System Error Messages

The Error Display

When working with The Auto Shop Writer, there will be occasions when the  computer will display an error box, alerting the user to call  MasterLink.  It is vital that the exact error message be copied  down, and then any key may be pressed to return the operator to the Windows Desktop.

Errors do occur.  However, it must be realized that errors need to  be addressed as soon as they occur, not several hours later.  A small problem, if caught immediately, can be prevented from becoming  a major problem.

Prolonged usage of the system after an error has  occurred may lead to a total system failure, damage to the data  files, and perhaps the necessity of completely restoring the system  from a backup.

Error Messages

The error system in The Auto Shop Writer will provide you with the  nature of the problem and most probable cause.  Solutions may be suggested.  If you have an option to continue, and the failure  re-occurs, exit the system, and then re-enter, trying the procedure  again.  The error system will print messages in a special pop-up box.  There are some very common errors which you can resolve.

The Error Log

Whenever your system has an error, it writes a lot of information to a file called error.log.  It would certainly help if you send an email to support@mstrlink.com explaining what you were doing when the error occured, and then select error.log as an attachment to your message.  This way our engineering staff can know exactly what took place in your computer when the error occured and provide you with a very accurate solution to the problem you have encountered.          

General Windows Errors

Operating system errors may be recognized because they usually have a message  displayed at the top of the screen which always ends (A)bort, R)etry, Ignore).  These are generated by the operating system, and have nothing to do  with The Auto Shop Writer.  Usually they indicate a problem with  hardware.          

Divide overflow

Your processor has suffered a failure, either in its operation, or  with a memory chip.  Sometimes this is transitory, and rebooting  (turning the power off, then on again) the system will clear the  problem.  However, this may also lead to a total failure of the  computer.  See your hardware technician for assistance.        

Unable to access drive C

Drive C (or any other drive) cannot be read by the system.  This may  be caused by a bad hard disk, or controller.  If you are on a network, it may also indicate a network card, cable, or software failure.  Before you panic, your drive may be salvageable.  Hopefully, you  have a great, recent backup.

There are several excellent utilities  available that can recover a drive, or reformat it without even  losing the data.  Check with a systems expert before trying  anything.  Before your drive is replaced, an attempt to reformat the  system should be made by a qualified technician.            

Sector not found

The computer expected to find a disk address that wasn't there.  Its  like the problem a postman faces when he needs to deliver mail to a house destroyed by a tornado.  Again, several utilities can mark  this spot, and clean up the problem.  Consult your systems expert  for a resource.  This does not mean a major hardware problem in all  cases - just a need to do some cleaning.

There are several utilities available to "optimize" a disk drive.  These re-arrange all of the files so that all of their data is  written sequentially, not fractured all over the drive (which is the  result of normal operation).  Optimizing your drive once a week,  after that day's backup, is highly recommended.          

Unable to write device prn

Your printer is hiding.  Usually this means that the printer is "off  line" (check the light in front), or your cable has come loose.  If  this is not the problem, check to be sure someone didn't redirect  the printer to another port.  If all else fails, try the printer on  another machine to see if it works.  If so, you may have a defective  printer port card - an inexpensive item to replace.

Otherwise, you  may have a bad printer.  Send it to the printer hospital for a quick  repair.

CDX Errors

The Auto Shop Writer utilizes index files to keep track of  the location of certain records.  These permit quick look-up of  information.  The .CDX error messages indicate an index has been  damaged.  The most likely cause of a "blown index" is someone turning off the  power without exiting the program.  However, power glitches, and computer "hiccups" can also create a problem.   Also, if you receive an error message indicating "File Corruption", it may also be a blown index.

Your system will create a new set of indexes when you select the  INDEX option from the Tools menu.  You will not need to clear the  old indexes, or perform any "recovery" process.  The new indexes  will contain all of the data necessary, and will be written over the  old copies.      

Record/file lock failure on xxxxxx  -or-  xxx.DBF(5)

Your system tried to lock a record, or file, and found that it could  not complete the task.  This is usually because someone else has the  file already locked.  The system will try to lock the file, or  record, 10 times.  Then it will display this message.  On a  multi-user system, check to see who is using the file.  Once they are finished, press RETRY, and you should gain access.

If this message occurs and you are sure no one is using the same  file, then you may have a network locking difficulty.  Some networks do not release the locks immediately when a file is released.  Some  also do not have 100% accuracy when releasing locks.  In such a case  you may have to quit, exit the program at all stations, and then  power down the system, and bring it up again.  The lock table is  usually stored in memory in the server, and only is released when  the power is turned off.