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KB Category: Sage 50 Accounts

Sage 50 Accounts

Moving Sage 50 To a New Computer

Written by Tom Shields on .

Moving Sage 50 from an old computer to a new computer involves an number of steps to install the software on the new machine and to connect it to the existing company dataset(s).

The procedure is outlined below:

1. Get access to all the Sage 50 company data on the old computer.

(a) You can find out where the data for each company is held from the old computer by looking at the “Data path” on the “Select Company” screen which loads when you start Sage 50  (if this does not load select “File – Open Company Data” ).

(b) If any of the company data paths are local on the old computer then take a company backup of these and copy this backup to the new computer (ensure that this backup includes all file types so that any customised reports, layouts and attachments, etc. will be saved) . See our article on Backing up Sage 50 if you need help with this.

(c) If a company data is on another computer on the network you should take note of the data path so that you can connect to this later from the new computer.

2. Perform a Sage 50 install on the new computer, the steps for this are described in our knowledge base article Installing Sage 50.

3. Open Sage 50 on the new computer the “Company Set-up” screen should open to allow you to set up a new company (if this does not you can get to it by selecting “File – Open Company Data – Add Company”).

  • If the company you are adding has its data on a server or other computer on the network then select “Use an existing company stored on your network” and enter/browse to the location of the data noted in 1c above (e.g. \\ServerName\Sage\Accounts\2020\Company.000). It is not recommend to use mapped drives, instead use the full server name as in the example.
  • If the company you are adding was held locally on the old computer and will be held locally on this new computer then you will need to restore it from a previously taken backup (see 1b above). To do this Select “Restore data from a backup file” and enter/browse to the location of the backup file that you copied from the old computer.

Click “Next” to connect or restore to your data, you will be asked to enter your login details to access this company data.

 

Installing (or updating) Sage 50

Written by Tom Shields on .

This article provides a link to our Sage 50 Installation Guide which outlines the steps required to install or update the Sage 50 software.

Before beginning the install there are a number of preparation steps that should be completed, our Sage 50 Checklist can help you ensure these are done in advance.

Important Recommendations

  • Use a system login with full system administrator rights (to allow installing software etc.).
  • Disable anti-virus / firewalls / window defender, while downloading the software.
  • Check and ensure all your company data sets have no errors or warnings.
  • Take a full “All Files” backup of all your Sage 50 company data sets.
  • If upgrading an existing Sage 50 system that is more than 1 version old, we recommend that you upgrade the data through each major version release (e.g. if going from version 24.2 to version 27, you should upgrade the data to v25, then v26, v27 and on up to v32). This is to reduce the risk of data corruption.
  • If you have upgraded to version 32 or above for the first time, when you first log into each company for the first time you will be prompted to load in new tax codes (for Brexit). Please ensure your computers regional settings are correct for each company (i.e. UK or Ireland) before opening the company.
  • Note any discrepancies listed on the conversion logs as users may need to take action.
  • Turn off automatic updates within your sage for each user
    – Help > software update settings > select manual > I’ll check for updates

When you are ready to perform the installation, click the following link to open our Sage 50 Installation Guide

 

 

Sage Drive Issue – Prompt for Sage ID when opening Sage 50 Accounts

Written by collins on .

When you open Sage Accounts, you may be prompted for your Sage ID sign in details that were used when setting up Sage Drive.

Why do I get this prompt?

‘For security reasons you must occasionally re-enter the Sage ID login details for Sage Drive’ when opening Sage 50 Accounts

When you open a Sage Drive company and enter your Sage ID login details, a token is created on your computer that lasts for 6 months. This means you shouldn’t have to enter your login details again within this period, unless something changes on your computer.

Previously, when using Sage Accounts, on the day your token expired, you had to enter your Sage ID login details to access your software.

In Sage Accounts 25.1 and above, from 30 days before the token expires, a warning message appears letting you know that your token will expire with the option to enter it immediately, or to be reminded later.

30 days – 1 day warning message

Sage ID expiry

for security reasons you must occasionally re-enter the Sage ID login details for Sage Drive.

The current details for user “***user email address***” will expire in xx days. To continue to access this company, please re-enter the Sage ID and password.

If you’re ready to log in, click Log in now. If not, click Remind me and select a time that suits you then click Log in later.

If you know your Sage ID login details, click Log in now and enter the details and click Sign In.

If you don’t have the Sage ID login details, click the Remind me drop-down and click the time when you want to be reminded, then click Log in later. Your software will then open as usual.

24 hour warning message

When you’re within 24 hours before the token expires, the following message appears:

Sage ID expiry

for security reasons you must occasionally re-enter the Sage ID login details for Sage Drive.

The current details for user “***user email address***” will expire in 24 hours. To continue to access this company, please re-enter the Sage ID and password.

If you know your Sage ID login details, click Log in now and enter the details and click Sign In.

You can still click Close and access you software at this stage, but once past the 24 hour period, you must enter your Sage ID login details to gain access. 

Ensure you enter your correct details

If you’re still prompted to login, please enter the Sage ID email address and password.

At the main site This is the email and password you used when uploading your data to Sage Drive.
At a remote site Please enter the Sage ID email address and password for the user at the remote site. If different to the main site

 

Summary:

The correct Sage ID and password must be entered to open Sage

Sage Drive Issue – ‘The main site is no longer communicating with this Sage Drive Company….’ on a remote site

Written by collins on .

When opening or working in a company that’s shared using Sage Drive, the following message may appear:

‘Sage Drive
The main site is no longer communicating with this Sage Drive Company; this may mean that it has encountered an error and has chosen to work offline…’

This appears on remote sites if the main computer for the Sage Drive Company isn’t currently online. For example, the computer may be switched off, or the user has chosen to work offline.

If you receive this message, we recommend that you close Sage Accounts and contact the user at the main site to check what is happening.

If main site is switched off

If the main site has logged out of Sage 50 Accounts and turned off their computer, you’re fine to work in Sage 50 Accounts at your remote site. When the main site reconnects, any changes you’ve made are synced to the main site.

To carry on posting, select the box  I understand that if I continue using Sage Accounts… check box and click OK.

If main site is switched on

If the main site computer is switched on, but no-one is logged into Sage 50 Accounts on that computer, you’re fine to work in Sage 50 Accounts at your remote site. When the main site reconnects, any changes you’ve made are synced to the main site.

You can try to refresh Sage Drive by following these steps:

  1. Click Tools, then click Sage Drive.
  2. Click Lock Sage Drive, then click Refresh Sage Drive.

To carry on posting, select the box  I understand that if I continue using Sage Accounts… check box and click OK.

If main site is switched on but offline

If the main site computer is switched on, and the user has chosen to work offline, we recommend that you stop processing at your remote site until they reconnect.

To check if they are working offline, the main site user can check if Sage Drive: Offline appears on the status bar at the bottom of Sage 50 Accounts.

Warning:

Pimbrook software strongly recommend not selecting to working offline. Any time it’s offline we suggest that everyone should stop working as this may result to loss of data.

If you continue, any changes you make from this point will be lost when the main site reconnects.

When the main site reconnects to Sage Drive, the following message appears at your remote site:

‘Sage Drive
The main site has reconnected to this Sage Drive Company.
Any changes you make now will not be overwritten by the main site.
To continue, click OK.’

Once this message appears, you should check and if necessary re-enter any postings you’ve lost.

Summary

In most cases – To carry on posting, select that  I understand that if I continue using Sage Accounts… check box and click OK.

If the main site computer is switched on, and the user has chosen to work offline, we recommend that you stop processing at your remote site until they reconnect.

Pimbrook software strongly recommend working offline. Any time it’s offline we suggest that everyone should stop working as this may result to loss of data.

Uploading data window scrolling in continuous loop with message, “Processing, please wait…”

Written by collins on .

This can happen whether you have Sage Drive set up or not.

*Please follow these steps if customer is using Sage Drive*

Reset the Sage services and processes

You must follow these steps on the computer or server where your Sage Accounts data is held. If using Sage Drive, you should carry these steps out at both the Sage Drive main site and remote site.

If you’re using a networked version of Sage Accounts, all other users must be logged out of the data.

  1. Close Sage Accounts.
  2. Hold down Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Windows Task Manager.
  3. Click the Processes
  4. Right-click the relevant process and click End Process then click End process.
Version Windows 7 and below Windows 8 and above
25 sg50svc_v25.exe *32

sg50CtrlSvc_v25.exe *32

 Sage 50 Accounts Service v25

Sage 50 Accounts Control Service v25
24 sg50svc_v24.exe *32

sg50CtrlSvc_v22.exe *34

 Sage 50 Accounts Service v24

Sage 50 Accounts Control Service v24
23 sg50svc_v23.exe *32

sg50CtrlSvc_v23.exe *32

 Sage 50 Accounts Service v23

Sage 50 Accounts Control Service v23
22 sg50svc_v22.exe *32

sg50CtrlSvc_v22.exe *32

 Sage 50 Accounts Service v22

Sage 50 Accounts Control Service v22
21 sg50svc.exe *32

sg50CtrlSvc.exe *32

 

 Sage 50 Accounts Service

Sage 50 Accounts Control Service

 

  1. In Task Manager click the Services
  2. Right-click the relevant services and click Start Service.
v25 §  Sage 50 Accounts Service v25

§  Sage 50 Accounts Control Service v25
v24 §  Sage 50 Accounts Service v24

§  Sage 50 Accounts Control Service v24
v23 §  Sage 50 Accounts Service v23

§  Sage 50 Accounts Control Service v23
v22 §  Sage 50 Accounts Service v22

§  Sage 50 Accounts Control Service v22
v21 §  Sage 50 Accounts Service

§  Sage 50 Accounts Control Service

 

Close Task Manager Window.

Stop the backup manager processes

  1. Hold down Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Windows Task Manager then click the Processes
  2. If listed, right-click the following processes and click Stop.
  3. Sage 50 Check Data Standalone App – CheckDataStandaloneApp.exe *32Sage 50 Backup Standalone App – BackupStandaloneApp.exe *32

These services will restart automatically when your next scheduled backup runs.

Summary

  1. Stop the service on the server
  2. Check and stop any of the 3 backup manager process (i.e. checkDataStandaloneApp, BackupStanaloneApp and RestoreDataStandaloneApp)
  3. Restart the service

Uploading data window scrolling in continuous loop with message, “Processing, please wait…”

Written by collins on .

This can happen whether you have Sage Drive set up or not

*Please only follow this step if you’re not using Sage Drive*

You must follow the steps below on the computer where your data is held. If you’re using a networked version of Sage Accounts, all other users must log out of the data.

1>Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard > enter Services.msc > OK. OR through Control panel> Administrative Tools>services

2> Scroll down find and stop the following services: Right-click the required service > Stop.

  • Sage 50 Accounts Control v23
  • Sage 50 Accounts Service v23

3> Press the Windows Key + R > browse to:

  • 32 bit operating system: C:\Program Files\Sage\AccountsServiceV23
  • 64 bit operating system: C:\Program Files (x86)\Sage\AccountsServiceV23

4> for each of the following files, right-click the file > Delete > Yes.

  • sqlite3
  • sqlite3-Shm
  • sqlite3-wal

5> Close the browser window and start the following services:

To start a service press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard > enter Services.msc > OK > right-click the required service > Start.

  • Sage 50 Accounts Control v23
  • Sage 50 Accounts Service v23

Summary

If NOT Using Sage drive

  1. Stop the services on the server
  2. Delete the sqlite3 files
  3. Restart service

Sage Drive Management Centre – Control who can access your company data

Written by collins on .

When you share your Sage 50 Accounts data in Sage Drive, you have complete control over who can access it and how. You can easily add and manage users within the Sage Drive Management Centre. (https://drive.sage.com/mc)

  1. Log in to Sage Accounts using the Manager Logon name, and related password if you’ve set one up.
  2. If the new user doesn’t already have their own Sage Accounts user name, create one now.
  3. On the menu bar, click File then click Manage Sage Drive.
  4. Enter your Sage ID email address and password then click Sign In.
  5. Click Add User  then enter the new user’s name and Sage ID email address.
  6. From the Access level drop-down, choose the access level for the new user:
Owner

 

 

 Gives access to manage users in the Sage Drive Management Centre.

No remote access to your Sage Accounts data.
Owner and User Gives access to manage users in the Sage Drive Management Centre.

Gives remote access to your Sage Accounts data.
User Gives no access to manage users in the Sage Drive Management Centre.

Gives remote access to your Sage Accounts data.
Accountant To allow your accountant to remotely access your data, choose this option.

7.If you selected Owner, proceed to step 8. Otherwise select how the user can connect to your data:

User Allows the user to access the data from an installation of Sage 50 Accounts.
Mobile Sales Allows the user to access the data using the Sage 50 Accounts Mobile Sales app.
Tracker Allows the user to access the data using the Sage 50 Accounts Tracker app.
Accountant Allows your accountant to access the data using the Sage 50 Accounts Client Manager.

 

8. To save the settings, click Save.

9. Advise the new user what the encryption password is for your data. This is the password you used when you originally uploaded the data.

The new user receives an advising them how to connect to your company data. For the new user to connect to your data, they must install the same version of Sage Accounts that you have, or download the relevant business app. For your accountant to connect to your data, their Sage 50 Accounts Client Manager must be the same version as your Sage Accounts

To amend or remove a user’s access to your data, in the Management Centre on the right-hand side click By user, click the user name then click Edit user  or Delete user  as required.

Need more users? Upgrade to Sage 50cloud for 25 connected users or purchase additional users for your existing software

Sage Drive Issue – Waiting to Open Queue.dta

Written by collins on .

When using Sage Drive, when you open the software at either the main site or a secondary site, the following messages may appear:

  • ‘Waiting to open Queue.dta’
  • ‘Queue.dta is in use. Please wait until this file is available’
  • ‘The Sage ID user <<Sage ID email address>> on computer <<computer ID>> is currently processing at <<the main / a remote>> site.

 

To resolve this issue please click the appropriate options below:

Do you use Sage Drive? If Yes

Are all of your computers with a Sage installation running the latest build of your software version

If possible, restart the computer where your data is held.

If this isn’t possible, you must instead reset the Sage services and processes.

Reset the Sage services and processes

You must follow these steps on the computer or server where your Sage Accounts data is held. If using Sage Drive, you should carry these steps out at both the Sage Drive main site and remote site.

If you’re using a networked version of Sage Accounts, all other users must be logged out of the data.

  1. Close Sage Accounts.
  2. Hold down Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Windows Task Manager.
  3. Click the Processes
  4. Right-click the relevant process and click End Process then click End process.
Version Windows 7 and below Windows 8 and above
25 sg50svc_v25.exe *32

sg50CtrlSvc_v25.exe *32

 Sage 50 Accounts Service v25

Sage 50 Accounts Control Service v25
24 sg50svc_v24.exe *32

sg50CtrlSvc_v22.exe *34

 Sage 50 Accounts Service v24

Sage 50 Accounts Control Service v24
23 sg50svc_v23.exe *32

sg50CtrlSvc_v23.exe *32

 Sage 50 Accounts Service v23

Sage 50 Accounts Control Service v23
22 sg50svc_v22.exe *32

sg50CtrlSvc_v22.exe *32

 Sage 50 Accounts Service v22

Sage 50 Accounts Control Service v22
21 sg50svc.exe *32

sg50CtrlSvc.exe *32

 

 Sage 50 Accounts Service

Sage 50 Accounts Control Service

 

5.In Task Manager click the Services

6.Right-click the relevant services and click Start Service.

v25 §  Sage 50 Accounts Service v25

§  Sage 50 Accounts Control Service v25
v24 §  Sage 50 Accounts Service v24

§  Sage 50 Accounts Control Service v24
v23 §  Sage 50 Accounts Service v23

§  Sage 50 Accounts Control Service v23
v22 §  Sage 50 Accounts Service v22

§  Sage 50 Accounts Control Service v22
v21 §  Sage 50 Accounts Service

§  Sage 50 Accounts Control Service

7.Close Task Manager window.

Stop the backup manager processes

  1. Hold down Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Windows Task Manager then click the Processes
  2. If listed, right-click the following processes and click Stop.
    • Sage 50 Check Data Standalone App – CheckDataStandaloneApp.exe *32
    • Sage 50 Backup Standalone App – BackupStandaloneApp.exe *32
    • Sage 50 Restore Standalone App – RestoreStandaloneApp.exe *32

These services will restart automatically when your next scheduled backup runs.

Delete the queue.dta if present in the data path  

Summary

If using Sage Drive, you should carry these steps out at both the Sage Drive main site and remote site.

  1. Stop the sage data service
  2. Check and stop any of the 3 backup manager process (i.e checkDataStandaloneApp, BackupStanaloneApp and RestoreDataStandaloneApp)
  3. Delete the queue.data in the data path on the server/Mainsite
Pimbrook Software
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