This error occurs when there is no Clients.DB file in the folder you are trying to link Assistant with. Verify that your data directory is correct. You must have a Clients.DB file in your data directory. If not, you are either pointing to the wrong directory, or you may have a corrupt DB file.

You may need to 'Configure BDE' if your database is on a server or network drive.

1. Open Register Assistant via the Windows Start Menu (run a search for the application)
2. Click on Advanced
3. Ensure the Data directory path is correct
4. Click on Configure BDE
5. Close the form
6. Re-run the update or upgrade.

You will most likely come across this after installing onto a new computer or after an update.

1. Open Register Assistant via the Windows Start Menu (run a search for this application)
2. Ensure the software is showing as registered. Complete the registration process otherwise.

This problem can be caused by the computers on the network having a different database path to one another.

1. Make sure everyone on the network has logged out of Software Assistant.
2. Go to Assistant’s Data folder, usually 'C:\ProgramData\Software Assistant\Assistant\Data', unless your data is on a network drive.
3. Locate the following files 'PDOXUSRS.NET' and 'PROXUSRS.LCK' and delete these files if present.
4. Open Register Assistant via the Windows Start Menu (search for this application)
5. Click on Advanced
6. Check that the data directory is correct in the registration form then click on the 'Configure BDE' button.
7. Repeat the above step on all computers. Make sure all computers have the same data path (the drive letter can be different but the rest of the path to Software Assistant’s data has to be identical on all computers).
8. Open Verify and backup data via the Windows Start Menu (search for this application). 
9. Tick the first three boxes only and click on ‘Proceed.’
10. Attempt to run Software Assistant on all computers.

If you have set the return status to signed and it is still not showing up when you click on the PLS button, then the agent reference number in the Options form does not match the agent number in the tax return, or it is missing. Software Assistant will only include tax returns in the lodgment process if their agent reference number matches the one entered in the User section of Software Assistant’s Options.

1. Open Software Assistant’s Options
2. Click on the User tab
3. Make sure the agent reference number matches the one in the return.

To create entries for a past financial year in the present year, you’ll need to configure that client’s ledger for a previous year.

1. Open the Client Details form.
2. Click on the Ledger tab.
3. In the 'Year ends' field, enter a previous financial year.
4. Click on the Ledger button. A general ledger will be created for the client with the current period being the year you specified.
5. To create transactions for a later year, you have to double click on the 'Close Year' command.

To fully utilise Software Assistant’s restore facility, you should set the backup feature to backup the database every day. This way you will have a wide range of backups to choose from. Assistant backup files are located in the _Backup folder in Assistant’s Data folder.

To restore from a backup:

1. Select 'File > Restore from backup…' to open the Restore data form.
2. The Restore Data form will list all the backup files available to restore from, sorted from earliest to latest. Select the backup file from the list and click Next.
3. The Restore Data form will now show contents of the backup file. From here you can choose to earlier restore all data for a particular client or restore only the selected documents.
4. To restore all data for a client: select the client from the list, mark the 'Restore all client data' option and then click on Restore. Repeat this if you wish to restore data for another client.
5. To restore only the selected document: select the client from the list, then in the Client’s folder window, select the document that you wish to restore, mark the 'Restore selected document' option and then click on Restore. Repeat this if you wish to restore another document.
6. Click on the Close button to exit the Restore Data form.

Please note that the restore function can only restore one client at a time.