Home Forums Discussions Problems Codes.mdf is missing, V6.0.10

Hi,
I have seen this a few times, start AC, error message Codes.mdf
is missing. It really is missing. Restore from a backup, seems ok.

Why does this happen, how can I prevent this?

Ron

To see if it is really missing you can go to Program files, amazing charts folder and check if SQL database Codes.mdf is there. If it is there then instead of restoring from backup you can just run amazing utilities and choose restore connections tab.

It really is missing. As I stated, restored the file from a backup.

I am surprised no one else has seen this. I have had the problem on two sites. Both are SBS 2008 64 bit, but I did have the problem once on a SBS 2003 server, 32 bit.

Ron

Don't be surprised. Many have seen this. I have seen it many, many times. Why do you think I couldn't go back to v5.

I believe it is because when you try to do the database tuner or try to restore after going to another version or especially backwards, AC somehow thinks that Codes.mdf or if you fix that one, Meds.mdf is not the right version. So, you are not the only one, and I am sure there is a fix somewhere.

The server has been running 6.0.10 for a couple of weeks.
The problem may be related to adding a profile on a computer for
a new user. AC needs to run what I call the the short setup, where the location of the data is added. The problem was present in 5.0.29 and 5.0.28.

It is a show stopper, the codes.* file is missing. Needs to be restored from a backup.

I don't understand how a new profile or a "short setup" could cause that problem.

You can't have all the databases and have only one not connected. So, running amazing utilities to reconnect to SQL won't work.

I am only guessing as to the problem. But this is a big
problem, when it happens.

You admit that you have seen this happen. Your guess seemed to be more off base then my guess.

I think I can duplicate the problem. Would that help? Would any of the tech guys be willing to work on the issue?

I am willing to try a few things to force the problem, but I do not want to waste our time.

It seems that many issues are just blown off. Like the prescription printing/creating script problem has been blown off. This is not a good way to run a rail road. I am sure you have no knowledge of the presription problem.

Let me know if you want detailed instructions on how to have a codes file disappear.


Ron

Tell me if I am wrong, but you sound a bit defensive. How can a guess be more off base than another guess.

If you duplicate the problem that will help. But, the ONLY time I have seen the problem is when installing. Especially, reverting back to another version. Somehow during the installation process, AC just doesn't recognize Codes or Meds as being up to date.

Are you blaming the users or AD for the prescription writing issue. Many of us have been working on that or contacting AC about it for months. AC has said they are working on it. We shall see.

Would you please tell me where you arrived at that? How would you know if I have any knowledge of the prescription problem or Crystal Reports. Everyone has knowledge the moment they upgrade to version 6. That is an unbelievable and inciting statement.

I would love detailed instructions on how to make anything in AC work better or how to do anything to help my patients. I think I will pass on detailed instructions to have a codes file disappear. My codes file is doing fine right where it is.

Ron, you registered for this board some time ago, but I am not sure that you understand how it functions. No one here works for AC. The only motivation for posting here is to ask your own questions or to help others get answers to theirs. All of us get frustrated with AC at times but none of us is entitled to decide if and when they will address an issue.

If you would like to provide a detailed report on how you encountered your problem, then perhaps someone here would be kind enough to help you resolve it or understand it better.

After reading Jon's post, I realize that Ron's post wasn't truly directed at me. So, take it in the spirit it was intended. I will leave it as food for thought.

Sorry if taken the wrong way.

No the post was not directed at anyone. I thought this was a support forum. I am a software developer, use many support forums. I believe I can force a codes.mdf file to disappear. This would require trial and error on my part. I do not want to waste my time. I develope a set of steps to cause a problem, then what? Who would work on the solution? I have been reading most of the posts for a long time. I do not see many real solutions. Lots of suggestions, the presription script problem is a good example of a problem that still exists but seems to be accepted as a problem we just have to live with. It seems that this forum is more for help with using AC, working around software issues instead of presenting problems that can be solved in the next upgrade.

Is there a real tech support forum? A place where a developer could present a problem to someone that can work on the code? I work with other EMR's, AC is a fine program, one that I recommend and will continue to recommend, warts and all.

Ron

Hi Ron,

Thanks for your post. No, this is a user forum, although there are many IT people, programmers, computer experts, etc. There is no tech forum.

The structure is the company was started by Dr. Jon Bertman who, at the time, was a full time FP doctor who taught himself VB. He built the program from the ground up. There are now two development teams: Practice Management team for billing and scheduling, etc. and the EMR team. And, there is tech support.

The board has always been about helping each other, pointing out bugs, recommending ideas, etc. But, these things are necessarily organized in a way that AC headquarters scoops them up. There are avenues for that on the main window. To be honest, though, AC HQ development doesn't always do the best job at picking up on them.

Some things are looked over, but the prescription writer is not one of them. My guess is it will get fixed eventually.

Jon B. doesn't do a lot of SDKs or work with a lot of outside developers that I am aware of.

Your best bet would be to email him directly using his first name @ the companyname.com

NO I DISAGREE

You need to go to amazingcharts.com/help and ask for immediate help. Another option is to send a critical error bug report.

THIS IS NOT THE PLACE TO SUBMIT BUG REPORTS

We can often help solve many problems, but to get official support you need to follow official channels that are well documented.

Oops, time is off, they generally operate until 7 Eastern, you would need to ping them tomorrow

If you want to let them know the process, I am sure they will be interested. The best route is through the error process, not emailing Jon Bertman, although it will eventually get there by that route as well.

Hi,

Let's end this. The Codes file can be deleted by a user doing something, during setup of their profile. It is a major problme at the time. It seems to happen when a user connects to the server using RDP for the first time. They may select No to the "..this is the main computer.." or maybe Yes. Somehow they
they answer the query in a manner that delete the codes file, gets a codes file is locked or the meds files is involved. I would have to setup a local test bench, would never do this on a customer site. This would take a lot of time, and I am not convinced anyone would react to the problem or work on a solution.

But, you restore the file(s) and move on.

I would be very concerned if my customers reported they could
have a major file deleted by some action, legal or not. But that is just me.

And Jon, you do not need to answer every problem. A data file problem or why prescription scripts cause screen refresh problems are out of your skill set. Let the tech folks step in.
Stick with coding and usage issues.

Maybe we could set up a real Tech forum. I thought the problem forum would be the correct place.

As I said, "Warts and all, I still recommend AC".

Ron

With all due respect, I have set up profiles many times, and I have never lost a code.mdf. I have also never lost a codes file connecting to the server by RDC for the first time. Then again, there is only one first time. But eight of my staff have done that.

I don't understand the No to this is the main computer. Selecting no, will install the codes.mdf file but no SQL Server. I don't understand why you would be installing to a computer which already has a codes file. That would be the main computer.

You continue to say restore. While we do change codes in the codes.mdf file making it a better choice to restore, you can grab the codes file from any computer. During backward installs, I have received the error message that codes and/or meds is out of date but never that it is gone.

I am also confused by your statement about Jon. Are you referring to Jon Bertman? Are you saying he can't fix the prescription or data file problem. "Let the tech folks step in?" Jon built AC from the ground up. He knows every line of code. Sure he has hired developers to help that may be more specialized in SQL, etc. To suggest it is out of his skill set is an insult. And, just using the word "Stick..." is an insult.

We are not going to set up a tech forum. Having the few people on here who are database specialists and programmers are not going to be too helpful unless they are working directly for AC. The prescription writer problem has been around for three months, and I haven't heard of any tech people on here fix it. The prescription writer has worked for at least three versions. Having to work on CCHIT and MU along with PM has made it difficult to focus on completely fixing the problem.

Your posts are the first I have heard of the codes file issue. Personally, I think you owe Jon an apology for your post.

Probably, the best answer would be for your to design and build your own EMR and have your own tech forum.

First of all, 99% of people on this board are not IT guys? Most of us have learned computer skills by the seats of our pants or from other kind and respectful users on this board. We are doctors talking to doctors with an occasional very helpful IT expert to keep us on the right track (some of whom are also doctors!) Jon Bertman is well aware of the issues that affect a goodly number of us and those that need immediate fixes. I KNOW he is working on the prescription writer. I am not familiar with how many other EMRs you may have looked at but many of us using AC now are very well-aware of just how far above the others AC is. Take your complaints/suggestions to the Tech team.

I like the idea of a separate tech forum. Ron, please send us the link when you set it up, and those who choose can come take a look.