Items filtered by date: December 2014

Apart from the obvious minimum equipment level:

1. 1GBS Network
2. Fast Computer
3. 4GB RAM

If sage still runs slow it is probably because of your antivirus, do the following.

Sage Antivirus Exclusions (from official sage document / email)

The following folders are used only by Sage software. Excluding these from the antivirus may go a long way to improving the performance of Sage Accounts whilst retaining the security of the antivirus software. The reason must be cause the files are constantly accessed and changed and the antivirus then sees it as a new file.

Because of how sage works it doesnt really like Anti Virus software interfering with it. What happens antivirus can cause a slow down in sage because the antivirus sees the constant changes in the database files (amongst others) and as such keeps checking that it is not a virus. The results can vary from Anti Virus to Anti Virus. A full software failure is never the case and it is just a matter of performance.

This is a known issue with sage and they have issue a list of folders that need excluding. They are as follows:

See Microsoft Antivirus Sage Line 50 Exclusions at the bottom for the list of exclusions i actually use.

• The Sage Accounts program directory.
• The Sage Accounts data directory.
  
  Tip: Exclude the folder that contains the ACCDATA folder. If the customer does not want to exclude this entire folder, they should exclude ACCDATA and the following folders that are located in the same folder as ACCDATA: ARCHIVES, ATTACHMENTS, BITMAP, CONFIGS, CRITERIA, DEFAULTS, EXPORTS, FAX, IMPORTS, INVOICES, JOURNALS, LABELS, LAYOUTS, LETTERS, MEMO, REPORTS, TASKOPT, TEMPLATE, TMail, VATRTNS
• C:\Program Files\Common Files\SageSBD
• C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sage Line50
• C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sage Report Designer 2007
• C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sage Shared
• C:\Program Files\Sage EBanking
• C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Sage (Non Windows Vista)
• C:\ProgramData\Sage (Windows 7 / Vista)

Note: Depending on the version of Sage Accounts, some of the folders listed above may not exist.

Note: Wherever possible, you should exclude the folders used exclusively by Sage Accounts as this will cover the file extensions listed in this section.

If this is not possible, you may be able to exclude files with a particular file extension. However, the file extensions listed here may not be unique to files used by Sage Accounts and the customer may not want to exclude these from their antivirus software. If the customer is in any doubt please refer them to their IT Administrator.

Data Files

*.DTA
*.DTH
*.COA

Report and Layout Files - Sage Accounts v12 and below

*.SRT
*.SLY
*.SLT
*.SLB
*.RPT

Report and Layout Files - Sage Accounts v13 and above

*.report
*.layout
*.letter
*.label

Memo Files

*.SLM
*.PLM
*.NLM
*.ILM
*.BLM
*.CLM
*.DLM

Criteria Files

*.SLC
*.SLI
*.PRC
*.PRI
*.NMC
*.NMI
*.BKC
*.BKI
*.SKC
*.SKI
*.IVC
*.IVI
*.SPC
*.SPI
*.PCC
*.PPI
*.PCI
*.PPC
*.REC
*.REI
*.SAC
*.SAI
*.IPC
*.IPI
*.PDC
*.PDI
*.DPC
*.DPI
*.FIC
*.FII
*.CPC
*.CPI
*.CSC
*.CSI

Microsoft Antivirus Sage Line 50 Exclusions (by Lancastrian IT)

• C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Sage (might only be present in XP)
• C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sage Line50
• C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sage Report Designer 2007
• C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sage SBD
• C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sage SData
• C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sage Shared
• C:\Program Files\Sage
• C:\Program Files\Sage EBanking
• C:\ProgramData\Sage (Windows 7 / Vista)

NB: when using remote sage you should map the drive and not use direct uncs paths, for some reason this causes massive issues with data and speed.

Update to the Anti Virus exclusions advise from Sage

[12122] Modifying your anti virus software to avoid conflicts with Sage Accounts and Sage Drive

Some are all of this might be applicable.

• The Sage Accounts program directory.
• The Sage Accounts data directory.

As above but slightly modified. I cant remember if these need to excluded anymore

• C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sage SBD
• C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sage Line50
• C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sage Report Designer 2007
• C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sage Shared
• C:\Program Files\Sage EBanking
• C:\Program Files\Sage\AccountsService - v21 and above

Tip: If you're using a 64-bit version of Windows, replace Program Flies with Program Files (x86).

• C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Sage
• If you're using Windows 7 or Windows Vista this folder is C:\ProgramData\Sage

• C:\Program Files\Sage
• C:\Program Files\Sage\Accounts
• C:\Program Files\Sage\Assemblies

As per the information in sage's about page

• Program Directory - C:\Program Files\Sage\Accounts\
• Data Directory - C:\Shared Files\Sage Accounts\PM2011\ACCDATA
• Settings Directory - C:\ProgramData\Sage\Accounts\

• sage taxation is SQL based
• you need to run a manual backup so that the backup is then placed at
  c:\Shared Files\Sage Tax Backups\
  it is then backed up from that location
• there are good install and upgrade instructions on the install disc

To install sage taxation as a network system:

on the server:

• Install sage Taxation on the server
• install microsoft mysl express 2005 sp3 only
• add these to the firewall
  1433 TCP
  1434 UDP
  sqlbrowser possibly not - C:\Program files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\shared\sqlbrowser.exe
  mysqlserver - C:\Program files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Binn\sqlservr.exec
• create a folder c:\SageTax and share it out as 'Tax Share'
• map it locally as t:\

then when installed on server,

On the Client PC:

• map t: to \\server\Tax Share
• install workstation version,(files only)
• location of mysql server is
  SERVER\SageTax
  password needed is $agedadm1n

Additional Stuff:

To run a manual backup

• go to programs/Sage Practice/Tools/Sage Taxation/Sage Taxation/Backup & Restore.lnk
• all users should be logged out, if there are users still in sage taxation it will warn
• check backup location is set to c:\Shared Files\Sage Tax Backups\  , this should be replicated automatically throughout your clients. The setting can be accessed by clicking settings in the 'Backup and Restore' utility
• and then click backup
• This process is intitiated manually via this process and then by the fact that the backup is then created in c:\Shared Files\Sage Tax Backups\ it is backedup by the main backup system

Setup a schedule backup on the server

• the backup location is configured in the start menu.
• all progs/sage/tools/backup and restore under settings.
• the security option that is there is recommended by the sage guy prior to upgrades because of
  the security data it stores, but not data essential as i am aware.
• next, a schedules task needs to be set in windows.
• goto control panel
• select scheduled tasks
• run this
  c:\Tax Share\SageData\UKTax\Master\Apps\Tools\BackupRestore.exe /BACKUP
• Set weekly or whatever, data will now backup to specified directory

To restore data:

• put the backup file on the server,
• then run backup and restore tool on the workstation
  restore password is :
  mck2ptbgdt

New Install from network

once sage personal tax is installed on the server you can just do the following to install sage tax from the server

• create the following persistent network share
  net use T:"\\server\Tax Share" /yes
• run T:\SageData\UKTax\Master\Install

Upgrading

when you have set sage personal tax up as a network installation:

• insert the cd from sage in to the server and proceed with an upgrade (similiar procedure as downlod section below)
• when performing an upgrade the system will perform a mandatory backup
• when the upgrade is perfomed on the server it will pass the update to the client machines when they log on for the first time they will performa  workstation update

when you download the update or installer (it is a self conatined archive)

• run it, next,
• i accept and next,
• installer now checks resoucses and installed stuff, when finished click next
• your practice has v14.01 installed, this will be updated to v15.00, (note server is called SERVER/SAGETAX), click next
• check info and click install
• it will now check the database and the data etc..
• the installer will continue thourgh its procedure now and at some point will do an automatic backup (i assume default location)
• then click next
• click finish

Additional notes

Sage Taxation will not work. it cannot find the master database and timed out.

• This occured after installing comodo firewall. i also used comodos own dns settings.
• sage instant taxation/compliance utilises DNS to find the servers name and what as happening while using these dns serves was the computers name it was searching for was coming back prefixed like server.dlink.com and therefore would never be found.
• So Remove comodo DNS from the ethernet or WIFI of Sage client machines. It could possibly be added tot he router itself.

There were some new backups relate to sage practice soltions at C:\ProgramData\Sage\Practice Solution\SQLBackups

These were caused by sage practice solution being installed as part of the XRBL update from sage which we do not have a licesnse for and they have shelved it for the purpose it was intended for.

So sage installed a temporary license to edit the automatic backups to set the to C:\Shared Files\Sage Practice Solution Backups  and to also turn them of as they are not needed. later iterations fo sage software will require sage practice solutions so this why it is left installed.

I find these commands quite helpful — maybe you know them already — if not, here you go:

Microsoft Hotfix Installer (.exe)

setup.exe /t:C:\extracted_files\ /c

Microsoft Update Standalone Package (.msu)

expand -F:* update.msu C:\extracted_files
cd extracted_files
expand -F:* update.cab C:\extracted_files

Microsoft Patch File (.msp)

msix patch.msp /out C:\extracted_files
msix.zip

Windows Installer Package (.msi)

msiexec /a setup.msi /qb TARGETDIR=C:\extracted_files

This error can occur for several different reasons and can sometimes be after a windows update.

• BIOS is not ACPI compatable
• Memory configuration. This error can occur because of the memory arrangement you have. Usually if you go above 2GB.
• Faulty RAM

Try these solutions in order.

1. Try a different RAM configuration - If this turns out to be the solution more than likely there is windows updates waiting that will fix this issue so run all updates and you should be able to use the extended memroy configuration.
2. Check RAM
3. Update BIOS to an ACPI compatable version

In all case run windows update and download all updates.

I have gotten some good questions about my previous posting, The Benefits of Gzip. Some people have asked about the difference between gzip and deflate, which comes pre-installed on the newer versions of Apache Web Server.

The primary difference between the two, is as I mentioned, deflate comes pre-installed. That doesn’t mean that it’s already deployed. You will usually have to go in and manually deploy the component, but this is much easier than installing gzip.

The second difference is the amount of compression. Gzip will compress 4 – 6 % more than deflate. This means the page will load a little faster with Gzip than deflate.

So why use deflate? The third difference is the server power required to do the compression. Keep in mind that the compression is not being handled when you upload the code to your site, it’s happening when a visitor with Gzip in their browser hits your site. So each time, your Web server has to package up these files to send over. This is where deflate shines. Deflate requires a lot less energy to compress the files. Which means that on high traffic servers, deflate will load faster than Gzip. Confused?

Simply put, if you have a site that gets less than 1,000 unique visitors per day, and you really want the fastest page time available, go ahead and install mod_gzip. This will be extra work, but may be worth it for you. If your site gets over 1,000 unique visitors, still with mod_deflate. Your pages will load faster.

Use this code to test if  mod_rewrite installed on your server

1. Create a rewrite.php file
2. Paste this code into it

   <h2>How To Test mod_rewrite in Apache Linux Server by <a href="http://www.webune.com">Webune</a></h2>    
   <p><a href="/rewrite.php?link=1">LINK1</a> = rewrite.php?link=1</p>
   <p><a href="/link2.html">LINK2</a> = link2.html</p>
   <p>How this works: both links are for this same page, except they both are different. link one is without the mod_rewrite and link2 is using mod_rewrite. Link1 show the php file, with with mod_rewrite we are mascarading the php file into a html file. you can use whatever type of extension you want, you can change it to .htm or .shtml etc... all you have to do is to make sure you also chang it in the .htaccess file</p>
   <p><a href="http://www.webune.com/forums/viewtopic-p-43.html">Go back to webune forums.</a></p>

3. Create a .htaccess file with the following code

   RewriteEngine On
   RewriteRule ^link([^/]*).html$ rewrite.php?link=$1 [L]

4. Upload both files to your www root
5. Execute rewrite.php

Links

• How To Test Mod Rewrite Works In With Apache Web Server - Original article from Webune

Windows  has a whole array of helpful command line tools for configuring and testing Internet and LAN connections. The following is a list of useful network commands that can be used from the command prompt. A lot of these commands are intended for administrating a network, but they are great for savvy home users as well. All of the tools are run by opening a Command window and entering the appropriate command. Go to Start-Run and enter “cmd” to open a Command window.

• net – Used to start, stop and view networking operations.
• ipconfig – Displays the IP Address and other TCP/IP information on your system.
• netstat – Returns protocol statistics and current TCP/IP connections.
• hostname – Displays the Microsoft networking computer name.
• lpq – Displays the print queue status of an LPD printer.
• ping – Verify the connectivity or a host across a network.
• nbtstat – Returns protocol statistics and current TCP/IP connections.
• ipxroute – Displays and modifies IPX routing tables.
• route – Manipulates TCP/IP routing information
• tracert – Displays route taken by an ICMP to a remote host.
• finger – Displays information about the user
• arp – Displays or modifies information in the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) cache
• getmac – Lists the MAC (Media Access Control) Address on the computer network interfaces

Add  /? to the command will provide more information e.g. ipconfig show more information about ipconfig command.

Some Applications:

• Display Connection Configuration: ipconfig /all
• Display DNS Cache Info Configuration: ipconfig /displaydns
• Clear DNS Cache: ipconfig /flushdns
• Release All IP Address Connections: ipconfig /release
• Renew All IP Address Connections: ipconfig /renew
• Re-Register the DNS connections: ipconfig /registerdns
• Change/Modify DHCP Class ID: ipconfig /setclassid
• Network Connections: control netconnections
• Network Setup Wizard: netsetup.cpl
• Test Connectivity: ping www.tomstricks.com
• Trace IP address Route: tracert
• Displays the TCP/IP protocol sessions: netstat
• Display Local Route: route
• Display Resolved MAC Addresses: arp
• Display Name of Computer Currently on: hostname
• Display DHCP Class Information:ipconfig /showclassid

Notes:

• Some command-line tools require the user to have administrator-level privileges on source and/or target computers.
• You must have the TCP/IP network protocol installed to use the TCP/IP utilities.

A HP Laserjet will not work with Windows 7. The followinf solution works well. If you vary the following method it will work for 32 bit if required.

Alright, I found the real fix for this so you can print at normal speed and not get the €œPesonality Not Supported: PCL€ Error [For Advanced Users].

1. First off, go download HP LaserJet 1012 Host Based drivers.

64-bit:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=18972&prodSeriesId=377934&prodNameId=306510&
swEnvOID=2100&swLang=8&mode=2&taskId=135&swItem=lj-67501-1

32-bit:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareIndex.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=306510&prodTypeId=18972&prodSeriesId=377934&
swLang=8&taskId=135&swEnvOID=2093

2. Extract the driver.
3. Plug in and turn on your printer if you haven€™t already.
4. Go to Start>Devices and Printers, and choose to add a printer
5. Choose to add a local printer
6. Choose Dot-4-usb printing support
7. Click Have Disk on the next window
8. Navigate to where you extracted the drivers, and choose the inf file
9. Choose the HP 1012 HB Driver
10. Follow the prompt till it installs the printer or what not

Now you may notice that it prints slow as heck, well no worries! To fix that do this.

1. Go to Start, right click Computer and choose Manage
2. Go to Device Manager
3. Find 1284.4 dot4usb Printing Support
4. Right click it and choose Update Driver
5. Choose €˜Browse my computer for driver software.
6. Choose USB Virtual Printing Support
7. Follow the prompt, exit out of Device Manager
8. Go to Start>Devices and Printers
9. Right click HP 1012 HB, choose Printer Properties
10. Go to the Port Tab, find Virtual USB Printing Support (Not dot4) and check that.
11. Click Ok.

Alternate Method 1
 

NB:

• 1300 has proper driver for windows vista
• 1300 has same internals as 1015
• 1300 uses 'HP Univeral Printing PCL5/PCL5.1' system 5.0/5.1 - use 5.0 1015 is a pcl 5.0

I am getting the Outlook 2003 "This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer" hyperlink problem

GO here: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm and use the HTM/HTML association .zip.