RES 3700 - Error: Waiting on MDSHosts.xml

When ops is starting on all versions of micros workstations it loads a number of different modules.
The essential ones are as follows for correct operation of the workstations.
MDSHosts.xml
MDSServices.xml
MDSPrinters.xml
Ops.exe

You may also find KDS Display loading depending on your setup.

You may find that the Application Loader will stall on any one of these, the most common being MDSHosts.xml.

MDSHosts.xml contains IP address and Hostname information for the server and all workstations so its essential for operation.
On WS4, WS4LX, WS5 model workstations its located on the compact flash drive in cf\micros\etc
On Win32 workstations its located in c:\micros\common\etc.
Same applies for all the .xml files above.

Workstations should be kept up to date automatically with these files and should be downloaded upon installing ops using CAL.

If you find the Application Loader stalling there are a few simple steps you need to take.

Quick Fix: Transfer a copy of the MDSHosts.xml to the workstation. It is located on the server under D:\micros\common\etc and needs to be copied to the workstation. See above for the correct directory.

Long Term Fix:

Step 1) Make sure the MDSHosts.xml has a good copy on the server. It should be located in D:\micros\common\etc
Check the last modified date. It should be fairly recent ie. a few days. Reload the database via the Micros Control Panel (reload not restart). If the modified date has not updated and the workstation still not starting then proceed to step 2.

Step 2) Force the database to create a new copy. Open services.msc and restart the following services:

Micros Distributed Services Manager
Micros DB Update Service

Step 3) Reload the database via the Micros Control Panel. ( reload not restart ). The last modified date of the file should have updated to the current date/time.


4 comments:

  1. Does anyone know what the (External Posting File) reports mean? And where in the database it is pulling the information from. Here is a sample.

    Thanks in advance.

    KDS - External Posting File:

    2.0,2327,1,0,Chk 3968,,,90001 MICROS,1308593244,1308593284,F,1,F,F,06/20/2011 18:08:04,

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Ky,

    Not sure exactly where this information is pulled from but its check information which has been sent to and bumped off the KDS displays.

    Any particular reason you need to know this info?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I just replaced a Micros KDS controller and it hangs at the "Wait for MDSHosts file..." and the instructions above tell me to copy the MDSHosts.xml file to the workstation. Since I'm waiting for Micros support to call back - do I do this from the Server? Should the server have mapped drives to each Workstation? I'm inexperienced at this and troubleshooting it to get it fixed.

    Quick Fix: Transfer a copy of the MDSHosts.xml to the workstation. It is located on the server under D:\micros\common\etc and needs to be copied to the workstation.

    ReplyDelete
  4. How do you actually get the information on the workstation?

    ReplyDelete

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