Are newer computers too fast? 1

[tilltek]

Since moving up to an Athalon 1200 with a video card that has more memory than my first comuter I'm finding some weird things.

First, serial printers are over running and losing data regardles of the speed setting as in mode com1 96,n,8,1 or the "speed = 1000000" setting in foxpro.
This never happened on 486 dx66.

Second, and a lot wierder, I use "wait window "Here 1", "Here 2" etc. in my code when I'n trying to track down a glitch.
if x > 1
wait window "In if-then"
do xxxxxxxx
endif
Works fine because I can see just where I am.
I recently had a problem where the code in a if then statement was working but the "wait window" did not show up.

In frustration I added a second wait window after the first and lo and behold, it showed.
Further experimentation proved that the first wait window did not show regardless of how many wait windows followed each other. In the following "In if-then 1" did not show
if x > 1
wait window "In if-then 1"
wait window "In if-then 2"
wait window "In if-then 3"
do xxxxxxxx
endif
If i removed "In if-then 1" then "In if-then 2" didn't show.
Are conputers getting too fast or is there a simpler reason?

 

[fluteplr]

You mean aside from the fact that you are running software that is about 10 years old?

 

[davidtoranzo]

tilltek,

Very weird, indeed. Could you determine if the wait window didn't show, or didn't execute? The difference is trascendental, 'cause could happen with some other instructions, harder to find X-).

Let us know if you find something else, please.

David.

 

[tedbain]

possibly had similar problem on slower(266) machines with messages in defined windows not being written and, in some cases, skipping thru windows where 'exit' buttons on consecutive screens are in similar positions.
Inserting a WAIT TIMEOUT 0.1 seems to solve the problem... might help in your case

 

[ramani]

HI
I suugest for testing purposes, you clear the typeahead buffer with the statement before the wait statements.
CLEAR TYPEAHEAD
then all your wait statements.

This is to chech if your keyboard is inheriting a key stroke which clears the first wait statement. Very fast computers can make you feel as if nothing happened, where actualy, the wait flashes and gets cleared with the type ahead stroke.

Hope this resolves your issue ramani :-9
(Subramanian.G)
FoxAcc
ramani_g@yahoo.com
LET KNOW IF THIS HELPED. ENOUGH EXPERTS ARE HERE TO HELP YOU OUT! BEST OF LUCK

 

[DSummZZZ]

You might adjusting the hardware acceleration settings for the video card too.

Dave S.

 

[FoxEgg]

Better late than never...

Could your problem be because you are running DOS on a fast machine ???

Check the Task Manager CPU utilization if it is 100% ... it commonly happens... it might cause such anomalies.

To solve: I am evaluating and have just installed tamedos from

http://www.tamedos.com

... it seems to have removed some of the problems..

By the way, your current video card has more memory than on all the entire Apollo spacecrafts....

Cheers
FoxEgg

 

[tilltek]

Let me know how you get on with tamedos.
I don't have problems with users just yet as they run 500 and under machines but speeds are gradualy increasing.
It will only be a couple of years and good second hand Athalon boxes will be $50 and despite protestations from members of this forum that 2.6 is out of date, I don't plan to move to Windows in the near future.
Ken F

 

[FoxEgg]

Tamedos did exactly as it said... slowed processor utilization dramatically...

This week will determine if it has solved my other problems.

One of our group was suggesting that Microsoft has done this intentionally (ie make DOS consume 100% of the processor and they MUST have known how it worked before it was released) to make it Win 2000 unfriendly

But nevertheless, I would encourage you to learn VFP (like the others that encouraged me) ... VFP is a ROYAL PAIN to learn... but No Pain No Gain.. (and computers are NOT gonna get slower... and you will eventually replace your old ones...

There is only one way to do it.... try, fail, try fail again (about 30 times).... until eventually a little light goes on...

The VFP forum provides great assistance.... (if that fails try Prozac or Viagra)

John
Oz

 

[tilltek]

John, I think you're probably right about needing to learn VFP. I have tried getting into it a couple of times and due to constant brain activity revolving around FPD (I run a phone help center, mostly dos & ffd, 7 days a week) I have shelved it. I have VFP3,5 and 6 and an excellent book by Jeb Long but still find it a daunting task. I also take into account that businesses that could use whatever they choose DO NOT use Windows of any description. Harvey Norman, McDonalds, KFC etc. etc. all use a non Windows interface. A salesman (Victoria) for MYOB once asked if he could sell my POS system. I asked why. He told me that his whole sales team agreed that the British POS system (digi pos? retail pos?) that was sold with MYOB was hopeless and only suitable in a situation where a very few sales were made each day.
I'm a bit off subject here.
The end.
tilltek@hotmail.com
OZ

 

[FoxEgg]

I have tried getting into it a couple of times and ...

not enough pain yet... more failures needed, at least 10 ... and then just ONE success... and then it begins.

I also take into account that businesses that could use whatever they choose DO NOT use Windows of any description.

Mine too, I would prefer to NOT USE Windows 2000.. but things get faster...and bigger..

A salesman (Victoria) for MYOB once asked if he could sell my POS system.

Does POS mean Piece of "you know what" ??? If so I bet my FPD has a better POS status... If it is point of sale... then I agree with all you have said...

Look at my posts.... I have tried and tried to escape from VFP but, mate, we are screwed... eventually Windows will win,,, unless we go Linux ?????

OK tilltek, head out of the hole-in-the-ground.... start failing VFP; why should I be the only one to suffer in Sydney

John