Maybe you're using an older version of QuickBooks, or perhaps you haven't updated to a recent maintenance release in newer versions. Nonetheless, users continue writing in asking about sandbox problems when restoring Portable or Accountant copy files to QuickBooks Desktop.
Whatever the reason, I'm still ask about this problem on a regular basis.
While attempting to restore a portable file or accountant’s copy file, you encounter error messages telling you something about a "reload.sql" error at a specific code line and/or talking about some "sandbox feature" error.
One example of a typical Error Message of this type is shown below:
Sandbox error
QuickBooks Desktop users have reported problems of this nature when attempting to either restore a QuickBooks Portable-file Copy to a QuickBooks Company file, or when attempting to restore an Accountant’s Copy file from their clients to an Accountant’s Working Copy of the file.
There can be a number of causes of this issue. But let’s look at what this mysterious "sandbox" message actually refers to.
Intuit has chosen to make a temporary version of a QuickBooks file while the restore process is going on. This actually is a good thing – when it works.
You wouldn’t want to attempt to restore a Portable Company file over your existing Company file. In other words, replace the existing file with the portable only to find out something went wrong and your existing Company file now is corrupted and the Portable file isn’t working.
In order to prevent issues like this, Intuit uses a temporary location, known as a "sandbox," in which the restoration takes place. At the end of the process, the temporary file is tested to insure the integrity of the file prior to being moved to the final location (where it might overwrite/replace the current file.)
This "sandbox" feature is a security mechanism commonly used in computer security and programmatic testing, so as to isolate untested programs, data or code changes yet to be verified from valid programs, data or code.
Now that we understand who's trying to play in our sandbox, let's look at the causes of these errors. Causes in regard to the inability to restore QuickBooks Portable or Accountant Copy files include, but are not limited to:
- Attempted restoration from a flash drive or other portable drive connected via a USB cable
- Attempted restoration from a remote location drive, rather than a local drive
- Attempted restoration across a network to a drive on a distant machine
- Attempted restoration from a damaged directory/folder
- Attempted restoration to a damaged directory/folder
- Attempted restoration from a location where either the user, the application or the QuickBooks Database Server does not have "full access/control" rights
- Attempted restoration to a location where either the user, the application or the QuickBooks Database Server does not have "full access/control" rights
- A corrupted/damaged QuickBooks installation
- A corrupted/damaged QuickBooks Database Server installation
- A corrupted/damaged Portable or Accountant's Copy file
Now let's see if we can get you back on track and your file restored. To do so, you must follow the procedures outline below (in numeric order):
Round 1 Procedure:
- Update QuickBooks to the latest maintenance release. Intuit has been working on this problem and, in cases where the program is at fault, the issues reportedly have been resolved in recent updates.
- Proceed with Round 2 Procedure (below).
Round 2 Procedure:
- Open QuickBooks in single-user mode
- Turn-off "hosting" if "hosting" is turned on
- Close QuickBooks, then Reopen QuickBooks in single-user mode
- Insure the Portable or Accountant’s copy is saved in the root C: directory of your computer
- Attempt to restore the Portable or Accountant’s Copy to a location on your computer where you have full access/control rights
Round 3 Procedure:
If the above procedures did not work...
- Use the Windows Repair feature from your computers Programs/Features menus under the Control Panel to Repair QuickBooks on your computer
- Repeat the steps in Round 2
Round 4 Procedure:
If the above procedures do not work...
- Use the Windows Un-install feature from your computer Programs/Features menu under the Control Panel to Remove QuickBooks from your computer
- Perform a ‘Clean Install’ of QuickBooks
- Repeat Round 2 Procedure
Round 5 Procedure:
- In the original QuickBooks source, make sure to Verify, and if necessary, Rebuild the data to resolve any "data irregularities"
- Next, make a new portable file, or request your client send you a new Accountant's copy file, and then attempt restoration. The issue could be that the original file you attempted to restore was damaged or corrupted either in transit, or it could have been corrupted because the original "source file" contained data corruptions.
Round 6 Procedure:
If you continue to have problems, even after performing all the procedures above (Rounds 1-5), contact Intuit QuickBooks Technical Support.
Good luck to you.