Corrupted User Files: Background Information

User files are by default stored in a directory called Wordshark-shared, shark-shared, Numbershark-shared or nshark-shared. Within the directory, every user for the program will have a corresponding [name].sha file.
We advise that the directory is “hidden”  to make it a less obvious target for inquisitive children and staff!

Symptoms
Corrupted .sha files may result in a wide range of symptoms, including freezing, apparent loss of password or user, inability of administrators to view pupil records or gain admin menus, inability to create new word lists or record sounds, or individual pupils appearing to have word lists assigned to others.

Usually there will be NO error message. In recent versions (3s.05 and later) the program will in many instances warn you that a student’s file is corrupted and the student’s file is being re-set.

One error message related to this problem is:
An unexpected exception has been detected in native code outside the VM.  Unexpected Signal : EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION   This has occurred once, on a networked version,, and was the result of an administrator being on two machines  using the same user ID.  This corrupted the administrator’s file in the [word]shark-shared directory. The solution was to remove this file and sign that administrative user back on, reminding that person to use just one computer at a time.

Possible Causes & Prevention

Although rare, it is possible for user files to become corrupted.  Possible causes include:

- A virus or other malware  (Ensure all anti-virus measures are up to date and working at all times)
- A power cut whilst the program is actively saving data (Ensure you have an uninterruptible power supply)
- A power “brownout” (not enough power) whilst the program is actively saving data  (Ensure you have an uninterruptible power supply)
- An individual attempts to change a .sha file (Ensure the -shared directory is hidden)
-Two or more users sign on with the same name. They then use the program. There is a good chance that  sooner or later the program attempts to write changes from both users to the same .sha file at the same time, and a file sharing violation will occur.  (Ensure that each student and teacher has, and only uses, their own unique ID. )
- An administrator attempts to assign new work, or change work for a child whilst the child is currently logged onto the program and using it (Do not administer changes to students whilst they are using the program, unless you are using version 3s.07 / 3.07 or later.
- A network version earlier than 3.04 has been installed with the program files deployed to the client computers.  This does not work  details

Repair

Wordshark 3s.06 and Numbershark 3.06 and later will attempt to repair such damage, and will where possible notify users if it is necessary to reset a user back to “new user” status.

If you have an earlier version, please contact Support for advice on how files may be checked, repair attempted, and further problems avoided.