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A most vexing problem ... probably Win98

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    #1

    A most vexing problem ... probably Win98

    Hi List,

    Okay ... I have an Alpha 5 Order Entry application that we've been running for several years now. It works perfectly ... with the exception of when I forget to compact after I've made a change to a form or something equally silly.

    Recently, several problems have cropped up ... which I think are Win98 related but which seem to affect Alpha 5.

    My thinking is that the only way to rectify what's happening is to change the OS for WinXP ... but my bookkeeper has been reluctant.

    So ... see what you think.

    The application has an order form with a couple of SEARCH functions attached to buttons ... they have always worked perfectly until recently.

    On checking the script for the button, I could see nothing wrong ... so to do a "double check" I recreated the search button ... the new button being EXACTLY the same as the old one. After this ... while the old button still didn't work ... the "new" one did ... for a short time, that is.

    Also ... despite more redefining of indexes than we've ever had to do before ... we often get muddled order lines ... which are fine in the original table ... but not when you look at them in the set.

    I'm having the bookkeeper burn a copy of the database/application as-is so that I can take a look at it on my system at home, which runs WinXP ... and on which I've been unable to recreate the errors she's getting at the office.

    The problems began a few months ago ... and initially were restricted, in terms of Alpha 5, to an alteration in the way the background colours appear. The colours didn't change, but instead of being solid colours ... there was a grid of tiny X's throughout.

    The bookkeeper, of course, having a somewhat "restricted" view of things, seems to think it's an Alpha 5 problem ... but I'm equally sure it's not ... but it COULD be an Alpha 5/Win98 conflict problem ... which takes me back to the need to install WinXP. *sigh*

    Of course, right now, she can't "give up" an entire day for me to install WinXP and then reinstall all the software she uses. I mean ... this is an operation which could be done within a couple of hours ... or it could take all day. If we count on it taking a couple of hours ... it WILL take all day. [I am a firm believer in Murphy's Law.]

    At any rate ... has anyone else run into a similar problem with Win98 and Alpha 5 ... and have you come across a simple "fix" that would provide a "bandaid" until both she and I can dedicate the time to change the operating system?

    Thanks

    Mary

    Tags: None
    #2
    RE: A most vexing problem ... probably Win98

    No. However, to rule out problems caused by insufficient Windows Resources:

    a) do not multi-task Alpha Five with any other large applications. Use it, and close it.

    b) verify you're using the latest driver for your video display adapter. If not, do the update.

    c) Reduce or (even better) eliminate any "hardware acceleration" supporting your video card.

    -- tom c

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      #3
      RE: A most vexing problem ... probably Win98

      I doubt if it is a win98 issue. One thing to consider is that her machine (especially the hard drive) could be going bad. Or there could be a worm or virus on her system. I have seen worms mess machines up so badly the hard drive had to be reformatted to fix it.

      If you do move to w2k or XP do not just do the upgrade thing. Wipe everything out and start over. And since it is a win98 machine, make sure it is up the the task (e.g., 512MB RAM, etc.)

      Ray

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        #4
        RE: A most vexing problem ... probably Win98

        Hi Tom and Ray,

        Thanks for responding.

        She does multi-task with the accounting system ... but then she always HAS done that ... and it worked perfectly.

        This problem is very recent ... and began with problems with Win98. Initially I had her download the latest Win98 patch ... but then began reading all the horror stories of problems with that patch ... so had her delete the patch.

        We've checked and rechecked for worms, viruses etc. I've had her run RegistryMechanic, AVG's anti-virus scan and Pest Patrol. Nothing was picked up from any of them. AVG and PestPatrol are always running ... as they are on my machine.

        She doesn't run a lot of programs on this machine ... [unlike my own] ... just the accounting program [MYOB], WordPerfect and AlphaFive.

        The application runs perfectly on my machine ... although I'll know better about that when I get the newest copy of the application today. [I'm having her copy the whole application to a cd so I can test it on my machine at home]

        I'll tell her to NOT multi-task, at least for now.

        I am curious about the possibility that the hard drive is going bad ... hmmmm ... must check on that possibility.

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