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Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting and known issues with ApexSQL Tools


I'm unable to run an ApexSQL product after an auto-update

Summary

This article describes how to solve any issues after auto-updating ApexSQL products.

Symptoms

Customers occasionally report problems with ApexSQL products after they have used the automatic updater. After the automatic update is finished, the product won’t start, crashes without any errors, or the application freezes.

Cause

This issue may occur if you’ve moved the application from the default installation folder, you didn’t specify the correct path to the application installation folder when updating, or you moved your application to a different folder.

The system informed you that there were updates that needed to be installed and you downloaded them, following the installation instructions. Now the application will not run and you get the crash.txt file.

Resolution

In most cases, uninstalling and re-installing the products using individual installers resolves the problem.

Last updated

August 21, 2012

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What do I do when an ApexSQL product fails on startup silently?

Summary
This article describes what to do when an ApexSQL product fails at startup silently


Symptoms
When attempting to start an ApexSQL product, it fails silently

Resolution

  • If your application was activated previously please perform the following steps:

1) Start the Windows Registry editor: Start | Run | regedit
2) Locate a key that corresponds to your application under HKEY_CURRENT_USER | Software| ApexSQL
3) Delete the entire key
4) Start the application and reactivate it

  • If you installed your program over an older version, at startup, the new version tries to load the old profiles and, depending on the product and version, it may cause this type of behavior. To work around this problem, please uninstall the application. Delete the installation folder to clean out of all profiles and *.xml files then re-install.

About ApexSQL
ApexSQL is a leading provider of SQL Server tools for database recovery, database auditing, database comparison, documentation as well as SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio add-ins for SQL code refactoring, code completion and database source control. We strive to ensure that every one of our tools is standard-defining product in its class, from feature set, to performance, interface and quality.

Last updated
July 29, 2012

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What do I do when ApexSQL installer fails at start up?

Summary
This article describes what to do when ApexSQL Installer fails at start up with message "The setup file is corrupted" or "The setup files are corrupted" and .NET is installed

Symptoms
While attempting to open ApexSQL Installer the next message appears:



Cause
The most common reason for this is that the downloadable installation file wasn't completely downloaded

Resolution
To solve this issue please try re-downloading the installer. If the problem persists please contact support@apexsql.com for a workaround

About ApexSQL
ApexSQL is a leading provider of SQL Server tools for database recovery, database auditing, database comparison, documentation as well as SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio add-ins for SQL code refactoring, code completion and database source control. We strive to ensure that every one of our tools is standard-defining product in its class, from feature set, to performance, interface and quality.

Last updated
July 29, 2012

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An ApexSQL product starts with .NET exception while .NET is installed

Summary
This article describes what to do when encountering a .NET exception on product startup despite .NET being installed

Symptoms
Product starts with .NET exception:




Cause
This message appears when .NET framework 1.1 is installed, but a newer version is required to run the product

Resolution
To solve this issue please check the system requirements for your product and install a newer version of .NET framework (do not uninstall .NET framework 1.1)

About ApexSQL
ApexSQL is a leading provider of SQL Server tools for database recovery, database auditing, database comparison, documentation as well as SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio add-ins for SQL code refactoring, code completion and database source control. We strive to ensure that every one of our tools is standard-defining product in its class, from feature set, to performance, interface and quality.

Last update
July 29, 2012

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An ApexSQL product starts with general Windows GPF exception

Summary
This article describes what to do when encountering general Windows GPF exception on product startup


Symptoms
Product starts with Windows GPF exception:



Cause
The message shows up when there is no .NET run-time library installed


Resolution
Please check the system requirements for your application here

About ApexSQL
ApexSQL is a leading provider of SQL Server tools for database recovery, database auditing, database comparison, documentation as well as SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio add-ins for SQL code refactoring, code completion and database source control. We strive to ensure that every one of our tools is standard-defining product in its class, from feature set, to performance, interface and quality.

Last update
July 29, 2012

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An ApexSQL product starts with a Visual Studio JIT debugger exception

Summary
This article describes what to do when encountering Visual Studio JIT debugger exception on product startup


Symptoms
Product starts with Visual Studio JIT debugger exception:




Cause
This exception occurs when the product's application files are damaged or the installation process has failed


Resolution
Uninstall the product, delete the installation folder and its contents, then re-install the product

About ApexSQL
ApexSQL is a leading provider of SQL Server tools for database recovery, database auditing, database comparison, documentation as well as SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio add-ins for SQL code refactoring, code completion and database source control. We strive to ensure that every one of our tools is standard-defining product in its class, from feature set, to performance, interface and quality.

Last update
July 29, 2012

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Connection to SQL server fails

Applies to
All ApexSQL products

Summary
This article explains what should be done when the application fails to log in showing the "SQL Server does not exists" message

Resolution

The possible workarounds for this case are as follows:

1) For SQL Developer and SQL Enteprise servers named as MACHINE_NAME\MSSQLSERVER
  • Remove the "\MSSQLSERVER" suffix from the instance name
  • If the previously mentioned method isn't possible: Create aliases for the desired servers and content through them  

2) For SQL Express servers please put "\SQLEXPRESS" at the end of server name

About ApexSQL
ApexSQL is a leading provider of SQL Server tools for database recovery, database auditing, database comparison, documentation as well as SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio add-ins for SQL code refactoring, code completion and database source control. We strive to ensure that every one of our tools is standard-defining product in its class, from feature set, to performance, interface and quality.

Last updated
July 29, 2012  

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What happens if the account used to start or install a product doesn't have enough privileges?

Applies to
All ApexSQL products; Windows 7 x32/x64 and prior; Windows Server 2008 R2 x32/x64 and prior

Summary

This article shows what happens if the account used to start an ApexSQL product installation doesn't have the minimum permissions required to successfully install and use ApexSQL products

Symptoms

Installing
In order to install ApexSQL products, the account used to start the installation has to have administrative privileges
If User Account Control (UAC) doesn’t exist or is disabled, and the installation is started from a non-administrative account the following error is shown:



On the other hand, if UAC is enabled and the installation is started from a non-administrative account you are prompted to enter credentials for an administrative account, as shown:



NOTE: You have to start the installation from an administrative account, or supply administrative credentials. The installation will fail, even if started from a power user account, or if power user credentials are supplied. There is an exception to this behavior, when Group Policy is used to deploy the application to target computers in an Active Directory domain; however that scenario is beyond the scope of this article

Usage
Most of the ApexSQL installation files are copied to the location specified during the installation process. By default, that location is
%ProgramFiles%\ApexSQL\ on 32-bit, or %ProgramFiles(x86)%\ApexSQL\ on 64-bit systems.
From this point forward, we will use ApexSQL Edit as a sample product; however the article applies to all ApexSQL products

ApexSQL products store application specific settings in the installation folder.

Let us consider the following scenarios:
• ApexSQL Edit is installed in %ProgramFiles%\ApexSQL\ or %ProgramFiles(x86)%\ApexSQL\
and UAC is nonexistent or disabled. The minimum required permissions are:



• ApexSQL Edit is installed in %ProgramFiles%\ApexSQL\ApexSQL2008 or %ProgramFiles(x86)%\ApexSQL\ApexSQLEdit2008 and UAC is enabled. In this case the output is automatically redirected to the VirtualStore\Program Files\ApexSQL folder, located in %AppDataLocal%. The minimum required permissions are:



• ApexSQL Edit is installed in a custom location. The minimum required permissions are:



If the user account doesn’t have the Write permission for that folder, the following error is displayed



and the application will fail to start

Besides the folder the ApexSQL product is installed in, additional files and folders are necessary for the product to run properly. %AppDataLocal%\ApexSQL\Common stores information on the used SQL servers (DisplayedServers.xml and LocatedServers.xml) and information relevant to the updating process. Product specific settings are stored in the %AppDataLocal%\ApexSQL\%ProductName% folders. ApexSQL Log and ApexSQL Recover store their logs in %AppDataLocal%\ApexSQL\%ProductName%\Logs. Therefore, the minimum permissions required over the %AppDataLocal%\ApexSQL folder are:



In case the user account has less permissions than shown, or can’t access the files in %AppDataLocal%\ApexSQL for any other reason, some of the ApexSQL products won’t work under that account and will throw the appropriate exception. Normally, the user has Full Control on his %AppData% folder, however, in scenarios when the company policy is to redirect the %AppData% folder to a server, instead of keeping it on the local machine, and when the network server or the domain controller is unavailable or when certain restrictive Group or Security Policies are applied, knowing the permissions sets listed above can be beneficial

About ApexSQL
ApexSQL is a leading provider of SQL Server tools for database recovery, database auditing, database comparison, documentation as well as SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio add-ins for SQL code refactoring, code completion and database source control. We strive to ensure that every one of our tools is standard-defining product in its class, from feature set, to performance, interface and quality.

Last updated
July 29, 2012

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I get the message "The specified path is too long" when attempting to update the product

Applies to
All ApexSQL products

Summary

This article shows how to solve the issue of "The specified path is too long" error being encountered during the product update

Description
In case the ApexSQL product used is not of the latest version, the Automatically check for updates on Application Start-up option is checked and all the files necessary for upgrade are downloaded, upon starting product update the following error message occurs:

The fully qualified file name must be shorter than 260 characters and the path name shorter than 248 characters.

Cause
This is a known Windows limitation.
The installation folder path length and the length of the file name should not exceed the given number of characters.

Resolution
During the product installation, the installation folder must be chosen. If a folder with a short path is chosen, this error won't appear. It is not possible to change the installation folder during the automatic update.

To work around this problem, please download ApexSQL Installer
Just install the ApexSQL product into a new folder.

In Vista and Windows 7, this can be worked around by using mklink.exe for directory junctions and symbolic links.

About ApexSQL
ApexSQL is a leading provider of SQL Server tools for database recovery, database auditing, database comparison, documentation as well as SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio add-ins for SQL code refactoring, code completion and database source control. We strive to ensure that every one of our tools is standard-defining product in its class, from feature set, to performance, interface and quality.

Last updated
July 18, 2012

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A scheduled batch file is not executed

Applies to
ApexSQL Diff, ApexSQL Log

Summary

A batch file for executing ApexSQL application tasks works when run manually, but when scheduled using Windows Scheduler, nothing happens and no warning messages are shown

Symptoms
A batch file for executing an ApexSQL application task that creates an output file is created. For example:

SET OutputHTML=Differences.html

"C:\Program Files\ApexSQL\ApexSQLDiff2010\ApexSQLDiff.com" /pf:D:\ApexSQL\forum\customers\1634\DevToQA.axds /ot:Html /of:%OutputHTML% /f

When run manually from Windows Explorer, logged as a member of the Windows administrators group, the Differences.html file is created
But, when a Windows Task is created to execute the batch file, nothing happens and the Differences.html is not created

Cause
The reason for this issue is that the default Windows (Vista, Windows 7) user doesn't have write access to the C:\Windows\System32 folder when UAC is turned on. As the location of the file to be created is not specified, it is created in the Windows\System32 folder

Resolution
There are two solutions for this issue:

  • Run the scheduled task as an Administrator

1) Open the Task Properties dialog
2) Check the 'Run with highest privileges' option

  • Save the Differences.html file in a folder where the user has write privileges

In the batch file, instead of:

SET OutputHTML=Differences.html

Use the following code:

SET OutputHTML="D:\Differences.html"

or provide any other local path where the Windows user has full privileges
To see the messages that are suppressed by default, add the /v switch to the batch file command

About ApexSQL
ApexSQL is a leading provider of SQL Server tools for database recovery, database auditing, database comparison, documentation as well as SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio add-ins for SQL code refactoring, code completion and database source control. We strive to ensure that every one of our tools is standard-defining product in its class, from feature set, to performance, interface and quality.

Last updated
April 7, 2013

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How can I increase the timeout for connecting to my SQL Server?

Applies to
All ApexSQL products

Summary
This article explains how to increase the timeout period for any SQL Server connection to prevent "Timeout expired" message.

Symptoms
Trying to connect to SQL Server using an ApexSQL application causes "Timeout expired" message:

"Timeout expired. The timeout period elapsed prior to completion of the operation or the server is not responding. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: -2)"

Cause
The default 15 seconds timeout is not enough to successfully connect due to:

1) Connecting to the remote SQL Server over a slow network
2) Connecting to the remote SQL Server in the heavy network traffic time
3) Various other reasons

Resolution
Open the Connection options dialog and set the desired time period for any SQL Server instance.

The Connection options dialog can be accessed via "Options" link which is present in "New project" or "Connect to Server" forms.



About ApexSQL
ApexSQL is a leading provider of SQL Server tools for database recovery, database auditing, database comparison, documentation as well as SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio add-ins for SQL code refactoring, code completion and database source control. We strive to ensure that every one of our tools is standard-defining product in its class, from feature set, to performance, interface and quality.

Last updated
July 29, 2012

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Shotgun weddings and Auto-updaters


Applies to
All ApexSQL products

Summary

ApexSQL products contain Auto-updater, which notifies users of updates and allows them to automatically update to new versions. However, Auto-updater might not warn users who still have an older product version that the update is a new major version and that they should check their eligibility at our upgrade center (or contacting sales)



The newer updater dialog (shown below) gives even more explicit warnings as well as present a validation message when the customer presses 'Next'.






Resolution
There are two ways to solve the problem:

  • Revert to the old version
Simply uninstall the new version and download and install the old version.

After downgrading make sure to turn off the Auto-updater:



  • Upgrade to the new version
Existing customers always get a discount on new versions of the products, no matter how long ago they purchased an older version or have been out of maintenance. Contact Sales for help in purchasing a new version, or visit our upgrade center to check maintenance status and upgrade costs.

For additional assistance, other questions, etc. please contact Sales

About ApexSQL
ApexSQL is a leading provider of SQL Server tools for database recovery, database auditing, database comparison, documentation as well as SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio add-ins for SQL code refactoring, code completion and database source control. We strive to ensure that every one of our tools is standard-defining product in its class, from feature set, to performance, interface and quality.

Last updated
July 29, 2012

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'The page cannot be displayed', 'Action canceled' or 'Navigation to the webpage was canceled' messages are shown for help files downloaded from the website

Applies to
All ApexSQL products

Summary

This article explains how to solve the problem when:

  • A *.CHM file downloaded from the Internet or a *.CHM file created by ApexSQL Doc on a remote server cannot be opened

  • It is not possible to view or navigate through the Table of content, Index and Search


Symptoms
The following messages are shown when viewing a Compiled Help (.CHM) file downloaded from the Internet or opened from a network folder:

1) Action canceled



2) The page cannot be displayed



3) Navigation to the webpage was canceled
Cause
The 'Action canceled', 'The page cannot be displayed' and 'Navigation to the webpage was canceled' error messages are displayed on Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2. The problem is caused by security features introduced by the MS Windows security update MS05-026, designed to reduce HTML help vulnerability.

Resolution
There are two methods to fixing the problem:

Method I

    1) Double click the downloaded Compiled Help (*.CHM) file
    2) Uncheck the Always ask before opening this file option in the Open File - Security Warning dialog

    3) Click Open

Method II

    1) Right click the downloaded Compiled Help (*.CHM) file and select Properties in the context menu
    2) Click Unblock in the General tab
    3) Click OK

    4) Double click the *.CHM file


About ApexSQL
ApexSQL is a leading provider of SQL Server tools for database recovery, database auditing, database comparison, documentation as well as SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio add-ins for SQL code refactoring, code completion and database source control. We strive to ensure that every one of our tools is standard-defining product in its class, from feature set, to performance, interface and quality.

Last updated
July 29, 2012

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My ApexSQL product fails on startup displaying a .NET exception, although I've already installed .NET framework


Applies to
All ApexSQL products

Summary

This article explains how to solve the issue when a .NET Framework initialization error occurs

Symptoms
I receive a .NET exception on startup:

"To run this application, you must first install one of the following versions of the .NET Framework:
v2.0.50727
Contact your application publisher for instructions about obtaining the appropriate version of the .NET Framework."

Cause
Almost all ApexSQL products require the .NET 2.0 run-time library. The above message is shown when the .NET 1.1 run-time library is installed.

Resolution
Install the .NET 2.0 run-time library
Don't uninstall the .NET 1.1 library, so this installation doesn't affect the existing applications. Also, check the product system requirements
 

About ApexSQL
ApexSQL is a leading provider of SQL Server tools for database recovery, database auditing, database comparison, documentation as well as SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio add-ins for SQL code refactoring, code completion and database source control. We strive to ensure that every one of our tools is standard-defining product in its class, from feature set, to performance, interface and quality.

Last updated 
July 19, 2012

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My ApexSQL application fails on startup displaying a general Windows GPF exception


Applies to
All ApexSQL products

Summary

This article explains how to solve the issue of a Windows General Protection Fault exception occurring

Symptoms
ApexSQL application fails to start and a general Windows General Protection Fault exception appears:

"The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000135).
Click on OK to terminate the application."

Cause
You are receiving this error message due to the unavailability of the installed pre-requisites. Almost all of our applications require the .NET 2.0 run-time library, and this message shows up when you have no .NET run-time library installed.

Resolution
Please, check the
system requirements for your application and install all the components
required.

About ApexSQL
ApexSQL is a leading provider of SQL Server tools for database recovery, database auditing, database comparison, documentation as well as SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio add-ins for SQL code refactoring, code completion and database source control. We strive to ensure that every one of our tools is standard-defining product in its class, from feature set, to performance, interface and quality.

Last updated,
July 19, 2012

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My ApexSQL application fails on startup displaying a Just-In-Time debugger window with an unhandled exception


Applies to
All ApexSQL products

Summary

This article explains how to solve the issue when a Just-In-Time debugger window with an unhandled exception is shown.

Symptoms
My ApexSQL application fails on start-up displaying a Just-In-Time debugger window with an unhandled exception.

Cause
The reason for this behavior are damaged application files or a failed installation process

Resolution
Please uninstall the application, delete the installation folder and re-install the product

About ApexSQL
ApexSQL is a leading provider of SQL Server tools for database recovery, database auditing, database comparison, documentation as well as SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio add-ins for SQL code refactoring, code completion and database source control. We strive to ensure that every one of our tools is standard-defining product in its class, from feature set, to performance, interface and quality.

Last updated
July 19, 2012

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