e application that was included in every previous 32 bit version of Windows. Microsoft decided it no longer meets Microsoft standards without a complete rewrite, which apparently isn't going to happen. However, WinHelp.exe (the older, 16 bit version of this program) apparently meets their standards and is still automatically included in Vista.

 Microsoft says a "crippled" version of WinHlp32.exe can be downloaded and installed by Vista users . The following link is for Vista users:

Microsoft Web site:   http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=82148

Table of Contents

 1. Terminology / General Revision Notice

2.  Installation Errors

3.  Startup Errors

4.  File Open / Convert / Save

5.  Program Operation / Editing

6.  Printing

7.  Other Solution Sources

1.  Terminology / General Revision Notice

 Terminology:

Flow3 = Flow Charting 3

Flow4 = Flow Charting 4

FlowPdq = Flow Charting PDQ

Flow5 = Flow Charting 5

Flow5 Folder = File folder containing Flow5.exe (typically C:\Program Files\Flow5).

General Revision Notice: You should always be running the newest Flow Charting 5 version.  We frequently change revisions to support various Operating System changes and to update or add program features.  The newest Flow Charting 5 version is 5.0q.  To check your current version, run Flow Charting 5, select "Help" from the main menu, and select the "About Flow Charting 5" menu item to display your current version.  If your version is not equal to the the newest version, you should update it.  To update it, close Flow Charting 5 and follow the link to choose the correct patch for your product (if you are running a Single-User version, you can choose to "open" and run the patch from our web site, otherwise, choose "save" the patch and run it from your computer after the download is complete

If you are not running version 5.0q - a free patch is available on our Download Page.

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2a.  Help Errors and Vista

Q.  I installed Flow5 in my New Vista computer and got the following statement - Why can't I get Help from this program?    The Help for this program was created in Windows Help format, which was used in previous versions of Windows and it is not supported in Windows Vista.?

A.  Vista customers are missing the WinHlp32.exe application that was included in every previous 32 bit version of Windows.  Microsoft has decided that WinHlp32.exe no longer meets their standards without a complete rewrite, which apparently isn't going to happen.  However, WinHelp.exe (the older 16 bit version of this program) apparently meets their standards and is still automatically included in Vista.

Microsoft says a "crippled" version of WinHlp32.exe can be downloaded and installed by Vista users.  The following link is for Vista users:  http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=84148

2.  Installation Errors

Q.  I put the Flow5 CD in my drive but the CD doesn't start. How do I begin the installation?

A.  You may have the auto-run CD feature disabled. Refer to Windows Help (and/or the History below) to enable auto-run. To get Flow5 installed now, browse to the CD-ROM drive with Windows Explorer and double-click on the Autorun.exe file.

[HISTORY] When the auto-run feature is enabled and a CD is inserted, Windows searches the CD for a program named Autorun.exe. If the file is found, Windows automatically runs the program. To enable the auto-run feature, go to Control Panel/ System/ Device Manager and display the properties for your CD-ROM (this path may vary between Windows versions). From the CD-ROM Settings Page, enable the Auto insert notification setting.

Q.  Just as the installation starts, the screen goes blank and the installation is halted / interrupted. What should I do?

A.  You are probably running an application that is protecting files that need to be used to perform the installation. This is most commonly caused by antivirus software and other TSR's (terminate stay resident). Close all applications (including antivirus) and TSR's and restart the installation.

Q.  I get a Higher Authority Level Required warning during installation. What should I do?

A.  You should cancel the installation; close all open applications, and log on to Windows using a password that has Administrator or Power-User authority rights.

[HISTORY] Flow5 makes one-time writes to Windows protected sections of the registry during installation. These keys must be updated for proper program operation. If you don't have this password or understand these instructions, refer to authority rights under Windows help or contact your system administrator.

Q.  I get File In-Use error(s) during installation. Should I ignore the error or cancel the installation?

A.  You should cancel the installation, close all open applications (including antivirus software), and then restart the Flow5 installation. If you can't, or won't close all running applications, choose the ignore option. Flow5 should operate properly since the applicable file does exist on your system.

[HISTORY] The Windows interface shell allows applications to share files (usually DLL's) that contain commonly used functions. Flow5 may need to update a shared file. If a file is in-use, it cannot be updated.

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3.  Startup Errors

Q.  Flow5 won't start. I have a Missing Mfc42.dll error message. How do I correct this error?

A.  Download this file from our website and place it into the Flow5 Folder. Download Mfc42.dll

Q.  At startup, I get a Spell Checker Did Not Initialize Properly error message or the spell checker dictionaries cannot be found during operation. How do I correct this?

A.  You are missing files needed to initialize the spell checker or the registry settings have been damaged. Run the Fc5ResetSpell.exe program located in the Flow5 Folder.

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4.  File Open / Convert / Save

Q.  When I try to edit an embedded Flow Charting Pdq object, the object is loaded into Flow5 as one large picture instead of individual shapes and lines, how do I edit this object?

A.  We accidentally loaded the Pdq object as a metafile picture on the initial Flow5 release - please download and run the latest update patch to correct this.

Q.  How do I convert old Flow Charting file types into the Flow5 format?

A.  FlowPdq files (.pdq) and Flow4 files (.gfc) can be converted with the Fc5FileConverter.exe program (installed with Flow5 version 5.0c or greater). It will quickly convert all your files (or your selected files) in one session. If this program isn't in your Flow5 Folder, download and run the latest update patch. You can also open these files with Flow5 and convert them one-at-a-time as follows:

• FlowPdq files (.pdq): Flow5 automatically reads and converts "Flow Charting Pdq" charts. Files are saved with a .fc5 extension.

• Flow4 files (.gfc): Flow5 automatically reads and converts "Flow Charting 4" charts. Files are saved with a .fc5 extension.

• Flow3 files (.fcd): Flow5 automatically reads, and upon user confirmation, converts "Flow Charting 3" charts. Files are saved with a .fc5 extension.

Flow Charting I/II/II+ (.cht): These files must be converted to the Flow3 format and then opened by Flow5 for the final conversion. Use the Cht2fcd.exe program in the Flow5 Folder along with the Cht2fcd.txt instructions to perform these conversions.

Q.  I get error message(s) or nothing happens when trying to open Flow3 files, what is wrong?

A.  If you are using version 5.0, you are missing required files, please download and install the latest patch for Flow Charting 5 from the Download Page. If you are using version 5.0 with any Windows version except XP, the conversion utility Cvert.exe (a DOS based program) does not recognize your Windows path - please move your Flow3 files to a short file name folder (less than eight characters and no spaces) on a local drive (like C:\Flow3). If the loading or converting operation fails, your system configuration may not support DOS applications.  If that is the case, either reconfigure your system to support running DOS applications or contact us at cvertf3@patton-patton.com for details.

Q.  When I use Flow5 to open Flow3 or open Flow4 files, I only see Flow Charting 5 and PDQ files in the File-Open dialog window. How do I view other or all file types?

A.  While the File-Open dialog is displayed, change the File of type: option to All files (*.*) or to the type of your choice.

NOTE: Old formats opened by Flow5 will automatically be converted to the Flow5 format. If the chart is saved, it will be saved in the Flow5 format and with the .fc5 extension. The next time you open charts, we will only look for current formats again.

Q.  When I use Flow5 to open Flow Charting 5 images (.fci) files, I only see Flow Charting 5 document (.fc5) files in the File-Open dialog window. How do I open the image files?

A.  Flow5 image files are saved with the Export (F11) command and opened with the Import (Shift+F11) command. The Import command invokes a unique File-Open dialog window that displays only image files.

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5.  Program Operation / Editing

Q.  How can I reset preferences / options back to factory defaults?

A.  There are several utilities to reset user-defined settings. (Utilities are located in the Flow5 Folder).

Q.  How do I Add/Delete a Line Bypass?

A.  IMPORTANT NOTE: Bypasses are for square path line styles only, not diagonal or curved lines.

To Add a bypass: select the desired line, press the Add Bypass button on the Line Manager Toolbar to display the add bypass cursor, position the cursor arrow on the desired intersection and left-click to insert the bypass.

To Delete a bypass: select the desired line, press the Delete Bypass button on the Line Manager Toolbar to display the delete bypass cursor, position the cursor arrow on the desired bypass and left-click to delete the bypass.

To Delete ALL bypasses on a line: select the desired line, hold down the Ctrl key and click on Delete Bypass button.

Q.  I am encountering display or mouse movement control difficulties. What should I do?

A.  Undesired interaction may occur between some fast graphic cards and business applications (opposed to game software). These cards usually allow the user to adjust speed settings. If you encounter display or movement control difficulties, adjust the card to a slower speed setting. Refer to the card documentation for applicable specifications.

Q.  When I type, the text appears to stack each new letter on top of the previous letter or there doesn't appear to be any text spacing. How do I correct this?

A.  Flow5 users have experienced some problems with various PCL6 printer drivers that do not properly support Microsoft's MFC42 protocol. If you encounter problems entering text, printing dashed lines, or cannot print at all: set the printer's resolution to 300dpi (normal quality) or use the PCL5e driver for your printer model.

Q.  When I try to start a new chart/file, the work window turns gray/dark and I am unable to edit. What should I do?

A.  Change your current setup in either one of two ways. Either change your default paper size (in Flow5 Chart Setup) to match any paper size supported by your default printer, or change your default printer (in Windows Control Panel/Printers) to match your default paper size.

[HISTORY] Flow5 creates new charts to your specified paper size in order to control pagination and display page breaks. If the Windows default printer only supports Letter size printing and you have specified new charts to be Ledger size, Flow5 cannot create a new page.

Q.  When I try to run "Spell checker options" from the Program Preferences dialog, I get an error message stating "You must reinstall with Admin Rights to use this feature," even though I have Administrator rights.  How do I correct this?

A.  This was a programming error that was corrected by version 5.0h; download and run the latest update patch.

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6. Printing

Q.  When I print, dashed/dotted/dash-dotted lines in my chart are printed as solid lines. How do I correct this?

A.  If the lines are not curved-path lines, this was corrected by version 5.0i; download are run the latest update patch.  If the lines are curved-path, we have not been able to correct this for all printer drivers on all operating systems.  The problem is occurring due to the printer driver's high-resolution rasterization process, which we do not control.  This only occurs on some printer models when using their PCL6 driver for Windows 2000 or XP.  We can offer the following work-around options at this time.

1. Use a Dotted-Line (Line Style number 5), the output easily passes as a dashed line.

2. Print at 300dpi (if available for your printer model).

3. Use a PCL5e driver instead of a PCL6 driver (if available for your printer model).

Flow5 users have experienced some problems with various PCL6 printer drivers (mainly on HP printers) that do not properly support Microsoft's MFC42 protocol. If you encounter problems entering text, printing dashed lines, or cannot print at all: set the printer's resolution to 300dpi (normal quality) or use the PCL5e driver (HP) for your printer model.

Q.  When I enter text on the chart, it stacks the letters on top of each other.

A.  If you encounter problems entering text, printing dashed lines, or cannot print at all: set the printer's resolution to 300dpi (normal quality) or use the PCL5e (HP) driver for your printer model.

Q.  I want to build a print a chart on 14 7/8 X 11 paper (U.S. standard fan-fold) but Flow Charting 5 won't set up my screen for this size.

A.  Flow Charting 5 uses the Windows DEFAULT printer to set up page sizes.  You must first install a printer that support that paper size AND make that your default printer.

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7.  Other Solution Sources

If your questions have not been answered, please seek solutions in the following order. Before contacting us, please record your Flow5 version and serial number.

Flow Charting 5 User's Guide:

The User's Guide contains a complete list of commands with detailed instructions. Complete with a cross-referenced index and extensive reference sections, the guide is your fastest and most comprehensive tool for answers.

On-Line Help / Jump Start:

Flow5's built-in help is context sensitive and easily accessible. It is not as thorough as the User's Guide, but it answers most basic questions. It contains an index with user defined search capabilities and a special section called Jump Start for users that are new to Flow5. Jump Start guides you through the operation of basic commands and procedures to get your first flowchart published quickly.

E-mail:

E-mail us at support@patton-patton.com.

Phone: (520) 638-8738
8am - 5pm MST, Monday - Friday