QuickBooks Network Troubleshooting
2010 Accredited Partner Conference
By Chris McGregor
QBi Release
The release of QBi has resulted in more knowledge of networks being
required for the successful implementation of QuickBooks in a server
environment.
How QuickBooks multi-user works
– QuickBooks now uses an application called the QuickBooks Data Base
Server Manager, or (QDBSM) to host your Data files.
– QuickBooks can also host your Data Files, this is known as Hosting
There are two ways of Hosting your Data File
There are different Windows Services depending on the way
you are Hosting the Data file
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The Services used by the QuickBooks Data Base Server Manager are:
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The QuickBooks Database Manager Service if your using the QuickBooks
Data Base Server Manager application
To have QuickBooks hosting your data file the Service used is the QBCF
Monitor Service
The 5 key things to check
5 steps to troubleshoot
1. Check you have installed the QuickBooks Data Base Server Manager
application
2. Check the Services are running
3. Check that you have sufficient permissions to the folder.
4. Check that there is not a conflict between hosting via QuickBooks and the
QuickBooks Data Base Server Manager Service.
5. Check that all Windows users have Power User rights
QuickBooks Users must have at least Power User rights
Make sure that each User that is setup on your Network has at least Power User
rights to the QuickBooks installation directory and QuickBooks Registry keys
Setting up QuickBooks with a separate File Server
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Install just the QuickBooks Data Base Server Manager
to the File Server where the Company Files will be
located
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Scan the Company Files with the QuickBooks Data
Base Server Manager application
How to Scan your Data Files
– Run the QuickBooks Data Base Server Manager application from ‘All
Programs’
– Click “Add Folder” and navigate to the folder in which the QuickBooks
company files are stored.
– Click “Scan” and it identifies each QBW file in the folder and any subfolders. Identified files are displayed to confirm scan was succeeded.
Setting up a Shared Folder
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What is folder sharing and how does it work?
– Sharing a folder means that you are giving other users on the network
permission to access the files in that folder
– When you share a folder, you can set the level of accessibility that others
can have when they try to view and/or modify the files in that folder
– QBDataServiceUser(xx) will need to have full permissions
– Apply theses permissions to the folder where your Company Files reside
How to Share a Folder
To share a folder…
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Right click on the folder
Go to Security Tab
Click Add
Click Advanced
Click Find Now
Double click on users and check the full
control (or Read/Write at a minimum to use
QuickBooks)
Troubleshooting the Services
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Problems with the services will cause common errors. Common
problems are:
– The Services running on PC(s) other than where the Company File(s)
are stored.
– The Services on the PC/Server where the company files are stored, are
not running.
Checking the Services
– The Services need to be
Disabled on the PC’s without
the Company Files
– QuickBooksDB(xx) is set to
‘Automatic’ and ‘Started’
– QB Monitor Service set to
‘Automatic’ and ‘Started’
where your Company Files
are located
Troubleshooting the .ND file
– If you delete the .nd (Network Descriptor) file as explained before they are recreated when you scan them with the QuickBooks Data Base Server Manager
application. If they aren't recreated then it may be a Firewall issue.
– Locate the QuickBooks Data Base Server Manager application from going into
your programs list. Look for QuickBooks and the yellow Icon to open the
application and scan the folder
Switching To Multi-User Mode
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Open the Company file on any PC and
the switch to Multi-user Mode
– Now everyone can open the file
Errors Connecting with QuickBooks
• More than one PC is Hosting
the Data File at the same time
• Check that no more than one
of the PC’s is Hosting
• It should say ‘Host Multi-User
Access’ on all PC’s accept the
HOST PC
Common Errors
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Error -6123, 0: "Connection to the QuickBooks company file has been
lost" when opening a company file stored on another computer
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This error usually occurs because:
– Multiple instances of QuickBooks Database Service are running.
– There is a corrupt .nd file
– Permissions/User rights not set up correctly
• All the above are the 5 Key Steps.
Common errors (cont’d)
• Errors: "H101," "H202," "H303," and "H505"
– You're trying to work with a company file located on another computer,
and this copy of QuickBooks can't reach the server on that computer.
(H202)
– You're trying to work with a company file located on another computer,
and that computer needs additional installation and setup. (H101, H303
and H505)
• Addressed by the 5 Key Steps
Common errors (cont’d)
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Error -6177, 0: "QuickBooks is attempting to open this Company file."
This error indicates that QuickBooks can not use the path to the
company file
– Locate a file with the same name as the company file and a .nd file
extension, such as MyCompanyFile.qbw.nd
– Delete .nd file
– Configure the QuickBooks Database Server Manager
– Click the Start button and choose Programs > QuickBooks >
QuickBooks Database Server Manager
– Click the Scan Folders tab
– Click the Scan button
Check Firewall Settings and Anti Virus
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Make sure your Firewall has given full access to QuickBooks and
open theses Ports
– FileManagement.exe (incoming and outgoing traffic - port 10172)
– QBDBMgrN.exe (incoming and outgoing traffic - port 10172)
– QBGDSPlugin.exe (incoming and outgoing traffic - port 10172)
– QBW32.exe (incoming and outgoing traffic - port 10172)
– Also Ports (incoming and outgoing traffic - port 10180)
Alternative Hosting Method
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Alternative multi-user setup
– Alternate multi-user setup, QuickBooks DBSM is not installed at all.
– A different hosting computer can be used during each multi-user session,
depending on which user first opens the company file in multi-user mode
– Running in this configuration affects overall performance and increases
network traffic. Intuit suggests that you avoid this configuration if at all
possible
Successful Network Connection with Alternative
Setup mode
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Considering your network is set up correctly
– this scenario will be a Peer to Peer Network
– Two computers connected to each other
– The QuickBooks Data Base Server Manager is not
needed
– QuickBooks only would be installed only on both
Computers with the ‘Alternative Hosting’ method
used
Network Types
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Recommended Network Types:
– Local Area Network (LAN): A network that connects computers in close
proximity (usually within a building) with a "hard" cable.
Compatibility: QuickBooks is designed to work with LANs.
– Wireless LAN not to be used
Measuring network performance
(transfer speed in Mb/s)
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Reckon recommends that you perform this test on a copy of your working .qbw
file stored in the same folder to allow other users to continue with their daily work
while testing is in progress.
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Test all systems that are running QuickBooks because the speed can vary from
computer to computer.
Improving network performance by correcting
mismatched NIC settings
– Network interface card (NIC) settings can affect network performance
– The lowest speed of card used on any PC will slow your network to the
speed of that card
Optimising QuickBooks Performance
– Make sure hardware meets or exceeds minimum
requirements
– Optimize network performance
– Configure anti-virus software properly
– Configure firewalls so they will not interfere with QuickBooks
– Run anti-spyware software
– Defragment your hard drive regularly
– Disable all desktop search and indexing applications
Conclusion
• The 5 key steps to resolution
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Have you installed the QuickBooks Data Base Server Manager?
Have you checked that there is no conflict with the Services?
Have you got the appropriate permissions where the Data files are stored?
Not more that one PC should be Hosting Multi User Mode.
Is everyone set as a Power user with at least read/right access?
Questions and Answers
• Brief questions and answers time…
It’s a Wrap up… 
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For any questions that haven't been answered, write them down on a piece of
paper and I will attempt to answer them for you throughout the conference,
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Or you can email psgsupport@reckon.com.au,
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Or contact Support on 1300 650 081
QuickBooks Network Troubleshooting
2010 Accredited Partner Conference
by Chris McGregor