Problem with Graphics preferences

[dwkrueger]

I had a problem with the graphics prefrences. This is on Version 5.1 but the priniciple applies to other versions as well. The problem was that It retrieved the preferences from the database. But the Hardware acceleration for this one particular computer crashed the program. The only way I could resolve it was by going into the database directly and altering the the ComputerPref value that held the value for using simple graphics.

Beacuse this was a database value. Installing and uninstalling would not fix the problem. I really think that hardware issues should be stored in a local configuration file to prevent this problem from becoming unsolvable for your regular users.

Dan

[jordansparks]

We have run across this problem a time or two. It's fixable by doing just what you did. Note: your hardware driver is the one that crashed the computer. So our reasoning is that it's rare, it's not our fault, and it's solvable. We've looked at many different solutions. If it was stored in a local config file, it would still crash, and most users would still have to call us.

[dwkrueger]

I agree. But then you could check if program terminated normally and handle known issues.

Dan

[jordansparks]

We could? How would we check if program terminated normally? It crashes hard.

[drtech]

I have had the same problem on a couple of my computers

[dwkrueger]

Write a value to a file (like an ini, or xml, or config) say:
"ProgramRunning:Value"
just before the orginal call for the application (in main()) or in the original form constructor. Then in the form destructor (or in main()) write the value again signifying that the program terminated normally.

Dan

[jordansparks]

Thanks.

[mowgli]

IMHO, anyone who wants to support Open Dental (or self-support) should be prepared to go directly into the database at any time, for any reason. There are various graphical SQL database utilities besides Open Dental itself, as well as the MySQL command line utility.