DFIC Error 66 - Duplicate Mirror Sequence Number

Last reviewed: 12/15/2010
Article ID: R10542

The information in this article applies to:

• PracticeMaster Version 16, 15, 14, 12, 11 & 10
• Tabs3 Billing Software Version 16, 15, 14 & 12

SUMMARY

This error can be reported in either PracticeMaster or Tabs3, and indicates a problem with the synchronization of the fee and cost files between the programs. Each fee and cost record is assigned a unique sequence number along with an additional mirrored field that contains the mirrored sequence number from the other system. The Data File Integrity Check Program checks for a unique mirrored sequence number to make sure that multiple records with the same mirror sequence number do not exist. If they do exist, this error is reported. Often, the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Data File Integrity Checks will report error 500, PracticeMaster and Tabs3 / TAS Files Are Not Synchronized, as well.

Note: This error is not reported when running the Data File Integrity Check with the Read Only check box selected.

MORE INFORMATION

This error can occur as a result of restoring mixed backups. For example, restoring Tabs3 from a backup but not restoring PracticeMaster, or vice versa, may cause error 66s in some cases.

Resolution

The best solution is to restore PracticeMaster, Tabs3 and TAS (if applicable) from a backup. If restoring from a backup is not an option, run the Data File Integrity Check in whichever program has not yet had it run. Resolve any Data File Integrity Check errors other than the error 66(s) and/or the error 500. Once the Data File Integrity Checks are free of all errors except error 66 or 500, use one of the following options to resolve the error 66(s).

• If the error 66(s) were reported in PracticeMaster, it may be possible to fix the errors by deleting the corrupted records, provided there are not a large number of error 66s. Follow the instructions below for Deleting the individual corrupted records from PracticeMaster.
• If there are multiple error 66s in PracticeMaster and it is not practical to delete the records individually, follow the instructions below for Erasing the PracticeMaster fee or cost data.
• If the error 66(s) were reported in Tabs3, you must either erase the PracticeMaster fee or cost data or restore from a backup that was made prior to the existence of the error 66(s).

1. Select File | Open and either Fee or Cost based on which file contains the errors.
2. Select Edit | Load Record.
3. Enter the record number that appears on the Data File Integrity Check Error Report.
4. Click OK to bring up the record.
5. Select Edit | Delete to delete the record.
6. If you see the "Delete this record?" prompt, click Yes to delete the record, and proceed to step 7.
   If you see the message "Archived transactions may not be deleted," STOP. You must either call Technical Support for further assistance or skip to the Erasing PracticeMaster File Data section.
   
   
7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 for each record listed on the Data File Integrity Check Error Report.
8. Select Utilities | Data File Integrity Check.
9. Click OK on the message that explains the Data File Integrity Check.
10. Click OK to start the process.
11. Upon receiving the completion message, click OK.
12. Select Preview in the PracticeMaster Data File Integrity Check Error Report window.
13. Click OK to preview the report.

If only the error 500 remains, skip to the Synchronizing PracticeMaster and Tabs3 section. If the error 66(s) persist, proceed to the Erasing PracticeMaster File Data section.

Erasing the data from the CMFEE.DAT or CMCOST.DAT file and synchronizing PracticeMaster and Tabs3 should fix the error(s). The following instructions explain how to erase the data from a PracticeMaster file. NOTE:  A result of erasing fee data is that the link between all fee records and calendar or timer records is lost. Therefore, it will no longer be possible to run a Timer Fee Report for WIP status fee transactions or to load a fee record associated with a journal record or calendar entry.

In PracticeMaster:

1. From the Task Folders, with no other windows open, select Maintenance | File Maintenance.
2. Click Yes to make a backup.
3. Click OK to start the backup process.
4. When the backup has completed, click OK to acknowledge the "Backup Successful" message.
5. Click the plus sign next to Common Client Related Files (or Common Case Related Files in version 10).
6. Double-click either the Fee or the Cost file, based on which file contains the error(s).
7. Click the Utilities tab.
8. Click Erase File Data.
9. Click Yes to begin the process.
10. Click OK when the task is completed.
11. Click Done.
12. Click Close and proceed to the Synchronizing PracticeMaster and Tabs3 section.

In PracticeMaster:

1. Select Maintenance | Integration | Synchronize PM and Tabs3/TAS.
2. If you have recently made a backup of your data files, click No to skip the backup when prompted. Otherwise, click Yes and back up your data files.
3. Click Start Synchronization, or for more information about the synchronization program, press F1.
4. Click Yes to begin the synchronization process.
5. Resolve any synchronization exceptions that are presented.
6. When the synchronization has completed, you may print the temporary log if you wish.
7. Select Utilities | Data File Integrity Check.
8. Click OK on the message that explains the Data File Integrity Check.
9. Click OK to start the process.
10. Click OK when the task is completed, and print or preview the error report if errors were found.
11. If the Data File Integrity Check still has the error 66(s), you must restore both Tabs3 and PracticeMaster from a backup.

REFERENCES

• KB Article R10589 - DFIC Error 500 - PracticeMaster and Tabs3 / TAS Files Are Not Synchronized

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