2002 crashes during multitasking

[KeithH]

Thanks to all contributors to these forums.

Our office is using Peachtree 2002 on two networked PC's, 1 and 2. PC 1 is connected via DSL to the internet. PC1 is the bosses computer with all the records. PC 2 is the computer we run Peachtree on, accessing his data files via the network. Peachtree runs fine, opens the company fine, stores the documents fine. The problem occurs when *closing* Peachtree 2002, while running another program in tandem, Quatro for example. Upon closing peachtree, one gets the usual Windows error message:

"This program has performed an illegal operation etc."
details:
"Peachw caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.dl at 016fgib...etc., etc.
Registers EAX=c0015ee4" etc., etc., etc. (serveral lines of this stuff).

Now, having looked in the Peachtree error message help files, and knowing a bit about Win95, I realize this is probably two apps or drivers trying to access the same part of memory, but I wonder where on earth I could start looking for the solution to this problem.

AFAIK, it only happens when the computers are networked, and when PC2 is multitasking Peachtree and something else.

Any leads would be greatly appreciated.

Keith

ps I have the full error message if that's helpful

[dringstrom]

I'm not sure if you realize this, but a big part of your battle is that Microsoft no longer supports Windows 95. I'm generally out of my league when Peachtree misbehaves, but I can say that running current software on obsolete operating systems is never a good fit. I'm not sure if your hardware will support this, but you might try upgrading to a more current operating system. You can also try clicking on Start, Find, Files or Folders, and search for files with the description *.TMP. Delete any of these that you find.

Good luck!

[KeithH]

David, thanks for the response.

The idea of Microsoft not supporting Win 95 is a drag, but doesn't surprise me.

I'll try your suggestion of deleting.....any old .tmp files? Is this correct? As long as it isn't going to HARM anything....

cheers,
Keith

[dringstrom]

Keith,

Yes, you can delete all of the .TMP files. These are temporary files that Windows should clean up on its own, but that often get left hanging around. I've seen numerous cases where simply expunging all of the .TMP files has resolved program crashes. Typically this is when a user has hundreds of .TMP files on their machine. I'm not sure if it will help your situation, but it's still a good housekeeping task to do from time to time.

Good luck!

David

[Deborah Bean]

Yes, it is better to have a more recent operating system, but I have numerous clients still running just fine in Win95. If you can find them, make sure that all patches, service releses, etc. have been applied.

Do you also have the latest 2002 update? I have found the update helps.

Also... what is your logic for having the internet-connected PC hold the Peachtree data files if Peachtree is only run on the other machine? If no one uses the internet PC for Peachtree, put the files on the local machine. Internet usage can be quite processor-intensive, which could cause Peachtree problems.

[dringstrom]

Deborah,

I agree that Win95 is still a functional operating system, it's just that when something goes wrong, it's starting to get harder to find resources to resolve problems. It sounds like we're on the same page...if Win95 isn't broken, don't fix it by upgrading, but in my opinion, once a Win95 machine becomes unstable, it's generally time to make a boat anchor out of the old machine and get something new. For those on a particularly tight budget, one can purchase a new computer for under $500 from www.emachines.com. I don't have any experience with their prodcuts, but I've seen favorable mention in other forums.

David

[Deborah Bean]

Do not - REPEAT DO NOT purchase an eMachine for Peachtree or networking. I have dealt with numerous of these low-priced machines for clients who thought they could save a buck and order a machine. These machines have been abominable when it comes to getting them working over a network unless it is extremely basic. We have had to reload software numerous times before we could get modems, network cards, and programs to work. These are the Packard Bell desktops of the new millenium.

Regarding Win95, and all Microsoft OS's for that matter... I once heard a Microsoft rep, and have heard it repeated by numerous systems engineers, that Windows is like a cancer. Because of the way it is written, sooner or later the OS and the Registry will become corrupted. When that eventually happens, the only recourse is to reformat the hard drive and reload everything. There is no question of IF it will happen, only a matter of WHEN. Because I generally work with smaller companies, including a lot of sole proprietors, I find that this is between one and two years. My systems engineer/developer/beta testing husband has to reformat his hard drive at least every three months (but he puts computers through much greater stresses than the average user). As a Peachtree consultant/developer/author, I do this about avery six months. The trick is to keep all data on a file server and to make regular backups, backups, and more backups.

For my clients with tight budgets, I have found that Micro Center's PowerSpec computers are generic enough for almost all of my clients as workstations. If you look for a yellow ticket item, the price is generally 10% off the regular price and it has the added bonus of being put through testing twice. My last four machines (about 1 a year) have been PowerSpec's. The are located at www.microcenter.com if you are interested.

Another problem with the latest computers is that they all come with XP. I have found that this system has not been reliable with Peachtree and a host of other programs. I avoid this OS like the plague. In fact, for one larger client who purchased 4 new computers at the same time, we reformated the hard drives and loaded Win2000 Pro, with all the updates. I personally have found this to be the most reliable OS to date.

[dringstrom]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm a fan of Dell computers personally, because of all the brands I've used, I have the least problems with those. I also strongly agree with Windows 2000 as the best operating system at the current time. I'll keep the Micro Center computers in mind. I also greatly appreciate the eMachines tip...I was suspect of those, but wanted to offer something to those in the forum that appear to have limited technology budgets. I, for one, have no desire to relive the Packard Bell experience. Been there, done that.