Network/sync dropouts with ACT! app

blueyedsamurai

New Member
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14
I have a windows 8 machine that no one uses it just gets used as a networked machine that hosts a CRM program called ACT!

ACT is installed on other windows 8 machines and they are having sync issues which happen maybe 8 to 10 times a day, I called act and they are saying its got nothing to do with ACT and its the machine hosting it.

They mentioned it might be the SSD switching off so I changed it so it wont in power options but that did nothing so he says its probably the network but I'm not having any internet drop outs and no other programs are having issues.

The machine hosting the program only has the motherboards network adapter and not a network card so I'm not sure if that would help the problems.

My current network setup is just a standard belkin router that goes into a switch that gives network/internet access to the other PCs.

Is there anyway I can troubleshoot the network for problems?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 8.1 64bit OEM PN WN7-00614
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel S1150 Core i5 4460 3.20Ghz Quad Core CPU
    Motherboard
    ASUS S1150 MicroATX B85M-E Motherboard
    Memory
    2 x DDR3 4GB (1x4G) Crucial 1600MHz RAM Module PN CT51264BA160BJ
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Video Card
    Browser
    IE

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
You really need to touch base with ACT! or inquire at the community at Act! - Home - Act! Community

I guess I could try its just I spoke to the guy who set up my act software and he told me that perticular error has something to do with the computer and not ACT! so thats why I asked here.

I'll ask them and see if they say the same thing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 8.1 64bit OEM PN WN7-00614
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel S1150 Core i5 4460 3.20Ghz Quad Core CPU
    Motherboard
    ASUS S1150 MicroATX B85M-E Motherboard
    Memory
    2 x DDR3 4GB (1x4G) Crucial 1600MHz RAM Module PN CT51264BA160BJ
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Video Card
    Browser
    IE
The drops have been a long term ACT! issue from the beginning. Suggest find a new computer guy. I hated dealing with ACT! with Windows 98. Old software, but with the fact that you are having the network issues, suggest the machine you are using as the Master, may be having a time out issue if it goes into a sleep state.

Is there any way to use a dedicated machine that no one can touch, set for always powered on, but only allow the monitor to go into a sleep state, or even just leave the monitor on.

Also make sure that you do not have the Network adapter set for placing machine into sleep, same with power profile set for no Hibernate, no sleep state.

What is the router that you are using for the network, and how are you communicating between the machines (wifi or Ethernet), and how many machines, tablets, smartphones are you using with the ACT! software?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
No the guy who set up act on all the computers and networked it was an ACT! employee not an IT guy.

I haven't actually looked to see if the network adapter has save power option ticked in power management but I did go into power options and select high performance and made sure it was set to no hibernate or sleep and set the time to 0 which apparently makes it never turn off.

The thing is though it only happens allot with 2 computers and the others dont seem to have the problem as often so you would think if it was going to sleep it would effect them all?

All the computers using act (about 7) are connected by ethernet cable but there are maybe 10 computers connected with wireless. I think maybe 1 or 2 phones connect to the wifi as well but they dont really use it.

I dont have the exact model of the router right now but its a mid range belkin I think and its connected to a switch and the wired computers are connected to the switch with the others connected wireless.

Would getting a network card for the main machine make any difference or would the motherboards lan be enough? Upgrading the router could also be an option as it may not be able to handle that many machines although there are no internet drop outs or any other problems besides with act.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 8.1 64bit OEM PN WN7-00614
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel S1150 Core i5 4460 3.20Ghz Quad Core CPU
    Motherboard
    ASUS S1150 MicroATX B85M-E Motherboard
    Memory
    2 x DDR3 4GB (1x4G) Crucial 1600MHz RAM Module PN CT51264BA160BJ
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Video Card
    Browser
    IE
I left out that in Advanced Power settings, any computer with an SSD, needs to be set that the Hard drive is not put into a sleep or spin down state.

You really need an IT guy, not some consultant that installs ACT!, to go through and make sure things are correct. ACT! when in a network environment, places its databases on the Master machine. It is always suggested to not use this Master for anything, and just use it as a Server.

Now Wireless can cause disconnect issues. But you would have to go through the Act logs to find out which one is falling off.

As for the router, I would personally get a business grade router vs. some router that is used in a home. You can get a TP-Link TL-R600VPN for $60 from Newegg. It is a good decent wired router. For Wifi, you would need a separate Access Point like the Engenius ECB350, which I use on my home network.

I did upgrade to the Cisco RV-320 from the TP-Link. Because the TP-Link could not handle the Static IP's for my camera's.

The Cisco & Engenius A/P do allow for VLAN's. The Cisco also allows for a USB 3G Cellular Data back-up.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
See the following. ACT! versions that work on Windows 8 - CompanionLink Blog Now this is interesting. "[h=3]Act! v16 will be the only version to officially work with Microsoft Office 2013.[/h]Office 2013 and Act! seem to work somewhat haphazardly and random. We have used them alongside without error, and have also seen complete failures to get them to integrate at all. This is the case for all versions except for the new Act! v16 (Release 9/10/2013) which is the first to officially mention Office 2013.
Act! v16 also fully supports Windows 8, with numerous bug fixes over previous versions."
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
I used this guide to stop hibernation Disable Hibernate On Your SSD For Warranty PurposesI've also gone in and stopped it from sleeping.

The main machine doesn't get used by anyone its just sitting there as a server with ACT

The network was setup by an IT guy its just the act system was set up by an ACT guy. Everything worked fine prior to act! getting installed and everything still does its just act that is having problems.

The machines have outlook 2010 installed the act guy did mention that act had problems with 2013.

The machines using act aren't wireless they are all wired. Upgrading the modem and having a separate router for the wireless machines could fix the issues as well so I'll have a look at that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 8.1 64bit OEM PN WN7-00614
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel S1150 Core i5 4460 3.20Ghz Quad Core CPU
    Motherboard
    ASUS S1150 MicroATX B85M-E Motherboard
    Memory
    2 x DDR3 4GB (1x4G) Crucial 1600MHz RAM Module PN CT51264BA160BJ
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Video Card
    Browser
    IE
It is possible if you are using an ISP gateway if you have Cable Internet.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
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