[comp.sys.mac.system] DAs won't open while using comm programs in System 7

omalley@mace.cc.purdue.edu (John O'Malley) (06/11/91)

Here's a problem that only happens to me in System 7 while using
communications programs.

When using either MacKermit 0.9(40) and a modem OR using NCSA Telnet 2.3
(with MacTCP 1.0.1), try selecting any item in the Apple Menu.  I get
a beep and nothing else.  Option-selecting a DA doesn't work, either.

Yet DAs work fine when chosen in the Finder or in other types
of programs (word processor, spreadsheet, etc.).  Even if the comm
program is still open in the background.

The end result is basically what happened when the DA Handler file was
missing under MultiFinder in System 6.  But this is System 7 (yes, it's
the release version), and it has no separate DA Handler file!

The problem occurs on an unnetworked 4-meg Mac Classic and different
networked 5-meg Mac IIcx's, and probably on other Macs as well.  Common
extensions on the tested systems are Moire 3.0 and Disinfectant INIT 2.4,
but the problem occurs even with all non-Apple extensions removed.
Increasing the RAM allocation to the comm program also doesn't help.

Can anyone confirm this ... or offer a solution?


-John
---
John O'Malley          / Macintosh  / Purdue University / (317)
omalley@cc.purdue.edu / Specialist / Computing Center  / 494-1787

francis@zaphod.uchicago.edu (Francis Stracke) (06/11/91)

In article <7709@mace.cc.purdue.edu> omalley@mace.cc.purdue.edu (John O'Malley) writes:

   When using either MacKermit 0.9(40) and a modem OR using NCSA Telnet 2.3
   (with MacTCP 1.0.1), try selecting any item in the Apple Menu.  I get
   a beep and nothing else.  Option-selecting a DA doesn't work, either.

I've encountered the same thing, running NCSA Telnet.  (Haven't used
any modem-type stuff under Sys7.)

I only noticed it while FTP transfers were going on; don't know if
what happened other times.

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/============================================================================\
| Francis Stracke	       | My opinions are my own.  I don't steal them.|
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ccastd2@prism.gatech.EDU (Dale Phurrough) (06/11/91)

omalley@mace.cc.purdue.edu (John O'Malley) writes:

>Here's a problem that only happens to me in System 7 while using
>communications programs.

>When using either MacKermit 0.9(40) and a modem OR using NCSA Telnet 2.3
>(with MacTCP 1.0.1), try selecting any item in the Apple Menu.  I get
>a beep and nothing else.  Option-selecting a DA doesn't work, either.

>The end result is basically what happened when the DA Handler file was
>missing under MultiFinder in System 6.  But this is System 7 (yes, it's
>the release version), and it has no separate DA Handler file!

>Can anyone confirm this ... or offer a solution?

A wrote a bug report to NCSA about this.  They have noted the problem and
recognize that it exists in version 2.3.  I in turn switched to version
2.4b11.  That version has no similar problems.  As far as Kermit goes, I
cannot test it for I have no serial line to my Mac.  If you want to,
try MacKermit version .98(62) {I think that is the most recent beta} and
see if that works better for you.

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b2676870@rick.cs.ubc.ca (wilson w ma) (06/12/91)

In article <7709@mace.cc.purdue.edu> omalley@mace.cc.purdue.edu (John O'Malley) writes:
>Here's a problem that only happens to me in System 7 while using
>communications programs.
>
>When using either MacKermit 0.9(40) and a modem OR using NCSA Telnet 2.3
>(with MacTCP 1.0.1), try selecting any item in the Apple Menu.  I get
>a beep and nothing else.  Option-selecting a DA doesn't work, either.
>
>Yet DAs work fine when chosen in the Finder or in other types
>of programs (word processor, spreadsheet, etc.).  Even if the comm
>program is still open in the background.
>
>The end result is basically what happened when the DA Handler file was
>missing under MultiFinder in System 6.  But this is System 7 (yes, it's
>the release version), and it has no separate DA Handler file!
>
>The problem occurs on an unnetworked 4-meg Mac Classic and different
>networked 5-meg Mac IIcx's, and probably on other Macs as well.  Common
>extensions on the tested systems are Moire 3.0 and Disinfectant INIT 2.4,
>but the problem occurs even with all non-Apple extensions removed.
>Increasing the RAM allocation to the comm program also doesn't help.
>
>Can anyone confirm this ... or offer a solution?

I can confirm this. However, it is not a problem endemic to communication 
programs. Things under the Apple menu work fine from Zterm 0.85. I have no idea
what is wrong with MacKermit (or Telnet). From looking at the code needed to
process the Apple menu (from _Mac Pgming Primer_), I can't see how things can
break like this. (Of course, this is from someone who doesn't program the Mac
much. ;)

On a different note, I've noticed that some programs now have two separator
lines instead of one after the About... item. What's wrong?

BTW, I'm on an unnetworked 4Mb SE.

>
>
>-John
>---
>John O'Malley          / Macintosh  / Purdue University / (317)
>omalley@cc.purdue.edu / Specialist / Computing Center  / 494-1787

George Chow

halam@ub.d.umn.edu (Haseen I. Alam) (06/14/91)

 Hi all,

   I had the same problem with MacLayers.  I can pull up the Finder and
   open the DA's, but not when the comm program is active.  I have a IIci
   with 8meg RAM and a 2400 baud dialup modem running 7.

   So it seems, MacKermit, Telnet, and MacLayers all have this problem or
   do they ??

 Haseen.
-- 
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