In TaxSlayer Pro, you can receive an error in several different contexts indicating the "remote name could not be resolved", and one common reason is due to your PC's name having changed.
Your PC's name is an integral part of the program's networking configuration facilitating its interaction with other devices on the network, including switches, routers, and your internet gateway, so if it changes the program will not be able to function normally.
Before calling TaxSlayer Pro for technical support help, you can check to see if there is a difference between the PC's name and the name specified in program configuration and fix it yourself.
First, to find out your PC's name, right-click the blue Windows start menu and select "System". Your PC's name is the "Device name".
Your next step depends on how many PCs are using TaxSlayer Pro in your office and if they are networked. If you have just one PC, or if you have multiple PCs that are networked and the PC getting the error is the one designated as the file server, follow the File Server PC steps. If you have multiple PCs that are networked and the PC getting the error is one of the workstations, follow the Workstation PC steps.
If none of the steps work for your, call or e-mail us and we can make a tech ticket for one of our technical support staff to assist.
From the Quick Menu in TaxSlayer Pro select Configuration, then the System / Network Configuration Menu. What you do next depends on the answer to the first menu line question, Are You Using a Network?
Are You Using a Network? = YES
If you're using a network, the "Local Computer Name" should be identical to the Windows device name. If they are different, this most likely explains why you are having trouble.
You can correct the Local Computer Name by toggling using networking. Do this by selecting the first line in this menu Are You Using a Network? twice. So, select the first line and answer NO, then select it again and answer YES.
After doing this, you'll see the Local Computer Name will have updated to be identical to the Windows device name. Exit configuration and see if you're still experiencing an error doing whatever it was you were doing.
Are You Using a Network? = NO
If you're not using a network select the first line, answer YES, and examine the "Local Computer Name". If it's the same as the Windows device name, then you can rule out a name mismatch as being the source of the error. Call or e-mail us and we can create a ticket for one of our tech support staff to assist.
On the other hand, if the Local Computer Name is different than the Windows device name, select Are You Using a Network and answer NO. The Local Computer Name is now identical to the Windows device name. Exit configuration and see if you're still experiencing an error doing whatever it was you were doing.
From the Quick Menu in TaxSlayer Pro select Configuration, then the System / Network Configuration Menu. On a workstation PC, there are two computer names that need to be specified correctly for it to work without error:
- File Server name - The file server holds the client list as well as specifying certain important parts of program configuration.
- Local computer name - The local computer name, i.e., the name of the computer you are working on right now, must match its Windows device name.
First, in the System/Network Configuration Menu examine the "Local Computer Name". If it's the same as the Windows device name, you can rule out a name mismatch as being the source of the error. Call or e-mail us and we can create a ticket for one of our tech support staff to assist.
On the other hand, if the Local Computer Name is different than the Windows device name, you'll need to update it, and as a consequence of doing that you'll also need to reset the file server name. Follow these steps:
- Write down or screenshot the file server name (ignore the numeric IP address).
- Select the first line in this menu Are You Using a Network? twice. So, select the first line and answer NO, then select it again and answer YES.
- Select File Server Address and replace what's in the "File Server Name" field with the file server name you noted above.
- Click "Connect to File Server". You should see the message "File Server [IP address] contacted!" on a green background. If so, you're done in this menu and can exit.
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