We have found work arounds for the locking problems and an easier way to re-print in the current Win95/98 Names Software. If you are experiencing problems with the current Names software in Windows 95/98 See the suggestions below.

Q. Surnames are not active on my menu, why?

A. You are not using a postscript printer. Since the current surname product creates it's own graphics it must have a Postscript printer to do so. If you do have a postscript printer and it is still not active, go to the OTHER menu select SYSTEM INFORMATION at the bottom of that window is PRINTER it must say POSTSCRIPT if it does not position the cursor there and press the space bar. This makes the option cycle between POSTSCRIPT and LASER JET. Now make sure your printer its self is set for POSTSCRIPT.

Q. -The problem was on the occasion when I attempted to add a new name, my program would go down. I would like to know if you have worked the bugs out of the program. - Shela (NC) -

A.- There are two situations which are caused by bugs in Win 95/98 itself which we must walk around. This week we have found acceptable Work arounds for both. Our thanks to Tony & Kathy Dunham of Zephyrhills, FL for the Re-Print Icon idea below.

1) The first problem is when you print a poem you must return to the main names screen and press on Reprint. This sounds easy enough but if you are trying to adjust X/Y’s you have to go back and re-edit the poem, exit press Re-Print, it becomes very frustrating.

One of our long-time Licensees gave us a tip which makes an easy fix. This works on systems with Postscript printers only! Make an Icon on the Windows Desktop which runs a batch file with the print command in it. Drag the Icon to the bottom of the Desktop so it can be seen under the DOS window in which the Names Program is running. This way you make your poem. Press print which creates a print file. When the software tells you to press reprint click on the Icon. Use this same Icon for Surnames, Family and Dogs.

Making the Icon

Here is how to make the Icon and BAT file with the print code.

Go to:

START , Programs, Accessories, Notepad

type in the following line:

COPY NAME.PRN LPT1

Click on File, Save. Save as:

C:\NAMES\SAYINGS\REPRINT.BAT

Now the BAT file is made, so all we need do is create an Icon on the DESK TOP here's how. . .

Go to the DESK TOP, RIGHT CLICK on the START BUTTON a menu will come up, select OPEN, a window opens titled "Start Menu", click on FILE at the top of the window, select NEW, then Shortcut. Your cursor is in an entry box type the following line . . .

C:\NAMES\SAYINGS\REPRINT.BAT

click on the NEXT button , a new window comes up select the NEXT button here also.

Now a window appears with Icons in it choose one you like, I used the "pencil on paper" because I'm writing to the printer. Click on FINISH

The Icon you chose will appear in the "Start Menu" window, drag it to the DESKTOP by holding the left mouse button down on it and moving over the DESKTOP. Move it to the bottom of your Desktop so it so it can be seen under the DOS window in which the Names Program is running.

Close the "Start Menu" window.

Now test your button by Double Clicking on it see if the last thing you printed comes out the printer.

2) The second problem is that when you look up a spelling that is not there, add a spelling, or change the data on a name, Win 95 locks the file. This causes the program to crash when you say OK to print it. Then to get back in you must shutdown Windows.

At the Desktop go to the START button, select RUN and enter the following:

sysedit

Several windows will cascade on the screen. Click on the CONFIG.SYS window add or edit the following lines (you can copy and paste these in)

:

DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\setver.exe

DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS /TESTMEM:OFF

DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS /I=B000-B7FF

DOS=HIGH,UMB

SHELL=C:\COMMAND.COM /E:1024 /P

FILESHIGH=125

BUFFERSHIGH=60

If the above does not work call Tech support. It has worked on most all computers . Or . . .

There is another work around if the above does not work. It is not the best, but is better than having to shutdown windows. Currently the only way around it is to say "yes" to add the new spelling. Press enter until you are to the custom line, press the ESC key twice, Quit and go out to the desk top. This fools Windows and the file is released. Go back into the names program and look the name up. It will print just fine.

3) The third item is to hide your .BIN files so windows can not destroy them. To do this from the DESKTOP go to the START button, then PROGRAMS to MSDOS PROMPT at the DOS prompt type:

CD\NAMES\SAYINGS <press enter>

ATTRIB +H +S +R *.BIN < press enter

EXIT

Now everything will take effect after you re-boot your computer. Your Windows troubles should be fixed.

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