Why does clock:it keep asking me to set up the basic connection to the database?

    The most likely cause for this is problems with the Basicconnection.config file in the ProgramData directory of clock:it. This is where the database connection details are stored in encrypted form. The following problems may occur:

    • The user does not have write permissions for the directory C:\ProgramData\rocon software development GmbH and the subdirectories it contains for halion clock:it. In this case, the assistant for setting up the database cannot save the encrypted file, and despite a successful connection during setup, the connection setup will be requested again the next time the program is started.
    • The file containing the connection data exists but is locked by another user's processes. This occurs primarily on terminal servers when clock:it has been additionally installed as an administration client. In such cases, it may also be that, due to the installation as administrator, normal users do not have permissions for the existing file and therefore cannot read it.
    In both cases, an administrator must check the permissions on the directory or file. By default, administrators have full access to ProgramData, but normal users only have read access with inheritance to subdirectories. This is sufficient for normal operation of clock:it, but write access is required for installation and/or setup of the database connection.

    Existing file with write permission does not work
    Another cause of errors that is much more difficult to identify may lie in a Windows setting for UTF-8 compatibility. Especially on server operating systems with English language settings during installation, Windows automatically sets UTF-8 support for worldwide languages, which is still classified as BETA, during installation. This causes the system to use a character set for text files—such as the connection file—that is “special”... This can be checked as follows:

    In the Windows settings, go to the Time and Language section and then to Region. Scroll down and open the highlighted entry.


    The classic settings dialog for region and language settings opens. Open the selected entry there.


    On the Administration tab, open the selected button.


    In this case, the checkbox for UTF-8 support in the BETA function must not be activated.


    If necessary, uncheck the box. In most cases, the system will request a restart. After that, the connection to clock:it can usually be established successfully.
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