Unibase by DMAC
Frequently Asked Questions

A comprehensive compendium of frequently asked questions about Unibase by DMAC

1. Can I terminate a long drun on either my Network or in on a standalone workstation and how do I do it?

2. Is there a way to mark the files on the primary and backup server as "have been output"?

3. How can I set the tab stops in ez_edit?

4. Will ez_edit handle large files?

5. Under check box edit, can I put negative numbers in the high and low ranges?

6. How do I set the default tag screen attributes used in "paint the screen"?

7. How do I set the field screen attributes used in "paint the screen"?

8. Can I change the way the date is printed?

9. Is there a way I can change the location of a device without using spooler maintenance?

10. Can I abort my color choices?

11. Is there a way to output hex characters with Unibase?

12. How many files can I output?

13. Can I run Unibase with Windows?

14. Is there a way to keep track of the amount of Unibase sessions open?

15. Are there any special instructions needed to run environment variable UBSESN?

16. I am using an old keyboard and it's not working with Unibase. How can I make it work with Unibase by DMAC?

17. Is there a way I can make Unibase NOT reset an error message if I press the {FIELD REL} key?

18. I live in the UK and would like to evaluate Unibase, but I am concerned about the differences in the keyboards. Is Unibase capable of recognizing the special characters located on a UK keyboard?

19. I have a Computer Logics Nine Track tape drive. Does Unibase support this type of tape drive controller?

20. Can I do packed decimal output to tape?

21. Is there a way to restrict an operator from backspacing into the previous field?

22. Is there a quick way to go to the beginning of either the field or the record?

23. Is it possible to flag an error and go to the next field while doing data entry?

24. Does Unibase accept oversign characters?

25. Can I locate my swap files anywhere?

26. Is there a way to get the numeric characters and symbols (i.e. 1, !) to stay without changing the data type?

27. Is there a way to NOT create summary records in opst.aid when going in and out of menu and de?

28. Can I use a wild card to purge deleted records in multiple files?

29. Is there some way I can control the case of the output program?

30. Can global variables be used to define file statements?

31. Can global variables be used in open statements?

32. Is there an easy way to use variables instead of field numbers to refer to data in the workfile when I write AID programs?

33. Is there a way to NOT release the field when the oversign key is used?

34. How can I change the resolution of an image?

35. Can an image be written into a rescue file?

36. Can you find out what the names of the images associated with a particular file are?

37. Is there a way to find the original idc file name of a batch?

38. How can I find the number of the path definition for the imgpath file?

39. How can I find the path of the current record's image?

40. How do I find out the name of the current record's image?

41. I need to find out if my current workfile has images or not. How can I do this?

42. Can I find out how many images are in the current work file?

43. How can I find out how much time I have spent on verifying?

44. How can I find out the most recent verifier of a workfile?

45. I need to know the number of record formats in the standard job. How can I find this?

46. Can I find out what output device was last used for a particular batch?

47. Does Unibase by DMAC offer a way to find out how a batch was last accessed?

48. Can I find out the elapsed entry time for a particular file?

49. Is there a way to find out which operator has accessed the current file in data entry mode?

50. I need to find out when the current workfile was created. Does Unibase allow this?

51. I want to find the value of the accumulator for my current workfile. How can I do this?

52. Does Unibase do accept statements in typewriter mode?

53. Will Unibase allow me to move data into a global variable other than by using AID programs?

54. Can I change the font attributes for my screen in image entry?

55. I have a large image and some of it seems to be missing. How can I make a large image fit?

56. If I have a zero length file, will it stop my processing of the other files in the batch?

57. Can I set the default record size to be more than 80 characters?

58. Is there a way to refresh the screen in image entry, as well as data entry, whenever I want?

59. Does Unibase allow me to search all of a record, or a specified portion of a record for a string of characters?

60. Can I change the date to the format mmddyyyy?

61. Can I refer to formats by a name rather than by consecutive numbers?

62. How can I NOT perform a top of form at the end of the output when I send it to a printer?

63. Can I make the cursor stay at the bottom of the screen in data entry when I tab to a field that is NOT on the screen?

64. If I change a record-to-record duplicating field while in verify, will it make the same change to all succeeding fields?

65. Can I store my indices on my local drive rather than the network?

66. Does Unibase run on SCO-UNIX?

67. I had a system crash and turned off my computer. When I turned it back on, I couldn't get in to Unibase. I'm getting "internal error SIGSEV", as well as "unauthorized access - user count exceeded". How do I solve this?

68. I get "runtime error R6009 - not enough space trying to send standard job to printer for spooler." How do I fix this?

69. I have edited my Unibase.ini file and my output file to make sure the printer does the CRLF, but I'm getting double spacing in my output file. Why?

70. When I put output files into queue for transmission, it overwrites the files rather than appending them. Why?

71. Can stats be recovered after file has been initialized?

72. Why won't Unibase allow me to create 2,500 fields under paint screen?

73. I want to build an array of 340 characters, but I keep getting "cannot create ASCII string". Why?

74. I have a large index that I'm trying to dump, but I keep getting the error message "error snext f_1002". What do I do to fix it?

75. Why am I getting the message "invalid character in numeric field" if I have not put anything in it?

76. Can I put an underline in a tag?

77. I am getting a memory allocation error. Why?

78. I have enabled security features on menus and am having difficulty getting into parts of the menu that I have not enabled security features for. What is wrong?

79. I am getting the error "network slow in responding." What can I do to fix this?

80. I recently added a service pack for my Novell network and now I can't execute a sort program which has run fine in the past. Reparse is ok. Why can't I sort now?

81. I moved Unibase to a new drive and trying to rename a file. I get the message "member of an index." How can I rename?

82. My output worked before I upgraded, but now I get "invalid substring error." What can I do to fix?

83. My backup server is not backing up the opstat file. What do I need to do to fix it?

84. If a batch is being verified, can a keyer resume?

85. Why are some operators in opstats as "unknown"?

86. I'm having trouble running my 7.2 indexes with the 7.4 version. What can I do to fix this problem?

87. Can I convert network license to licences for home PC's?

88. When I try to start or verify a standard job in version 7.2, I get the error message "invalid real channel." What do I do?

89. When I print to the laser printer, it's printing one long line with no carriage returns. What do I do to fix this?

90. My server crashed and I have to reinstall. Can I copy from one server to another?

91. I have created an output program with global variables. When I try to run it, it comes back with the message "error in output". Why?

92. Can Unibase be put on a peer-to-peer network?

93. I am losing the highlight box on a zoom. Why?

94. My AID generated field edit is not taking effect. Why?

95. I'm having trouble outputting. I have a test.txt file and the system says that the device is online. What do I do to fix this?

96. I moved Unibase to a new server, got a reactivation code and now trying to output files that were not already output. This is failing. It is showing me that all files are already output. How do I fix this?

97. In version 7.45 when I try to output a specific batch, I keep getting the message "No valid files". The filename has an asterisk in it. Why can't it find any valid files?

98. Two keyers were supposed to be in CAD mode, went to TYP mode somehow and had to abort to get out of the batch. What do I do?

99. What non-alpha characters will be accepted in a file name?

100. When outputting opstats Unibase aborts at 4096 bytes. Why?

101. I converted to 7.4, copied files from \files\ to \files\1040\, files display * as if not converted. Why?

102. I cannot delete a single Record Format. Why?

103. I am upgrading the server to NOV 4.2 and new hardware. I want to use CL32. Is this okay?

104. I am trying to install Unibase and get the message "at this time there should be a list of network drives". Why?

105. I modified my operator statistics menu in version 7.3, then upgraded to 7.4. Now my new menu doesn't work. How do I make it work?

106. I am doing billing and am getting a "no match found message" on my output. Why?

107. I got the message "specified file is already in use". Why?

108. I am trying to create an index in version 7.2 and am getting the message "cannot read header". What do I do to fix this?

109. When my system went down three batches got corrupted. How do I recover them?

110. When trying to dump an index, I get this message - "can't execute dumpix". What do I do?

111. Can a user output only verified files?

112. Can I do a short read of an unformatted data file with Unibase?

113. Can I use an array to define a variable? If so, how?

114. Does AID recognize the "build....using" statement?

115. What is a simple way to denote the current field in a field edit?

116. Is there a control function that allows me to find out the current record number?

117. Can I create an index without a file? If so, how?

118. Is there a way to test whether auto is on or off?

119. Why, after I terminated/interrupted my batch before entering a keystroke, was the last record removed?

120. Is there a verb I can use anywhere in my subroutine to return to the calling statement?

121. Can I read/write ascii text files with the AID language?

122. Is there a way to assign a name to a text file?

123. How can I replace the current data record in a text file with the contents of a specified array?

124. Will Unibase allow me to concatenate?

125. Is there a way to automatically turn auto off and go to the first position of a duplicating field?

126. Is there an environment variable that affects the auto function?

127. How do I limit what can be entered?

128. While upgrading, during parsing, I got the message "network status Client 32: out of disk space writing file xxx.r to the server. Try deleting some files before continuing". How can I solve this?

129. If power shuts off and I resume the batch, it starts on record 1 and shows nothing. If I do a record search it will find it, but when I start keying I get the message "fatal error..." What do I do?

130. I created a record format while Unibase was being moved to another drive, now I get "mem_bad_pointer". When I go into paint screen and back out I get "m_overwrite memory end of allocated block written". What do I need to do?

131. When using a conversion tape, will the program create tape marks?

132. When I go into paint screen the tags and fields are there but the type is garbage. Why?

133. When I output via standard job I get the message "cannot initialize output device". What can I do?

134. In Record Format, my tag attributes are :N field :R. The program wants to change the attributes to N:N. How can I correct this?

135. Is there a way to tell what passwords have been set?

136. We have two sites. I brought operator statistics from 2^nd site as opst.fmr and tried to print through Unibase. It failed. What do I do?

137. When I display operator statistics one operator's statistics are combined with another's. How do I correct this?

138. I remapped my keyboard and lost a symbol. How do I retrieve it?

139. My keystroke macro did not work. I got a message "no valid files". What happened?

140. I was upgrading from 7.2 to 7.4. Using WIN95, I rebooted into MSDOS MODE and Unibase ran terribly slow. What can I do to make it run quicker?

141. Is there a shortcut key that goes to the field edit program?

142. Is there a way a programmer can check to see if the field edit "hotkey" combination has been used by an operator?

143. Does Unibase by DMAC allow the ability to "double key"?

144. Does Unibase allow pre-field edits?

145. Does Unibase have the capability of setting different environment variables for different standard jobs?

146. How do I tell Unibase to open a window in image entry that will display other images?

147. How can I clear the image display?

148. How can I close the image display?

149. Can I display an image (or a portion of one) in a window that is already open?

150. Can I move an image in a window?

151. How can I find out what the number of the current image is for the current batch?

152. Can I use reset to clear pause messages?

153. Can I use the FLD REL key to clear pause messages?

154. How can I display the batch name, number of records and total numbers of records for all patches?

155. The message "C:\unibase\spooler \mntlock\devtable] location[7]" appeared when I tried to get into spooler maintenance. Why?

156. How do I set up so Unibase can use WinNT printers?

157. How do I synchronize time for all network clients?

158. How do I output to multiple files from one output program?

159. In imaging the tags are garbage. What do I do?

160. How do I know if my video card is compatible with Unibase by DMAC?

161. I am using a peer-to-peer system and want to use the server as a workstation. How do I set this up?

162. Does Unibase by DMAC handle Flat Ascii Text Files?

163. Can/will Unibase immediately toggle the gender of an image while in image entry?

164. Is it possible to change the gender of images before image entry?

165. I have only one license and need more than one user. Can I?

166. One user aborted out of Unibase and now the program will not let another log in. How can I get the program to let others log in?

167. I no longer have DOS and the "salvage a file" selection is gone. Can I still recover lost or deleted files?

168. I loaded Unibase on my laptop and O29 doesn't work. How can I get it to do so?

169. How do you print through Unibase on UNIX systems?

170. I got the error message "<key n> error, channel not associated with index". Why?

171. How can I fix the error message "<key n> error, index not opened"?

172. The error message "All Records Have Been Verified" comes up on my screen when I open a file in verify. Why?

173. I pressed a key in a field and it gave me the error message "Alpha Only". Why?

174. Why, when I tried to APPEND a datafile, did I receive the error message "APPEND failed in datafile channel nnn"?

175. Why, when I tried to APPEND an index, did I receive the error message "APPEND failed in index channel nnn"?

176. I received the error message "Archive read error" when I tried to read from my archive device. Why?

177. I received the error message "Archive write error" when I tried to write to my archive device. Why?

178. Why did I get the message "Auto not allowed" when I pressed the AUTO key?

179. Why does it give me the error message "Bad character in name - c,c=[* ?/] when I try to save a datafile?

180. What causes the error "BYPASS error, failed to open xxxxxxxx, channel nn"?

181. I'm getting the error message "BYPASS error, not allowed for an index". Why?

182. Why, when I try to access my keystroke macro, does it give me the error "Can't access keystroke macro file"?

183. Unibase gives me the error message "can't access numeric exception file" when I try to access the numeric exception file. Why?

184. I referenced a device in a type statement and am now getting "Can't access TYPE device". Why?

185. How do I update to a newer 7.4x Unibase version?

186. How can I verify a computer name for a workstation?

187. Which reel-to reel tape controls work with the Unibase tape menu and how do I install it?

188. How do I prepare my Nixdorf DPEX Libraries for conversion to Unibase by DMAC?

189. The batfile has the line "de -LOGIN %OPID%". I don't want to have my operators login twice, once to Novell and again to Unibase. But the command line call to de with login name is not working. Why not?

190. How does TeraForm's OCR/ICR interface with Unibase Image Entry?

191. Why does my computer lock up when I exit Unibase from it's icon?

192. How do I get Unibase's LANPR1 device to spool to a Novell network printer in Novell 3.x and/or Novell 4.x?

193. How do you unzone in GUI?

194. How do I convert EZC 8.0 standard jobs and record formats to Unibase using TEXTWRITE.EXE?

195. I tried to run opstats and got the message "program too big to fit in memory". Now what do I do?

196. I went into Image Entry and the record format came up but not the image. What went wrong?

197. I'm trying to output to tape. There are sixty files listed. Is there a way to do all of them at once instead of one at a time?

198. I installed Unibase by DMAC on a new NT server with unibase.ini etroot set to E: drive. I got an error message "trying to execute DOS bound error." What did I do and how do I fix it?

199. I am doing a Unibase upgrade from 7.2 to 7.45 and want to install it as a separate directory later this evening. How can I get a serial number now?

200. In my output program I have <skip 300> because all records need to end at byte 300. Sometimes it shows as all zeros. Why?

201. What is rfmouse?

202. Will Y2K have an affect on my Unibase by DMAC program?

203. What types of enhancements have been made to Unibase by DMAC for the 7.460i version?

204. How do I get Chi Corporation software to work with Unibase's tape utility menu?

205. How do I make tapespol work with a SCSI drive?

206. I was trying to install the Unibase program and I got the following error message: "ordinarily at this time you would see a list of network drives. This list has been suppressed for one or more reasons." What did I do?

207. I was trying to output without standard job and it only printed 80 columns at a time. Why?

208. While trying to output without standard job an error message "read error in .r" appeared. What can I do to output?

209. How do I set a field to allow either must be completely filled or completely empty?

210. While I was upgrading my Unibase program to version 7.46 (using a DOS client) I got an error message, "memory_overwrite". Why?

211. While in Unibase, I got this error message: "mirror copies of the FATT` don't match". What does this mean?

212. While using the Unibase program, the message "FAILED ^^ - Error message [FAILED to find [COMMON] configuration no changes made]." What is wrong?

213. I tried to enter a file name while running KS macro and received this error message: "155 - invalid virtual channel", "I/O: v/seek error". My server is Novell 4x and the client is Win3.x. I had to reboot to get out. What can I do to correct this problem?

214. While running output to program, 58 batches, I got the following error message: "invalid substring error 5:xx8-10". What do I do to correct this?

215. I created a standard job and was saving it when I got the message "Can't create stdjob". Why?

216. The message "Can't execute dumpdf" came on the screen when I was trying to dump a file. Why?

217. The message "Can't execute dumpix" came on the screen when I was trying to dump an index. Why?

218. Why do I get the message "Can't execute File Edit" when I try to run a file edit?

219. I typed "menu" from the DOS prompt and am getting the error message "Can't execute MENU.....TERMINATING [nn]". Why?

220. I can't execute a sort program. Why?

221. I'm on a Unix system and I get the error message "Can't get UBTERM type". Why?

222. I'm trying to open a device table and keep getting the error message "Can't open device table". Why?

223. Why, when I tried to start a standard job in data entry, did I get the error message "Can't read the record format"?

224. I pressed Shift+F1 for the help file, but all I got was "Can't Open Help File". What do I do to access the help file?

225. I tried to release the current field and received the error message "Can't open xxxxxxxxx.r - Quitting". Why?

226. I'm trying to enter a file and I keep getting the error message "Cannot create datafile". What can I do to fix this?

227. I keep getting the error message "Cannot create lockfile" when I try to open a file. Why?

228. I'm trying to get in to Data Entry and it keeps giving me the error message "Cannot open Check Digit File". How can I get in to data entry?

229. Why do I keep getting the error message "Cannot Open Datafile"?

230. I'm trying to install Unibase by DMAC on the Unix system and get the error message "Cannot create activation key ... Please log in as super-user., FATAL". Why?

231. I'm on a Unix system and get the error message "Cannot create security key ... Please log in as super-user., FATAL" during installation. Why?

232. I'm getting the error message "Can't Open Field Edit". Why?

233. I'm getting the error message "Can't Open File Edit". Why?

234. I'm getting the error message "Can't Open Record Format". Why?

235. I'm getting the error message "Can't Open Standard Job". Why?

236. I'm getting the error message "Can't Open Value Table nn". Why?

237. Why do I get the error message "Cannot Read Check Digit File"?

238. I get the message "Cannot Read Record Format(s)". Why?

239. I get the message "Cannot Read Value Table File". Why?

240. Why do I get the error message "Cannot Start Field Edit" when I'm trying to go to the next field?

241. The error message "Channel not associated with an index" came on my screen when I was doing an index. Why?

242. Why did I get the error message "Check Digit error" when I finished entering a field?

243. I was running an index when I received the error message "CLOSE error, channel not open". How can I fix this error?

244. I typed in a format number and received the message "Conditional Linkage Error". Why can't I link to that format?

245. I interrupted a file and received the message "Could not update OP-STAT record". Why?

246. I was testing a program and received the message "CREATE failed, channel already in use". Why?

247. I was testing a program and received the message "CREATE failed, channel undefined". Why?

248. I tried to create a file and got the error message "Datafile exists". Why?

249. I loaded Unibase and was trying to train one of my users and got the error message "DEMO LIMIT REACHED". What can I do to fix this problem?

250. I tried to add a device and got the message "Device already exists". Why?

251. Why do I get the message "Device is currently offline", when I try to do an output?

252. I tried to modify a device and it gave me the error message "Device is currently online". Why won't it let me modify the device?

253. I tried to add a device and kept getting the message "Device must be printer, tape, test, disk, comm, or output". Why?

254. I got the error message "Device name entry required". Why?

255. I was adding a device and it gave me an error message "Device path entry required".  Why?

256. I was trying to access a value table and received the message "Display Value Table Error". Why?

257. I was keying a batch and pressed the DUP key. Why did I receive the message "Dup not allowed"?

258. I was doing a search and it came back with the message "End of data". Why?

259. While keying, I got an "End of Field Reached" message. Why?

260. I received an "End of File" message. Why?

261. I was trying to install and keep getting the message, "at this time there should be a list of network drives..". Why?

262. I brought opstats from a second site, naming them opst.fmr, and tried to print through Unibase. It failed. Why?

263. How can I keep keyers from using the arrow key to back up into the previous field?

264. On a UNIX server, F3 through F10 keys don't work. Why?

265. I upgraded my Unibase software and was trying to add all of my 23 devices to the list and received the error message "Device table is full". Why?

266. Can we verify a field while keying, instead of finishing the batch and switching to verify mode?

267. Is there a way to display the record contents while verifying?

268. Can keyers keep keying while a record format is being changed?

269. How do I make a correction in "Correct a File"?

270. I'm upgrading from 7.2 to 7.45 and my keystroke macros do not work. Do I have to manually change them or should they convert automatically?

271. I have written 2 record formats, 1 with last field 10 characters, 1 with last field 20 characters.  Both last fields should be 20 characters.  Batches were keyed with both record formats.  How do I get information from first record format into 20 character field like second record format?

272. Can Unibase 32-bit output to tape directly?

273. I have an index built on a file and can dump the index, but when I try to resume the file it puts me at record 1. Why?

274. I upgraded my version of Unibase, now my macro procedures won't work. Why?

275. How do I print from Unibase to a network printer?

276. I just installed Unibase and received and activation code. My keyers are getting "unauthorized access", but I can get in. Why?