Cary,
There is no private messages folder. When you get a private message, a little white envelope will flash on the top of your screen on the toolbar. I don't know how you would have missed it. Maybe it goes away after awhile. But, you also have your profile set up to notify you by email. You will get the same notification as you do when someone makes a post in a thread that you have selected to be notified about.
Now, after the fact, you can go to the top where it says, "My Stuff" and click on the down arrow. The first choice is Messages. This will take you to your messages page where messages you receive and those you send will appear in regular Windows folders.
First, I can't emphasize this enough. Never use your server as a workstation. Besides the fact that it takes precious resources, the chances of having to reboot it, registry clutter and errors and especially viruses are a problem. The server should just be the server, and you can purchase another computer for that user. I have to differ with you on the RAM. A program that is taking up almost a half GB of RAM is something you should avoid. I would also run every free antivirus and spyware program out there that is compatible with it including the ones which run from the web. Seriously, run five or six different scanners. You can get AVG for servers for a full trial if you need to.
I would venture to say that your issue is either SQL or your network. It is most likely not AC and if you were a small practice with disconnects, I would say not SQL Express. But, you have from what I recall, a large network comparatively with a different SQL version than anyone else. I would say, using the famous medical jargon, your top three issues are your network, your network, and, then your network. There are so many things that can affect it, and one thing can affect another.
The first thing I would do is open Amazing Utilities, go to the Advanced button at the top left, and check the speed from all of your clients' AC. This may narrow some tings down. Just for perspective, mine generally run around 0.7 seconds for a round trip ride.
Then I would go to every computer, go to properties in your NIC cards from device manager and make sure that all of your link speeds are set to either 1,000 or, even better, auto-negotiate. The fact that your server's NIC is a Gb (and check to see if it is set to 1,000 or auto-negotiate, doesn't mean the rest of your network is set up that way. Is your switch 1) managed or unmanaged -- if managed, you can check your speeds from one web browser and 2) is it Gb?
I will send you another PM with a quote from a user about my SQL guru. This entire thing could be SQL and to let it slow you down IF it is a simple fix is just not a good idea. I can give you his email address or vice versa. He is very good. I can't tell you how much I recommend your letting him remote in and take a look.
Finally, after Raja looks at your SQL Server, hire a Windows SMB Certified tech to come to your office. Figure on just over $100 an hour and set aside two or three hours. My friend that I use via email, etc. has some fluke meters and other meters (I forget the names). He uses one that costs $1800. He has told me that many networks are running at 20% of capacity. So, if a tech support person came to your office and tested everything, and it was 100%, then you will know that.
I don't see why AC can't accommodate a lot of users. When it used Access for its database, that was different. Access just can't handled that many users and it has a 2GB limit, so with 14 users or so, you may fill up pretty fast. Plus, even at 1.4 to 1.6GBs, you may lose some functionality.
So, I will send you that quote. Hopefully, you will be notified twice.
The first PM asked if you needed the info that you got a week later from AC.
