Can't open shared database in ACT Pro 2012

[TheRedShoes]

We are a two-person, two-computer office. The ACT database resides on one computer (RedShoes1), and we have an additional license to run ACT on the other computer (RedShoesV) and share the database.

We have Sage ACT! Pro 2012 Version 14.1.108.0, both computers are running Windows 7 32 bit, with all current system updates.

The main home of our database, RedShoes1, is working just fine. Suddenly last week, however, RedShoesV couldn’t open the database. When I attempted to choose the correct database from the “open database” dialog, I got an error saying that the database needed to be updated, and did I want to backup first. I ran the backup and got a message saying that it was completed, but with errors (I didn’t save the error message).

(At this point, I went to Redshoes1 and ran a backup of the database there too.)

I proceeded to “update” the database on the problem computer, RedShoesV. I reopened ACT on RedshoesV and was presented with a brand new, empty database. I closed that database and selected the correct one, but was again presented with an empty database.

Meanwhile, all is still working normally on the main computer, Redshoes1. I have not closed the database there, because I'm afraid I'll reopen it to find it empty, even though I did a backup!

I have checked that SQL for ACT is running on the problem computer, which it is.

I can navigate to the database on RedShoesV through Windows, but when I try to open it with ACT, it’s empty. I checked the sharing settings on RedShoes1, and indeed, the database is still shared. We don’t use ACT with Excel or Outlook, so I doubt anything in the MS Office Suite is the trouble.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions we can try!

[chrisbunyan · Accepted solution]

I would check that the database you are trying to connect to is shared via Tools -> database Maintenance -> Share Database. If ticked I would un-tick it and then tick it again. I would also stop any firewall on both machines and then on the 2nd computer go to run and enter \\MACHINENAME\ and make sure you can access the shared folders on the main machine. If you can do this I would then try to connect to the database via ACT!  via the  open database and browsing to the pad file over the network. If this works close ACT! and then switch on the firewalls and then test again. If you get any errors you will need to allow SQL and SQL browser through the firewall.

This should help with firewall problems.

http://kb.swiftpage.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/19420

How to share a database

http://kb.swiftpage.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13878

[bclark]

First off, let's examine the issue with the update, and go forward from there.

On both computers, in Act! go to Help>About Act! and tell me what the version numbers say.

[TheRedShoes]

Thanks so much for replying! Here is the info.

On main computer: Sage ACT! Pro 2012 Version 14.1.108.0

On problem computer: Sage ACT Pro 2012 Version 14.0.572.0 Hot fix 2

[chrisbunyan]

The first step would be o get the problem computer on to the same version as the main computer. You need SP1 installed, you can get it from http://www.act.com/support/download-center/

[TheRedShoes]

OK, I downloaded and installed SP 1 for the remote computer, so we are now both running Sage ACT! Pro 2012 Version 14.1.108.0.

I have checked a little more into my boss's computer (the remote/problem computer). When i try to open the database, the correct one doesn't even show up in the open database dialog. When I click "the database I want isn't listed" I still can't find it. It's as though the computer suddenly stopped being able to find the correct database file.

[chrisbunyan · Accepted solution]

I would check that the database you are trying to connect to is shared via Tools -> database Maintenance -> Share Database. If ticked I would un-tick it and then tick it again. I would also stop any firewall on both machines and then on the 2nd computer go to run and enter \\MACHINENAME\ and make sure you can access the shared folders on the main machine. If you can do this I would then try to connect to the database via ACT!  via the  open database and browsing to the pad file over the network. If this works close ACT! and then switch on the firewalls and then test again. If you get any errors you will need to allow SQL and SQL browser through the firewall.

This should help with firewall problems.

http://kb.swiftpage.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/19420

How to share a database

http://kb.swiftpage.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13878

[TheRedShoes]

THANK YOU!!!

I did exactly the steps you mentioned in your reply, and I found the correct database by navigating to it through Windows. I guess the firewalls were creating a problem.

Thanks so much for your help, I really appreciate it.

[TheRedShoes]

Hello,

We're having some issues with sharing the database from our second computer with our main computer. The second computer, Leah-DB or RedShoesV has access and won't share with our main, RedShoes1 computer.

We'd appreciate any help and assistance you can provide.

[Gary W]

Hi There,

Are you seeing any error messages when you try to share the database? You only need to share the database on the main machine, the others just need to connect to it.
The following Knowledgebase article details the process: http://kb.act.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13878 You can also search any errors in the Knowledgebase to find further help.