Troubleshooting

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Having trouble with your Binx program? Some common problems and solutions are listed on this page.
If you don't find an answer here, feel free to E-Mail us, or call us at one of the numbers listed in the printed manual that accompanied your program.

[Windows Vista] [Binx Windows Programs] [Binx DOS Programs]

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When sending an E-Mail request for technical support, please describe exactly the circumstances under which the error occurred and the exact text of any error messages.

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Common Problems and Solutions:

Windows Vista

    The release of Windows Vista created a whole new set of challenges for programmers and computer users around the world. As of today (3-months after the general release of Vista) many popular programs are still not listed as compatible with Windows Vista.
    Binx has been working to revise our current programs to work more smoothly with Vista and expects to release these revised versions during May of 2007. Even after the release, users will find some "annoying" problems with our programs and other programs due to Vistan's enhanced security settings.
    We have created a PDF document outlining ways to avoid some of the most common complaints about Vista. It should be emphasized that some of these solutions are NOT recommended by Microsoft, and MAY make your computer more vulnerable to security risks.

Click Here to View/Download the PDF File

The topics covered are:

	Annoying Messages that ask for your permission and perhaps a password to perform some operations.
	Error message appears when trying to open a CHM/compiled html help file when the file is stored on a network server.
	Inability to run win32 help files on Windows Vista.
	Unknown Publisher warning when starting a program whose executable file is stored on a network server
	Non-Administrative Users cannot change Database Locations using the built-in tool in Binx programs or the Borland Database Administrator

Windows Programs

16 bit subsystem error when starting Storm or Newsodex on Windows XP machine: Storm and Newsodex are "16 bit" programs, which means they need to use the 16 bit subsystem in Windows '95 and newer versions. Beginning with Windows XP, an occasional machine will generate an error similar to the following:

16-bit MS-DOS Subsystem
<path to Storm>\Stormwin.exe
<System path>\System32\config.nt.
The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application."

    The error may list the file autoexec.nt or command.com as being the problem.
    This is a Windows XP problem that can be solved by restoring a good copy of config.nt, autoexec.nt, or command.com to your computer.
    You may try copying these files from a computer on which Storm runs to the computer that is generating the error. Please be sure that both computers have the same operating system and service pack level.
    In Windows XP, the files are both located in either C:\windows\system32 or C:\winnt\system32. The path may appear in the error message.
    You may also restore original versions of these files from your Windows XP installation CD. To do so, follow these instructions:

Click Start then Run.

Key in CMD

Press Enter, or Click the OK button and a DOS command window will open.

Place the Windows XP CD in your CD-ROM drive or use DOS commands (CD) to navigate to the folder where the Windows XP CAB files are located.

Key in the following command in the DOS command line, pressing the Enter key after each one:

	expand <`CD-ROM Drive Letter>`:\i386\config.nt_ c:\windows\system32\config.nt
	expand `CD-ROM Drive Letter`:\i386\autoexec.nt_ c:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt
	expand `CD-ROM Drive Letter`:\i386\command.co_ c:\windows\system32\command.com

Try to Start Storm (or Newsodex) again. If you still get the error, please follow additional steps as per the Microsoft solution mentioned below.

For more information on this problem, please visit the Microsoft support web site and view solution KB324767:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324767

Right click on my computer
Click properties
Choose Advanced Tab
Click on "Environment Variables"
In the "System Variables" grid (lower grid) Highlight "Temp"
Click "Edit"
Change Setting to %userprofile%\local settings%\temp (in most cases this matches the administrator's "user variable" so you may be able to just cut and paste.)
Click "OK"
Do the same for the TMP setting
The effect of this setting on other programs run through Citrix/Terminal services or on the server itself is unknown. If possible test in a non-critical environment to judge the effect on other programs.

Please note that your Storm license grants you authority to use Storm for all radio stations serving the same market with studios at a common site. If you plan to use Citrix/Terminal Services to support multiple studios with the same Storm/Newsodex database, please contact Binx to see if you are in violation of your license.

"Access Denied" error when trying to run Storm or Newsodex on Citrix/Terminal Services: Some users may have separate studios but their radio stations share the same market and may wish to share the same Storm or Newsodex database. It may be possible to share the database by allowing Storm or Talkstats to run on a Citrix Server, or Windows Terminal Server. We have had reports that Terminal Server/Citrix Server will not allow more than two remote users access Storm/Newsodex at the same time. However, users of programs similar to Storm/Newsodex have reported successful multi-user Citrix/Terminal Server performance by changing the Citrix/Terminal server's system "Temp" environment setting from
%systemroot%
to
%userprofile%\local settings%\temp This is said to eliminate the "Access Denied" Error.

	Program appears to lock up after switching to another program: You probably have a "modal" window open (In Storm, the Closing Entry Screen for example). Try switching back to your Binx program by pressing the "Alt" and "Tab" keys. This should open the desired window. If that doesn't work, minimize all other windows and your Binx window should now be accessible.
	Mailing labels/Form Letters/Summary List do not print on Windows 2000: This is a known conflict between Windows 2000 workstations and the Crystal Reports engine (used to generate all Talkstats and Storm reports except closing lists). This error normally appears only when trying to print directly to a network print queue. Click here for the workaround.

WPSUNI error message: Because of the product used to create Binx Windows programs, you cannot have a Microsoft Fax driver designated as your "default" printer. You must define a printer as your default.

Program won't run on all network workstations: You will usually install your Binx program through a workstation onto a network drive. This will update your WIN.INI file on the workstation used to perform the install. All other workstations which need to access the program need to have several lines added to their WIN.INI files. This can be done easily by running the program WINUPDAT.EXE from each computer. This program is found in the directory/folder you specified during installation as the install location for common files. On some workstations you may need to manually update your win.ini file. In this case, please consult your printed manual or the on-line help that's included with your program.

Program can't access data a peer-to-peer network: A peer to peer network, such as a Windows '95 network consists of two or more computers which can access data stored on any of the computers. In order for the Binx programs to find your databases, each computer must reference the same "logical" or "mapped" drive. For example, if one computer accesses your program on drive F:, all computers must also use drive F: . This can be done easily in Windows '95 by right-clicking the "network neighborhood" icon and choosing "map a network drive". However, the "host" computer, the one on which the files are actually stored, probably sees the data on its C: drive. If your operating system does not let you "map" a local drive (such as in Windows '95), insert the following line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file: SUBST F: C: This will 'fool' your computer into thinking its local drive C: is actually drive F: You will still be able to access data on drive C: normally. If you use this command, be sure the drive defined first after the command SUBST is not the same as a drive mapped elsewhere on the network.

Slow performance:

	Binx databases allow you to delete records or set filters to limit your view of the data. When the database is clogged with "deleted" records, or when a very limited filter is chosen, the system must work harder to find a "valid" record. This is a normal side-effect of database programs of this type. If you regularly delete files, as in the Storm program, you should try to PACK the database regularly during heavy use. This will physically remove deleted records from the database, significantly improving performance.
	The amount of system memory installed and your CPU speed will also affect performance. Binx 16 bit Windows programs (Storm and Newsodex) will run on a 486-66 PC with 16mb of memory. But for optimal speed, especially with Windows 95/98, you should be using a minimum of a Pentium 75 processor with 32mb of memory.
	Cut down on the number of programs that run in the background. Virus programs, and memory-intensive programs such as some E-Mail programs can seriously degrade performance of any program. If possible, disable these programs or have them run on a dedicated machine.
	In Storm, you can also defeat some options, such as the on-screen clock and the summary list to cut down on the time needed to perform certain commands. DOS Programs

DOS Error 4 (Too many open files) Check the CONFIG.SYS file. It should have the following two statements: FILES=35 and BUFFERS=35 higher numbers are OK.

DOS Error 8 (Insufficient Memory) Binx DOS programs require 450-500k free RAM for best performance. You may need to tweak settings in your CONFIG.SYS file, and/or remove memory resident programs for optimal performance.

Index or Database error Something happened while the program was writing data to the disk. This can happen if you switch off the computer while the program is running, you get a power surge in your electrical supply, or even if you bump your computer. You can usually solve this problem by choosing the reindex files from your program's main menu. You may have to choose to ignore several warning messages until the process is complete.

If your problem wasn't answered here contact us via phone or E-Mail.

Copyright� 2008 Paul Van House DBA Binx Custom Software
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