CompuServe Thread

SB4—HELP—PLEASE

7 messages in this thread
#34987From: Gary LucasFeb 3, 1992 1:30 PM
ALL: SuperBase 4 v1.01 HELP! — PLEASE — I have created a CLIENT RECORD DATABASE for my company with SuperBase4 everthing works — EXCEPT — printing the client registry report. This report was created from within SuperBaseFormDesigner Report Function. This report should place the data for 3 Client Records on a single LetterSize sheet of paper — from within the SuperBaseFormDesigner the TEST FUNCTION correctly prints the data for 6 client records on two sheet of paper PERFECTLY! However, when this report is used the printing is as follows: the data for the first three client records prints exactly on one sheet of LetterSize paper (just like I want) — then the data for only 1/2 of ONE client record appears at the top of the next page and then my printer suddenly preforms a form feed and completes the record at the top of the next page then suddenly preforms another form feed and starts the wierdness all over. I have tried adjust my prefs (this machine is using AmigaDos 1.3) and allways the same nonsense happens — I have tried setting the printer from within SuperBase itself, again to NO avail. I have called OXXI at their 1-900-$$$-$$$$ number to be told that I need to write an external file that has my printer's ASCII value for form length set to 66 — Then I ask, "I am not a programer in anyway, can you tell me exactly how to do this?" — OXXI's briliant response was, "Sir I am not sure what you are talking about" I repeated my question and OXXI again says "Well I don't know what you are talking about" ANY HELP WELL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!! P.S.: I am using an OKI-DATA 192 Plus with this Computer. — Gary Lucas —
#35033From: SPC Superbase Tech SuppFeb 4, 1992 11:00 AM
Gary, I will try to reproduce your problem and get back to you as soon as I can. Darin, SPC Superbase Technical Support – via Whap!
#35071From: PETER BRADLEYFeb 5, 1992 2:19 AM
What type of printer are you using? My bet is a HP deskjet or laserjet. I have been having all kinds of problems with reports ejecting pages accurately/when expected. Try turning _perf_skip_ off. This is an option usually selectable by dip switches on the printer. perf skip causes the printer to leave usually one inch at the top and bottom of each page. This can get into conflict with the SBPro report sending form feeds to the printer, often causing the symptom you describe. (I just spent a few hours with a client figuring this out). The behavior has changed between SBPro 3 and 4, because the same reports which worked with SBPro3 caused every other page of a report to be blank when used with SBPro4. If you are using one of the HP printers, make sure nothing is on the page past line 60. – Whapping! from LA…. Peter Bradley
#35132From: Gary LucasFeb 6, 1992 8:52 AM
Peter: Thanks for the dip switch tip. However, the printer ia an OKI-DATA 192 Plus. I'll my printer check for switches. I was able to set a Sub-Total Report with no problems and it does Sub-Total everything on an month by month and office by office and includes combined year-to-date subtotals and runs perfectly — however, this is a SINGLE page report. It's my client registry report that fits the information of three clients per report page that starts with the CRAZY form feeds ONLY after the first page. — Gary Lucas —
#35173From: Loren A. BuschFeb 7, 1992 12:28 AM
I have been having similiar problems with reports and simple DML routines for printing, I have asked here for the info left out of the manual on exactly what the various setup setting are in the configuration file, but have had no response. try mixing settings in the config file, try PRINT_RAW options. One BIG problem that seems to have been carried over from previous versions of SB is that SB goes out and gets the Preferences printer settings the FIRST time the printer is used, but never again in that session. If your printer setup was wrong in prefs, you can't change it and expect SB to know you have made a change. This will drive you right up the wall because changes that may cure your problem are ignored and you think that that was not the problem. Probably not related, there is a problem with printing labels also. If you specify the number of rows of laels vertically on the paper and that is exactly the length of the paper, it will give a page feed at the top of the next page, putting a blank page every other page. This is cured by specifying 0 for number of rows of labels. Your problem sounds like a similiar situation. Try setting page length to 0 so that SB won't send a page feed ever. – via Whap!
#35144From: Gary LucasFeb 6, 1992 11:04 AM
Peter: I have found that our printer (OKI-DATA 192 Plus) has a menu setting for skip over perf. — Yes, it was set to Y — after changing the setting to N — it has improved the output somewhat. Next I entered the AmigaDos Printer Prefs contorl window which I had set for US LETTER — This is the problem — After experimenting with the CUSTOM setting combined with various line lengths the following setting works: CUSTOM + LINE LENGTH = 72 — not 66 like ALL of my other software but 72 works properly for a standard US LEGAL sheet of paper — this program was written in Great Britian — and therefore the odd paper lengths and form feeds — and YES SKIP OVER PERF. must be set to N (off). THANK YOU VERY MUCH it was your tip that set me looking in the right direction. I intend to report this to OXXI but I don't expect much of a result — I nearly fainted when after purchasing SB4 from SPC the very next week it was announced that OXXI bought the rights to the AMIGA SB4 my customer service experience with them has never never turned up a correct answer — However, I have ALWAYS found GREAT – SOLID – SUPPORT right here on CI$ — Again, THANKS! — Gary Lucas —
#35217From: PETER BRADLEYFeb 7, 1992 10:21 PM
Gary, Glad you are able to print now. I keep waiting and working towards the _Paperless Office_… Dealing with printers and printed reports drives me crazy, but everyone loves them!! – Whapping! from LA…. Peter Bradley