CompuServe Thread

Pls help identify flash

7 messages in this thread
#163702From: Robert AmeetiMar 13, 1994 2:11 PM
I'm posting this here since I might expect other developers to maybe have used enough different programs as I have to maybe share their experience at solving my problem. Every few days I have something that triggers some init or extension to halt processing and display a message in the center of my screen. The message flashes rapidly for a period of about 10 seconds after which it goes away and everything is back to normal. I need some help in identifying who or what is causing this abnormality. The flashing is as follows: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Please insert disk module XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The X's are black bars onscreen. Any ideas at solving this would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, Robert :O
#163788From: James LutherMar 14, 1994 12:23 AM
The easiest method would probably be to search your hard disk for the text "Please insert disk module" (or a part of that string). For example, I saved your message on my disk, used Norton Utilities Disk Editor to open the volume and then Find "Please insert". It told me what file the message was in. If the message can't be found that way, then you'll have to use MacsBug (or another low-level debugger) to do a both a A6 and A7 stack crawl while the message is on your screen to see if you can identify what code is putting up the message and then determine where that code is coming from (again, you might try searching for it with a disk editor). Happy hunting… Jim Luther
#164062From: Robert AmeetiMar 15, 1994 12:30 PM
I liked the Norton way as it seemed real easy. Too easy. Alas, it didn't work. I have this feeling it is part of some compiled code for some formatter or installer or such. I just don't want to start over with a virgin system and reinstall everything only to find that it is still happening. 🙁 Ah yes, MacsBug. That thing that I have heard about for the last 9 years and have avoided so far. Ugh. I'm guessing it is going to be beyond my capabilities at least on my first crack. What library would I find it in? Robert :O
#164142From: James LutherMar 15, 1994 11:01 PM
You searched your whole disk (not just the current selected file) and didn't find any of the words you saw in the message? Hmmm…
#163812From: John MacVeighMar 14, 1994 3:53 AM
Robert, About two years ago I used a disk formatter (I think it came with an APS drive) to format some SyQuests, and noticed that sometimes after mounting such a disk I'd get a flashing box in the middle of my screen. It was white with a think pink border and had no text in it. That's about all I remember. This is a real long-shot, but since your message has the word "disk" in it… have you changed disk formatters recently? Added any disk-related extensions? Used a "foreign" syquest or other replaceable disk? If so, try updating the disk's driver with some other formatter. If you have a debugger (hey, this IS the programmer's forum), try checking where/what the code is that is executing while the message is up. Otherwise try posting in the Hardware or System forum: you'll probably get a wider range of experience there. –John
#164063From: Robert AmeetiMar 15, 1994 12:30 PM
While this is a programmers forum, *I* am not a programmer. Just a real heavy duty user. A power user but certainly not a programmer as this forum would define it. I might as well try those other posts also though. Might you have the appropriate 'GO:' as I'm not a big CIS user. Thanks, Robert :O
#164157From: John MacVeighMar 16, 1994 1:41 AM
Try MACSYS or MACHW (Systems Forum and Hardware Forum). The fact that searching with Norton did not locate the text actually bolsters the argument that the problem may be in a disk driver, as I don't think Norton searches those blocks. –John