This error is displayed if a workstation is not able to connect and communicate with the server that is hosting the database.



To resolve this issue, please see below and try the following solutions:


SOLUTION 1


Occasionally, the Microsoft SQL Server service could be stopped on the server computer to protect the database. To check and see if this is the case, first, try and restart the server computer. Left-click on the start icon at the bottom left on the taskbar, click on the power button and then click restart. Once the server is online again, please open the application on the workstation to see if it opens now. If you are still greeted with the same error, proceed to solution 2.


SOLUTION 2


1. On the SERVER computer, press the Windows key + R on your keyboard.


2. Type "services.msc" and click "OK".



3. In the right-hand panel, scroll down and look for "SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER)" and note whether the status reads Running, Stopped, or if it's Blank.


4. If it is blank or stopped, right-click on the service and click start.



5. Proceed to go back to the workstation, and try opening the program again. If it is still not working, proceed to the next solution.


SOLUTION 3


1. On the workstation computer, press the Windows key + R on your keyboard.


2. Type "Regedit" and click "OK".


3. Once the Registry Editor has been opened, proceed to the following directory: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Spiralsoft\Advantage\2004\General


NOTE: Making changes to the registry should be done with caution, as changing the wrong values could lead to the system becoming unstable and no longer functioning correctly. Please proceed with caution.


4. In the right-hand pane, double-click on "DataSource". Ensure that the name here is the same as the name of the server PC. Replace this name under "Value data" with either the name of the server or the server's IP address. Consequentially, ensure that the workstation and server are on the same network.



5. Next, in the right-hand pane again, double-click on the "InitialCatalog" segment. Ensure that the name under "Value Data" is the same as the name of the database. To know what the name of the database is, go to a different workstation or server computer, open Advantage and make note of the database name like below:



6. Once you have corrected and made sure that the DataSource (server's name) and InitialCatalog (database name) is correct, try opening the application again.


SOLUTION 4


The connectivity to the server might be due to your antivirus on the workstation or on the server blocking the Advantage application's communication attempts. Temporarily turn off the antivirus on your workstation and see if the issue is resolved. If not, try turning it off on the server as well. If the antivirus is turned off on both the server and the workstation and the application opens, then you will need to configure the antivirus application to add Advantage as an exception. Please refer to your Antivirus' provider's website on how to add exceptions to the program. In the case of the server's antivirus configuration, ports that will need to be opened to allow connectivity are 1433 (TCP) and 1434 (UDP).