Unable to determine security privileges

[allen]

We're getting the message when our users open a particular file in Peachtree, "Unable to determine security privileges. Please retry later. This is probably due to another user temporarily blocking access to critical files". There's only five users accessing the file over the network. We've restarted all of the computers. So after restart, I had a single user login and try to access the file through Peachtree and got the same message again. He was the only one running Peachtree when trying to access the file. This is the first time we've encountered this problem. Peachtree is the only application that the file is opened and worked from. The Peachtree application is installed onto the computers of our five employees. Has anyone encountered this error and resolved it.

Thanks in advance!!

[Alexaur]

Allen, I am having the same problem. Unfortunately, I have not figured it out yet. I eagerly await any replies to your post. This post is just to let you know that you are not alone and to see if you have possible resolved the issue through other means. Thanks.

[jag]

What Version and OS are you running?

[Alexaur]

We are running Peachtree 9. (2002) on a Peer to peer running Win98 se.

[Alexaur]

Allen, it appears that, at least in my case, that the General.Dat file has been corrupted. I ran "Repair Company" which elimated this error but was unable to fix the General.Dat file. Unfortunately for us, our back up was also corrupted. We are having to start the company from scratch. However, I think that if your backup is good you may be able to only replace the corrupted file after you have restored your backup to a new company. Otherwise, you will have to restore the backup and re-input any data since the backup.

[Shannon Tucker]

This kind of damaged data is fixable. Details for doing so are here. (http://peachtreeusers.com/datarepair.htm)

[chuayp]

If this is a common problem in Peachtree data. Why don't peachtree upgrade a patch or create a repair tools for all the user.

Best Regards

Sylvester Chua

[renjworks]

I totally agree with Sylvester, why not Peachtree make a small utility to augment this very common but annoying problem? C'mon Peachtree, wake up! I think all of us here share the same problem.

[Robert Walraven]

Some points of clarification about this problem:

This is NOT a common problem. It is just one of the ways a Btrieve database can be corrupted.

The problem is NOT fixable in Peachtree because it isn't Peachtree that is creating the problem. It is caused by something that is happening at the hardware or system level. Typically faulty network communications, use of a home version of Windows (which allows applications to step on each other), or badly fragmented disks is the culprit.

The problem can NOT be fixed with a simple tool. It requires analysis on a case-by-case basis by an expert in Btrieve. The damaged file needs to be pulled apart and analyzed for exactly where the damage occurs. Programmers at Peachtree probably don't have a clue as to how to fix this problem.

When this problem occurs it is usually an indication that another file such as JrnlHdr.dat or JrnlRow.dat is also damaged.

[chikamic]

Bravo Bob,

Thanks so much for that post. It is very important that people understand that the limitations are Pervasive issues and not Peachtree. It is very difficult for people to understand the difference but you post puts it in plain English.

[renjworks]

Thanks for the enlightment Rob.

If that so, Peachtree then is using a technology they themselves cannot hold on. As a programmer, I think it must be imperative that you know your technology and how to improve using it. Look at Playstation 2, developers at first finds difficulty in doing games for it but eventually, they were able to do research hence, killer apps. I think Peachtree has been using Btrieve for so long now, why can't they still figure out how to solve this "annoying problem". We've been using Peachtree dating back from version 6 (PCA 6.0) and still waiting for improvements.

Again Rob, thanks for enlightening us with regards to this matter. I wish Peachtree and Pervasive will have a good working relationship in terms of development assistance and support, so that in the end, it is us, the end-users, will greatly benefit from this.

[chuayp]

I strongly agreed with renjworks. I am using Peachtree doen from version 3.5 to 2003. I found this software is good for small business and can be categories under user friendly product.

However, there are still a lots of improvement need to be done such as screen layout for inventory item under invoice/po screen. It appear unevenly.

[Robert Walraven]

Originally posted by renjworks
Thanks for the enlightment Rob.

As a programmer, I think it must be imperative that you know your technology and how to improve using it.

As a programmer you should know that it is impossible to figure out solutions for some problems. Here is what is happening in this case: Peachtree is in the process of updating one of the journal data files. It calls Btrieve to perform an operation. Btrieve in turn calls the operating system to tell it to modify several blocks of data. (All blocks must be written to maintain the integrity of the file.) Then something goes wrong at the system level, maybe a network problem, interference from some other program or simply just a system error, and not all the writes are completed or garbage is substituted for the data that is supposed to be written. Now you have a corrupted file. If your lucky the damage is in the index area of the Btrieve file and the file can be repaired using some Btrieve tools. If the damage is in the data area, however, you are hosed - you have now blown a big hole in your data.

I have successfully repaired several Peachtree databases that were producing the "Unable to determine security privileges" message and I can tell you that it is not a process that can be automated. It takes detective work, trial-and-error, and a bit of luck in every case.

Another point about how this error occurs: it is not something that Peachtree or Btrieve is doing, but is caused by a problem either with your network or with your computers. (Pervasive has a detailed note about this.) There have been several reports by people either here or in the peachtree newsgroup about how Peachtree corruption errors virtually disappeared after making the appropriate hardware or system changes.

Alexaur mentioned that he is running Win 98. One of the problems with the "home" versions of Windows is that they let applications step on each other, so some other application that is running at the same time as Peachtree could actualy corrupt the Peachtree data. I would strongly recommend only using the "professional" versions of Windows: NT4, 2000, or XP Pro, which don't let this sort of thing happen.

[chikamic]

You mentioned a Pervasive note regarding the system level issues, where could I obtain a copy of this info??

Thanks,
Michelle

[Robert Walraven]

Pervasive has modified their web site so that it is much harder to find things now. I had no success locating the note. However http://www.goldstarsoftware.com/papers/filemaint.htm is pretty good. You can also do a google search for "Btrieve file corruption" and find lots of interesting stuff.

[chikamic]

Thanks so much !!!!!

[chikamic]

In case anyone is interested, I did find the document that Robert was referring to here is link

ftp.pervasive.com/support/refshelf/Corpt1.txt

Great article !!

[supergeeks]

Not to be rude, but in attempting to assist a client in resolving this security privileges issue, I was amazed to discover how pervasive catastrophic errors are in Peachtree, how many support/message board sites there are for these issues and how futile user intervention in the process appears to be. It is nice that someone can solve the problem for $400, but this software does not seem very stable if it routinely geberates unrecoverable errors like this. Recommending users avoid "home" versions of Windows is just silly. If I can do web design, use Adobe Photoshop, produce desktop publishing newsletters and edit music on even a somewhat primitive "home" version of Windows like Win98, shouldn't I be able to run a basic accounting package? Wasn't Peachtree originally designed for Dos? Anyway, no offense intended, but I think Peachtree programmers might take this into account in upcoming revisions. This is the third client who has mentioned that he wished he was using Quickbooks ...

[chikamic]

You are entitled to your opinion, I believe that all here will allow you that. However I would like to address some of your statements.

In defense of the advice to avoid home versions of operating systems, I must say, that as an MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer), home versions are intended for home use and not business use. They are simply not as robust as their "pro" counterparts. Windows 95/98 have "memory leak" problems and Microsoft has been cautioning against their use in business computing environments for several years, due to their inability to ration memory in a consistent manner. Lock ups in the OS can be devastating to the data in any relational database, not just Peachtree.

Your assesment of Peachtree is somewhat harsh, there are millions of users out there that do not experience problems (the users posting are the ones that have problems) but as with any software there are environmental circumstances that can cause the product to be unstable at times. No, the windows version of Peachtree was native to Windows, Peachtree DOS/Classic is a separate product line. QB is really no comparison to Peachtree due to its intentional avoidance of debits and credits. If your customer wants true insight into the numbers QB will not provide it. In the software world there is not another $300 piece of accounting software that delivers the punch of Peachtree.

[TheWolf]

Originally posted by supergeeks
Not to be rude, but in attempting to assist a client in resolving this security privileges issue, I was amazed to discover how pervasive catastrophic errors are in Peachtree, how many support/message board sites there are for these issues and how futile user intervention in the process appears to be. It is nice that someone can solve the problem for $400, but this software does not seem very stable if it routinely geberates unrecoverable errors like this. Recommending users avoid "home" versions of Windows is just silly. If I can do web design, use Adobe Photoshop, produce desktop publishing newsletters and edit music on even a somewhat primitive "home" version of Windows like Win98, shouldn't I be able to run a basic accounting package? Wasn't Peachtree originally designed for Dos? Anyway, no offense intended, but I think Peachtree programmers might take this into account in upcoming revisions. This is the third client who has mentioned that he wished he was using Quickbooks ...

Have a customer I have been working with for over 9 years and they have never had a problem with data corruption. Then again I keep all of their hardware pretty up to date and regular use of scandisk/chkdsk and defrag. I also a big fan of reimaging machines every 6-9 months to increase performance and replace damaged OS files.

I have a customer who is an auto mechanic that refuses to take my advice about his computers and has problems all of the time. Peachtree is a very intensive program and there is not much basic about it.

A good routine of backups is the best defense against data corruption which can happen with any database. Just had to restore a corrupted mdb from a VB/Access database for another customer.

If the environment is good and the users operate their systems properly then the chance of corruption is minimal.

For the price, I have found very little that compares to Peachtree and have many customers who should probably go to something bigger but they love the functioning that Peachtree provides that many other programs don't.

As far as catastrophic problems with databases, check out some of the sites for other types of databases and you will likely see alot of these problems in all types of db's.

[supergeeks]

OK, so Peachtree is the greatest accounting package and we should all use Windows 2000 but ... does anyone have a clue as to how to solve this accounting privilages issue that doesn't cost $400? I know it sounds like I'm dripping sarcasm and I don't mean to be a wise guy, but I want to help this client -- does anyone have a suggestion I could try? I would be grateful for any and all advice

[chikamic]

That error message indicates severe data corruption. That data set cannot be used if not repaired. If your customer has a .ptb backup file from before the damage occurred, you can build a shell company and restore into that.

However, you need to determine what caused the damage to the dataset, so that it does not happen again.

[supergeeks]

There was a power failure while the company was saving. There is a backup file but it dates back to August (obviously he did not appreciate the value of backing up) ... Are you saying that we could use this old backup and restore parts of the newer data into it piecemeal? How should I proceed? Grateful for your advice...

[chikamic]

The power failure was the event that destroyed the dataset. This customer is about to learn the inportance of backing up Peachtree everyday. The info in the old dataset is irretrievable since you cannot get into it. Their options are to seek data repair OR restore the last good backup and re key all data.

[TheWolf]

Originally posted by supergeeks
OK, so Peachtree is the greatest accounting package and we should all use Windows 2000 but ... does anyone have a clue as to how to solve this accounting privilages issue that doesn't cost $400? I know it sounds like I'm dripping sarcasm and I don't mean to be a wise guy, but I want to help this client -- does anyone have a suggestion I could try? I would be grateful for any and all advice

Yeah, restore a backup prior to the error. Data corruption is rough and that is why it is vital to have a good backup routine.

[supergeeks]

Well, I paid my $400 and the repair was successful and the client is happy. Now here is
the question: the client has been entering new transactions into a
different company since his data was damaged in the first company. Now that
the correct company is restored, is there a way to import specific
transactions from the other company into the original so he does not have to
manually re-enter these transactions. Any ideas?

thanks,

Stan

[chikamic]

Glad all is well for your client now. Review the import/export topic in Peachtree help, that will provide you info on this procedure.

[RescueS]

Hello,
I am getting the same error message as described previously, 'unable to determine security privileges...'
We are operating Peachtree2005. The strange thing is that there are 5ish users/computers connecting to the files on the server, but only 2 computers are not able to connect.

Is it possible that the database is corrupt if we are still able to access the database correctly from 3 locations?

Do you recommend attempting to repair as described, or might this ruin the connection for the 3 who are able to connect?

Thank you in advance.

-Beth