Potential causes of data corruption

Shared login

Do you log on to multiple computers using the same username?

Other computer issues

Have you had any other problems with your computer recently?

For example, computer crashes or virus infection.

Removing users 

If you log on to more than one computer with the same username, you'll see the message:

'This username is already in use. Do you want to remove this user from the request list and logon again?'

Removing the user from the request list while they're logged in on another computer can cause corruption.

To avoid this, before continuing to process on other computers, close Sage and log on again.

If the problem persists, select Next.

Other computer issues

Have you had any other issues with any of your computers recently, including your server?

For example, computer crashes, virus infection or loss of network connection.

NOTE: Computer or software crashes can appear as software freezing and a message to end the program.

Other computer issues

If you've had issues with any computers, this can contribute to the issues with your Sage data.

We recommend stopping the use of Sage 50 Accounts on these computers until you resolve the issues.

Check that every computer meets the recommended system requirements and has the latest build of the software installed

• Check the system requirements on each computer that uses Sage Accounts

 NOTE: When using Remote Data Access (RDA), ensure all computers meet the requirements when using RDA and use a wired internet connection. 

• Check your version to ensure you're using the latest build of the software

If the problem persists, select Next.

Check the amount of data isn't excessive

 NOTE: Sage Accounts has no numerical limit on transactions or records. Its capacity depends on available disk space. The following numbers are for guidance only and don't represent a data limit. Specific limits vary based on data size, network speed, and number of concurrent users. 

As a guide, we recommend that to optimise performance you have:

• Fewer than 250,000 transactions
• Fewer than 50,000 invoices
• Fewer than 50,000 sales orders
• Fewer than 50,000 purchase orders
• Fewer than 5,000 customer records
• Fewer than 5,000 supplier records
• Fewer than 20,000 product records
• Fewer than 2,000 project records

1. Go to Help then About.
2. Check the Data Information section for the number of records.

If you've got too many transactions or records, reduce the numbers to less than the recommended limits. For help with reducing the number of records, use the articles below:

• The Clear Audit Trail option
• Delete invoices
• Delete credit notes
• Delete sales orders
• Delete or reverse a purchase order
• Delete customer and supplier records
• How do I use Data management?

If the problem persists, select Next.

Test the network transfer speed outside of Sage 50 Accounts

Copy the REPORTS folder from the client computer to the shared folder on the server computer. Time how long it takes to complete.

The standard location for the reports folder is C:\ProgramData\Sage\Accounts\20xx\Company.000.

1. On the client computer, open Sage Accounts.
2. Go to Help, then About, then note of the Data Directory in the Program Details section.
3. Open Windows Explorer and browse to the REPORTS folder.
4. Right-click the folder then select Copy.  NOTE: Ensure the folder contains other folders.  
5. On the server computer, browse to the C:\.
6. Right-click then select Edit then Paste.
7. Time how long it takes to complete the process.
8. Repeat steps 4 to 6 three times and calculate the average time taken.   NOTE: Use the average of the second and third file transfers, as the first transfer takes longer. 

On a 100 Mbps network, the folder transfers in 30 to 40 seconds. On a 1 Gbps network, the folder transfers in 15 to 20 seconds.

9. Time how long it takes to copy the file from the server to the client computer.

If copying the file is twice as long as the time above, network speed affects Sage Accounts. The software will run slowly, which can cause data issues. Contact your network administrator for further help.

If the network transfer speed is OK, click Next.

Move the data to a new location and ensure that Sage Accounts is using a UNC path

Do you integrate Sage Accounts with any third-party software or automated backup software?

Third-party software uses Sage Data Objects (SDO) to write data into Sage Accounts. SDO doesn't validate to prevent incorrect postings, for example, a sales invoice posted to the Purchase Tax Control Account nominal code. Such entries will cause data corruption in Sage Accounts.

Contact your provider to confirm compatibility with your Sage Accounts version. You can then back up and check your data is in good health. Do this before and after posting from this software. 

Automatic backup software can run while users process in the data, which can lock the data files. Refer to your local IT support to adjust the backup settings.

If you haven't activated third-party integration and you don't use automated backup software, click Next.

Uninstall and reinstall the software

There could be a problem with one of the Sage Accounts files.

1. Back up your data.
2. Uninstall and reinstall Sage Accounts.
3. Restore the backup of your data.

If the problem persists, select Next.

Configure your antivirus software

A common cause of corruption in Sage Accounts is a conflict with antivirus software. Modify your antivirus software to work alongside Sage 50 Accounts.

Move data to a new location

1. Create a new folder on your server and share the folder and apply permissions.
2. Browse to the existing Sage Accounts data directory on your server.

Check the data directory in Help then About, then the Program Details section.

3. Copy the company folder that contains the ACCDATA folder, for example Company.000.

 

4. Paste the folder into the new folder created in step 1.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for any additional company you want to move.
6. Amend the data path on the other computers to go to the new data location.

If the problem persists, select Next.

Ensure that Sage Accounts uses a UNC path to connect to the data

Follow the steps on every client computer that accesses Sage Accounts.

1. Browse to the COMPANY file in C:\ProgramData\Sage\Accounts\20xx.
2. Double-click the COMPANY file and select to open with Notepad.
3. Edit the relevant UNC paths in the file. This points the computer to the new data location on the server.

For example, if your server is called Server and your shared folder is Sage data, the UNC path starts with \\Server\Sage data

4. Go to File then Save.
5. Go to File then Exit.

If the problem persists, select Next.

Check that the computer meets the recommended system requirements and has the latest build of the software installed

Check each computer that uses Sage Accounts.

• Check the system requirements on each computer that uses Sage Accounts

 NOTE: When using Remote Data Access (RDA), ensure all computers meet the RDA requirements and use a wired internet connection. 

• Check your version and apply any software updates. This ensures you're using the latest build of the software

Check that the amount of data isn't excessive

 NOTE: Sage Accounts has no numerical limit on transactions or records. Its capacity depends on available disk space. The following numbers are for guidance only and don't represent a data limit. Specific limits vary based on data size, network speed, and number of concurrent users. 

As a guide, we recommend that to optimise performance you have:

• Fewer than 250,000 transactions
• Fewer than 50,000 invoices
• Fewer than 50,000 sales orders
• Fewer than 50,000 purchase orders
• Fewer than 5,000 customer records
• Fewer than 5,000 supplier records
• Fewer than 20,000 product records
• Fewer than 2,000 project records

1. Go to Help then About.
2. Check the Data Information section for the number of records.

If you've got too many transactions or records, reduce the numbers to less than the recommended limits. For help with reducing the number of records, use the articles below:

• The Clear Audit Trail option
• Delete invoices
• Delete credit notes
• Delete sales orders
• Delete or reverse a purchase order
• Delete customer and supplier records
• How do I use Data management?

Do you integrate with any third-party software or automated backup software?

Third-party software uses Sage Data Objects (SDO) to write data into Sage Accounts. SDO doesn't validate to prevent incorrect postings, for example, a sales invoice posted to the Purchase Tax Control Account nominal code. Such entries will cause data corruption in Sage Accounts.

Contact your provider to confirm compatibility with your Sage Accounts version. You can then back up and check your data is in good health. Do this before and after posting from this software. 

 

Automatic backup software can run while users process, which can lock the data files. Refer to your local IT support to adjust the backup settings.

If you haven't activated third-party integration and you don't use automated backup software, click Next.

Configure your antivirus software

A common cause of corruption in Sage Accounts is a conflict with antivirus software. Modify your antivirus software to work alongside Sage 50 Accounts.

Other computer issues

If you've had problems with any computers, this can contribute to the problems you're experiencing with your Sage data.

We recommend stopping the use of Sage 50 Accounts on these computers until you resolve the issues.

Other computer issues

If you've had problems with any computers, this can contribute to the problems you're experiencing with your Sage data.

We recommend stopping the use of Sage 50 Accounts on these computers until you resolve the issues.

Other computer issues

Have you had any other problems with your computer recently?

For example, computer crashes or virus infection.