Dazzle

[witch]

Put in new XP machines over the summer. All machines working fine EXCEPT Dazzle will not save. I have reinstalled, tried running it off the server,(which works fine on the server itself) but still no luck. I do have some older XP machines which have Dazzle which save perfectly well, but even if I share the program on one of those and run it from one of my new machines, I still cannot save.

I have checked all permissions etc, which are exactly the same as those on the XP machines that do work

 

I have obviously missed something - PLEASE does anyone know what!

 

Thanks

[Geoff]

Dazzle doesn't work correctly if it's installed after SP2 is put on an XP machine. If you put Dazzle on first then upgrade to SP2 it works fine. Or you can just buy the new version of Dazzle, which plays nicely with SP2 (as I did).

[OutToLunch]

Can't help exactly on this one, but if it's anything like some of the older software we have, you'll need to go through the permissions with a fine tooth comb comparing the old machines with working installs to the new ones. We have a few pieces of software that assume they will have change permissions even though all they need to do is read... We do have an older version of Dazzle, running on 2K machines. Haven't had any problems saving that I know of but it certainly has some other interesting quirks.

[eean]

Are you chatting about Dazzle 03 - the paint package? (I think there is another program called Dazzle.)

If so, there is an upgrade available from their website - don't know if it fixes your problem. I have dazzle installed after SP2 and it works fine. I think I installed it using a MSI (snapshot).

What do you mean by problems saving? Is save up as an option (because you can switch it off).

[witch]

I have the basic dazzle paint program. The children should be able to save to their file on the server but cant. I did wonder if it is trying to save locally and can't because each user has no access to the C drive of the local machine, but it seems to be able to see their files OK, just cant save to them!

Havent got to Dazzle03 yet so no upgrades available.

I wonder if Dazzle03 works OK after SP2, but the basic Dazzle does not.

As far as I can see I have checked all permissions everywhere and they are the same on new and old.

I think I will see if we have any money for a new one - unless anyone else can suggest anything else?

[eean]

Is it accessing the network location via a UNC (i.e \\server\share\folder) or mapped drive letter? - some programs don't like UNCs.

Perhaps try switching on compatability mode on the shortcut (a long shot!).

Dazzle 03 is something like £300 for the site licence and it's a pretty good program.

[witch]

It is accessing via a UNC but this shouldnt be a problem as the older XP machines are perfectly happy with it!

This is driving me MAD - I really want to know.

Anyone else confirm that Dazzle doesnt like SP2?

[GL_Guy]

Dazzle requires a patch for it to work on Windows XP - It is called win2k_xp service pack.zip, and is available for download from http://skillsfactory.com/updates

 

[john]

I had to use that patch to get it to work on XP machines, as a result I sent it back, If they state its workable with SP2 but failed to tell us it needs patching until I phoned and waited on hold for a while I am not a happy dude. I use Splosh instead, similar type of program, not quite the same but those who have swapped seem happy with it and haven't said it doesnt do the job they were thinking of.

[GL_Guy]

What you have to take into consideration is that Dazzle is just over 9 years old, and that because XP wasn't invented nobody could forcast it's compatibility. It was patched after XP testing as a quick fix until the release of Dazzle 03 , which is compatible with XP - The release of Vista will produce testing of another 1700 GL applications...

[contink]

As I'm currently struggling with Dazzle myself the info here is pretty useful so thanks for that.

 

Thought I'd add to it.

 

My version of Dazzle (seems the old one with Copyright of 2000 on CD) was a pain to uninstall as it couldn't locate the INSTALL.LOG file.. Eventually I spotted it in the Palettes folder (lord knows why?!)..

 

So, to uninstall I found that you have to go to the dazzle installation folder, doubleclick the unwise.exe then locate the INSTALL.LOG file in the palettes folder and it got rid.

 

 

Anyway, now to run a repack all over again with this patch to see if that works better.

[farmerste]

i am using dazzle plus v 2.0.0, i use the patch above with xp sp 2, to install it and it works fine.

 

we used to use an old dos/win 95 program called kidpix, which was perfect for primary school kids,( the new version is too complicated) so i extracted the stamps from it and now we have dazzleplus/kidpix program

 

no problems saving/opening etc

[contink]

Just as an update I checked back on this and the save problem is still very much in evidence..

 

I'm guessing this is an issue caused by the repack or something similar but definitely more work required.

[GL_Guy]

Aimed at nobody in particular...

 

This application is approximately 9 years old - Why don't you just bite the bullet and upgrade if you are having issues? Dazzle '03 is brilliant and works flawlessly on XP...

[AVService]

DAZZLE PLUS Patch - http://www.skillsite.com appears to be down, although a new site has appeared under the url of http://www.skillsite.co.uk, but appears to be unrelated. Can anyone help by sending me the patch by email?

[Geoff]

Run the first reg file.

Install Dazzle

Run the second reg file.

 

dazfix.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion]
"CSDVersion"="Service Pack 4"

dazfix_postinstall_xpsp2.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion]
"CSDVersion"="Service Pack 2"

[GL_Guy]

DAZZLE PLUS Patch - http://www.skillsite.com appears to be down, although a new site has appeared under the url of http://www.skillsite.co.uk, but appears to be unrelated. Can anyone help by sending me the patch by email?

 

Why the hell are you looking on skillsite?

 

The URL I gave you was for skillsfactory

 

Best url to have for things Granada Learning, SkillsFactory, Blackcat, SEMERC, Anglia MM etc is The Granada Learning Support Page

 

Just do a search in the box top left for the application you need help with

[witch]

Aimed at nobody in particular...

 

This application is approximately 9 years old - Why don't you just bite the bullet and upgrade if you are having issues? Dazzle '03 is brilliant and works flawlessly on XP...

 

Pointless remark - don't you think I would, if I could?

No money down here at the primary end

I still have the same problem by the way

Did you solve it, Contink?

[contink]

I still have the same problem by the way

Did you solve it, Contink?

Not as yet.. I suspect I'm dealing with a permissions issue though so I'm a little unsure..

 

I'll let you know when I get a chance to get back in and see what's what.

[GL_Guy]

Not an entirely pointless remark Witch.

 

I have seen people post in this section of the forum who are struggling to make old versions of applications work within their operating environment when there are free upgrades available which resolve issues they are whinging on about, if only they had common sense to contact the publisher and ask.

[witch]

Yeah well - free upgrades are all very well but as you know, Dazzle isn't free!

 

And as for having common sense -sometimes people just don't know the things that you know

That's what this forum is for, surely

[contink]

Not an entirely pointless remark Witch.

 

I have seen people post in this section of the forum who are struggling to make old versions of applications work within their operating environment when there are free upgrades available which resolve issues they are whinging on about, if only they had common sense to contact the publisher and ask.

Must be nice playing backseat quarterback..

 

I've lost count of the number of times I've spent hours looking for ways to resolve problems relating to software. Sure some of them relate to patches, etc.. but in some cases (one of them being Granada Learning) you have to spend considerable time figuring out their search system is a pile of cr*p, or that they have sites that their own support people don't know about that have the wrong patch on, etc...

 

You want an example.. SuperTools.. Have fun looking for patches.

 

I've had things take days to tie down and others where someone else has done it already and posted here or responded with a helpful bit of info...

 

So to summarise... Don't sit in judgement.. if you have something useful to add, go ahead.. if not, quit name calling.. Thanks.

[GL_Guy]

OK Blackcat Supertools - An easy one for me as you have picked my best subject - Granada Learning Software!

 

Suite of 8 applications...

 

Fresco - Latest version 1.3 from the Supertools 1.3 CD - Available as a FREE upgrade if you have issues with earlier versions of Fresco such as the lack of undo feature.

 

Logo - Latest version 1.3 from the Supertools 1.3 CD - Available as a FREE upgrade if you have issues with earlier versions of Logo such as unrecognised "command?" errors.

 

Numberbox 2 - Latest version 1.3 from the Supertools 1.3 CD. Known errors are the CSV importation and usage of autofill function which do not perform as adequately as they could do.

 

Information Workshop 2000 - Latest Version 2.1.4 from Supertools 1.3CD - Known to produce really large print files which can be bothersome to locally installed and/or shared laser printers with less than 128Mb memory.

 

Pawprints - 2 patches available at http://supportcenteronline.com/ics/support/DLRedirect.asp?fileID=33610 - PawprintsUpdate fixes error caused when the copy buffer fills, and PawprintsUpdate2 fixes the error caused as a result of resizing stamp.

 

Slideshow - Latest version 1.2.0.0 on the Supertools 1.3CD - No known errors, so no patches available.

 

Decisions3 - Latest Version 1.1.0.8 on the Supertools 1.3CD - No known errors, so no patches available.

 

Write Away! - Still on V1.0 on the Supertools 1.3 CD - Only patch is for print and print server improvements at http://supportcenteronline.com/ics/support/DLRedirect.asp?fileID=33601 does not support long filenames as it was originally written for Windows 3.1.

 

Rule of thumb for ALL blackcat titles:

 

After installation, check your "My Documents" folder for a hidden folder of the same name as the app you have installed - Delete it, start the app, press CTRL+T and ensure that both temp and save paths point to an area, locally or on your network, that restrictive accounts have full control of.

 

Any available patches for Granada Learning titles are at http://priorityone.granada-learning.com

 

To summarise:

If you assume that I sit in judgement, then it is only because I am in a position to do so - I AM GRANADA LEARNING SUPPORT - I am THE person you assume does not know where the patches are - There is ONLY me providing support for GL CD based media, therefore, I am THE person you judged in your earlier statement.

 

Do not judge lest you be judged yourself...

[contink]

To summarise:

If you assume that I sit in judgement, then it is only because I am in a position to do so - I AM GRANADA LEARNING SUPPORT - I am THE person you assume does not know where the patches are - There is ONLY me providing support for GL CD based media, therefore, I am THE person you judged in your earlier statement.

 

Do not judge lest you be judged yourself...

Lets recap here shall we.

 

1. When I spoke to a tech about 9 months ago they had no idea that the old site (URL published in GL manuals) existed or had information about "patches pending". Those patches were never released and the site should have been setup as a redirect ages ago.

 

2. Response times on tickets to support have in some instances taken 2 weeks or more.

 

3. Many those responses totally ignored the information provided in the ticket and told me to do things I'd already specifically noted I'd tried or just gave me a stock answer that were of no relevance.

 

 

But to come back to my earlier point.. When you have a package called "SuperTools" and nobody has bothered to create a small document that uses the keyword so that someone can find the support they need it seems a little strange. The whole point of FAQs and support systems is that they help people.

 

And finally, coming back to your own point:

I have seen people post in this section of the forum who are struggling to make old versions of applications work within their operating environment when there are free upgrades available which resolve issues they are whinging on about, if only they had common sense to contact the publisher and ask.

You assume I didn't... as per my experiences above; when you get a response that is unhelpful, or no response for weeks on end you tend to give up..

 

 

Speaking honestly I'm glad there's someone on here now that can answer questions on Granada, BlackCat, etc.. but my experience of the past 3+ years has been pretty awful so that's coloured my thinking and opinion.

[craiglay]

I have a version of Dazzle that wont even install on XP, any ideas?? And we can't really buy a new version...

 

Craig