Windows computers ship with their hard drives and CPU going to sleep after 10-20 minutes.  This causes problems when running a database and can severely decrease speed and reliability. "Invalid pointer" errors, among others, in Dr Dispatch are associated with the program losing connection to the server's hard drive or our Nexus database service. System settings must be adjusted on the server and all client PCs. Please follow the steps below to ensure proper connection to the database. 


System Power Settings:


  1. Open the Windows Control Panel by going to the Start menu, then Control Panel.
  2. You can find it easily by hitting the Windows key, then typing "Control Panel".
  3. Click "Power Options".




        4. Select your desired Power Plan.

        5. Click the "Change plan settings" link to the right. 




        6. Set the amount of time until the system display/monitor automatically turns off.

  • This can be set to any desired option.

        7. Set the amount of time until the computer enters Sleep Mode.

  • This needs to be set to "Never" for the server and all client PCs.

        8. Click the "Change advanced power settings" link for the next step.




        9. Click the "+" icon next to "Hard disk" to expand the menu.

        10. Click the "+" icon next to "Turn off hard disk after" to expand the menu again.

        11. Enter "0" (zero). It should now be set to "Never'.

        12. Click OK to save new settings.




Network Adapter Settings:


  1. Open the Windows Device Manager.
  • Device Manager can be reached via: Control Panel > System and Security > System > Then click the "Device Manager" link to the left,
    as in the below image.
  • OR Windows key + R > type "devmgmt.msc".
  • OR Windows key > type "Device Manager".



        2. Click the arrow next to "Network adapters" to expand the menu.

        3. Right-click on your network adapter, then click "Properties".




        4. Click the "Power Management" tab.

        5. Uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power".

        6. Click OK to save the new settings.




If the problem persists after completing the above steps on the server and on all clients, please contact us at support@drdispatch.com for further assistance.