Month: December 2013

How to Manually Create the Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 R2 (Express Edition) ACT7 Instance

You have Act! and would like to install on one of the supported Windows® Operating Systems. You would prefer to install the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (Express Edition) instance for Act! manually. 

This document will provide detailed steps on how to create a Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Express instance for Act! and the installation process for Act!:Notes:

  • The following information is provided as a convenience. Swiftpage does not provide support for Microsoft Products. For more information on this topic go to Microsoft.com
  • To avoid additional steps, it is recommended that Act! be uninstalled before creating the ACT7 instance of SQL Server. If you do not wish to uninstall Act!, additional instructions can be found after the section on installing the ACT7 instance.
  • We recommended that any other instances of SQL Server are stopped while manually installing the ACT7 instance. It is also recommended that if using Windows Server 2008 (any edition), that you also disable User Account Control (requires rebooting the server). Instructions to disable UAC are in the following Knowledgebase article:
    How to Change or Disable User Account Control (UAC) in Windows® 7 & Windows Server® 2008
    Answer ID: 25665

Before attempting to install to SQL Server 2008 R2, do the following:

  1. Go to Microsoft.com and review to ensure your system meets the requirements for SQL Server 2008 R2:
    • Installation requirements.
    • System configuration checks.
    • Security considerations.
  2. Apply latest Windows Updates for your installed version of Windows.
  3. You must be logged in as an Administrator for installation.

Creating a Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 instance for Act!:

SQL Server 2008 R2 requires .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 and Windows Installer 4.5.

  1. Insert the Act! installation DVD
    Note: If you do have your Act! installation DVD, you can download the Express package directly from Microsoft HERE and execute the file. Skip to Step 5 (In addition, you may be manually required to install any prerequisites before the install will start).
  1. Use Windows Explorer and browse to the following location: {CD Drive}:DependenciesSQL Express 2008 R2

Update: Sage ACT! 2013 uses the following locations and files:

  • Sage ACT! 2013 Pro:
  • 32 bit: C:ACT_Pro_2013ACTSTDISSetupPrerequisitesSQL2008R2x86SQLEXPR_x86_ENU.exe
  • 64 bit: C:ACT_Pro_2013ACTSTDISSetupPrerequisitesSQL2008R2x64SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe
  • Sage ACT! 2013 Premium:
  • 32 bit: C:ACT_Premium_2013ACTWGISSetupPrerequisitesSQL2008R2x86SQLEXPR_x86_ENU.exe
  • 64 bit: C:ACT_Premium_2013ACTWGISSetupPrerequisitesSQL2008R2x64SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe
  • Sage ACT! 2013 Premium (access via web):
  • 32 bit: C:ACT_Premium_Web_2013ACTForWebISSetupPrerequisitesSQL2008R2x86SQLEXPR_x86_ENU.exe
  • 64 bit: C:ACT_Premium_Web_2013ACTForWebISSetupPrerequisitesSQL2008R2x64SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe
  • In this location are two folders x32 (32-bit computers) and x64 (64-bit computers). Open the correct folder and double-click on setup.exe to launch the SQL Server 2008 R2 installer.
  • If the Microsoft SQL Server Setup dialog box appears, click OK to install the required components.
    1. At the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 dialog box, select to accept the License Agreement. Click Install to start the install of this component.
    2. When the .NET Framework installation is complete, click Finish.
    3. If you do not have Windows Installer 4.5, the setup installs it. If you prompted to restart your computer, do so and invoke the installation process again.
  • After installing prerequisites, the SQL Server Installation Center dialog box appears. Under Installation, click on New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation.
  • After the Setup Support Rules checks for any potential system issues, click OK.
  • When the License Terms dialog box appears, ensure that I accept the license terms is checked and click Next.
  • The Setup Support Files dialog box will continue automatically to the Feature Selection screen, if all requirements are met.
  • Once the Setup Support Rules has finished the system check, click Next to continue.
  • When the Feature Selection dialog box appears, check the Database Engine Services box and click Next.
  • Enable the Named instance option, type ACT7 in the Instance name field, and then click Next.
  • The Disk Space Requirements dialog box appears and will continue automatically if requirements met.
  • From the Server Configuration page, do the following:
    1. On the Service Accounts tab, for Database Engine select NT AuthoritySystem from the Account Name drop-down box. Then ensure the Startup Type is set to Automatic for the Database Engine and SQL Server Browser.
    2. On the Collation tab, select Customize for Database Engine and ensure that ensure the Collation designator and sort order option is enabled andLatin1_General option appears in the field below. Only enable the Accent sensitive option for Sort order and press OK.
    3. After the settings have been made on both tabs, click Next to continue. The Database Engine Configuration dialog box appears.
  • On the Account Provisioning Tab, do the following:
    1. Ensure the Mixed Mode (Windows Authentication and SQL Server Authentication) is enabled.
    2. Type ActbySage1! in the Enter password and the Confirm password fields.
    3. Under Specify SQL Server administrators, click Add Current User to add the current user account to the administrators list (you can also click Add orRemove to select specific user accounts) and then click Next.
  • On the Error Reporting page, you can choose to automatically send error reports to Microsoft or to your corporate error-reporting server. You can also choose to send data about feature usage for SQL Server 2008 to Microsoft. Click Next to continue.
  • Click Install and the Installation Progress will begin.
  • When complete click Next. The Complete dialog box will appear.
  • Click Close to finalize the installation
  • Restart your computer.
  • Ensure that the SQL Server Browser service is running. Use the following steps:
    1. Click the Windows Start button, and then click Run. The Run dialog box appears.
    2. Type services.msc in the Open field, and then click OK. The Services panel launches.
    3. Locate the SQL Server Browser entry from the Name column. If the Status column does not display Started right-click that entry, and then click Start from the shortcut menu, otherwise close the Services panel.
  • Ensure that the Named Pipes and TCP/IP Protocols are enabled. Use the following Steps:
    1. Click the Windows Start button, point to All Programs (or Programs), point to Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2, point to Configuration Tools, and then click theSQL Server Configuration Manager option. The SQL Server Configuration Manager dialog box appears.
    2. Expand the SQL Server Network Configuration entry in the left panel, and then click the Protocols for ACT7.
    3. Locate the Named Pipes entry from the Protocols Name column in the right-pane. If the Status column does not display Enabled, right-click the entry, and then click Enable from the shortcut menu.
    4. Locate the TCP/IP entry from the Protocols Name column in the right-pane. If the Status column does not display Enabled, right-click the entry, and then clickEnable from the shortcut menu, otherwise close the SQL Server Configuration Manager dialog box.


STOP:
If Act! is already installed, please follow the steps below. Otherwise, please proceed to the section labeled Installing Act!.

Run SecurityCmdLnApp.exe with the new “SA” password

  1. Click the Windows Start button and select Run.
  2. The Run dialog box will appear. In the Open field type cmd and click OK. Windows Vista/7/Server 2008 users will type this command in the “Search” box on the Start menu.
  3. The Command Prompt window will appear. Type one of the following commands, depending on your version of Act! and your operating system:If you have a 32-bit Operating System:
    • Act! and Act! Premium: cd c:Program FilesACTACT for Windows
    • Act! Premium (access via web)cd c:Program FilesACTACT for Web

    If you have a 64-bit Operating System:

    • Act! and Act! Premium: cd c:Program Files (x86)ACTACT for Windows
    • Act! Premium (access via web): cd c:Program Files (x86)ACTACT for Web

    …and press Enter.

  4. Type SecurityCmdLnApp.exe “xxxx” (include the quotes), where xxxx is the SA password you used in Step 14 when creating the ACT7 instance of SQL Server. PressEnter.
  5. After a few moments, the Command Prompt will return the C: prompt, indicating you have successfully connected to SQL. Close the Command Prompt.
  6. Ensure that the Named Pipes and TCP/IP Protocols are enabled. Use the following Steps:
    1. Click the Windows Start button, point to All Programs (or Programs), point to Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2, point to Configuration Tools, and then click theSQL Server Configuration Manager option. The SQL Server Configuration Manager dialog box appears.
    2. Expand the SQL Server Network Configuration entry in the left panel, and then click the Protocols for ACT7.
    3. Locate the Named Pipes entry from the Protocols Name column in the right-pane. If the Status column does not display Enabled, right-click the entry, and then click Enable from the shortcut menu.
    4. Locate the TCP/IP entry from the Protocols Name column in the right-pane. If the Status column does not display Enabled, right-click the entry, and then clickEnable from the shortcut menu, otherwise close the SQL Server Configuration Manager dialog box.
  7. Launch Act!


Installing Act!

Note: The following screen shots are from Sage ACT! Premium 2011; your version of Act! (example: Pro or 2012) may differ.

  1. Place the installation disc into your CD-ROM drive. The main installation menu appears.
  2. The InstallShield Wizard appears.
  3. If Internet Explorer® 7 or higher is not detected on the computer, you will be prompted with the following dialog box to install the prerequisite before the Act! installation will continue.
  4. When the InstallShield Wizard is complete, the System Check will process:
  5. Enter the sa password from Step 14 above when prompted with the following dialog box and press OK.
  6. Next, the Regional Version dialog box will appear:
  7. Select the appropriate country, and then click Next. The License Agreement dialog box appears:
  8. Read through the License Agreement. Enable the I accept the terms and conditions as stated above option, and then click Next. The Type of Install dialog box appears:
  9. If you select Typical, Act! will install with the default settings most commonly used and you can skip down to Step 15. If you choose Custom, then proceed to the next step to customize your installation.
  10. Click Next to accept the default directory. You may click the Browse button to install Act! into a different location if desired, however, this is not recommended. The Who Can Use Act! dialog box appears:
  11. Enable the appropriate Specify who can use Act! on the computer option:
    • Anyone who uses this computer – all users that log onto the computer will be able to use Act! (recommended).
    • Only me – only the current user logged into Windows will be able to use Act!. The Select Program Folder dialog box appears.

    Click Next. The Start Menu dialog box appears.

  12. Take note the Program Folder name. Although you can enter a different folder name or choose from a list of Existing Folders, it is recommended that you simply note the default folder and click Next.
  13. The Act! Icons dialog box appears:
  14. Enable the options that are best for you (defaults are recommended) and then click Next.
  15. The following progress indicator will appear and the Act! portion of the installation will proceed:
  16. When the installation is near completion, the following message appears:
  17. When the installation is completed, the Act! Install Complete dialog box appears:
  18. Check the desired options and click Finish to complete the installation process. When the installation menu reappears, you can choose to install other Act! applications or click Exit to close the installation menu.

How to Back Up and Restore Act! Database

It is always good practice to make sure that you have backups of your data.  Quite a few clients have backup programs that run on a weekly or nightly basis but sometimes that just isn’t enough and they like to make manual backups.

In some cases you may find yourself in need of restoring from a backup that you made.

The following instructions are based on the SwiftPage kb article ID 19211.

If you find that you need technical assistance beyond what is included here, please let us know and we would be happy to assist.  We KNOW how important your ACT! data is and are here to help!

The following steps will assist you in creating and then restoring a backup. Please note that Act! has security features which apply to backup and restore functions. Only Administrator and Manager level users have access to the database backup and restore functions. If you are unable to access these functions, please contact your Act! Administrator.

General Guidelines:

  • It is recommended that you send the backup (.ZIP) file directly to your local hard drive.
  • If desired, backing up your Act! database to a network drive requires that your Windows® user profile has adequate permissions to read and write to the network path destination. Please refer to your Windows documentation or Network Administrator for assistance.
  • When saving a backup over a network, a best practice is to use the UNC (Universal Naming Convention) path instead of the mapped drive location. Typically, mapped drives start with a similar formatting as a hard drive such as h:. The UNC formatting is machinenamefoldername. Example: Server1My ACT Databases
  • The Act! backup (.ZIP) file cannot be sent directly to a CD or tape backup system through the Act! backup process. If you need to create your backup on CD or use a tape backup system, refer to the section below for creating a backup to these devices.
  • If you have any difficulty directing the backup (.ZIP) file to a location other than your local hard drive, you can use a Windows file manager utility such as Windows Explorer or My Computer to copy the backup file from your local hard drive, and then paste this file to a network location or removable media.
  • To backup your database automatically at specified intervals, you can use the Act! Scheduler.
  • Note: The Act! Scheduler is only available in the Premium versions of Act! by Sage 2006, Act! by Sage 2007 and Act! by Sage 2008. The Act! Scheduler is available in both the Standard and Premium versions of Act! by Sage 2009 and later.

What files are included in an Act! backup?

  • Database
  • Attached Documents
  • Layouts
  • Document Templates
  • Report Templates
  • Saved Queries

Special Note for Act! by Sage 2009 (11.0) and later users: Act! 2009 and later now has the option to reduce the size of backup files by excluding attachments from Act! database backups, allow backups to complete more quickly, particularly if you have a large number of attached documents. This option can be done by un-checking the Include Attachments box on the Back Up Database dialog box.

Special Note for Sage ACT! 2011: On the Preferences screen a new Admin tab has been added. On this tab are options to enable/disable file and e-mail attachments to the database. If these options are disabled, there will be no attachments to include in the backup. They are Enabled by default and the options are only available to an Administrator of the database.

Personal Files may also be backed up. The ability to back up Personal Files is not limited to only Administrator and Manager level users. StandardRestricted and Browse level users all have access to this function.

Personal Files include:

  • Documents that you have saved
  • Internet links
  • Spell check Dictionaries
  • Menus and Toolbars

Important Note Regarding Remote Databases:
The database backup function is only available to Administrator and Manager level database users. However, with a remote database, a Standard level user can backup their remote if they have Remote Administration as an added permission in their user profile.

Database Backup

Note: If you are creating a backup of a shared database, you no longer need to log out all users while the backup is created.

Follow the steps below to create a backup of your database.

  1. Click the File menu, point to Backup, and then click Database. The Back Up Database dialog box appears:
    BackupDatabase
  2. Verify the location for the backup (.ZIP) file. In most cases, this backup file may go to a removable drive (such as a zip drive), to a network drive or to your local hard drive.
  3. For added security, you may password protect your backup file by enabling the Password protect file option.Note: Once you have set a password for this backup file, the file can not be restored and there will be no way to retrieve the data without the password.
  4. Click OK to start the backup. A Back Up progress indicator appears as the database backup is created:
    Back up Progress
  5. When finished the following Backup messages appears.
    Backup Completed
  6. Click Ok to return to Act!.

Creating a Backup on CD

Note: If you are creating a backup of a shared database, you no longer need to log out all users while the backup is created.

You will not be able to send the Act! backup (.ZIP) file directly to a CD or use an automated backup system to work through the Act! program to back up the Act! database. You will need to create the backup file separately, and then use your CD burning software to store the backup file on the CD or direct your automated backup system to your backup (.ZIP) file.

  1. Click the File menu, point to Backup, and then click Database. The Back Up Database dialog box appears.
  2. Click the Browse button. A Save As dialog appears:
    Save as dialog
  3. Click the Desktop button or change the Save In field to an alternate location on your hard drive for this backup. (the Windows Desktop is suggested), enter a new File name (if desired) and then click Save. The Backup Database dialog box re-appears.Hint: Including the date in the File Name will help organize your backup files and prevent overwriting of your previous backup.
  4. At this point, you have the option to set a password for your backup. A password is not required. A password ensures that only an administrative user of that database who knows the password will be able to restore the backup.Note: Once you have set a password for this backup file, the file can not be restored and there will be no way to retrieve the data without the password.
  5. Click OK to start the backup. A progress indicator appears as your database is backed up.
  6. Use your CD Burning software, provided with your CD Recorder, to safely store the file on CD, or use your automated backup system to back the file up to tape. If you need assistance with these products, please contact the software vendor. Sage does not provide support for these products.

Restoring a Database

It is recommended that you restore the backup (.ZIP) file directly from your local hard drive, a network drive or from a removable drive such as a Zip drive through the Act! restore process. If you have any difficulty restoring the backup (.ZIP) file from a location other than your local hard drive, you can use a Windows File Manager utility such as Windows Explorer or My Computer to copy the backup file from the network or removable medium, and then paste this file onto your local hard drive for restoration.

Use the following steps to restore an Act! database:

  1. Click the File menu, point to Restore, and then click Database. The current database closes as the Restore Database dialog box appears:
    Restore database Options
  2. In the Select type section, enable one of the following options:

Restore:

This option is normally used when you do not need to change the name or location of the database or unpack and restore a remote database,

  1. Enable the Restore option, and then click OK. The following Act! dialog box appears
  2. Click the Browse button. An Open dialog box appears. Browse to (if necessary) and Open the backup (*.zip) file, and then click OK. The following Act! dialog box appears:
  3. Enter your User name and (if necessary) Password, and then click OK. The following Act! warning appears.

    Important Note: Files which were included in the backup and modified later will be overwritten. Click No, restart the process, and enable the Restore As option (described below) if you do not wish to overwrite files.

  4. Click Yes to continue restoring the database. A Restore Database progress indicator appears as the database files are restored
  5. When the Restoration is successful, the following Act! dialog box appears:
  6. Click OK to complete the process.
  7. To open this database, click the File menu, and then click Open Database, or click the Open Databasebutton. An Open dialog box appears.
  8. Navigate to (if necessary) and Open the database (.pad) file.
  9. Restore As:

    1. Enable the Restore As option if you need to change the name or location (to avoid overwriting an existing database with the same name as the backup file) or if you are restoring the backup on a different machine than the one the backup was created on. Click OK. The following Act! dialog box appears
    2. Click the Browse button. An Open dialog box appears. Browse to (if necessary) and then Open the backup (*.zip) file, and then click OK. After selecting thedatabase file to restore, the following Act! dialog box appears:
    3. Type in a unique name for the restored database in the New database name (no spaces or punctuation) field, and then click the Browse button at the To location:field. A Browse for folder dialog box appears
    4. Navigate to (if necessary), click the folder that you would like to restore the database to, (or create a New Folder) and then click OK.
    5. Type in your User name, and (if necessary) Password for this database, enable the Share this database with other users option here (if necessary), and then click OK. The following progress indicator appears as the database is restored:
    6. When the Restoration is successful, the following Act! message appears:
    7. Click OK to complete the process.
    8. To open this database, click the File menu, and then click Open Database, or click the Open Database button. An Open dialog box appears.
    9. Navigate to (if necessary) and Open the database (.pad) file.
    10. Unpack and Restore Remote Database:

      Enable the Unpack and Restore Remote Database option if you would like to unpack and restore a remote database package to a remote user’s computer (for the purpose of synchronization), and then click OK. The Restore an Act! remote Database dialog box appears

      Browse to and open the (.rdb file) remote database in the Select the remote database file to restore field, and then (if necessary) browse to the directory that you wish to restore the database to, for the Database Location field. You may enable the Share this database with other users option here, if necessary.

      Click OK. A Restore Database progress indicator appears as your remote database is restored:

      The following Act! dialog box appears when the restoration has successfully completed:

      Click OK to complete the process.

      To open this database, click the File menu, and then click Open Database, or click the Open Database button. An Open dialog box appears.

      Navigate to (if necessary) and Open the database (.pad) file.