Topic: Corrupted DAT file

[geoff]

We are using SME7.4 as our FileServer and running Handisoft Accounting software. We frequently experience "Corrupted file:/Data/Options.dat" errors while in Practice Manager, we click on OK and carry on with seemingly no ongoing issues.

Has anyone else experienced this?

[cactus]

Moving to SME 7.x Contribs where it is more appopriate.

[janet]

geoff

Last time I spoke to them, Handisoft did not support their applications running on Linux servers.
There were many indexing errors, causing data file corruption.
They suggested using only Windows servers, or for small offices a Windows workstation as server.

[geoff]

Thank you, Mary, however Handisoft has run successfully for years on SME, with only two instances of this occurring AFAIK. One a couple of years ago and this recent one resulting from a software upgrade a couple of months ago. Something that has changed in their software since the upgrade has triggered this again.

It seems that although there is a 'Corrupt' warning there seems to be no ongoing damage - only the warning. Perhaps we'll have to go to a Microsoft Server .... 

I am not sure why this was shifted to the Contribs Forum as Handisoft is not a Contrib, just an application.

Thanks again for your help.

[geoff]

OK. I have found a modification made to SME some years ago to resolve a similar issue in Manusoft (Sydney based manufacturing software) which is:

config setprop smb OpLocks disabled
expand-template /etc/samba/smb.conf
/etc/rc7.d/S91smb restart

or

/sbin/e-smith/db configuration setprop smb OpLocks disable
/sbin/e-smith/signal-event ibay-modify

Is any knowledgable person able to help with this, please?

[janet]

geoff

I believe the issue was related to "race" conditions in a multi user environment.
Google for that.
Do you have multi user Handisoft programs, how many users ?

Have you talked directly to Handisoft, what is their current advice & support policy for Linux servers ?

[mdo]

Geoff

I recommend to talk to suppliers with that policy (attitude?) of 'our software is only supported on Windows' and make them aware of the growing Linux server market and the benefits for them if they can state that their product is running in these environments.

We have done that with several suppliers (for accounting, payroll and other software) over the years and proved with test installations that it worked - and we have convinced some customers just to do it (on Linux) against all the supplier ignorance.

In some cases where we had a chance to talk further with the technical team we actually found that they were well aware of the fact that their software worked on a Linux server but the official word still was NO (e.g. 'because we cannot support so many different platforms' or whatever other ignorant answer you might get).

Keep pushing and challenging them.

Michael

[geoff]

Do you have multi user Handisoft programs, how many users ?

Have you talked directly to Handisoft, what is their current advice & support policy for Linux servers ?

Yes, it is a multi-user environment with up to 8 simultaneous users, and the error happens in Practice Manager.

The following reply was received from Handisoft:

"At this stage we would suggest that you check the security and user permissions of your Windows system. As you have indicated in one of your emails, the system almost immediately creates the error when a second user logs in. On a Windows system this would indicate that the files are being locked by a user and they are not allowing full access to all users. It could have also indicated that some Windows users have exclusive access, which creates a locking situation and may be the cause of the “corrupted file” message. This is something you will need to check with your I.T person."

Which is why I came up with the 'Oplocks' suggestion which I am loathe to implement because:

1.  It is a "live" system.
2.  I am unsure as to how to reverse it if it does not work.

Thanks again for your help.

Geoff

[janet]

geoff

To check current setting do
config show smb

To reset to default do
config delprop smb OpLocks
then do
expand-template /etc/samba/smb.conf
/etc/rc7.d/S91smb restart
OR
signal-event ibay-modify

[geoff]

Thank you, Mary, you are a gem.

I will have an opportunity to apply this later this week and will report the outcome.

Thanks again for your help.

Geoff

[janet]

geoff

You should really take the time to learn how to use the db command and it's variants, it is straightforward. To see the syntx at the command prompt type

db

Note the the paths shown are strictly necessary, but the system has a shortcut built in that automatically adds the
/sbin/e-smith/
part, so on a correctly functioning system you do not need to enter the path.

Note also that the syntax advises for example:
db databasename xxxx yyyy
There is another shortcut ONLY applicable to the configuration database ie
normally
db configuration xxxx yyyy
OR (in this case only)
config xxxx yyyy

All the databases are located in
/home/e-smith/db/.....

There are particular commands that will apply to "make effective" a database change. The generic commands consist of
expand-template /conffilelocation
follwed by a service restart command, or an applicable signal event command that does both. Have a read of the FAQ and Howto sections on db commmands for more specific information.
Note if unsure you can always use the master template expansion and reconfiguration commands eg
db database name xxxx yyyy zzzz
signal-event post-upgrade
signal-event reboot

One other thing, you cannot fabricate db coomands, the code must already have been written to support specific commands. Refer to the Howto and FAQ's etc, or look at the specific code in the
/etc/e-smith/templates/.....
tree, that is applicable to each conf file. Many conf files are located in /etc/.... and there will be a corresponding tree in /etc/e-smith/templates/....
There is also a ..../templates-custom/... tree which is used for non standard customisations.

[janet]

geoff

I had a chance to check the Handisoft website, see
http://www.sagehandisoft.com.au/Default.aspx?MenuID=40
where it says

"Linux
HandiSoft Software is not supported in a Linux environment."

and

"Multiple PC System Server
Dedicated network server, with sufficient RAM and a CPU processor to cater for the users and applications you intend to run.
Server Operating System: Windows 2003 Server (SP2 {or R2})"

[janet]

geoff

I will have an opportunity to apply this later this week and will report the outcome.

What was the outcome.

I did follow up with Handisoft myself and here is there reply.

"At this point in time there is no intention to develop a version compatible
with Linux. Every different operating system that you develop a version for,
needs additional resources such as staff for testing, development, support
etc and based on the number of queries, it would be hard to be produce it
without an increase in costs. We currently run products for the Microsoft
environment as well as a SQL product, and do not envisage any further
expansion at this point in time."

A further query resulted in the following.

"The same applies to whether it is a server or a workstation.
At this point in time we do not have any plans to look past the Microsoft
platforms."


I would suggest looking at installing VMWare on the sme box and run a Windows 2K/XP/Vista workstation OS, acting as as Windows server, and create a share on that for the Handisoft programs.

Alternatively as suggested/advised in this post,
http://forums.contribs.org/index.php/topic,19183.msg75900.html#msg75900

"...as the data was corrupting weekly, (we) were advised by handysoft to NOT use linux and instead use Win2k Server."

[cactus]

I am not sure why this was shifted to the Contribs Forum as Handisoft is not a Contrib, just an application.

Just read the forums main page and you will know why... as this forum is the best fit, since it is 7.x and not stock SME Server related.