ELECTrack, the State's filing software, automatically handles the connection and transfer ("upload") to the State Board's server. Filers using software from a private vendor have equal access to our server though they may need instruction from their vendor.

Common pitfalls

File transfer is in most cases completely transparent to the user. When problems occur they almost always fall in one of the following two categories: incorrect user ID and password input or connection blocking firewalls.

1. User IDs & Passwords

Every user has a unique username and password. The default username is your email address on record with SBE. It is important to make sure that the email address on record is correct at all times. Passwords are created by the user. If you forgot your password, please use the "forgot Password" feature and a temporary one time use password will be emailed to you. Once you log in, you will be required to change the password. Keep in mind that the passwords are all case-sensitive so make sure your "Caps Lock" key is not on.

2. Firewalls

Firewalls are a type of software designed to isolate a computer or a network of computers from other networks, including the Internet. Though firewalls are primarily found in offices they are quickly making their way into the homes of DSL and cable-modem subscribers. They are a very useful tool to protect your data and resources but they may also interfere with connections.

If you cannot connect to our server, check with your network administrator or with a computer support technician to find out if your computer is "behind a firewall" or equipped with a "personal firewall." If this is the case you may have to temporarily disable the firewall or work around it to reach our server. Disabling your firewall is relatively easy to do if you are working from a small office or using a personal firewall at home. Provided that your remember to reenable your firewall as soon as the transfer is over, it is also safe. Within a larger organization this option may not be available to you. In this case we recommend that you export your files to your workstation or to a removable drive and transfer those files from an alternate location with unrestricted access to the Internet.