Tech Support Team

Albert Lionheart · #1 (**permalink**) **Top** 17th November 2010, 04:16 PM

I have been a user of ACT! since the first version and because users are stitched up with their data format users have to stick with the thing through all the upgrades. Each upgrade just makes it worse and now these are linked up to the latest version of Windows - this means that a copy that worked with Vista will not work with Windows 7 or vice versa.
The software has a number of fundamental flaws; the first and most irritating is that it will not run reliably at a screen resolution greater than 1024 x 768. It also has hysterics if you run more than one monitor. It requests re-registration at irregular intervals which will eventually exceed the number of permitted registrations so users have to plead with them to reset the counter.
I have had so much trouble with this that Sage Support now refuse to answer requests for help.
I am stuck with this because I have data in the program which I cannot get at any other way, and it cannot be exported in any format that another similar product can import and work with.
I have wasted so much money and time on this piece of rubbish I feel I should make sure as many as possible know about it.

Grace.ket · #2 (**permalink**) **Top** 21st December 2010, 09:55 AM

I know you have problems from version to version so using backup software is the best option in my opinion!

Albert Lionheart · #3 (**permalink**) **Top** 31st December 2010, 10:56 AM

Still does not solve the problem of getting the data out of it for use with an alternative!

Albert Lionheart · #4 (**permalink**) **Top** 20th June 2011, 12:32 PM

It has done it again - I tried to change the text and images size from smaller 100% (default) to 125% medium and the result was that the entire notes and history section disappeared completely. This should definitely be on any "software to avoid" list.

Blackmirror · #5 (**permalink**) **Top** 20th June 2011, 03:17 PM

http://www.accountingweb.co.uk/item/131694

Albert Lionheart · #6 (**permalink**) **Top** 20th June 2011, 03:25 PM

Hi Donna
thanks for that - but this software is not accounts related so they won't know what I am on about!
cheers

Blackmirror · #7 (**permalink**) **Top** 20th June 2011, 05:12 PM

Ok was just trying to help

Albert Lionheart · #8 (**permalink**) **Top** 20th June 2011, 07:23 PM

NO worries pet!

wladicus · #9 (**permalink**) **Top** 18th November 2011, 03:08 PM

Greetings Albert!

LOOK AT MY NEXT POST FIRST. It may have the answer you need!

Maybe the info at the following link will be of some help to you.?...
technet.microsoft.com

wladicus · #10 (**permalink**) **Top** 18th November 2011, 03:20 PM

More Albert,
Perhaps the following link has a good solution for you.?...
Apparently these people offer an "add-on" to make your ACT software compatible.
act4advisors.com-re:vista-windows7 compatibility

Albert Lionheart · #11 (**permalink**) **Top** 18th November 2011, 03:58 PM

Thanks Wladicus - good to hear from you again. The problem with this rubbish bit of software is that it does all sorts of wonderful things, provided those things are what you want to do and your complete package is compatible with ACT and not the other way around. Otherwise, I would buy something else!
And their support is worse than useless! I have filled in a couple of surveys recently and on both of them I dared them to respond! Granted I got two calls but both when the office was closed and the message left in each case promised a call back. Guess what - naff all in one case and bugger all in the other. Sort of sets a pattern of not really wanting to admit the product has a fundamental problem with the graphics resolution.

wladicus · #12 (**permalink**) **Top** 18th November 2011, 04:24 PM

Oh my!
Now what will you do?
If I see something that might be useful I will pass it on.
Meanwhile the best to you.
Cheers

Albert Lionheart · #13 (**permalink**) **Top** 19th November 2011, 10:42 AM

I'll just have to live with the thing and all the faults, because the data in it (contact histories and records) cannot ne exported or used in any other software so I am well and truly stitched up. And of course I have to keep upgrading it as the older versions will not work on the current windows o/s or with the latest MS Office.

wladicus · #14 (**permalink**) **Top** 19th November 2011, 03:24 PM

Not being able to export the data certainly is an inconvenience. Any good program permits it, unless the owners want you at their mercy to continue buying their product.
There are, of course, ways to access the data files and manually extract the data or transfer it to other types of databases - but I suppose that you have already tried that. When I was much younger I wrote database programs and did the first mechanized computer systems for our local ethnic credit union, our church, and our community hall (which still runs a renting business for weddings and functions).
Those were the days when the databases were usually built using dBase or Clipper or SQL.
At my work place I designed a database system for our telecommunications engineering department - used mainly by the clerical staff - for tracking equipment inventory, ordering from major telecom manufacturers and producing installation specs. About 10 years later they wanted to change the system (when I was no longer in that department) and they came to me for information on transferring the data to a Microsoft-based database system. I had written extensive specs on how my database system was put together and was able to quickly identify the database files for transfer to the new system. They were 'up and running' on the new system within a week.
I realize that your situation may not be that easily solved, but maybe somewhere on the net there exists a solution or a work-around.
Good Luck!
Cheers

Safiraya · #15 (**permalink**) **Top** 14th December 2011, 04:57 AM

wladicus · #16 (**permalink**) **Top** 14th December 2011, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Safiraya

Hello! So what are you trying to say? You have 3 questions or 1 very big one? - or are you just 'fooling around', in which case I would say that you are in the wrong place for that sort of thing.
Cheers

Albert Lionheart · #17 (**permalink**) **Top** 14th December 2011, 07:01 PM

I am prompted to add to the thread.
I finally managed to get Sage to help sort out some of the mess - I say help because in fact I did most of the work myself.
Sadly though a recent Service Pack has put the whole thing back to where it started so now we start the whole rigmarole all over again. And guess what - the serv ice pack was intended to solve a problem, not create more of them!
Touch it not, yea even with thy buddy's bargepole. For verily I say unto you all, it is a pile of poo.

wladicus · #18 (**permalink**) **Top** 14th December 2011, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albert Lionheart

... For verily I say unto you all, it is a pile of poo.

Truly words of wisdom from a fellow adventurer in software land!
Have a merry one Albert!
Cheers!

Albert Lionheart · #19 (**permalink**) **Top** 15th December 2011, 07:50 AM

Thanks wladicus - if you could look West and shout into the wind "a merry christmas uncle Jim", I'm sure he will hear you and know where it came from!
And the seasons greetings to you and yours too!

Albert Lionheart · #20 (**permalink**) **Top** 16th February 2013, 09:27 AM

This seems to have finally come home to roost for Sage and they are getting rid of it. Sold apparently to SwiftPage - I just hope these poor people know what a hog's breakfast they have bought! What bothers me is that SwiftPage do not apparently have a UK presence so who is going to look after the clientele over here in UKkers?