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Check permissions on Data Service key in Sage 50 Accounts

Created on  | Last modified on 

Summary

This guide explains how to check the SYSTEM user permissions on the new Data Service private key in Sage 50 Accounts v28 and above.

Description

As part of security improvements in Sage 50 Accounts v28, the Data Service now installs a private key to: 

C:\Program Data \Microsoft\Crypto\RSA\S-1-5-18 

This private key can only be accessed by the local SYSTEM user. If this access is removed, the Data Service can’t be started and the following issues occur: 

  • During install you see the error 'Failed to install because the Data Service could not be started.' 

  • If already installed, you see the error 'Data Service could not be started'. Read more > 

If you're troubleshooting one of these errors in Sage 50 Accounts v28 or above, as an additional step you should check the key permissions.

Resolution

Check permissions for Data Service key

  1. Press the Windows key + E then browse to C:\Program Data \Microsoft\Crypto\
  2. Right-click the RSA folder, click Properties then click Security.
  3. Under Group or user names, click SYSTEM.
  4. Under Permissions for SYSTEM, check that SYSTEM has full control.

    If SYSTEM has full control, click OK. You have now checked the permissions are correct.
    If SYSTEM doesn’t exist, you should speak to your IT support to get this created.
    If SYSTEM doesn’t have full control, proceed to step 5.

  5. Click Edit, then in the Allow column, select Full control, then click OK.
  6. Click Advanced, if a Change permissions option appears in this window, click it.
  7. Select the Replace all child objects permissions with inheritable permissions from this object check box.
  8. Click OK, click Yes, then click OK.

    NOTE: If you receive an Access Denied message when resetting the permissions you must change the folder owner then retry step 7. To change the owner, in Advanced Security Settings, next to the Owner name click Change. Enter administrator, click Check Names, select the Administrator username then click OK. Select the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box then click OK. 

After changing the SYSTEM permissions you must now:

  • Try installing again if the error occurred on installation
  • If the error occurred after installation / on opening the software, try starting the Data Service and Control service again. If the issue still occurs, reinstall the Data Service