Troubleshooting ProSeries error when opening clients - "Unable to read the data. Exit program and try again"

1. Close ProSeries.
2. Download the ProSeries Tool Hub Install file. Save the file  somewhere you can easily find it (like your Downloads folder or your Windows desktop).
3. Open the file you downloaded (ProSeriesToolsHub_Setup.exe).
4. Follow the on-screen steps to install and agree to the terms and conditions.
5. When the install finishes, double-click the icon on your Windows desktop to open the Tool Hub.
   

1. From the File menu, select Save As.
2. Choose a slightly different file name.
3. If the new file name works, delete the original file.
4. If the issue persists, try switching to another printer by going to File and selecting Print Options.

If none of the above solutions work the client file is corrupt beyond repair and must be restored from a prior backup, recreated, or transferred from the prior year. You may need to delete the corrupt file and re-enter the data.

Data corruption can occur if conflicts exist between ProSeries and other applications installed on the computer. The most typical configuration issues occur with antivirus software, though other software can cause conflicts that may lead to data corruption. If this issue reoccurs, try contacting an IT professional to help in configuring software on your computer to limit possible conflicts. For more information on how to configure antivirus software, see How to exclude ProSeries from real-time system scans.

Try each solution below before proceeding with the next solution.

• The 'shared form' file may be damaged and will need to be renamed. This file is responsible for storing preparer information, rates per form, and global billing options.  Renaming this file may result in the loss of the information. You'll need to re-enter this information when ProSeries is re-opened.
  1. Close ProSeries.
  2. Browse to the Common folder:
     1. ProSeries stand-alone default is  C:\ProWinYY\Common
     2. ProSeries Basic default is C:\BasWinYY\Common
     3. ProSeries Network installs default is X:\ProNetYY\Common
  3. Find the SHRFRMYY file.
  4. Right-click on the files and choose Rename.
  5. Put old at the end so its called SHRFRMYYold
  6. Open ProSeries.
  7. Try opening the client files.
• If the error is happening in ProSeries 2019 or prior:
  • On one workstation, run HomeBase Tune-Up.
• If still unresolved, rename and reinstall the program:
  • Performing a clean install of ProSeries

If none of the above resolved the error:

• Rebuild the ProSeries HomeBase. See ​How to Completely Rebuild the ProSeries HomeBase.
• Ensure there is enough hard disk space and Configuring Anti-Virus Software to Exclude ProSeries From Real-Time Scans
• Give users sufficient rights and privileges on the local machine and on the network.

It is also suggested to run Disk Cleanup, Scan Disk, and Disk Defragmenter:.  As always, it's best to instruct our customers to seek outside assistance if we determine their issue is system/hardware related.

Additionally, this error will sometimes appear after ProSeries terminates unexpectedly.  Attempting to open the client file directly or copy it from YYData folder results in a message resembling "You require permission from this computer's administrator to make changes to this file".

Reboot the computer (if stand alone) or the workstation and server (if network).  After the reboot, verify the affected client has disappeared from YYData.  This is expected since the file could not be read, but the file system did not refresh.  Repair the HomeBase (and delete any lingering JN1 files) so the client file can be restored from backup or created anew.