ALT TAB LOCKUPS

[GAWG]

Hi
Using Windows XP pro with 512 meg Ram, I had alt -tabbed out to do some spreadsheet work between customers and after a few minutes it seemed like the application locked up. It seemed to do this every time I tried to alt tab out after a few minutes WHen I would alt tab back into POS, the screen would be black and nothing I could do would bring anything back up. I had disabled the POS screen saver thiking it was that, but that didnt seem to help. Is there any settings for the program shortcut properties that I can change that will help undo this? There seems like there could be some relevant settings under MISC or memory but I am hesitant in changing those and memory settings willy-nilly. Should it be run in a compatability mode? Everything else works well so far that I have tried.

THe reason I alt-tab instead of closing the register is that when i restart POS and enter in the cash box quantity, I of course get a print out to OPEN the register, which consumes ink and paper. [But the problem is also once it crashes/locksup, I have to reopen the register and still get the print out ....] Because then at closing it also reprints out all those opening slips, too, in addition to the sales slips. Is there a way to not have the printout done automatically or be prompted for a print out at opening (as it prompts for closing)?

Any info is appreciated
THx

[chasmit]

I run straight Dos.
I just put the printer off-line to
avoid the open/close print.
I tell DHPOS that the problem is unknown
or insurmountable.
However you spell that.

[Andrew]

I quite often have POS running in windowed mode while in chat and other apps, use Alt+Enter to switch between window/fullscreen.

If you are just jumping straight out of fullscreen into a windows application and back it could get grumpy with switching screen modes like that. Asides from the fact Windows XP is not friendly with DOS apps.

[GAWG]

I will try to change a few settings and report back:
Ripped from a website


By default, MS-DOS programs stop running when they’re not in the foreground. If you want the program to continue running in the background when you switch away from it, go to the Misc tab (Figure F) and clear the Always Suspend check box

If the program terminates with an error when the Windows screen saver tries to kick in, clear the Allow Screen Saver check box on the Misc tab (Figure F).

While there’s no specific compatibility mode for MS-DOS, an MS-DOS program’s Properties box contains the same Compatibility tab as other applications and shortcuts. This might be useful in cases where an MS-DOS program ran successfully under Windows 95 but won’t run under Windows XP.

[GAWG]

I quite often have POS running in windowed mode while in chat and other apps, use Alt+Enter to switch between window/fullscreen.

If you are just jumping straight out of fullscreen into a windows application and back it could get grumpy with switching screen modes like that. Asides from the fact Windows XP is not friendly with DOS apps.

I'll give that a try too - instead of alt-tab, I'll just go into windowed mode.

[GAWG]

I run straight Dos.
I just put the printer off-line to
avoid the open/close print.
I tell DHPOS that the problem is unknown
or insurmountable.
However you spell that.

How did you tell DHPOS that it's unkown or insurmountable? If I shutoff my printer, DHPOS seems to freeze during the time it would print (longer than it would take to print out the open receipt)...

[chasmit]

All I meant was this:
When I know that I'm about to re-open the register
and it will call for a print that I won't be
wanting, I try to remember to see that the
printer is not ready.
Then as DHPOS discovers that, it gives me
3 options:
1) Problem Fixed, resume print.
2) Problem Unknown, Insurmountable, don't print.
3) Turn off quick printer error trap.
I go for option 2 and go merrily on my way.
I don't know exactly what option 3 does.
Maybe someone could tell me here.

[ChrisKraus]

All I meant was this:
When I know that I'm about to re-open the register
and it will call for a print that I won't be
wanting, I try to remember to see that the
printer is not ready.
Then as DHPOS discovers that, it gives me
3 options:
1) Problem Fixed, resume print.
2) Problem Unknown, Insurmountable, don't print.
3) Turn off quick printer error trap.
I go for option 2 and go merrily on my way.
I don't know exactly what option 3 does.
Maybe someone could tell me here.

<HR>
This Just Stops DHPOS From Popping Up That Window Every Time It Has A Printing Error. Instead, It Just Does Nothing If there is a print error.

- Chris

[chasmit]

When I have the error trap turned off, and printer not ready,
any operation which would call for a print
routine results in 'Device fault in line 7
of module POS3 at address ....'
'Hit any key to return to system'
Then, sure enough, any key kicks me
out to the DOS Prompt.
But thankfully, with a blinking cursor.

[GAWG]

All I meant was this:
When I know that I'm about to re-open the register
and it will call for a print that I won't be
wanting, I try to remember to see that the
printer is not ready.
Then as DHPOS discovers that, it gives me
3 options:
1) Problem Fixed, resume print.
2) Problem Unknown, Insurmountable, don't print.
3) Turn off quick printer error trap.
I go for option 2 and go merrily on my way.
I don't know exactly what option 3 does.
Maybe someone could tell me here.

Hrmm, I never see that screen....

[DJLiljengren]

That is interesting on how it is locking up on you, I have used Alt-Tab since I switched from Mac a few years back, and it hasn't locked up on me, Are you using the Alt-Tab Powertool from Micro$oft? That might be the reason why it is locking up, that uses a bit of CPU doing the screenshot while tabbing thing. Hmmmmm, something to ponder