Opening data

[absptree]

I was trying to open a company data, my datapath is pointing to the network drive (i.e. p:\subsdata...) But peachtree issued a message 'Another Peachtree user is using the same serial number. ". I tried to change the datapath to c:\peachw, then I was able to access the company data. But when another user to is trying to access the company data I'm using, the same message he encountered...
Any help would greatly be appreciated.
Thanks guys.

[LauraG]

Do you have a multi-user copy of Peachtree? If you don't then only one person is allowed to use the software legally.

I had this problem at work as I work at multiple desks. I had to set the data path to the c: drive on all of the machines that I work on or I would get that error message myself. Seems that PT can detect other users on your network using the program. This is one way to enforce the multi-user violation on a single user copy of PT.

If there are several people accessing the company file then you need to get a multiuser copy of the software.

[absptree]

Per our license, we bought a multiuser version of Peachtree. License to 5 users.
What is weird about it is that, we were able to access it in multiuser environment for more than 4 years. It just recently that we encountered this problem.
Thanks Laura.
Hope to get more info from you.

[LauraG]

I am only working with a single user copy so I guess I am not going to be much help.

Maybe my questions will help point you in the right direction:

Do you have to enable the multiuser mode or does the software know that it is a multiuser copy?

Can you turn a multiuser installation into a single user mode?

Have you considered reinstalling the software?

Sorry if I not helping. <g>

[TheWolf]

Have all users exit Peachtree. Do a search for connco.dat, connco.lck. connco.ptl, conndp.dat. conndp.lck and conndp.ptl. Delete all of these files if found and then open Peachtree. If you are still having the problem then check for a pervasive database engine running in the environment.

[absptree]

Hi Tom!
Thanks! We'll give it a try!
By the way, Shall I look on the files both in all workstations and server?

Thanks and God bless

[absptree]

Hi Tom!
I've tried deleting the files but we're still encountering the same problem. Would like try to check on the pervasive database thing, but honestly I don't know how... Can you enlighten me on this.
Thanks,

[Lizbit]

Can I jump in (Laura?) I too am using single user version, and have multiple stations. I am the only person that uses the software, so I don't have a problem with multiple users at one time accessing the software. If I want to access peachtree from my other stations, and I am networked, do I instsall Peachtree on each of the computers? I have my main computer and two secondaries. If I want to use a secondary computer, I assume I have to set the data path to go through the network and into the main computer. Any comments? Thanks!

[LauraG]

That's how I did it at work. Peachtree is installed on each computer that I might need to use. I frequently have to cover the front desk during sales meetings so I need PT installed on mulitple PCs.

The company data is on a server that each PC is set up to access when I log into the network. The datapath in the ini file was changed to point to the company folder on the server. I just have to make sure that I exit Peach on one machine before I switch PCs. If you have the data on your primary computer then you need to map a share drive on your secondary PCs to the primary computer's company folder. You will need to set the permissions to share with read/write access.

HTH,
Laura

[Lizbit]

Oh, goody goody! Just what I needed - another fun project to start my Monday morning. :o) Sounds simple enough, though. I just got DSL installed at the office, and a relative came over and got my puters networked together. My oh my, this is wonderful. Now that I see how wonderful wireless networking and DSL is, I look back at the old way as living in the stone age! Thanks, Laura, I'll give it a try tomorrow!

[Lizbit]

Laura (or whomever!), I am trying to install the PCW 2005 version on my secondary station. it's asking for the location of the data files. I went through my path (network, main computer...) but the data files are stored in my program files directory, in a peachtree folder, and program folders can't be shared. Is this a simple fix? Can I just drag my data folder into the root directory, and update my data file location in "maintain company?" I am just getting used to this version. Don't want to create any headaches here! TIA!... Joanie

[LauraG]

You can move the company files to anywhere you want on the hard drive. Just point the datapath to that location. Set it to share-read/write. You may have to reboot your other machines to see the new shared folder.

Why can't you have the Program files\peach\company folder set to shared? I was able to do it on my XP machine here at home. I admit I did not try opening it up in peachtree from my other pc but I can see the files to move the backup file to my other machine.

[Lizbit]

Morning, Laura! I have my entire hard drive set to share (since I'm on my own internal network and it's just me using the computers). It says "program files folder cannot be shared."

Since it's no big deal to change the data file location, I just may do that.

Speaking of back up, I haven't done one yet since "moving in" with 2005. Can a back up be done simply to a single CD?

[LauraG]

When I do backups I always do it to my hard drive first and then move it to whatever media I am using to store the files. I have seen reports (in the past) of people having problems with backing up directly to CDs.

What OS are you using? I'm using XP Pro and it is allowing me to Share folders within Program files. Have you tried going to the Peachtree folder and sharing that one specifically? Also, you might want to rethink sharing the c: drive in case your netork gets hacked.

[Lizbit]

Laura, I tried to relocate my data files to a folder on the C drive (outside of the program files folder). Then I tried to open Peachtree, but it says my data files could not be located. So I put them back, then went into help menu and found instructions on opening the pcw*.ini file, making the data folder path change, and tried that, but then it came up with a different error. I can't risk losing my data so I just put it all back. I will try specifically sharing that particular folder and seeing if that will help.

Thanks! J

[Lizbit]

...I'm using Windows XP Home. It definetly will not share the program folder. Guess I'm reserved to doing peachtree from my ace computer location....

[LauraG]

I wonder if that is a difference bwt Pro and Home.

Its no problem moving the folder. In fact I prefer not having my data stored with the program. I've seen installs/uninstalls wiping out the entire folder including the data files. Much safer to save them in a different location. Like in My Documents.

[Lizbit]

Guess I will need step by step instructions for moving them. I first started by creating the new data path by dragging the folder and dropping it into the new folder. Opened PC but it failed because the data files weren't there. Put it back, clicked help, help said to open the ini file in notepad and change it there. Then before opening peachtree, I dragged & dropped it into the new path, but then I received another error message when trying to start up peachtree. Any ideas?

[LauraG]

First create a new folder called C:\Peachtree.

Set the permissions to share with read/write access.

Move the existing "company" folder plus all sub-folders to that new folder on your PC which will create c:\peachtree\company.

Next, open up the ini file and change the datapath to
DATAPATH=C:\PEACHT~1\company\

Also change the path info at the bottom of the file under [Open History] to point to the new location.

Save and close the file.

Now open up Peachtree. It should recognize the new location.

On your secondary machines you will need to change the ini file to point to the new location on your main PC.

[Lizbit]

Awesome instructions. Thanks, Laura. I'll give it a try in a few (I'm having fun paying bills with my new form checks - it's "funeral time" for the old dot matrix ways! yessss!

[LauraG]

Give it a proper funeral. It probably has paid for itself 10 times over. I just replaced my 20 year old HP Laser III a few weeks ago. So hard to let go of hard working machine until it developed a perm "paper jam".

[Lizbit]

Got the data to move into its old folder. I think it's working now. I'll install PCW2005 on the secondary and see if it will share.

I have an old HP Laserjet 4P that works beautifully. It is connected to an old Dell using Windows 98. Spare set up. We went to print something the other day (after it had been on a very long vacation!) and something didn't look right. Opened it up and the mice had taken over inside. YUCK! My employee cleaned it out and it works great.

I'm so happy to have peachtree up and running smoothly. I'm going to do a little A/R work then see what is necessary to "close" January and move on. I'm still a little quirked about the filters in A/P and why it didn't pick up all the open invoices I had in there that needed to be paid. Tried to pay by batch and it said no open invoices. I gave up and did it manually.

Laura, thank you 10-fold for the help in getting the data moved!

[LauraG]

Glad to help.

On the invoices, run a vendor ledger report and make sure that all of the invoices have numbers. Some of the screens don't show invoice without numbers.