In certain situations you may not be able to connect to the company file on the main computer or server. You have the QuickBooks Database Server Manager configured and QB runs in multi-user mode on the main computer or server. Also you have properly shared the shared folder and provided the correct permissions to the folder.

Most likely the correct firewall port is not open on the main computer or server.  Download the Quickbooks Connnection Diagnostic Tool.  The tool will suggest the ports to open in the firewall and allow you to test the connection to the company file.

Review the full article: http://support.quickbooks.intuit.com/support/Articles/SLN41458

Example ports for QB Enterprise Version  11:

Grant the following files access through your firewall on ports 80, 8019, 56721, and 55343 through 55347 for both incoming and outgoing traffic:

• AutoBackupExe.exe located in C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 11.0
• Dbmlsync.exe located in C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 11.0
• DBManagerExe.exe located in C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 11.0
• FileManagement.exe located in C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 11.0
• FileMovementExe.exe located in C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 11.0
• IntuitSyncManager.exe located in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\Sync
• QBCFMonitorService.exe located in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks
• QBDBMgrN.exe located in C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 11.0
• QBGDSPlugin.exe located in C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 11.0
• QBLaunch.exe located in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks
• QBServerUtilityMgr.exe located in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks
• QBW32.exe located in C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 11.0
• QBUpdate.exe located in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks\QBUpdate
• QuickBooksMessaging.exe located in C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 11.0
• OnlineBackup.exe located in C:\Program Files\QuickBooks Online Backup

Here is a list of QB products for supported and non-supported versions.

Products affected by service discontinuation as of May 31, 2011, are listed in the table below. If you don’t make use of live technical support or any of our add-on services, and are happy with your current version of QuickBooks, you can continue to use it.

If you are using a product affected by service discontinuation and want to maintain access to live technical support and add-on services, you’ll need to upgrade to the latest version of QuickBooks as soon as possible.

As services to older versions are scheduled to be discontinued, we notify affected customers in advance by mail or email and through in-product notifications and information on this web site, such as this article. Please keep an eye out for updates on our future plans as they become available.

1) First check your hardware and network requirements against the following list.  For a 32 bit operating it makes sense to go up to 4GB of memory.  If you have a 64 bit operating system it can address more than 4GB or memory.  If you have 2GB of memory or less you should go to a least 4GB of memory.

QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions hardware and operating system requirements (client and server)

• Client:
  • 2.0 GHz processor, 2.4 GHz recommended
  • 1 GB RAM for single user, 2 GB RAM recommended for multiple users
• Server:
  • 2.0 GHz processor (1.2 GHz for Linux), 2.4 GHz recommended (2.0 GHz for Linux)
  • 1 GB RAM, 2 GB RAM recommended – Server
• Disk space (client and server): 2.5 GB of disk space (additional space required for data files)
• 4x CD-ROM drive required for CD installations
• Minimum 1024 x 768 screen resolution or higher; 16-bit color or higher
• Windows:
  • U.S. version of Windows only.
  • Regional Settings are supported when set to English (United States) with keyboard setting to U.S. only
  • Natively installed
• Disk space requirements for additional software: 250 MB for Microsoft .NET 3.5 Runtime, provided on the QuickBooks CD.
• Minimum network requirements:
  • 100 Mbps network card
  • 100 Mbps switch or router
  • 40 Mbps network bandwidth

2) Do a manual backup of the company file.

3) Delete the “company file name”.tlg log file which is located next to the company file.  The tlg log file will rebuild itself.

4) Optional – rebuild the QB data under File – Utilities – Rebuild Data.  The rebuild will prompt you for another backup.

5) Optional – clean up company data (remove transactions) under File – Utilities – Clean up company data.  This may be necessary if you have a huge company file and many years of historical transactions.

6) With QB Enterprise open press the F2 cmd key. Look for the number of DB File Fragments. If DB File Fragments are over 10 create a portable company file under File – Create Copy, rename the company file, then restore the portable company file under File – Open or Restore Company.

7) Evaluate.  If  you notice a performance improvement you probably don’t need to go any farther.  Delete the tlg file on a weekly basis and continue to monitor.

Currently you cannot change the accounts payable check format in QuickBooks.  You can modify the Order, Invoice, Estimate, Statement, Financial Statements, etc.

Intuit does not pre-announce new features.  Will this feature be in the next release?  I think it should be to be consistent with the capability to modify the other forms.

When you enter a bill in QB you have the capability to enter a memo for each distribution line.  It would be good to be able to print the memo and gl account used for each distribution line on the bottom check stub that is typically kept and filed.