Installing PostGreSQL "Over Itself" from different OS?

[JimmyM69]

Please see topic "New OS & Installs of PT2 & 3, PostGreSQL issues", on https://www.pokertracker.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=29814, and please, if asked and answered, point to the thread in which it has been.

In his reply to my OP, whiterider says:

2. PostgreSQL needs to be installed in the active OS so I don't think that just copying shortcuts will work......but if you can't work things out then please post back - kraada will be back from his vacation in a couple of days and he should be able to help you

.
If, booting from my new OS, on LXpv22&Apps, I were to install PostGreSQL v8.4.99 to: D:\Poker Stuff\PostGreSQL, the app will, in effect, be installed "over itself" albeit through different OSs.
Might such an install impede its functioning on either the "old" OS (OpSwapApps) or the new one (LXpv22&Apps)?
Would I still be able to point the ver installed under LXpv22&Apps to the same databases as in the old OS (POSTGRESQLSTARS,ETC,1STCONVERSIONMAY4,2009, & PT3 DB)?

Grateful for assistance on a topic which, frankly, scares me a bit, as this app is not one I know in detail, and I don't want to jeopardise potentially irreplaceable data (even tho' I WILL back up all my PT dBs to a separate HD even before embarking on this install).
Jimmy

[kraada]

The reinstallation should not cause any problems for the database in either operating system though as you note, taking a backup before doing anything is a very, very good idea.

The reinstallation in the new OS should just set the registry up properly add the service account and create the service properly in Windows - the data won't be touched.

[JimmyM69]

Further to previous posts, and an excellent remote assistance session by kraada, I have encountered a few problems on the "new OS" :o . I'm not sure the install on the "new one" was successful. Bottom line: I seem to be unable to get the postgres.exe service to run, and, in my Start Menu, the shortcuts to the Application Stack Builder, pgAdmin III, and psql to 'postgres' are missing.

Here's what I did (until otherwise noted, all of this was on the "new OS"):

Downloaded a clean PT-Install-v3.06.2.exe, and, when asked whether I wanted to install postgreSQL, clicked "Yes". The Install asked me to delete the D:\Poker Stuff\PostGreSQL folder, which I did NOT, as postgreSQL had not been installed "on this computer" which I interpreted to mean "on this OS".
Got an Error message, 'Failed to run initdb...", and the file initdb.log said:

"The files belonging to this database system will be owned by user "SYSTEM".
This user must also own the server process.

The database cluster will be initialized with locale English_Canada.1252.
The default text search configuration will be set to "english".

initdb: directory "D:/Poker Stuff/PostGreSQL/data" exists but is not empty
If you want to create a new database system, either remove or empty
the directory "D:/Poker Stuff/PostGreSQL/data" or run initdb
with an argument other than "D:/Poker Stuff/PostGreSQL/data"."

Attempted to install to D:/Poker Stuff/PostGreSQL, from PostgreSQL-8.3.1-1.zip, using the defaults; got a message: "Existing data directory. Data Directory already contains a PostgreSQL database of this version....will...be used...no need to initdb...", clicked OK.

Did NOT initialise the database cluster, nor did I run the stack builder (I can't run the Stack Builder now anyway, as I don't seem to have a shortcut thereto). Ran PT3 for the 1st time, got Configure Post GreSQL Server windows, tried with sevaral passwords, none of which worked. Ran Task Manager, noticed postgres.exe wasn't running, tried to start it from the Start Menu Shortcut, no go.

So where did I go wrong, please?

BTW, I did revert to the "old OS" (on which I now write0, to check that PT2&3 ran on it, and, yes they do.
Thanx muchly for your patience, and in advance, for your help.
Jimmy

[kraada]

If you click Start --> Run --> type in services.msc and hit enter, then find the postgres service from the list, can you start it?

[JimmyM69]

Tired that (Sorry, I should have mentioned that) didn't see the postgres service even listed. I also tried to start it from the Start Menu shortcut, without success. As well, I followed all the steps in your post in https://www.pokertracker.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=28985 and in http://www.pokertracker.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=4510without success, before my last post in this thread.

[WhiteRider]

Did the PostgreSQL install actually complete on the new OS?
It sounds like it stopped at the initdb problem? Uncheck the "Initialize Database" checkbox during the installation process and it should complete properly.
If you still can't get it sorted out please reply to your support ticket where you arranged the remote session and we'll sort things out there.

[JimmyM69]

Did the PostgreSQL install actually complete on the new OS?

It appeared to, when I tried to install it using the msi inside the PostgreSQL-8.3.1-1.zip file. This was after I had tried to install it by using the PT3 PostgreSQL install process as described in http://www.pokertracker.com/products/PT3/docs/?doc=quickguide
There were two attempts to install it, one from "within" PT3, the second with the msi.

It sounds like it stopped at the initdb problem?

when I tried "within" PT3.

Uncheck the "Initialize Database" checkbox during the installation process and it should complete properly.

Did that, too.

If you still can't get it sorted out please reply to your support ticket where you arranged the remote session and we'll sort things out there.

I think I'm going to have to do that, I fear.
Jimmy

[WhiteRider]

Hmm - the first failed attempt may have caused a problem with the 'postgres' user, although if the second install completed then I doubt it.

Have a look at our Firewall Guide as that is another thing that can prevent postgres starting, and you could try unistalling and re-installing PostgreSQL to make sure everything was set up correctly (How to reinstall PostgreSQL), but other than that I think you'll need to re-open your ticket.
Sadly Kraada is off for a few days, but we'll get you sorted out.

[JimmyM69]

Hmm - the first failed attempt may have caused a problem with the 'postgres' user, although if the second install completed then I doubt it.

The 1st attempt failed, the second appeared to complete, but in fact didn't, as there is no sign of a postgres service.

Have a look at our Firewall Guide as that is another thing that can prevent postgres starting, and

Actually I don't have a firewall in my "old OS" (I rely on the router and NOD32) but there may be a Windoze Firewall on the new one. I will check this point when I reboot into it.

you could try unistalling and re-installing PostgreSQL to make sure everything was set up correctly (How to reinstall PostgreSQL),

It's OK on the old OS, the failure was on the new one. I'd be reluctant to interfere with a version which runs OK, but may have to.

but other than that I think you'll need to re-open your ticket. Sadly Kraada is off for a few days, but we'll get you sorted out.

I did reopen it, and will try to fix the install myself before kraada returns from a (doubtless) well-earned rest.
Thanks your patience and help,
Jimmy

[WhiteRider]

you could try unistalling and re-installing PostgreSQL to make sure everything was set up correctly (How to reinstall PostgreSQL),

It's OK on the old OS, the failure was on the new one. I'd be reluctant to interfere with a version which runs OK, but may have to.

I meant on the new one - if you have a partial installation it will prevent further installations working.
Try following whichever steps in the guide you can - if something isn't there ignore it. Don't delete the postgres folders, obviously, if you're sharing a hard disk between this and your other OS (correct me if I've misunderstood something).