Home Accountz Online Backup

MaryTay

Hi

I've been using Home Accountz since 2008 and, although the software company has now closed, I intend to keep using it. 

However, I have a problem with the online backup. Everything was working ok until they deleted the data held in the cloud (around 18th July), as the software is still trying to access this data and I keep getting messages saying I'm not connected to the internet. I am happy to use the local backups and I also back up to a memory stick once a week. 

On the last software update they changed the 'File' dropdown menu and have deleted the 'Online backup settings', so I can't get the software to stop looking for the online backup. Luckily it does use the local data, but I keep getting these windows popping up asking me to login to the online service - which doesn't exist now.

I hope there's someone out there that can help me (and probably others)?

Thanks in advance.

Kind regards,

Mary

Trace-T

Sorry can't help, but I'm experiencing the same.
When I open the software it tries to connect online then says my login details are incorrect. I just dismiss the window and can use it as normal. I also make my own backups.

The message is annoying yes, but doubt there's anything we can do, due to support ending. 

greendude

I too am a long-time user of accountz, and the popups re trying to contact the former online backup are more than annoying. There must ne a way to alter the search so that it goes straight to the PC backup - but I've yet to find it!

wmb194

Is this controlled by a setting in Windows' registry? I have never used this software so I cannot look myself but it is sometimes a way to fix these sorts of problems.

MaryTay

Hi Trace-T and greendude.
It is annoying, but more than that, sometimes the software freezes and I have to close it and re-open it. I can't remember what I did to make that happen, but I'll note it down next time.
What I can't understand is why the people at Accountz:
1. Didn't know this would happen (I certainly didn't, otherwise I would have asked before they cut the ties) and
2. Took away the method of resolving it (i.e. the online backup settings) with the last software update???

Hello wmb194 - I have the software on a Mac, don't think it has a windows registry. Anyway, I'm not that savvy and think the original software suppliers should have sorted this before they disappeared....

Let's hope someone will read this thread and be able to help.

Take care.

Mary

stephen2927

I am going to try reinstalling a clean copy of the program from the installers they provided, with the hope that the online backup settings are NOT stored in the recent backup. I will let you know how I get on

MaryTay

Thanks Stephen2927. We'll all be waiting for your post!  

stephen2927

I tried a clean install on a spare laptop and it has the potential to solve the problem - it certainly disables the online access and I can load the original data. However, the instructions that come with the installer are not quite right - it installs the JAVA application OK but doesn't leave you with a clean way of starting your account without going through the installer each time. I will keep on trying - at least I haven't broken my original copy on the other machine!

stephen2927

I can confirm that this all works as intended, though its a bit scary because I don't think there is an easy way back to the previous version!

Make a note of where your Accountz data file (.haz) is stored, and the latest backup file, and preferably take an offline backup copy of the data folder just in case.

For Windows, you don't need to uninstall the old version immediately - you can do this later to tidy up.

The installation zip file is a bit different to the previous installers - it just contains the JAVA archive for Accountz, which requires you to manually install the Oracle Java 8 runtime environment in order to run it:

A. Go to accountz.com and follow the link to the installers page and select the "Manual software installer" for your version (not the updates)

B. Follow the link to install the Oracle Java 8 runtime environment

C. Download the Accountz program zip file (e.g. home_install_210719.zip)

D. For Windows they suggest dragging the 'home' folder from the zip file to the desktop, but it can also go in your documents folder if you prefer an uncluttered desktop. You can rename the 'home' folder to 'Home Accountz' for clarity.

E. Open that folder, then the 'bin' subfolder, and double-clip the command file for your operating system (e.g. runWin.bat)

F. The first time you run this it should open a clean copy of Accountz and allow you the option to open your existing data file, or restore from your latest backup (both options seem to work).

G. When you have this looking the way you want (e.g. select the "Transactions" tab down the right-hand side), close the program.

H. Now to run the program each time, you repeat step E. The old Windows launcher doesn't work with this version, so can be uninstalled. This looks strange, but instead you can create a shortcut to the command file on the desktop (e.g. shortcut to runWin.bat). Then in the properties of the shortcut, set it to run 'minimized' so you don't see the script run each time.

You can even set the icon of the shortcut to use the icon from the old Windows launcher.

MaryTay

Thanks for the info stephen2927, but that was too technical for me. Also, I've got a Mac ,so probably not relevant to my set-up. 

My main problem is that if I keep the software open and the window pops up (to which I click cancel) whilst I'm away from my computer, when I try to go back into Accountz, the software is frozen and I have to close it and re-open. So now I can't leave the software open as I won't be able to use it when I come back to it. I have to close it once I've used it. A bit like it used to be when we could only work on one open window at a time (years and years ago, when Windows first came in!!) - if you remember? I'll just have to close the software every time - I think.

stephen2927

The fix will work on MAC, so it would be worthwhile getting some help to follow the instructions on accountz.com - it will get rid of the pop up.
You don't need my extra instructions, which relate to Windows, just follow the instructions on accountz.com "Installers page", using the link "Manual software installers" (not the updates) > Home Accountz on Mac