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C
CDU
March 24, 2020
Solved

QuickBooks .ND file FilePath

  • March 24, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 0 views

Should the FilePath value in the .ND file on the server be from the perspective of the server or the workstation?

In other words, which of the following is correct?:

  1. FilePath=D:\QuickBooks\CompanyFile.QBW
  2. FilePath=\\Server\Share\CompanyFile.QBW

I've seen it both ways. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

Best answer by IamjuViel

Hello, @CDU.

 

When using QuickBooks on a multi-user mode, you should only have one computer acting as the server or host. With that, you should only have one .ND file for each QuickBooks Company file that you manage.

 

Here are the possible reasons why your file path was changed:

  • Hosting features were turned on by another computer or device in your network.
  • The .QBW file was moved or saved in a different location.
  • The.ND file is damaged or corrupted.

Let's first create a backup of your company file. Once completed, let's make sure that your QuickBooks software is updated to the latest version.

 

Now, let's view the details of each file path. If you see different ServerIP and server Engine Name, the hosting feature may have been turned on or enabled by another computer or user. Here's how to turn it off:

  1. Go to the Files menu.
  2. Choose Utilities.
  3. Select Turn - off Host Multi-User Access.
  4. Click Yes to confirm.

If there are no other users that can access your company file, you can perform the following:

  1. Suppress your QuickBooks Desktop
  2. Open a sample company file
  3. Run reboot.bat
  4. Troubleshoot the QuickBooks Desktop Application
  5. Create a new Windows Administrator

You can refer to these articles for more detailed instructions:

Just a heads-up, every time you use the Database Server Manager to rescan the folders on your computer, it will create a new company file. It will be created in the same folder.

 

Keep me posted if you have other questions. I'm just a few posts away.

2 replies

Tori B
Tori BQuickBooks Team
QuickBooks Team
March 24, 2020

Hey there, @CDU. 

 

I hope you're having a wonderful day so far. 

 

The .ND file is the network data file that is located where the company file is. Based on the two file paths you have listed above, it appears your .ND file would be located at D:\QuickBooks\CompanyFile.QBW because the D drive is local, whereas the \\server is not. 

 

For more details about the .ND file, check out: .ND files in QuickBooks Desktop.

 

Please let me know if you have further questions or concerns. I'll be here to help guide you every step of the way. You can always reach out to the Community or me anytime you have questions or concerns. Take care and have a great rest or your day! 

C
CDUAuthor
March 24, 2020

Thanks for the reply, but it doesn't really answer my question. You seem to be telling me where the file is located. Obviously, I know that if I opened it (it's on the server, btw). I already read the page you linked to, before I started this thread, and it doesn't answer my question either.

 

My confusion is this...

If ".ND files include the information QuickBooks needs to communicate with the server" as stated in the ".ND files in QuickBooks Desktop" page, and the FilePath value inside that file has the server's C: drive, isn't the workstation going to try to look for the file on its own C: drive? Wouldn't the workstation need to know to look at the server's shared folder, instead?

 

john-pero
john-pero
Level 12
March 24, 2020

When multi-user access is on and you access a company file from a connected workstation you browse for the *QBW file on the server. If the C drive on the server contains the company file then the path to the file from the workstation is through the server and the server C as well as Company Files folder and possibly other parent folders on the server must be set to offer full sharing on the local network.

C
CDUAuthor
March 26, 2020

Still looking for some answers.

 

Yesterday, QuickBooks connectivity was broken again. When I checked the .ND file, it contained the network path like this:

  • FilePath=\\Server\Share\CompanyFile.QBW

I used QuickBooks Database Server Manager to re-scan, and it changed the .ND file back to this, and it now works again:

  • FilePath=D:\QuickBooks\CompanyFile.QBW

I guess that answers the question in my original post on which one is correct. But, why or how did it end up with the first one above, if the second one is the correct one? I didn't change the file, so QuickBooks Database Server Manager must have set it both ways. What would cause it to change it to the wrong value?

IamjuViel
IamjuVielAnswer
Level 8
March 26, 2020

Hello, @CDU.

 

When using QuickBooks on a multi-user mode, you should only have one computer acting as the server or host. With that, you should only have one .ND file for each QuickBooks Company file that you manage.

 

Here are the possible reasons why your file path was changed:

  • Hosting features were turned on by another computer or device in your network.
  • The .QBW file was moved or saved in a different location.
  • The.ND file is damaged or corrupted.

Let's first create a backup of your company file. Once completed, let's make sure that your QuickBooks software is updated to the latest version.

 

Now, let's view the details of each file path. If you see different ServerIP and server Engine Name, the hosting feature may have been turned on or enabled by another computer or user. Here's how to turn it off:

  1. Go to the Files menu.
  2. Choose Utilities.
  3. Select Turn - off Host Multi-User Access.
  4. Click Yes to confirm.

If there are no other users that can access your company file, you can perform the following:

  1. Suppress your QuickBooks Desktop
  2. Open a sample company file
  3. Run reboot.bat
  4. Troubleshoot the QuickBooks Desktop Application
  5. Create a new Windows Administrator

You can refer to these articles for more detailed instructions:

Just a heads-up, every time you use the Database Server Manager to rescan the folders on your computer, it will create a new company file. It will be created in the same folder.

 

Keep me posted if you have other questions. I'm just a few posts away.

    C
    CDUAuthor
    March 26, 2020

    Thank you

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