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Q&A for Windows
(qawin.exe) is remarkably stable and free from bugs, given that it was
developed in 1993 and has had no maintenance since then by Symantec. |
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It is a 16-bit
Windows program, developed for Windows 3.1. Probably because it is
being run now on Windows 2000 and Windows XP, which in some ways are
substantially different from Windows 3.1, there are several problems
that are seen infrequently. |
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This is a list of
the problems I am aware of. For each, I indicate the frequency of
occurrence, the solution if any, and the harm caused, if any. I
have omitted several problems that have only been reported once on the
grounds that they are probably not actually QAWin related. |
| 1. |
Fails to start
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Description: |
QAWin
starts but hangs after only partially "painting" itself on the desktop. |
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Solution: |
Reboot |
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Frequency: |
Less
than 1% of users report it happens sporadically. |
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Harm: |
No
damage caused to any database. |
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2. |
Fails to start |
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Description: |
QAWin doesn't
start, no error message |
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Solution: |
Regional negative
currency setting has "-" to the right of the amount. |
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Frequency: |
Has
happened to several people in Holland. |
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Harm: |
None. |
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3. |
Fails to start |
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Description:
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QAWin doesn't
start, no error message. |
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Solution: |
Change first
language from Spanish to English, or from Dutch to Dutch(Belgium). |
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Frequency: |
Happened
once in Puerto Rico and once in Belgium. |
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Harm: |
None. |
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4. |
Fails to exit |
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Description: |
QAWin
closes the database, but then won't exit. |
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Solution: |
Reboot. |
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Frequency: |
Less
than 1% of users report it happens sporadically. |
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Harm: |
No
damage caused to any database. |
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5. |
Aborts
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Description: |
06A8 error
when making a design change (such as a form change or a report). |
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Solution: |
Make
a backup before redesigning. |
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Frequency: |
Less
than 1%. |
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Harm: |
Sometimes
copying the design and data works, and sometimes the database cannot be
repaired. |
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6. |
Can't access all features of a printer |
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Description:
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QAWin
either doesn't see all printer options (such as paper sizes) or it
doesn't remember which you've selected. |
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Solution: |
Changing
the printer default temporarily sometimes works. |
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Frequency: |
Less
than 1% of users report this. |
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Harm: |
No
damage caused but some print jobs may not be possible. |
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7. |
Aborts
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Description: |
Changing
a field when using a drop down list box (generated by a restrict
spec) causes QAWin to abort. |
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Solution: |
Redesign
database? |
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Frequency: |
4 people have
reported this. |
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Harm: |
Apparently
none. |
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8. |
Cannot print |
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Description: |
Aborts
in QABCL.DLL. |
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Solution: |
Do not use Lexmark
E210 or Samsung ML-1210 printers. |
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Frequency: |
Whenever
these printers are used. |
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Harm: |
None. |
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9. |
Aborts |
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Description: |
Message -
"memory could not be written."
Only on Windows XP; exact error varies somewhat. |
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Solution: |
Wait
a few days and try again, reinstall XP. It seems to spontaneously
correct itself. |
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Frequency: |
About
10 people have reported this. |
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Harm: |
None. |