Server 3.2.1 (10.9.5) – Postgres won't start

I ran into the same problem, and decided to look at /Library/Logs/PostgreSQL/PostgreSQL.log. All it showed was line after line of this:

FATAL: unrecognized configuration parameter "listen_address"

On a hunch, I used VI to peek at the updated version of this file:

/Library/Server/PostgreSQL/Config/org.postgresql.postgres.plist

Low and behold, it had two instances of the listen_address string in it:

<string>-c</string>

<string>listen_addresses=127.0.0.1,::1</string>

<string>-c</string>

<string>listen_addresses=127.0.0.1,::1</string>

Thinking that having the listen_address directive listed twice might be a less than optimal configuration, I deleted the first two lines, saved the file, and ran "sudo serveradmin start postgres". Low and behold, this time it ran normally. Even the installed TopicDesk RoundCube revived. So, if you've followed all the excellent earlier directives in this thread (thanks Rusty!), but are still stuck, take at look at org.postgresql.postgres.plist to see if perhaps it's choking on duplicate listen_address directives.

Hello Rusty,

first thx for the solution.

But i always get an error on the command

sudo -u _postgres /Applications/Server.app/Contents/ServerRoot/usr/bin/pg_upgrade -b /Applications/Server.app/Contents/ServerRoot/usr/libexec/postgresql9.2 -B /Applications/Server.app/Contents/ServerRoot/usr/bin -d /Library/Server/PostgreSQL/DataOld -D /Library/Server/PostgreSQL/Data

cannot write to log file pg_upgrade_internal.log

Failure, exiting

But i cannot find the file or the right directory to change / check permissions

Please help.

Hi,

Start the script in a directory where you have write access (e.g. /tmp)

René

Hi René,

I get the same error. In fact I also get a permissions denied error at the initdb step. (line 15).

Since you solved your problems by changing permissions, would you mind telling me what you did?

Allart,

Take care that the directories are writeable by the chosen user.

Both a "chown -R _postgres /Library/Server/PostgreSQL" and a "chmod -R u+w" of the same directory shoul help.

René

I am unable to get PostgreSQL to start. It appears I do not have a Config folder. Any idea how to have it recreate one?

drwxrwxrwx 3 _postgres _postgres 102 Sep 29 12:15 .

drwxr-xr-x 25 root wheel 850 Sep 29 12:14 ..

drwxrwxrwx 19 _postgres _postgres 646 Sep 29 12:15 Data

Thanks, but, how do I get it to recreate the config file so the daemon will start?

Thanks Ross, yes, I am going to try that. I do understand plists. Just starting to get really annoyed with Apple, and how their upgrades tend to continue to break things that previously worked. This is just my home server running email and web applications, but, it's getting to the point of consuming too much time. May decide to move ti iCloud.

Who knows.... It still will not start, and, there is nothing in the logs. I've went as far as removing server.app, and, reinstalling it, yet, the problem persists.

Same for me.

postgres:error = "CANNOT_START_SERVICE_TIMEOUT_ERR"

I did the script. No errors or warnings. plist is just like above. All folders that I can see in the finder have _postpres (as 'person') with Read&Write. Only the folder PostgreSQLForServe Services also has _postgres (as 'group') with read only. Can this have anything to do with it?

Has anyone had any luck in getting PostgreSQL, to work again with Server 3.2.1? As previously mentioned on this thread, all the built-in services seem to be fine; they must have their own Postgres, installation. The "general" Postgres, installation appears to be broken. I am unable to get it to start even with a fresh build of OSX 10.9.5 and Server.app 3.2.1. It appears that the "built-in" Postgres, is not completely installed or configured. It does not even put the "/Library/Server/PostgreSQL" folder there. Not sure where to go from here, other than installing PostgreSQL via something like Homebrew. Thoughts on fixing the built-in?

For those using Postgres and Topicdesk Roundcube

This script should fix the issue for most.... it re-inits the postgres data directory and creates a new Roundcube DB.

Note: user preferences are stored in the Roundcube DB (user full name, view prefs, etc) and those settings will be lost.

Roundcube users will need to reset their prefs.

Vacation/Filtering is retained

The roundcube config is also retained.

If you have any of your own postgres databases, this script does not retain them.

If your goal is to restore your topicdesk roundcube installation asap, this should do the trick.

http://downloads.topicdesk.com/installers/PostgresRoundcubeFix.tgz

Assuming you download and expand in your downloads folder, run as follows:

sudo ~/Downloads/PostgresRoundcubeFix

Jeff

Awesome work as always! Fixed my issue. A tremendous THANK YOU!