Error: “Object reference not set to an instance of an object” when attempting to open an Act! database

Symptom:
When I try to open an Act! database, I get the Error: “Object reference not set to an instance of an object”.

Product Details:
Product Family: Act!
Product: Act! Pro, Act! Premium
Version: 2005 and later

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Cause:
This can occur for multiple reasons:

• You are not logged into Windows as an Administrator
• Read-only database files
• The database is in a network location
• Conflict with installed Firewall software
• Damaged Act! Preferences File
• Damaged Act! installation

Solution:

You are not logged into Windows as an Administrator

1. Login to Windows as an Administrator
2. Attempt to open the database to test

Read-only database files
 

1. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer and navigate to the location of your database files.
   
   Note: If you’re not sure of the location, you can find the location by following the steps in the following knowledgebase article:
   
   How to determine the location of an Act! database
   Answer ID How to determine the location of an Act! database
    
2. Right-click the [databasename].PAD file for the database you’re trying to open, then click Properties
3. On the General tab, ensure that the Read-only attribute is not checked, then click OK
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the following items
   • [databasename].adf
   • [databasename].alf
   • The [databasename]-database files folder
5. Attempt to open the database to test
   
   Note: In some cases the Read-only attribute is placed upon the folder in which the database files reside and it may be necessary to make sure that the entire folder doesn’t have the Read-only attribute applied.

The database is in a network location

This issue can occur if the database is in a network location that is currently inaccessible to your local Windows login. You can test this by using Windows Explorer or My Computer to navigate to the folder which contains the database files to see if the following results are produced:
 

• You are not able to locate the network location
• You receive an Access Denied error

If you receive either of the results above, you need to contact your network administrator for assistance in gaining the appropriate permissions that will allow you to view and open the database files

Note: If you are able to access the folder containing the database files, try to open the database through Act! again after accessing the files through Windows Explorer, as sometimes this establishes a connection to the shared folder which allows Act! to access it.


Conflict with installed Firewall software
 

1. Add exceptions to your firewall that allow Act! to function with your firewall. For information, refer to the following knowledgebase article:
   
   Using your anti-virus/firewall software with Act!
   Answer ID Using your antivirus/firewall software with Act!


2. Attempt to open the database again to test

Damaged Act! Preferences File
 

1. Rebuild the Act! Preferences File. For more information, refer to the following knowledgebase article:
   
   How To Rebuild the Act! Preferences File
   Answer ID How to rebuild the Act! Preferences file
    
2. Attempt to open the database again to test

Damaged Act! installation
 

1. Uninstall Act! from the Control Panel
2. Reinstall Act! For instructions, refer to the following knowledgebase article:
   
   How do I install Act!?
   Answer ID How do I install Act!?
    
3. Attempt to open the database again to test