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3.66. EstiMate cannot locate its data files error?

I am getting an error message that says ?EstiMate cannot locate its data files you must tell EstiMate where to find them? or 'failed to locate shop configuration data' I try to point EstiMate to the data folder but it just brings me back to the same screen.
What is happening and how do I get EstiMate open again?

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ATTENTION NETWORKED CUSTOMERS:

This error is usually caused by conflicting or
inconsistent paths to the data. In file > network setup all machines running estimate should have a network path in the format of:

\\computername\path-to-data

or if using mapped drives it should be a letter name followed by a colon and a backslash as shown below:

Z:\

None of the machines should have a local path like

C:\Program Files\EstiMate\Data

as this is what is causing conflicts when one machine has this path in the network setup and other machines have the network path there can be a "train wreck" so to speak causing the error message.

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If you do not have your copy(s) of EstiMate networked or you have confirmed all paths * are * consistent, then it is likely that there is a file that is locking the data.
Solution: Delete lock files *.lck and pdoxusrs.net which may be locking the database.
NOTE: Make sure EstiMate and all other programs are shut down before doing the following procedure.

Important: If on a network, make sure EstiMate is closed on ALL machines, and follow these instructions on ALL machines before re-opening it on any of them.

Procedure:
1. Do a find file on your computer and search for the file *.lck Make sure that the 'look in' dropdown is showing the entire C drive and not simply 'Document Folders' or 'My Computer'. If you find any files that end in *.lck highlight them and press the delete key on your computer keyboard to delete them.
2. Repeat step 1, this time look for the file pdoxusrs.net and delete it as well, if found.
3. Restart EstiMate and proceed as normal.

Troubleshooting:

If after doing the above processes and the problem continues, consider the following:

* Permissions. The data folder EstiMate is using needs to have full permissions associated with it, including change, read, write, modify, delete. It will also need to be fully shared. On some Windows XP systems you may need to move a copy of the data folder out of the program files folder and onto the main drive and re-direct EstiMate to point to the new location in order for the client machines to access it.

* Virus Scanning can interfere with EstiMate running properly or opening its data files in a timely manner. This may cause lock files to appear but not be deleted thus locking the system and preventing the program from working. The Norton family of products in particular interfere with EstiMate in this way. In these cases you will need to configure the virus scanning to avoid scanning files that are run or opened locally or across the network. In most versions of Norton you can go under the auto-protect section and disable the "run or opened" option.

Discussion group post:

http://www.estimatesoftware.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000289

Has further info on this topic.

If the error persists after doing the above process contact EstiMate technical support.