Schools Finance
STAR ACCOUNTS – User Guide
Section 19– SQL Users
SQL Server Settings Incorrect Error
The user should then be able to log into Star Accounts.
If the ‘Server Problem’ error message appears again please ensure that:
A) The server is switched on.
B) The user hasFull Read / Writepermissions to all folders within the ‘Star’ folder held on the server.
If the user still cannot log into the system after taking the above steps please contact Accounting Software Support on 01603 222550 for further assistance.
Creating Shortcuts for Additional Users
If you wish to create shortcuts for additional Star Accounts users you mustensure that the additional user has full read/write access to the Star folder located on the server before proceeding.
Open the ‘Star\Backup\’ folder on your server.
Copy the ‘Star Accounts.mdb’ file and paste it onto the desktop of the new users’ computer. Alternatively, copy the ‘Star Accounts.mdb’ file from an existing users’ computer and paste it onto the desktop of the new users’ computer.
Once the file has been copied to the desktop of the new users’ machine, double click the file.
When logging in for the first time after creating the shortcut the following message will appear:
The server name shown should be the correct server for your school. If it is not either select the required server from the drop down list or manually enter the server name, and then click the ‘Exit’ key.
Once the ‘Exit’ key has been clicked Star Accounts will attempt to install the ODBC driver required to access your schools datafiles on the server. This process can only be completed if the current user logged onto the computer has Administrator access rights (i.e. can install programs onto the computer).
If the current user has adequate privileges on the computer the “Server Selection” form will close and the “Select a Datafile” screen will open listing the schools current datafiles.
Double click the required datafile to log-in.
If the current user is unable to install the required ODBC driver the following message will appear:
Click ‘OK’. The folder containing the file to be installed will open on screen and Star Accounts will close. Your ICT technician will then need to log on as the Administrator and run the specified file. Double click the file and click ’Next’ to all prompts until ‘Finish’ appears.
The default options within the installation file do not need to be changed during this process.
The user should then be able to log into Star Accounts. If the user cannot log into the system, contact Accounting Software Support (01603 222550) for further assistance.
Sending Backups to County Hall
The process to send a backup of your datafile to County Hall is completed within the ‘Backup Review’ screen (‘Options’ tab).
Within the list of backups highlight the backup you wish to send and then click ‘Send Backup’.
Click ‘Yes’ to attempt to send the file via Microsoft Outlook, ‘No’ to send the file via AVCO AnyComms or ‘Cancel’ to stop the process.
Via Email: If you clicked ‘Yes’ to the above message the following process will be carried out.
The email functions within Star Accounts have been designed to work with Microsoft Outlook, if this is installed and open on your computer click ‘Yes’ to this message.
An email will then open with the selected backup attached to be sent to .
Add any details as required to the email and click ‘Send’.
If you cannot send automated emails from your computer click ‘No’ to the above message. A copy of the selected backup will then be saved to your Output Path location (usually the AVCO Outbox).
Click ‘OK’. The output path location (where the backup file was saved to) will then open on screen. The backup file should then be manually attached to an email and sent to .
Via AVCO AnyComms: If you clicked ‘No’ to the Send Backup message to send the file via AVCO the following process will be carried out.
AVCO AnyComms will then open and a call should be started to send the file to County Hall, (if AVCO is installed on the computer being used to send the backup).
Restoring from a Backup
If you wish to restore your datafile from a backup due to corruption etc you MUST call Accounting Software Support (01603 222550) before attempting the following procedure.
The procedure is completed via the ‘Select a Datafile’ screen.
A browse file box will then appear. Please browse in the backup file to be restored. This should be held within the‘\Star\Backup\Backups’ folder on the server.
Double click the file to be restored.
Once you have double clicked or opened the backup file to be restored you must rename the ‘Datafile Name to be restored as’ the correct datafile name:
Current Year Datafiles must be restored asMain / Schoolfund / ChildrensCentre etc. Prior Year Datafiles must include the yearcode e.g. Main20XX / Schoolfund20XX.
The default ‘Original File Type’ should match the datafile name entered above. Click ‘OK’ to continue.
The restoration process will take several minutes to complete.
Once the file restore is complete this screen will be able to be closed. If the Exit button is clicked and the form remains open the restoration has not completed.
Log-in to the restored datafile as normal and ensure that the restore has been successful.
Section 19 – SQL Users
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