when i try to access the logs menu of any asset, i get the following:
There are no logged messages of this type for …
do i need to turn on logging somewhere?
That drop-down lists all the log types. Not every asset will have log entries for each of those types, but that fact that they are in the drop-down indicates there are logs of that type in the system.
For assets, try looking at logs like asset.status and asset.linking. All assets should have entries for those log types, unless the logs have been purged or disabled.
it still shows no results … where can I enable these logs?
To check if they are enabled, change the status of an asset as see if it appears in its asset status log. If not, you need to go to System Configuration -> Internal Message Configuration. From here you can select the type of logs that are recorded. You need to adjust the Log To DB white and black lists. You enter log types like asset.status or asset.* for all asset logs.
But, the default settings already log this type of data. If they have been changed, you'll need to fine out why in case someone changed them for a good reason (like DB storage).
If it does appear in the logs already, it is likely that old logs have been removed.