Your Windows Operating System

Many of our clients are from the DOS generation where problems were few and far between.  Now, as they move to windows, they experience more difficulties and frustrations.  This should not be too surprising ... since most of these people will testify long, and rather unhappily, about the onslaught of problems in computerized vehicles, it is not surprising that the new business computers will also have problems.

DOS programs did much of the work within the program, rather than in the operating system.  Windows seeks to do much of the work with its own files which are called by the various programs.  Also, because several programs run at the same time, they may often share the same windows functions ( known as resources ).  This can obviously lead to problems when one program falsely shuts down a file needed by another program.

In the general plan for windows, a file is shared when an individual opens it on one computer, works on it, and then puts it back to the server.  With ASW 8, we defy normal windows operations by allowing several people on different computers to access the files, and update them, at the same time.  Although this is "legal" in windows, weaker hardware can often have problems maintaining the files as they should.

Information is not always written immediately to the hard drive in windows.  It is stored in buffers, and written to the hard drive when there is available time.  The end result is that contamination can occur when one machine doesn't get its "buffers flushed" to the server in time for another computer to get the latest copy of the data.

Because of the many viruses being sent via the internet, computers  now must have virus checking software installed.  However this can sometimes interfere with the operation of the programs which are running.  Spreadsheets, word processing, and other such programs may not be as prone to problems, but an constantly interactive database program like ASW 8 will see some performance degredation as a result.

What does all this mean ?  First, make sure you invest in quality equipment.  If you plan to use several computers, make sure that the server is properly configured.  Microsoft recommends plenty of RAM be available for windows.  Don't choke the engine ... make sure you have at least 128 MB of RAM on each computer.  Do not run any utilities that supposedly increase performance ... they won't.  For your virus software, stick with Norton or McAffee, and set it to not check your data files.  Only the executable files ( its an option ) need to be checked.  Be sure you run a Scan Disk, and Defragment your hard drive once a week.  You will like the performance result.  Also, be sure you have plenty of space on your hard drive.  If you use an older machine with lots of programs installed and a smaller drive, you will have problems.

You can also save some grief by the following:

•        Always complete an operation.  For example, open a workorder on one computer, work on it, and then exit that workorder when you finish the immediate task.  It is fine to open it on a second machine, but as a rule, don't open it on two machines at the same time.  The software does allow this, but what usually happens is someone just leaves the older version hanging on one machine while updating on the other.  Use this rule all of the time ... open / work /close  ... any activity.

•        Always index your files on the server and be sure all other computer are out of the program.

•        Don't start the program and leave it in the login screen.

•        Run one report at a time.  Although multiple checkboxes are available, the intent is to only check one report and run it !

•        If you encounter a problem, immediately go to the Bug Enhancement option under tools, and send an email.  This option grabs the error log file.  Be sure to write a complete description ( step by step ) of what you did and the problem it created.

IF WE DON"T HEAR FROM YOU WE CAN"T KNOW WHAT PROBLEMS NEED TO BE FIXED.

•        Run network diagnostics on a regular basis.  Network cables come loose or are damaged.  Network cards become sproadic.  Connections at hubs / routers can become corroded.  Power to hubs and routers can be sporadic.  An overnight diagnostic test run once a week may help you find many problems before they become significant.