AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1547 8-16-96 TITLE: Contacts Data Base, Lotus Approach 96 SUMMARY When adding an entry to the Contacts data base in Lotus Approach 96, the screen freezes and the scroll bars begin to flash. This issue applies to all systems using Lotus Approach 96. ISSUE When adding an entry to the Contacts data base in Lotus Approach 96, the screen freezes and the scroll bars begin to flash. The only way to break out of the screen is to press the keys, highlight Lotus Approach, and press End Task. Wait for approximately 60 seconds. A screen will then appear asking for conformation that you wish to shut the program down. Answer YES to this prompt. BACKGROUND Lotus is aware of the issue stated above and they will correct it in any future releases of Lotus Approach. This issue is not limited to AST Computers. Any computer that is running a video resolution of 640 X 480 is subject to this issue and may experience the same problem. Lotus FAX document #139391 addresses this issue. It is available at 800-346-3508 or at www.support.lotus in the knowledge base. Search using CONTACT.MPR. ACTION Two workarounds are available at this time. The first is the easiest to perform and requires no future action. The second one incorporates the first workaround but allows the user to return to a video resolution of 640 X 480. 1. A. From the Windows desktop, choose Start, Settings, and click on Control Panel. B. Choose the Display icon, then the Settings tab. C. Change the display and desktop size to 800 X 600. This may require that your computer be rebooted. Save all open documents before rebooting. If no monitor type has been chosen, it will require that you select one from the list in the CHANGE DISPLAY TYPE area before changing the resolution. See your computer's users guide for further information on these changes. D. Follow the on-screen instructions to save your new settings. With the video resolution set at 800 X 600, Lotus Approach 96 will not have a problem redrawing the Contacts template and will not exhibit the issue addressed here. This workaround will cause the display to be smaller. If this is not acceptable, the following may be performed at this time on an identified or selected database. However, this will only affect the changed database and the issue will come back if a new data base is created using the supplied template, CONTACT.MPR. 2. A. After changing the video resolution to 800 X 600, launch Lotus Approach 96. B. Open the CONTACT.MPR file. C. Switch to the ADD CONTACTS view D. Use the "Design" button to change to the design mode. E. Click on "View" and click on "Show Data" to turn off data mode. F. A border of black dashed lines should now be around the document. G. Scroll down the page to the bottom of the document. H. Select an object from the tool bar and draw the object so that one side touches the border. I. Choose File, Save Approach File to save the changes. Close Lotus Approach along with all other programs running. Change the resolution back to 640X480 using the same steps used above. NOTES If customers choose to use the second workaround, they should realize that the above procedure will have to be performed each time a new contacts database is set up using the CONTACT.MPR template. The user will be able to add, edit, and delete entries into any database that these changes have been applied to without any further adjustments. Obtain the document from Lotus through one of the following: Fax Document #139391 at 800-346-3508 Search for CONTACT.MPR at www.lotus.com TAN 5300MH --------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this data sheet is subject to change without notice. AST Research, Inc. shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein; nor for incidental or consequential damages resulting from the furnishing, performance, or use of this material. This material contains information protected by copyright. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from AST Research, Inc. All rights reserved. ---------------------------------------------------------------------