MediaPortal Wiki 
Using test builds
About test builds
A test build, also known as SVN build/SVN snapshot (named after our source code control systen, Subversion) or nightly build/weekly build (dependent on the source code update speed), is a fully automatic compilation of the source code that is performed on a regular basis.
It is important to understand that this means the code has only been tested by the developer who wrote the code. Do not except a test build to be stable. They are made to aid the testers, so they do not have to compile the latest source code by themselves, and speed up the testing process.
Test builds are not meant for the general user. While they may contain fixes for bugs that have been found, they may also introduce new bugs. Test builds are not bugfixes or updates.
Installing a test build
Just like with a normal MediaPortal install, make sure your system is up to date following the instructions on the requirements page.
For most stable results, start with a clean system, for example by restoring a harddisk backup that was made before installing MediaPortal.
Currently, test builds are distributed as RAR archives. You will need a program like the shareware WinRAR or the open source 7-Zip to extract the files.
Option 1: Quick 'n dirty installation
With this method, a nightly build is applied on an already configured, and possible previously updated system. This is not the most stable solution, but it is the quickest.
Download and extract the latest SVN snapshot.
Run the installer (MediaPortal_weekly-snapshot.exe).
Run the MediaPortal Configuration to update your configuration files.
- Enjoy your updated system.
- If you find any problems, please perform a clean update as described in Option 3.
Option 2: Clean system, MediaPortal not yet installed
Download the latest version of MediaPortal.
Install MediaPortal. Do NOT configure it after installation!
Download and install the latest SVN-Snapshot.
If you find any problems playing around with MediaPortal, proceed with reporting problems.
Option 3: Latest RELEASE version of MediaPortal already installed on your system
Rename your current MediaPortal program folder to MediaPortalBackup. (You will need it if you later want to restore your stable installation of MediaPortal.)
Download the latest version of MediaPortal.
Run the MediaPortal installer, and select repair. This will re-create the MediaPortal folder and you get a clean installation. Do NOT configure it after installing!
Download and install the latest SVN-Snapshot.
Configure MediaPortal.
If you find any problems playing around with MediaPortal, proceed with reporting problems.
Restoring previous MediaPortal installation
This method can be used when a backup folder has been created while updating MediaPortal (Case 3).
Uninstall MediaPortal.
Delete the remaining MediaPortal, or rename it to MediaPortalTest.
Start the MediaPortal installer. (Required to get the correct registry settings back, that may have changed by installing the SVN snapshot.)
Install MediaPortal to the same location where it was installed before.
After the installation, delete the MediaPortal folder that was just created, or rename it to MediaPortalClean.
Rename your MediaPortalBackup folder to MediaPortal
- You're finished.
Reporting problems
Reporting on IRC
Join the MediaPortal_IRC_Channel and tell the users who are online what problem you have found. It will be necessary to share your logfiles with the community. This can be done easily with the online tool Pastebin. Screenshots can be shared on ImageShack.
Reporting on the forum
You can also post problems at the forum. Please read How To Report Bugs and How To Report SVN Bugs before posting bug reports!
Use Pastebin for your error logs and post the links in your bug report.