Error 720: ChurchTrac was unable to connect to the data sharing server

There may be several possible reasons why you'll get error 720 when trying to perform a data sharing operation in ChurchTrac.

Note: If you are seeing both Error 429 and Error 720, then follow the steps here to fix both errors.

1. Try installing the latest program update for your version or upgrading to the latest version of ChurchTrac.
    
2. If your Internet browser (like Internet Explorer) or Email program is set to "Work Offline", this could result in Error 720. Open your browser and email program, click on the File menu and make sure that the Work Offline option is unchecked, then try synchronizing again.
    
3. Make sure the user name and password that you have entered on the data sharing screen is correct. Even if one character is entered incorrectly, the data sharing process will not work, resulting in Error 720. If you can't find the original email with your user name and password, then contact support to ensure you're using the correct user name and password.
    
4. Double-check your internet connection (this is important). The data sharing process will only work if you have an active internet connection, as this is required for connecting to the ChurchTrac data sharing server. Open up your web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.) and try performing a Google search (most web browsers will "save" websites that you have visited--so just because your browser displays a web page when you open it doesn't mean that your connection is active or that it is working properly--by performing a quick Google search you'll be able confirm whether or not the connection is really active). If you are unable to get online with your web browser, check your modem, router, and internet settings, or contact your internet service provider for troubleshooting and assistance.
    
5. Check your firewall settings. First, temporarily disable your firewall and see if you can perform the data sharing process without getting Error 720 (usually there's an icon in the lower, right corner of the screen near the clock that gives you access to your firewall program and settings). If disabling the firewall allows the data sharing process to work, then this confirms that your firewall is the source of the problem, as it is blocking ChurchTrac's attempts to connect to the data sharing server. You'll want to add an exception (or add an allowed program or trusted application) in your firewall settings (different firewall programs have different names and methods for doing this--check with your firewall's help documentation to get assistance with this task). Make sure that Microsoft Access has full connection rights through the firewall. Access is usually located in one of two places:
   
   C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\msaccess.exe
      --or--
   C:\Program Files\Microsoft Access Runtime\Office10\msaccess.exe
   
   (You may also have other versions of Access on your computer--if so you'll also have Office11, Office12, or other folders in addition to the Office10 folder mentioned above).
   
   You should also check your firewall's list of blocked or restricted applications to make sure that MS Access is not being blocked by your firewall.
    
6. Content filtering programs, like NetNanny, will block ChurchTrac's server connection attempts. If you have NetNanny or other content filtering software installed, you may need to add an exception (similar to above) to allow MS Access to connect and download/upload data to and from the server.
    
7. Some users have reported that making Internet Explorer the default browser solved this problem. To see if this works for you, open Internet Explorer, click on the Tools menu and choose Internet Options. On the Programs tab click the "Make Default" button, and see if this resolves the problem.
    
8. If the above steps have not worked, you may need to re-register a library file with Windows. To do this, click on Start (and click Run for Windows XP or earlier) and type cmd (then press Enter). This will open a command prompt window. If you are running Vista or Windows 7, click Start, then cmd, then right-click on "cmd" in the list and choose "Run as Administrator".
   
   If you are using ChurchTrac 2009, at the command prompt, type:
   
   regsvr32 "C:\Program Files\ChurchTrac\nbitftp.dll"

   (and press Enter)
   
   If you are using ChurchTrac 2010 or ChurchTrac 8 (2011 version), at the command prompt, type:
   
   regsvr32 "C:\ChurchTrac\nbitftp.dll"

   (and press Enter)
   
   

   You should get a message that this succeeded. Open ChurchTrac and see if this resolves the problem.

If you're still having trouble connecting to the ChurchTrac server after following these steps, you may try uninstalling (at least temporarily) any firewall or security applications on your computer, and see if that makes a difference. If nothing seems to be working, send a support request to technical support that outlines each step you have taken to resolve the problem.