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- The Public (Software) Library
- P.O.Box 35705 Houston, TX 77235-5705
-
- Problem Report Form
-
- Although we try to test all programs, some bugs may get by us, or you
- may have incomptible hardware or software which we do not have to test.
- Please use this form to report program problems to the P(s)L and to the
- program author. Letters to the P(s)L become the property of the P(s)L.
- We try to send personal replies when a self-addressed, stamped envelope
- is provided, but questions are normally answered in the newsletter. It
- is not feasible for us to try to troubleshoot programs over the phone,
- so please mail this form instead of calling.
-
- Your Name: ________________________ Date: ______________
- Address: __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
-
- Program Name: _____________________ Disk ID: _____________
-
- Bugs, Suggestions & Comments:
-
- (Please be as specific as possible about bugs. If we cannot
- duplicate your problem, we cannot help get it fixed.
- Please read the program's documentation carefully first.)
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
-
- System Configuration:
- Computer: ____________________ Amount of memory: __________
- Video Card: IBM-Mono/CGA/EGA/VGA/Herc/Other: _______________
- Type of Monitor: IBM-Mono/Color/Composite/Other: ___________
- Printer: _____________________ Hard disk? Y/N__ DOS: _____
- Number of floppies: __________ Other: _____________________
-
- Resident Utilities Used: ___________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
-
- By reporting any bugs, you can help us prevent the spread of
- non-working software. While we try to test every program, it
- is not possible to give each program the in-depth usage that
- reveals the most bugs. Although we will do everything in our
- power to see that all bugs are fixed, we do not warrant any
- of these programs to be bug-free.
-
- - The Public Software Library
- P.O.Box 35705
- Houston, TX 77235-5705
-
- The Public (Software) Library
- Common Problems/Solutions
-
- If this: Try this:
- ------------------------- ------------------------------------
- Error msg.: "Bad command This is not a program error or disk
- or file name". error. Check to make sure what you
- typed at the DOS prompt is an actual
- file name with a COM, EXE or BAT
- extension. Nothing else will run.
- Most disks let you get started by
- typing GO at the DOS prompt.
-
- Get error during DISKCOPY If you were copying A: to B:, try it
- or DIR doesn't work. B: to A:. If you still get an error
- the bad sector may not have any data
- note:------------------ on it. Try copying the files onto
- If you can't get DIR | another formatted disk using:
- to work, the disk may | COPY *.* (See COPY in DOS manual)
- have gotten zapped in | and then reformat the original disk.
- the mail somehow. You | If that doesn't work, try turning the
- may return the disk to| disk media to see if the jacket has
- us for recopying. | been crushed. If the media does not
- ----------------------- turn freely, draw the edges of the
- disk across a sharp edge, such as the
- edge of a desk:
- /\
- / / \ /
- / < O > /
- / \ / /
- /------------\/-----/
- | |
- | |
-
- Program locks up machine (1) If you have an IBM monochrome
- as soon as run. (or Hercules monochrome) card and
- monitor, you cannot run programs
- note:------------------- with CGA graphics. (2) If you have
- some graphics programs | other utilities resident in memory,
- will run on a Hercules | try booting up a plain DOS disk
- card with the help of | without them. (3) If you have a one-
- HGCIBM on the Hercules | color monitor (eg: amber or green)
- Utilities Disk (#860). | you may not be seeing instructions
- ------------------------ on the screen that are written in
- color. Get BWVID on disk 1-UT-280.
- (4) If at all possible, try it on
- another machine, preferably with a
- different version of DOS. (5) Try
- turning on your printer. (6) Read
- the documentation.
-
- Program locks up after it May be an undiscovered program bug.
- has been running ok for a If you can start over from the original
- while. disk and duplicate the problem, please
- report the steps to us and/or to the
- author using the form above. Also see
- the previous suggestions above.
- Try recopying the files from the disk
- that we sent you. (Always work from a
- copy and not the original disk.)
-
- Program asks for a file 99% of the time, this problem occurs
- that is not on the disk. because the user has not read in the
- documentation about how to start up the
- program or about extra files only sent
- to people who register with the author.
-
- Program or file names shown The actual file name may be a little
- in the documentation are different, such as the practice of
- not on the disk. putting the version number in the file
- name (eg: SDIR26.COM is SDIR ver. 2.6).
- Files may be combined into an ARC file.
- Use ARC or ARCE (from the "BBS/Library
- Tools Disk #1") to extract the files.
- Directions for this are usually in a
- text file on the disk.
-
- Program has a bug in it or Report the bug using this form to the
- does not work the way the author and/or to us. The author is best
- documentation says it should. able to help you, but we would like to
- know about any bugs too and we may be
- able to help you if the author does not
- respond. We are particularly interested
- in any incompatibilities you may find
- between this software and other software
- or hardware. We will publish bug reports
- in the monthly newsletter.
-
- Can't get the program to run. Please read the documentation. Please
- do not send disks back to us because of
- bugs unless as part of our exchange
- policy. See FREE DISKS in the newsletter
- for terms and conditions.
-
- If there are files on the disk with an extension of ARC, you need a
- de-ARC'er, such as ARCE, ARC or PKXARC. If ARCE.COM is on the disk,
- de-ARC the files by putting our disk in drive A: and a formatted disk
- in drive B: and entering A:ARCE A:*.ARC B:. Make sure you have enough
- free memory and free disk space.
-
- If you are not familiar with the commands DIR, COPY, TYPE, or how to
- load and run BASIC programs, you must read about them in the DOS and
- BASIC manuals that came with your computer. If you didn't get these
- manuals, contact your dealer. We strongly recommend that if you are
- new to public domain and "shareware" software, you get our Introduc-
- tory disk and disk 2-ED-085, TUTOR.
-
- Please remember that the purpose of the library is to let you try
- software in the most convenient and economical manner to see if it
- works for you. By definition then, we do NOT guarantee that the soft-
- ware will work on all equipment or at the level that you want. One
- person may complain that a program is too complicated and the next
- person, that it is too simple. That's why you are paying $5 to try
- the program rather than paying $50, $100 or more for a commercial
- program that may have the same limitations.
-
-
- Copyr. 1986, 1987 Nelson Ford