An unhandled exception occurred. System.Exception: Process has terminated

[janmechtel]

First of, we are ecstatic to see this released! Unfortunately I can't get it to run. I hope it's fine to post here.

I'm trying to start out by extracting from a .pbix fiel

.\pbi-tools.exe extract ".\test.pbix"

An unhandled exception occurred. System.Exception: Process has terminated

An unhandled exception occurred.
System.Exception: Process has terminated
   at PbiTools.PowerBI.AnalysisServicesServer.Start() in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\PowerBI\AnalysisServicesServer.cs:line 145
   at PbiTools.PowerBI.DataModelConverter.LaunchTabularServerAndExecuteCallback[T](Func`2 callback) in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\PowerBI\DataModelConverter.cs:line 82
   at PbiTools.Model.PbixModel.FromReader(PbixReader reader, String targetFolder, Nullable`1 portNumber) in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\Model\PbixModel.cs:line 168
   at PbiTools.Cli.CmdLineActions.Extract(String pbixPath, Int32 pbiPort, String extractFolder, ExtractActionCompatibilityMode mode, ModelSerializationMode modelSerialization, MashupSerializationMode mashupSerialization) in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\Cli\Extract.cs:line 63
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
   at PowerArgs.ArgAction.Invoke()
   at PbiTools.Program.Main(String[] args) in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\Program.cs:line 82
PS C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8> .\pbi-tools.exe extract ".\test.pbix"

I've set the loglevel to verbose, but didn't spot anything more useful.

[janmechtel]

Here is the complete vebose log.

PS C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8> .\pbi-tools.exe extract ".\test.pbix"
Log level: Verbose
Invoking 'BeforeValidateDefinition'
Action: Void Cache(PbiTools.Cli.CacheAction)
 Default Alias: Cache
 Alias: Cache
 Alias: cache
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: cache
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgExample
Action: Void CompilePbix(System.String, System.String, PbiTools.PowerBI.PbiFileFormat, Boolean)
 Default Alias: CompilePbix
 Alias: CompilePbix
 Alias: compile
 Alias: compile-pbix
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: compile
 Shortcut: compile-pbix
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
Action: Void Convert(System.String, System.String, PbiTools.ProjectSystem.ModelSerializationMode, PbiTools.ProjectSystem.MashupSerializationMode, System.String, Boolean, Boolean, Boolean)
 Default Alias: Convert
 Alias: Convert
 Alias: convert
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: convert
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
Action: Void Deploy(System.String, System.String, System.String, System.String, Boolean)
 Default Alias: Deploy
 Alias: Deploy
 Alias: deploy
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: deploy
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
Action: Void ExportData(Int32, System.String, System.String, System.String)
 Default Alias: ExportData
 Alias: ExportData
 Alias: export-data
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: export-data
 Metadata: PbiTools.Cli.ArgAltShortcut
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgExample
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgExample
Action: Void ExportUsage(System.String)
 Default Alias: ExportUsage
 Alias: ExportUsage
 Alias: export-usage
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: export-usage
 Metadata: PowerArgs.OmitFromUsageDocs
Action: Void Extract(System.String, Int32, System.String, PbiTools.Cli.ExtractActionCompatibilityMode, PbiTools.ProjectSystem.ModelSerializationMode, PbiTools.ProjectSystem.MashupSerializationMode)
 Default Alias: Extract
 Alias: Extract
 Alias: extract
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: extract
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgExample
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgExample
Action: Void GenerateBim(System.String, Boolean, PbiTools.Cli.ExportTransforms)
 Default Alias: GenerateBim
 Alias: GenerateBim
 Alias: generate-bim
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: generate-bim
 Metadata: PbiTools.Cli.ArgAltShortcut
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
Action: Void Git(PbiTools.Cli.GitAction)
 Default Alias: Git
 Alias: Git
 Alias: git
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: git
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgExample
Action: Void Info(Boolean)
 Default Alias: Info
 Alias: Info
 Alias: info
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: info
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgExample
Action: Void Init(PbiTools.Cli.InitAction, System.String)
 Default Alias: Init
 Alias: Init
 Alias: init
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: init
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
Action: Void LaunchPbiDesktop(System.String)
 Default Alias: LaunchPbiDesktop
 Alias: LaunchPbiDesktop
 Alias: launch-pbi
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: launch-pbi
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
'RemoveAutoAliases' invoked. Caller: BeforeValidateDefinition
Invoking Action: extract(Aliases=1)(Arguments=6)
Attempting to resolve assembly: Microsoft.PowerBI.Packaging, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35
Using Power BI Desktop install: 2.100.1401.0 (21.12) at C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftPowerBIDesktop_2.100.1401.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\bin
Assembly 'Microsoft.PowerBI.Packaging, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35' found at C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftPowerBIDesktop_2.100.1401.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\bin\Microsoft.PowerBI.Packaging.dll
Reading PbixModel from file at C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8\test.pbix (Version: 1.25)
Reading Connections...
Reading Report...
Reading DiagramLayout...
Reading DiagramViewState...
Reading LinguisticSchemaXml...
Reading LinguisticSchema...
Reading ReportMetadata...
Reading ReportSettings...
Reading CustomVisuals...
Reading StaticResources...
Reading DataModel...
MSMDSRV.EXE found at C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\pbi-tools\Microsoft.MicrosoftPowerBIDesktop_2.100.1401.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\msmdsrv.exe
Working directory: C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpF1FD.tmp
<ConfigurationSettings>
  <TMCompatibilitySKU>0</TMCompatibilitySKU>
  <RecoveryModel>1</RecoveryModel>
  <DisklessModeRequested>1</DisklessModeRequested>
  <InstanceVisible>0</InstanceVisible>
  <AllowedBrowsingFolders>C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpF1FD.tmp</AllowedBrowsingFolders>
  <Language>8192</Language>
  <Port>0</Port>
  <PrivateProcess>31556</PrivateProcess>
  <BackupDir>C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpF1FD.tmp</BackupDir>
  <LogDir>C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpF1FD.tmp</LogDir>
  <TempDir>C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpF1FD.tmp</TempDir>
  <DataDir>C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpF1FD.tmp</DataDir>
  <DeploymentMode>1</DeploymentMode>
  <CleanDataFolderOnStartup>1</CleanDataFolderOnStartup>
  <AutoSetDefaultInitialCatalog>1</AutoSetDefaultInitialCatalog>
  <Network>
    <ListenOnlyOnLocalConnections>1</ListenOnlyOnLocalConnections>
    <Requests>
      <EnableBinaryXML>1</EnableBinaryXML>
      <EnableCompression>1</EnableCompression>
    </Requests>
    <Responses>
      <EnableBinaryXML>1</EnableBinaryXML>
      <EnableCompression>1</EnableCompression>
      <CompressionLevel>9</CompressionLevel>
    </Responses>
  </Network>
  <Debug>
    <CallStackInError>0</CallStackInError>
  </Debug>
  <Log>
    <Exception>
      <CrashReportsFolder>C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpF1FD.tmp</CrashReportsFolder>
    </Exception>
    <Trace>
      <TraceFileBufferSize>128</TraceFileBufferSize>
    </Trace>
    <FlightRecorder>
      <Enabled>1</Enabled>
      <FileSizeMB>50</FileSizeMB>
      <LogDurationSec>36000</LogDurationSec>
    </FlightRecorder>
  </Log>
  <Memory>
    <MemoryHeapType>5</MemoryHeapType>
  </Memory>
  <ResourceGovernance>
    <GovernIMBIScheduler>0</GovernIMBIScheduler>
  </ResourceGovernance>
  <Feature>
    <ManagedCodeEnabled>1</ManagedCodeEnabled>
    <MEngineTracingEnabled>0</MEngineTracingEnabled>
    <UseXPress9Compression>1</UseXPress9Compression>
    <SkipXPress9CompressionSizeMB>0</SkipXPress9CompressionSizeMB>
    <CompositeModel>1</CompositeModel>
    <ManyToManyRelationship>1</ManyToManyRelationship>
    <EnableIncrementalRefresh>1</EnableIncrementalRefresh>
    <ASQLAggEnabled>0</ASQLAggEnabled>
    <ASQLAggRLSEnabled>0</ASQLAggRLSEnabled>
    <WholesaleDax>0</WholesaleDax>
    <DataSourceReferenceEnabled>2</DataSourceReferenceEnabled>
    <EnableMDQV3>1</EnableMDQV3>
  </Feature>
  <VertiPaq>
    <EnableDisklessTMImageSave>1</EnableDisklessTMImageSave>
    <EnableProcessingSimplifiedLocks>1</EnableProcessingSimplifiedLocks>
    <ImageLoadStreamBufferMB>2147483647</ImageLoadStreamBufferMB>
  </VertiPaq>
  <DAX>
    <EnableVariationNotation>1</EnableVariationNotation>
    <DQ>
      <EnableAllFunctions>1</EnableAllFunctions>
      <SelectCartridgeUsingConnectionString>0</SelectCartridgeUsingConnectionString>
    </DQ>
  </DAX>
</ConfigurationSettings>
Started MSMDSRV, PID: 29412
MSMDSRV ERR: null
MSMDSRV INF: null
Deleting file C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpF1FD.tmp\msmdsrv.bak
Deleting file C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpF1FD.tmp\msmdsrv.ini
Deleting file C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpF1FD.tmp\msmdsrv_Failed_ini.bak
An unhandled exception occurred.
System.Exception: Process has terminated
   at PbiTools.PowerBI.AnalysisServicesServer.Start() in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\PowerBI\AnalysisServicesServer.cs:line 145
   at PbiTools.PowerBI.DataModelConverter.LaunchTabularServerAndExecuteCallback[T](Func`2 callback) in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\PowerBI\DataModelConverter.cs:line 82
   at PbiTools.Model.PbixModel.FromReader(PbixReader reader, String targetFolder, Nullable`1 portNumber) in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\Model\PbixModel.cs:line 168
   at PbiTools.Cli.CmdLineActions.Extract(String pbixPath, Int32 pbiPort, String extractFolder, ExtractActionCompatibilityMode mode, ModelSerializationMode modelSerialization, MashupSerializationMode mashupSerialization) in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\Cli\Extract.cs:line 63
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
   at PowerArgs.ArgAction.Invoke()
   at PbiTools.Program.Main(String[] args) in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\Program.cs:line 82

[mthierba]

Hi @janmechtel I wonder whether this might be related to #60.

The extract command, if you are using Power BI Desktop from the MS Store (instead of the MSI version), relies on copying some of the PBI binaries into a temp location within your user profile and running those from there. Some organizations will have restrictions in place prohibiting those files to be executed inside the user profile. The Beta.8 release provided a solution for that: A custom environment variable PBITOOLS_AppDataDir can be set to enable an alternative TEMP dir - one without such restrictions. #60 was resolved that way.

[janmechtel]

Thanks for the super-fast reply.

I do indeed run the store version. I guess I can switch to trying to install the .msi

Setting PBITOOLS_AppDataDir did seem to have an effect as the log shows way more files being copied.

PS C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8> $Env:PBITOOLS_AppDataDir="C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8\AppDataDir"
PS C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8> .\pbi-tools.exe extract ".\test.pbix"

Unfortunately the end result is still the same

...
File copied: C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8\AppDataDir\Microsoft.MicrosoftPowerBIDesktop_2.100.1401.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\zh-HANT\Microsoft.Mashup.OAuth.Resources.dll
File copied: C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8\AppDataDir\Microsoft.MicrosoftPowerBIDesktop_2.100.1401.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\zh-HANT\Microsoft.Mashup.OleDbProvider.Resources.dll
File copied: C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8\AppDataDir\Microsoft.MicrosoftPowerBIDesktop_2.100.1401.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\zh-HANT\Microsoft.MashupEngine.Library45.Resources.dll
File copied: C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8\AppDataDir\Microsoft.MicrosoftPowerBIDesktop_2.100.1401.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\zh-HANT\Microsoft.MashupEngine.Resources.dll
File copied: C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8\AppDataDir\Microsoft.MicrosoftPowerBIDesktop_2.100.1401.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\Microsoft.Spatial.NetFX35.dll
File copied: C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8\AppDataDir\Microsoft.MicrosoftPowerBIDesktop_2.100.1401.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\Microsoft.Spatial.NetFX35.V7.dll
File copied: C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8\AppDataDir\Microsoft.MicrosoftPowerBIDesktop_2.100.1401.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\PowerBIExtensions.dll
Using msmdsrv from shadow-copied location: C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8\AppDataDir\Microsoft.MicrosoftPowerBIDesktop_2.100.1401.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\msmdsrv.exe
Started MSMDSRV, PID: 31468
MSMDSRV INF: null
MSMDSRV ERR: null
Deleting file C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp26.tmp\msmdsrv.bak
Deleting file C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp26.tmp\msmdsrv.ini
Deleting file C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp26.tmp\msmdsrv_Failed_ini.bak
An unhandled exception occurred.
System.Exception: Process has terminated
   at PbiTools.PowerBI.AnalysisServicesServer.Start() in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\PowerBI\AnalysisServicesServer.cs:line 145
   at PbiTools.PowerBI.DataModelConverter.LaunchTabularServerAndExecuteCallback[T](Func`2 callback) in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\PowerBI\DataModelConverter.cs:line 82
   at PbiTools.Model.PbixModel.FromReader(PbixReader reader, String targetFolder, Nullable`1 portNumber) in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\Model\PbixModel.cs:line 168
   at PbiTools.Cli.CmdLineActions.Extract(String pbixPath, Int32 pbiPort, String extractFolder, ExtractActionCompatibilityMode mode, ModelSerializationMode modelSerialization, MashupSerializationMode mashupSerialization) in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\Cli\Extract.cs:line 63
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
   at PowerArgs.ArgAction.Invoke()
   at PbiTools.Program.Main(String[] args) in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\Program.cs:line 82
PS C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8> 

[janmechtel]

I'll try the non-store version of Power BI Desktop

[mthierba]

Okay, thanks for checking that anyway! It's a first - I've extracted thousands of files using this method so far. I wonder whether something is unique to your test PBIX? Have you tried this with others? Would you possibly be able to share a failing file for further diagnostics?

[mthierba]

Actually strike that, I've had another look at your log. Two things here:

• Your custom AppDataDir is still inside the User Profile: C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8\AppDataDir. Please use a folder outside of C:\Users\
• The error occurs when starting the msmdsrv process, hence can't have anything to do with that specific PBIX.

Given what I can see, it's very likely this is the same as #60. Please retry with another temp dir.

[janmechtel]

Ok I've installed Power BI Desktop (non-store) and also tried in an Administrator elevated shell. Same problem.

For the test.pbix please see test.zip. It's actually I've created
specifically to rule out that it's related to my models.

Maybe it's related to the Working directory: C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp4E5E.tmp I tried to find how to change that?

[janmechtel]

Moved it to C:\Projects still same problem. I'll have a look at the code and see if I can run the MSMDSRV myself?

Maybe there is a way to get a log from it.

PS C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8> $Env:PBITOOLS_LogLevel="Verbose"
PS C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8> $Env:PBITOOLS_AppDataDir="C:\Projects\pbitools\AppData\"
PS C:\Users\JanMechtel\Downloads\pbi-tools.1.0.0-beta.8> pro
PS C:\Projects> cd .\pbitools\
PS C:\Projects\pbitools> .\pbi-tools.exe extract ".\test.pbix"
Log level: Verbose
Invoking 'BeforeValidateDefinition'
Action: Void Cache(PbiTools.Cli.CacheAction)
 Default Alias: Cache
 Alias: Cache
 Alias: cache
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: cache
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgExample
Action: Void CompilePbix(System.String, System.String, PbiTools.PowerBI.PbiFileFormat, Boolean)
 Default Alias: CompilePbix
 Alias: CompilePbix
 Alias: compile
 Alias: compile-pbix
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: compile
 Shortcut: compile-pbix
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
Action: Void Convert(System.String, System.String, PbiTools.ProjectSystem.ModelSerializationMode, PbiTools.ProjectSystem.MashupSerializationMode, System.String, Boolean, Boolean, Boolean)
 Default Alias: Convert
 Alias: Convert
 Alias: convert
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: convert
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
Action: Void Deploy(System.String, System.String, System.String, System.String, Boolean)
 Default Alias: Deploy
 Alias: Deploy
 Alias: deploy
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: deploy
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
Action: Void ExportData(Int32, System.String, System.String, System.String)
 Default Alias: ExportData
 Alias: ExportData
 Alias: export-data
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: export-data
 Metadata: PbiTools.Cli.ArgAltShortcut
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgExample
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgExample
Action: Void ExportUsage(System.String)
 Default Alias: ExportUsage
 Alias: ExportUsage
 Alias: export-usage
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: export-usage
 Metadata: PowerArgs.OmitFromUsageDocs
Action: Void Extract(System.String, Int32, System.String, PbiTools.Cli.ExtractActionCompatibilityMode, PbiTools.ProjectSystem.ModelSerializationMode, PbiTools.ProjectSystem.MashupSerializationMode)
 Default Alias: Extract
 Alias: Extract
 Alias: extract
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: extract
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgExample
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgExample
Action: Void GenerateBim(System.String, Boolean, PbiTools.Cli.ExportTransforms)
 Default Alias: GenerateBim
 Alias: GenerateBim
 Alias: generate-bim
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: generate-bim
 Metadata: PbiTools.Cli.ArgAltShortcut
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
Action: Void Git(PbiTools.Cli.GitAction)
 Default Alias: Git
 Alias: Git
 Alias: git
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: git
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgExample
Action: Void Info(Boolean)
 Default Alias: Info
 Alias: Info
 Alias: info
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: info
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgExample
Action: Void Init(PbiTools.Cli.InitAction, System.String)
 Default Alias: Init
 Alias: Init
 Alias: init
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: init
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
Action: Void LaunchPbiDesktop(System.String)
 Default Alias: LaunchPbiDesktop
 Alias: LaunchPbiDesktop
 Alias: launch-pbi
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgActionMethod
 Shortcut: launch-pbi
 Metadata: PowerArgs.ArgDescription
'RemoveAutoAliases' invoked. Caller: BeforeValidateDefinition
Invoking Action: extract(Aliases=1)(Arguments=6)
Attempting to resolve assembly: Microsoft.PowerBI.Packaging, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35
Using Power BI Desktop install: 2.100.1401.0 (21.12) at C:\Program Files\Microsoft Power BI Desktop\bin
Assembly 'Microsoft.PowerBI.Packaging, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35' found at C:\Program Files\Microsoft Power BI Desktop\bin\Microsoft.PowerBI.Packaging.dll
Reading PbixModel from file at C:\Projects\pbitools\test.pbix (Version: 1.25)
Reading Connections...
Reading Report...
Reading DiagramLayout...
Reading DiagramViewState...
Reading LinguisticSchemaXml...
Reading LinguisticSchema...
Reading ReportMetadata...
Reading ReportSettings...
Reading CustomVisuals...
Reading StaticResources...
Reading DataModel...
MSMDSRV.EXE found at C:\Program Files\Microsoft Power BI Desktop\bin\msmdsrv.exe
Working directory: C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp21E7.tmp
<ConfigurationSettings>
  <TMCompatibilitySKU>0</TMCompatibilitySKU>
  <RecoveryModel>1</RecoveryModel>
  <DisklessModeRequested>1</DisklessModeRequested>
  <InstanceVisible>0</InstanceVisible>
  <AllowedBrowsingFolders>C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp21E7.tmp</AllowedBrowsingFolders>
  <Language>8192</Language>
  <Port>0</Port>
  <PrivateProcess>27876</PrivateProcess>
  <BackupDir>C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp21E7.tmp</BackupDir>
  <LogDir>C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp21E7.tmp</LogDir>
  <TempDir>C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp21E7.tmp</TempDir>
  <DataDir>C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp21E7.tmp</DataDir>
  <DeploymentMode>1</DeploymentMode>
  <CleanDataFolderOnStartup>1</CleanDataFolderOnStartup>
  <AutoSetDefaultInitialCatalog>1</AutoSetDefaultInitialCatalog>
  <Network>
    <ListenOnlyOnLocalConnections>1</ListenOnlyOnLocalConnections>
    <Requests>
      <EnableBinaryXML>1</EnableBinaryXML>
      <EnableCompression>1</EnableCompression>
    </Requests>
    <Responses>
      <EnableBinaryXML>1</EnableBinaryXML>
      <EnableCompression>1</EnableCompression>
      <CompressionLevel>9</CompressionLevel>
    </Responses>
  </Network>
  <Debug>
    <CallStackInError>0</CallStackInError>
  </Debug>
  <Log>
    <Exception>
      <CrashReportsFolder>C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp21E7.tmp</CrashReportsFolder>
    </Exception>
    <Trace>
      <TraceFileBufferSize>128</TraceFileBufferSize>
    </Trace>
    <FlightRecorder>
      <Enabled>1</Enabled>
      <FileSizeMB>50</FileSizeMB>
      <LogDurationSec>36000</LogDurationSec>
    </FlightRecorder>
  </Log>
  <Memory>
    <MemoryHeapType>5</MemoryHeapType>
  </Memory>
  <ResourceGovernance>
    <GovernIMBIScheduler>0</GovernIMBIScheduler>
  </ResourceGovernance>
  <Feature>
    <ManagedCodeEnabled>1</ManagedCodeEnabled>
    <MEngineTracingEnabled>0</MEngineTracingEnabled>
    <UseXPress9Compression>1</UseXPress9Compression>
    <SkipXPress9CompressionSizeMB>0</SkipXPress9CompressionSizeMB>
    <CompositeModel>1</CompositeModel>
    <ManyToManyRelationship>1</ManyToManyRelationship>
    <EnableIncrementalRefresh>1</EnableIncrementalRefresh>
    <ASQLAggEnabled>0</ASQLAggEnabled>
    <ASQLAggRLSEnabled>0</ASQLAggRLSEnabled>
    <WholesaleDax>0</WholesaleDax>
    <DataSourceReferenceEnabled>2</DataSourceReferenceEnabled>
    <EnableMDQV3>1</EnableMDQV3>
  </Feature>
  <VertiPaq>
    <EnableDisklessTMImageSave>1</EnableDisklessTMImageSave>
    <EnableProcessingSimplifiedLocks>1</EnableProcessingSimplifiedLocks>
    <ImageLoadStreamBufferMB>2147483647</ImageLoadStreamBufferMB>
  </VertiPaq>
  <DAX>
    <EnableVariationNotation>1</EnableVariationNotation>
    <DQ>
      <EnableAllFunctions>1</EnableAllFunctions>
      <SelectCartridgeUsingConnectionString>0</SelectCartridgeUsingConnectionString>
    </DQ>
  </DAX>
</ConfigurationSettings>
Started MSMDSRV, PID: 1216
MSMDSRV ERR: null
MSMDSRV INF: null
Deleting file C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp21E7.tmp\msmdsrv.bak
Deleting file C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp21E7.tmp\msmdsrv.ini
Deleting file C:\Users\JanMechtel\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp21E7.tmp\msmdsrv_Failed_ini.bak
An unhandled exception occurred.
System.Exception: Process has terminated
   at PbiTools.PowerBI.AnalysisServicesServer.Start() in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\PowerBI\AnalysisServicesServer.cs:line 145
   at PbiTools.PowerBI.DataModelConverter.LaunchTabularServerAndExecuteCallback[T](Func`2 callback) in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\PowerBI\DataModelConverter.cs:line 82
   at PbiTools.Model.PbixModel.FromReader(PbixReader reader, String targetFolder, Nullable`1 portNumber) in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\Model\PbixModel.cs:line 168
   at PbiTools.Cli.CmdLineActions.Extract(String pbixPath, Int32 pbiPort, String extractFolder, ExtractActionCompatibilityMode mode, ModelSerializationMode modelSerialization, MashupSerializationMode mashupSerialization) in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\Cli\Extract.cs:line 63
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
   at PowerArgs.ArgAction.Invoke()
   at PbiTools.Program.Main(String[] args) in X:\pbi-tools\pbi-tools-cli\src\PBI-Tools\Program.cs:line 82

[mthierba]

Uhm....

Your msmdsrv is actually coming from the MSI installer location: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Power BI Desktop\bin. Which means the temp copy directory is not relevant.

That same file opens fine in PBI Desktop?

Could you try to run the extract on any of the files here: https://github.com/microsoft/powerbi-desktop-samples/tree/main/Monthly%20Desktop%20Blog%20Samples

[janmechtel]

I'm new to msmdsrv.exe and a bit puzzled.

• When I start Power BI Desktop. I can see msmdsrv.exe run with roughly this cmd line .\msmdsrv.exe -c -n test -s "C:\Projects\pbitools\test
  

• When I manually try to invoke the command, then there is no error message, the config files are written into the folder. but the process is not started / I can't find it in the task manager.

[mthierba]

The directory given on the -s arg needs to have a msmdsrv ini file in it. Open PBI Desktop and run pbi-tools info - that'll list the current pbiSession including the msmdsrv working directory. Open that one up in explorer - it'll have the ini file (generated by PBI Desktop).

[janmechtel]

Ok, I'll give it a try and seed them.

It looked like when the directory is empty msmdsrv actually creates some msmdsrv.ini + msmdsrv.bak in there.

Also I'll try on a different machine, maybe that works.

[mthierba]

The auto-generated ini won't be sufficient to open PBI models. It needs to be the one provided by PBI Desktop or pbi-tools (template: https://github.com/pbi-tools/pbi-tools/blob/main/src/PBI-Tools/PowerBI/msmdsrv.ini.xml). Ultimately, this is replicating exactly what PBI Desktop does when opening a pbix with an embedded model.

[janmechtel]

I can try with a different ini file. I'm just surprised that there is no meaningful output / msmdsrv.exe doesn't show up in my process list yet at all.