up...
Port: 2050
Error listening on port 2050!
Using defaults 100 BPM 16 BPI

---------------

I'm prepared to accept maybe I screwed up opening port 2050 on my router - does that seem the most likely explanation?

[akademie]

Yes, first try different ports in configuration file (2049, 2051, 2052) - you have to restart ninjam server for new changes in cfg to take effect.
If none of them will work, then focus on modem/router settings (and/or operating system's firewall).

[Stoorat]

Originally Posted by akademie

Yes, first try different ports in configuration file (2049, 2051, 2052) - you have to restart ninjam server for new changes in cfg to take effect.
If none of them will work, then focus on modem/router settings (and/or operating system's firewall).

OK - I edited config-2.cfg to use port 2049, ran it again and we've got this

----------------

NINJAM Server v0.06 built on Dec 17 2015 at 10:48:21 starting up...
Copyright (C) 2005-2007, Cockos, Inc.
Server starting up...
Port: 2049
Using defaults 100 BPM 16 BPI

----------------

Is that a good thing?

[Stoorat]

Spoke too soon - I stopped it and started it again following failed attempts to login from another computer through Reaper and got this:

Stuarts-iMac:Applications stuart-imac21$ ./ninjamsrv config-2.cfg
NINJAM Server v0.06 built on Dec 17 2015 at 10:48:21 starting up...
Copyright (C) 2005-2007, Cockos, Inc.
Server starting up...
Port: 2049
Error listening on port 2049!
Using defaults 100 BPM 16 BPI

It was connecting though!

[Stoorat]

I've allowed anonymous users and have managed to connect (great!) - but whether the port works or not is pretty flakey.

I had it work on 2049 and 2052 once each, but now it won't work on any of them.

I'm a bit unclear on how it was able to work on them as the only one that I setup in my router (quite possibly incorrectly) was 2050!

Apart from just repeatedly editing the config file until I hit on one that decides to work any suggestions on where I should be looking?

[akademie]

I don't know. But keep in mind that you have to terminate running server, and then start again, otherwise copies are still running in the background and may occupy the port.

[Rastko]

Originally Posted by akademie

I don't know. But keep in mind that you have to terminate running server, and then start again, otherwise copies are still running in the background and may occupy the port.

This was my problem here in Kuala Lumpur and now it seems all is working !

I just have to find some friends now :-).

Thank you so much for your help.

There must be a better way to kill ninjam server and not to have 8 copies running (like I had) but on a OSX I went to Activity Monitor application (it is built in just search). And once I found ninjam highlight it and click on the quit (top left cross thing)

I wish you all the best from Kuala Lumpur

rastko

[akademie]

Originally Posted by Rastko

This was my problem here in Kuala Lumpur and now it seems all is working !

I just have to find some friends now :-).

Thank you so much for your help.

There must be a better way to kill ninjam server and not to have 8 copies running (like I had) but on a OSX I went to Activity Monitor application (it is built in just search). And once I found ninjam highlight it and click on the quit (top left cross thing)

I wish you all the best from Kuala Lumpur

rastko

With pleasure

And about the closing/killing an application. This is described in the last sentence of the official ninjam server guide:

"If you need ot change the configuration once the server is running, you can restart it by hitting R (on Windows), or by using the command "killall -HUP ninjamsrv" (on Linux/FreeBSD/OS X)."

[Rastko]

Originally Posted by akademie

With pleasure

And about the closing/killing an application. This is described in the last sentence of the official ninjam server guide:

"If you need ot change the configuration once the server is running, you can restart it by hitting R (on Windows), or by using the command "killall -HUP ninjamsrv" (on Linux/FreeBSD/OS X)."

I have tried "killall -HUP ninjamsrv" but it seems it only restarts the server maybe I was doing something wrong as "killall" does indeed sound like closing something (totally closing, forwever).

[pljones]

Skip -HUP to really kill it. (That sends a SIGTERM, which tells it to stop.) SIGHUP, like the line says, doesn't stop the server, just reloads the config.

[akademie]

Originally Posted by pljones

Skip -HUP to really kill it. (That sends a SIGTERM, which tells it to stop.) SIGHUP, like the line says, doesn't stop the server, just reloads the config.

Uhh, thanks for correction pljones. Sure the instruction is for restarting, a killing an app is only part of it, so only "killall ninjamsrv" command to kill.

[tapemelancholy]

Originally Posted by Stoorat

I've allowed anonymous users and have managed to connect (great!) - but whether the port works or not is pretty flakey.

I had it work on 2049 and 2052 once each, but now it won't work on any of them.

I'm a bit unclear on how it was able to work on them as the only one that I setup in my router (quite possibly incorrectly) was 2050!

Apart from just repeatedly editing the config file until I hit on one that decides to work any suggestions on where I should be looking?

You can use various ports. I'm using port 55000. So try others.

Also to run the server you can use these two commands (i have ninjam in the apps/ninjam):
cd /Applications/ninjam
./ninjamsrv config.cfg

And do not use several running instances. As well, to change config you need to kill the process and run it again.