Rescuing PC Access for Windows from SuperPrint/SuperQueue

MFM Fixes the Problem with SuperPrint

PC Access for Windows before Build 97 was incompatible on at least some computers with some software products from Zenographics: SuperPrint and SuperQueue. MFM has corrected this problem in Build 97. If you are a registered user of PC Access for Windows you may download an update.

The following information is for historical reference only. If you are having the following problem, update your copy of PC Access for Windows to Build 97 now.

Problems with SuperPrint

Problems with SuperQueue

Because SuperQueue does considerable work as a background task when you print, a fast computer with ample memory will provide the best results.

When you print a report with PC Access while online with your MLS, your computer is already working very hard to handle printing and serial communication with the MLS simultaneously. Trying to run another program that "does considerable work as a background task" is likely to prevent your computer from keeping up with incoming information from the MLS. This can cause incomplete reports, missing photos, and lockups.

To see if you are running SuperQueue in Windows 3.1x, press Ctrl-Esc to display the Windows Task List. If SuperQueue is running, it will have an entry there.

If you are running SuperQueue and having trouble printing from PC Access for Windows while online with your MLS, you should uninstall SuperQueue. After you do, PC Access for Windows may be unable to load your Windows printer driver. If you get an error like: "File Error: cannot find QD.DRV" shortly after starting PC Access for Windows, you need to follow the procedure in Rescuing PC Access from a Super Driver.

• Note: you might be able to run SuperQueue and PC Access simultaneously if you have an external modem and you install a Hayes ESP Communications Accelerator. MFM has found that the Hayes ESP dramatically improves serial communication, especially at high modem speeds on slower computers. However, MFM has not yet tested PC Access for Windows with SuperQueue and the Hayes ESP together. MFM offers this advice for users who want to use SuperQueue with PC Access for Windows at any cost.

1. Exit all your Windows applications. Exit from Windows and return to DOS. Type these commands to delete your existing PC Access printer setup file:

   C:
   CD  \PCAWIN
   DEL  PCAWIN.PTR
   

2. Restart Windows. If you have Windows 3.1x:
   1. Go to Main | Control Panel | Printers.
   2. Set your default Windows printer to be the "native" printer driver for your printer (not the Super Driver replacement). If you have never installed the native printer driver, do so now by clicking the Add button, and set it to be the default Windows printer.
   3. Close the Printers window, and close the Control Panel window.
3. If you have Windows 95:
   1. Click Start | Settings | Printers.
   2. Find the icon for the "native" printer driver for your printer (not the Super Driver replacement). Right-click the icon to display its local menu. Select Set As Default. If you have never installed the native printer driver, do so now by double-clicking the Add Printer icon. After you install the native driver, set it to be the default Windows printer.
   3. Close the Printers folder.
4. Run PC Access for Windows. You should now get past the GP Fault or Exception and reach the PC Access for Windows Main Menu window.
5. Now you need to set up PC Access for Windows so it always uses your native Windows printer driver. From the PC Access for Windows Main Menu select the Setup Menu button.
6. Click the Advanced button on the Setup Assistant window.
7. Click Printers on the Advanced Setup Menu window.
8. Click Add on the Printer Setup window.
9. On the Add Printer window, type the name of your printer in the Name field.
10. Pull down the Printer list and select the native Windows printer driver for your printer.
11. Click the OK button to return to the Printer Setup window.
12. Highlight the printer entry that you just added, and click the Set button. PC Access will now use this printer as its default printer, no matter what you select to be your default printer for all other Windows applications.
13. Close the Printer Setup window and the Advanced Setup Menu window. PC Access should function normally now.
14. After you exit PC Access for Windows, you may return to your Windows printer setup and set your Super Driver to be your default Windows printer again. This will let you continue to use your Super Driver with your other Windows applications without affecting PC Access for Windows.