• Verify that any software supplied with the serial device is correctly installed. Refer to the documentation
for the serial-device option.
• Make sure that the serial-port adapter, if you added one, is properly installed and rmly seated.
If these actions do not correct the problem, run the diagnostic programs (see “Diagnostics” on page 52
for
instructions). If you need technical assistance, see “Additional information resources” on page 31
.
Software problems
Select your symptom from the following list:
• “When using a sort feature, dates do not sort in the correct order” on page 51
• “Software does not work as expected” on page 51
When using a sort feature, dates do not sort in the correct order
Symptom: When using a sort feature, dates do not sort in the correct order.
Action: Some software developed before the year 2000 used only the last two digits of a year to sort
dates, always assuming the rst two digits were 19. Consequently, these programs sort dates out of order.
Check with your software manufacturer to see if any updates are available. Many software manufacturers
make updates available from the World Wide Web.
Software does not work as expected
Symptom: Software does not work as expected.
Actions:
• Most software programs have built-in help systems that provide instructions for most tasks. If you are
having difculty performing a specic task within a software program, refer to the help system for that
program. Help systems are typically accessible from a menu or button in the program, and frequently
from the F1 key.
• If you are having difculty with the Windows operating system or one of its components, refer to the
Windows help system. It is accessible from the Windows Start menu.
• To determine if problems are caused by newly installed software, verify that:
– Your computer has the minimum memory requirements needed to use the software. See the
information supplied with the software to verify memory requirements. (If you just installed an adapter
or memory, you might have a memory-address conict.)
– The software is designed to operate on your computer.
– Other software works on your computer.
– The software you are using works correctly on another computer.
• If you received any error messages while using the software program, see the printed documentation
supplied with the software or the help system for that software for a description of the messages and
solutions to the problem.
• Check with your software manufacturer to see if any updates are available. Many software manufacturers
make updates available from the World Wide Web.
• If the software program used to work correctly, but does not work correctly now, do the following:
– On the Windows 7 operating system, click Start ➙ Control Panel ➙ System and Security ➙ System
➙ System Protection ➙ System Restore. Then, follow the instructions on the screen.
– On the Windows 8 operating system, open Control Panel and click System and Security ➙ System ➙
System Protection ➙ System Restore. Then, follow the instructions on the screen.
Chapter 5. Troubleshooting and diagnostics 51