Card Exchange error “Cannot read beyond the end of the stream”

Modified on Tue, 19 Dec 2023 at 09:04 AM

The error “Cannot read beyond the end of the stream” indicates a Faulty/Corrupt MetaData.cdd file.

The Data content folder and how the software is told where to look for the Data content folder is based on the CardExchange.ini configuration file and is located here _C:\Program Files (x86)\CardExchange Solutions\CardExchange Gateway_

Within the CardExchange.ini file is the Data directory pathway definition that by default is defined as DataDirectory=C:\Users\Public\Documents\CardExchange\Data

Find out where the Data folder is if it differs from default.

This MetaData.cdd file is in the root of the Data content folder and maintains the Data content folder integrity.

Open file explorer.

Navigate to the default Data content folder is here: C:\Users\Public\Documents\CardExchange\Data or wherever its located based on the CardExchange.ini

Within this folder you will see two files named MetaData.cdd and MetaData.cdd.bck

The primary MetaData.cdd file and backup MetaData.cdd.bck file should be the same and have the same storage/file size however, the primary may be corrupted if it shows 0 file size, or each file is mismatched in file size between the primary and backup files.

The file size while vary and increase as new content is created over time within the Data content folder.

The MetaData.cdd file is either faulty/corrupt OR you have so many templates in use that this is causing an issue. In reality the MetaData.cdd file can start to exhibit issue’s when reaching large file sizes due to many templates.

Rename the primary MetaData.cdd to MetaData.cdd_OLD

Make a copy of the MetaData.cdd.bck file so you have a MetaData.cdd - Copy.bck file and maintain the current backup file.

Ensure the MetaData.cdd - Copy.bck file has the same file size as the MetaData.cdd.bck file it was copied from.

Rename the MetaData.cdd - Copy.bck to MetaData.cdd so there is a new primary file and the backup file remains.

Barring any issues with the backup MetaData.cdd file this should restore the Data folder.

Once completed the software should start again normally.