FAQ: Troubleshooting
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Simple Accounting is designed to be reliable under almost all
conditions, so if something unexpected comes up, don't panic: there is usually a simple
explanation. Below are listed the solutions to the most common problems you may encounter.
The majority of customer problems you are likely to encounter are described in this
manual; so, your first course of action should always be to look here first. And the first
place to start in this documentation is the Troubleshooting section immediately following.
This is where we have summarized the most commonly encountered problems, their solutions,
and related locations in the text where further details can be found.
However, if you do need our help, please be sure to have the following information ready before you e-mail fax or call:
If this is a run-time error you should also have ready the following:
If you encounter a Run-Time error, you can print out an error report by selecting Print from the Run-Time Errors dialog box. Please fax this report to us immediately.
By the way, all confirmed software flaws discovered within any Simple Accounting product are repaired, free of charge.
The program displays the following message
at Start-Up, then shuts down:
Warning. Insufficient Disk Space To Run This Program Simple Accounting checks for at least 1 MEG of free disk space before starting. The program doesn't actually require that much free disk space to begin; this safety feature is included in order to avoid any possibility of running out of space while processing transactions. To correct the problem, erase old files from your hard disk to free up more space. Do not delete any files from your Simple Accounting directory. |
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The program displays the following message at Start-Up, then shuts down: "Share Violation Reading Drive..." using the program on a network. This problem can have two causes. This first results if you have not properly loaded the DOS utility SHARE.EXE on your file server. SHARE is used by Simple Accounting to manage access to shared files between users. Make sure that it is loaded according to the directions supplied with your network operating system documentation. The second cause would be that more than one user is attempting to run the evaluation version of the program from the file server computer. This will not work and can result in irreparable damage to your data files. |
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The program indicates that I need to update my data files for a new program version, but when I proceed to do so the Prompt Line displays the following message, then exits:
Insufficient Disk Space For File Update. Program Cannot Continue... |
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The program indicates that I need to update my data files for a new program version, but when I proceed to do so a dialog box displays the message:
Error In Data Dictionary Code (47). Program Cannot Continue... |
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When I start Simple Accounting I immediately see a dialog box which says that my data path is invalid and I need to edit the SIMPLE.INI file on this workstation. You have entered an invalid path to data in the users SIMPLE.INI file. Each user of Simple Accounting may have their own personal SIMPLE.INI file located in the Windows directory. This file stores the location of common settings. One of these is the path to your data files. If you enter an invalid path here, Simple Accounting cannot open locate your data files and will shut down. See the section Alternate Workstation Installation For Slower Networks in Networking for instructions on how to correct the problem. |
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While running Simple Accounting I receive the following error message in a dialog box which shuts down the program: "Internal Error: WSLDIAL - 02" This can occur if you are using an outdated Simple Accounting DLL. DLLs contain program code which supports the main software. Each DLL version must match the main EXE version in order for Simple Accounting to function properly. Download the latest DLLs from our web site to your Simple Accounting directory to correct. |
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While running Simple Accounting I receive the following error message in a dialog box which shuts down the program: "Unknown Error Posted: 755:WSLSTG" This error is posted when the system detects a shortage of memory (system resources). To remedy this situation, increase the size of your permanent swap file to allow for more memory usage. (See the section on Suggested Precautions While Using Windows for more information on this topic.) |
I can't move from the current data entry field on to the next one by pressing <Tab> Many data entry fields require that you enter a certain value before you can exit that field. For example, you can't enter a invalid date such as 13/32/91 in a date field. Others require that you enter something, that is, you can enter anything you want, but you may not leave the field blank. Press <F1> on the field to get help on what are valid entries for the field with which you are having a problem, or consult your manual. |
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I can't seem to save any records. Whenever I press [Ok] the cursor moves to a date entry control in the window. Most data entry windows have one or more controls which are required. This means that the record cannot be saved until something is entered into each required control. You will not be able to save a record until all such fields are completed in the window. |
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I entered the wrong number in a numeric field and now I can't seem to correct it. Press <Home> to move to the far left of the field, and re-type the proper value. For whole numbers, you may simply type the number, with only the decimal point. The trailing zeroes will automatically be included by the program. |
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I need to enter 20,000 in a Quantity field, but the field will only accept numbers up to 9999.999. Since you will most often be costing and pricing on a per thousand basis, enter the value the same way and enter 'M' in the U/M. So if you need to order 20,000 labels, enter 20.000 in the Quantity field and M in the U/M field. |
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I entered the wrong code in a character field, how do I blank out the field? Press Ctrl/Y to blank out the entire field, or Ctrl/T to delete only the characters to the immediate right of the cursor. |
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I can't seem to enter a valid password at various points in the program. Passwords are case-sensitive. If part of your password is in lower-case letters, check to see if you have the <CapsLock> key active. |
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After deleting the items from a transaction, the
transaction seems to disappear. |
PRINTING
Reports print in the wrong typeface, or with strange characters on each page. Check to see that you have selected the correct printer driver installed in the Windows Control Panel. |
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Reports print unnecessary blank pages. Check to see that you have selected the correct printer driver in the Windows Control Panel. Also, check that there is not already some left over garbage in your printers internal buffer. |
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I have accidentally started printing a long report, but need to end it immediately. Cancel the print job in Simple Accounting, then go to the Windows Control Panel, select Printers. You should see the job in the Print Manager. Select Purge to end the job. If the printer continues to print, clear its internal print buffer by turning it off, then back on, according to the manufacturer's instructions. |
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The program will not allow me to select a printer for printing. Simple Accounting automatically checks the status of the selected printer port before allowing you to print. If a problem is indicated when selecting a printer port, check to see that the printer is turned on, is on-line and that the printer cable is securely attached at both the computer, and printer, ends. If you are using this program on a network, check that you are properly logged in, and linked to the server's printer. If these steps don't solve the problem, there may be a hardware problem. |
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My report did not print the records in the expected order. If the report allowed you to select the order of display from the Sort Window, check the heading of the report to see if you didn't select the wrong Sort Order, by mistake. If this report does not allow you to select the Sort Order, an index file is probably corrupt. Running the Re-Index utility should solve the problem. |
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Documents and reports are not printing with the
correct date or time. Check the current date and time in the Calendar. If the Calendar does not indicate either the correct date or time, go to the Windows Control Panel to reset the system date and time. Note: Simple Accounting uses your computer's internal clock to set the proper date and time. If your system displays these incorrectly each time you power up, you may need to alter the date and time with your computer's internal set up program, or replace your computer's system battery. Please consult your computer's manual on how to do this. |
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Bar Codes are not printing or regular characters print where a bar code should be on a label or envelope. Check to see that you have installed the USPS PostNet and Code 3 of 9 bar code fonts included with Simple Accounting. These must be installed using the Windows Font Installation utility. See Installing Bar Code Fonts for instructions on how to do this. |
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I can print preview a job, but when I send the
report to the printer, my printer lights blink, but nothing prints. Sometimes I get an
error message: Can you print from other applications? If the answer is 'No', you need to press [Start], then [Settings], then [Printers], then right click on the printer and make certain it is set to the proper printer port (press the [Port] button). If you can print from other programs, you may have a buggy Windows Printer Driver. This is extremely common, especially with newer model Hewlett Packard printers in the Laser Jet 5 and 6 series. Try getting an updated printer driver from HP, or, install the printer driver for the Laser Jet IV, which is known to work correctly. Unless you are using the most advanced features of the printer (very few users are!) you will notice no difference in functionality |
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I cannot print invoices in Tagged mode, howerver I can print other forms from the Sales Orders browse and I can print one invoice at a time. The customer(s) you are trying to print invoices for a set up for Summary Billing. You can only print invoices one at a time for Summary Billing customers. |
When I send faxes from WinFAX, they appear to send but get stuck in the WinFAX OutBox. You will need to run the utility DelFix which is included with WinFAX. Here's
how: |
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The Dialer will not dial my phone numbers. First, check that you have selected the proper communications port for the Auto-Dialer in SETUP|User Options. If that is properly set, go to the Windows Control Panel Device Manager and check the status of your modem; the problem is most likely in your Windows set up, or with your hardware. |