seaBILL Legal Software - Free Support

Free Online Support - Network Issues

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Network Issues

N1 - Network Installation

N2 - Error 3000, 3044, 3051, etc./Unable to Load Custom Control Error

N3 - Slow Program Start Across Network

N4 - Network Password Protection

N5 - Exclusive Access while Printing Bills

Network Issues
N1. Problem: How do I install BSA/Conflict Checker on a network?

Solution: After you install the main program on the 'server', set up the workstations that will connect to the 'server' by running the free seaBILL Work Station installation program on the work stations. This work station installation program is found in the 'WrkStn' folder of the CD or on the free Utilites Download page of this web site.
Detailed work station installation instructions are in the 'WrkStn' folder of the CD or on the free Network Info page on this site.
Also, here's a link to a nice site that carefully walks you through the process of setting up a network in any version of Windows:
networksetup123.com

N2. Problem: Our program is installed on a network and when a workstation tries to execute the program, we get an error message such as: "Error 3044 (or error 3000 or error 3051) BSA/CC Database could not open..." or "Unable to load custom control CPWCTRL.VBX" or some other error that indicates a file cannot be opened on the 'server'.

Solution: First, be sure the 'server' (or shared drive) is set up to allow Sharing and that the drive and/or program folder in question is shared. (It's safer to start by sharing the entire DRIVE.) If this is not done, the work station cannot open the database file on the 'server'. The easiest way to do this in Windows XP is to simply install the program into the Shared Folder on the server. For Small Business Server, install the program to the PUBLIC folder. (Even if you think that's not necessary, try it if you're having problems since it has worked for several SBS users.) Here's a link to the free Microsoft Help Center that explains sharing in Windows XP in some detail:
Microsoft Help Center - XP Sharing
After reading the above Microsoft Help Center article, you will see that you want to start with Level 5 access so everyone can read and write the files in the shared folder. This is necessary because users must be able to WRITE to the database file as well as read it. After you have it working, you can fine tune your approach if you have special security concerns.
And, here's a link to a site that walks you through the process:
networksetup123.com - Sharing Help
Also, you may find it necessary to disable opportunistic locking in Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000 and SBS. For help with that, please see the following Microsoft Help Center article: Microsoft Help Center - Configuring opportunistic locking in Windows.
If that does not solve the problem, chances are your workstation is connecting to the server using pathnames that don't use drive letters. The work station must connect to the server's hard drive using a letter rather than a logical name.
Assign the 'server' a drive letter (if it doesn't already have one) and re-connect the work station to the server using the drive letter and actual path to BSAPro.exe (or BSAPro.exe) or ConfChek.exe rather than an aliased name.
Here's a link to the free Microsoft Help Center that explains how to map a drive letter from the work station to the server's hard drive in Windows XP:
Map a Network Drive - Microsoft Help Center
Also, here's a link to another site that nicely explains mapping a network drive in XP: networksetup123.com - map a drive
Here's a link that explains how to assign the server's hard drive a letter if it doesn't already have one:
Change Server Drive Letter - Microsoft Help Center
For error 3000, try re-booting the 'server'. If this doesn't work, make a backup of your data, remove and then re-install the program by downloading the latest version free from the seaBILL Free Download page. Test the free demo version on your 'server' and set up your work stations. Once you get it working again, complete the seaBILL Password Request Form and enter the new password we send you. Then, retrieve your old data from the back up USING THE BUILT IN DATA RETRIEVAL FEATURE (don't copy the database file into the new program folder) and see if the problem re-appears. If it does, then your database is most likely corrupt. For help with data corruption, CLICK HERE.

N3. Problem: Our program is installed on a network and when a workstation tries to execute the program, it takes a long time to start. Other programs on the network start right away.

Solution: There may be a virus checking program that is delaying the start up of the BSA/CC program until after the virus checker has finished its business. You can disable the virus checker or change its settings to a less aggressive style of protection if you want or, if you need the protection, you'll simply have to wait until the virus program finishes checking the files. Once it's done, the program should run at a normal pace. This issue is not limited to BSA/CC. This issue is present in ANY application that opens another file. Virtually all database applications (such as time and billing applications) will open a database file. When this occurs, some virus checkers will intercede and examine the file being opened. Non-database applications (such as a word processor) normally do not open other files in the way database applications do. Thus, if you have no other database applications, you won't see this issue on any program except BSA/CC.

N4. Problem: Can we protect various parts of the program with a password?

Solution: Yes. BSA Pro has a feature that allows you to restrict access to various parts of the program. You can download the free update on the Utilities page of the Free Download section of this website. Click Here to go there now.
Please note: If you password-protect BSA, you must remember the password or you will be unable to change it or access restricted areas of the program. If you lose the password, use the Support Form to contact the support department for help. For a fee, our technicians will attempt to recover the lost password.

N5. Problem: BSA Pro tells us it needs 'exclusive access' to print bills. Why is this?

Solution: The printing of bills is a complex process that requires, among other things, calculations that affect many parts of the program. In order to insure the bills are mathemtically correct and are printed correctly, the database is 'locked down' during this process. If this were not done, one user could be making a change to the data or program settings that could affect the bill(s) being printed by another user at that very moment. In that case, the bill could be printed incorrectly.
The solution is to ask all users to exit the program while bills are printed. As soon as the bills are printed, the 'lock' is released. Also, please note that many users will print drafts of bills and then finalize without printing and submit the 'draft' as the final bill. Because of this, it doesn't matter if you're printing drafts, previewing bills or printing and finalizing. In all cases, the database is 'locked down' so the bills produced by BSA for you, your clients, the court, etc. will be accurate.