FM7 has died on me

[ffarmer]

I've converted my 10-table database from Access95 to FM7 (on Mac), copied all the data into identical tables, replicated all the reports, panels etc etc. (Took me almost two months to complete). It worked for a couple of days, after lots of testing and comparisons with Access results.

Now, nothing. I open the database, it goes to main panel, which has several buttons to invoke various reports and other layouts (data entry etc). But, now, none of the buttons responds, nothing happens when I click on them. I close the database, start over, same problem. If I go to the Scripts menu and select a script to take me to another panel or layout, no response.

What's going on??? __________

(I'm glad I've kept the Access version alive!).

[LiveOak]

Have you opened any of the scripts in Scriptmaker and looked at them to try and determine why they don't work?

-bd

[ffarmer]

They were all working yesterday. There's about 25 of them. They're still all there, unchanged.

This "stall" seems to be a more general problem with FM7. Even simple scripts that 'go to a layout', don't respond.

[LiveOak]

I'd try creating a new file (very simple one) to determine if the problem is with your file set or with the install of FM7 application.

-bd

[ffarmer]

I opened a simple database (that I use for testing various things) and it worked OK. I opened my main database, and it worked too (!), but after a while it stalled again. When it's stalled, almost nothing works..... If I select a script to go to a layout, it doesn't respond. If I select a layout from the side-panel Layout list, it checkmarks my selection, but doesn't take me there. If I select a different mode (Browse/Find/Layout/Preview) from the View menu, it checkmarks my selection, but nothing changes on the screen (i.e. it doesn't do what I'm asking).

Very strange.

I DOES allow me to Quit from the FileMakerPro menu (but not from a button I have on my main panel), so at least I can get out of FM7. Even then, when I re-open my database, it is usually still 'frozen'. Something is causing this.......

[PiedPiper]

Wild guess but just trying to help ... have you changed any Access Privileges? If you don't have 'Run Script with full Access Privileges' in your script dialog checked, you might be conflicting with your script privileges to navigate layouts, etc.

[LiveOak]

It is either something in the files, something in the current install of FM7 or a bug in FM 7 itself. I'd probably try 1) reinstalling FM 7 on the current machine and/or 2) trying the files with an install of FM 7 on another machine. If the second machine gives the same result, I'd try the files cross platform on a Mac. This is a lot of messing around, but it can help isolate the problem.

-bd

[Vaughan]

Sounds like a script is running then being paused. Check the Status Area for the Continue button.

[xochi]

Or you are accidentally getting into 'Preview' mode. In Preview mode, buttons don't work.

I had a user call me up with a similar problem -- after doing the same set of steps as I did on their copy of the database, "it would freeze". But on my system it worked fine.

After getting them to explain to me what they were doing in more detail, I discovered that they were using an old script that I'd left on the menu instead of clicking the proper button on the layout. This had the effect of leaving them in Preview mode when they went back to the main menu, at which point none of the buttons appeared to work...

[Leader]

Given that it's a FM bug, have you installed the .02 (7.0.2) update? It's MASSIVE and appears to address a number of issues except IWP which is still outstanding.

[gdurniak]

There is a chance the file has become corrupted. Try opening a backup, or a previous version. See: http://masdevelopment.com:3455/1/57

[ffarmer]

Several suggestions there (Thanks!). But....

1) I haven't done anything to Access Privileges -- I'm the only user, and it was working for a while, then "froze". This is a stand-alone database.

2) I could try reinstalling FM7 on this machine (it's the only one I have) but since it runs OK sometimes then freezes for no apparent reason makes me think it's not the install

3) It's not a "paused" script; there's no "continue" on the left; besides, I can't execute any FM7's menu commands, except FileMakerPro>Quit

4) I'm aware of Preview mode not allowing buttons to work, but it does allow FM7 menu commands to work; in my case they don't either. It sounds like some sort of corruption, bug,.....?

5) I'm using 7.0v2.

My problem is sporadic. The database will work fine (all menus, scripts, reports, buttons, etc.) but then suddenly freeze up at some point. I can move the mouse, and FM7's main menus will display, but none of the commands will execute, except Quit! If I relaunch, it may or may not work fine. Matter of luck. I haven't been having this problem with other applications. I'm using OS 10.2.8, 768M of RAM, lots of HD, on a G4/450.

[Mike D.]

Just a thought, but is there a possibility of an intermittant hardware problem? I ran into some unexplainable problems before with my old PowerMac 6500 and it turned out to be the hard drive was on its way out.

Mike

[hayesk]

Does it happen in other apps? If not, try deleting your FileMaker Preferences. You should find them in your home folder in Library/Preferences/

It's probably named com.filemaker.something

[AbsoluteVoice4u]

Definately install the 7.0.2 update...it corrected several issues for me....perhaps that's it....surely couldn't hurt...

[ffarmer]

I don't believe it has anything to do with the hard-drive as all other apps are working fine.

I've already got 7.0.2.

I think it's some other corruption. I haven't yet been able to predict when it'll happen. (I'm not using FM7 everyday, so I tend to forget about it!).

May be the Preferences....

Thanks for all the tips. I'll keep watching this spot.