Comments by glennPattonWork3 (Top 200 by date)

The thing is the user account I am trying to use for this test doesn't have rights to turn the screen saver off, printing a character was one of the things I have also tried an animated JPEG of a butterfly. The saver seems to respond to mouse movements only (?)...

What it is I'm trying to move the mouse pointer to prevent a screen saver taking over. Not I'm not trying to create code to make it look like I'm working, I am trying to keep the screen alive to measure pixel brightness...

Yes, but the whole point is to see if the thing is up or down don't really care any more than that the whole point of Pinging them is to prevent them powering down, if they see a 'ping' they won't power off for two minutes. As this controls the Power line to another circuit which is being tested, the unit going to low power was an extra pain.

I'm really an Embedded Guy, but occasionally I have to play with higher level stuff
which where the trouble starts...

Ahh, good point... So I am using the wrong command

Cheers Griff

Darn! clicked Q&A by accident saw a question that looked interesting, saw I could answer it did & then looked at the date!

Mmm, worth a thought!

Also likening issues the firm don't want to (or can't) cough up for a later copy of Vis Studio so I am using an aged copy of 2005 which I have.

using Microsoft.VisualBasic; does bring chills!

Got it working!

Ahh if the thing is running under VSHost!

Mmm, It is producing a run time error 217 00009C34 a new one on me! lets have a google...

Great thanks for that, it seems to be importing without but not doing a darn thing, I'll have a fiddle.

Not to worry I have solved the issue I was having thanks! Is there a delete question option.

It's for that beast of a test rig (my feeling can't be published on it). I have done the Val of each and tested it, it appears to work (mind you it did that before!)
Glenn

I will try that!

Dang! Friday too tired!

That's what I thought, but the client thinks there software guy has found this miraculous tool to do it! I think my method of a switch is the easiest way to but...
I wanted some one else to back me (harder to say you don't know...)

"Playing with strings from external devices that aren't sending string based data is a recipe for horrible problems later." could have said it better myself! You could use a ReadTo() rather than the Readexisting() as I have forund ReadExisting is a little unreliable...

Oh, that is funny, the installer, the piggin' installer I spent time on, they aren't using because they can't get to work. See any approaching Ice burges I can! I have had to send them the files needed and directions of where to put them, see any problems...

I am doing this right:
System.IO.File.WriteAllText("FailedSerialNumber.ini", SerialNumberFailWrite, Encoding.UTF8)
it seems so odd that some thing like this crops up now!

No, besides the test set up this software is to be used on has no network connection (for security, you would think they were doing high sensitive work!). I have been working on this with both arms and a leg tied behind head! One thing is agreed then ignored and now this. I can't contact the person trying to test my software and he(or she! sorry must be PC) can't contact me. My Boss just wants to be cc'ed why can't the end customer be as reasonable?

You have all the info I have (I think) translated to English from User English (over the pond not very techie). I don't have the file all I have is the stuff I sent, that works fine here!

I will give that a go, Thanks Glenn

Ahh, I need to convert the string to an integer then and leave it alone...

Accepted, all I have to do now reverse the process!

Seems to work, I now have to test it with hardware that doesn't yet exist! (in all in parts next to the guys desk) hence giving me the awkward task to do (while he nips off early to get his car from the garage!)

Hmmm, does it come with any software driver that you haven't installed yet?

Thanks for that, I was close!
Glenn

Tried it, doesn't work!, what I am aiming to is not have to click on the one item in the listBox to 'high light' it. I just need to auto select it!!

Thanks, that appears to have solved this bit, await further panic!!!

Cheers for that work in the test prog now to alter the beast!!

OK, though now I am certain it was to do with sizing on the form I could dropbox a version for you...
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/66257998/Test_Load_ListBoxSizing.zip
linky...

Sorry a bit busy a the moment will have a fiddle when I can.

It happens after every line of text, I'm glad you haven't seen it either, just plain odd, as I said got around the problem but not solved it question marks over my head, Visible = false is just a bool I hadn't resized it either???

Ahhh, looks like I have to rethink the way I'm parsing it thanks
Glenn

That was an effort that should be a screen shot:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/66257998/ListBoxData.png

Ahh Okay, the old copy it to clipboard trick isn't working give me a min.

Sure here it is:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/66257998/T4%20_%20MasterList_IniLoader%20-%20Copy.csv

I did find A Fast CSV Reader while digging around, I was more interested in if Excel can put bits of data in when it saves it, as my prog has all the data in a list box just some extra ','s where there should be...

Cool, have a 5!

Seems to work, will that get rid of the Date stuff?

Mmmm, got other issues at the moment. Need to go back to this later. Matter of interest I have checked the Properties of the files and they are not read only!

Thanks I will give it a go!

Sorry but ???? is that for the question

Also update: I have gone to the properties in the MSI and checked all the files there ReadOnly permission is set to false. What is going on here!

Thanks a lot, I did go through the software changing the if's from =true to Checked based on your first answer, now I have got to get the hardware working!!!

Thanks...

Thanks Griff!

You are not only one!!

Sorry! Sorry! Should have removed message, I found it was what I was interfacing to was causing the problem (Ctrl-Z, Undo is wonderful!!)

It is a proper desktop app (or will be!) really I just wanted a way of seeing I had got the data!

I have managed to short circuit permissions (finally). It appears I can see the file, the data is there but how can I output it as a messagebox for instance.

I am more than a little confused by the using LumenWorks.IO.Csv.... need to included it but how?

I have done the following string path = "C:\\Allow"; with the CSV in Allow. I have now have permission issues which have dogging me all day!

Thanks. Have a 5 on me!!

Thanks... I was in the process of modding the question as your reply landed!
I need to set readFile don't I....

Rebooted, One thing I have noticed is if rebuild on the desktop it still does not included the icon properly... even if I rebuild the file, what is happening...

Thanks, have to check it after a reboot!

Working like a charm, thanks!!!

Thanks, giving it a go now!

Not to worry my logic was faulty !

Thank You!

Hi,
Gets around permission problems, but will only save two records! I have has a good fiddle with it. And it seems only to allow the creation of the file and a second entry even if I use
If(File.Exists = True) Then
blah!
Blah!
End If

Solves that problem!

You and me both brother!

If wish's were horses!

Sorry it has been a long day!

Umm not sure how I do that!

Well no I hadn't, seems to work though... have a 5 on me! oh Dang I can't put it as answer I'll give you 5!!

Thanks, there goes the weekend!

The negative number is a sort of problem, I was ignoring thanks for reminding me about that! I really appreciate the help. Hopefully the people concerned wont encounter the problem! Can you recommend a good site for RegEx (VB & C#)?

On a run when it fails (its awkward and I have yet to find a way of doing it everytime!)
when it passes the Output Debug window has the following in it.
Sorry the RegEx always seems to return FETCH? could it be seeing the capitals as ints (ASCII Code wise?)

DATARECEIVED 5491: F
DATARECEIVED 5491: E
DATARECEIVED 5491: T
DATARECEIVED 5491: C
DATARECEIVED 5491: H
DATARECEIVED 5491: ?
DATARECEIVED 5491:

DATARECEIVED 5491: -
DATARECEIVED 5491: 1
DATARECEIVED 5491: .
DATARECEIVED 5491: 9
DATARECEIVED 5491: 5
DATARECEIVED 5491: 6
DATARECEIVED 5491: 8
DATARECEIVED 5491: e
DATARECEIVED 5491: -
DATARECEIVED 5491: 3
DATARECEIVED 5491:

When it last failed it appeared to have the 'FETCH?' in it.

That seems to work now, it is returning FETCH? instead of the value, the whole string appears to be slightly different. Thanks for the help!

Regex.Split(result5491,["^.\d"])(0) gives an identifier expected command. Sorry it took so long to get back to you, but my PC shutdown (driver issue...I know how to fix! just need time!)

Mmm, That is what is needed.

That's what my first though was, but the blessed instrument does not seem to be guaranteed a reading of X, meaning where I had done the previous to it, it didn't work!

I do have the: Imports System.Text.RegularExpressions at the top. if that's what you mean?

I have had a look for a string called text, the only text used is the .Text property, sorry I am being pulled in different directions at the moment.

Sorry about that people coming at me from all sides the customer want a Version to play with on the plane... The error message is
Error 1 'RegularExpressions' is not a member of 'String'.

Sorry can you give me a minute as it is running a test now, that bug has not reared it's head for a little while now!

Sorry a bit fuller
Private Sub btnQuiescentCurrent_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles btnQuiescentCurrent.Click
Dim SerialNumber As Long
Dim SerialNumberWrite As String
Dim resultDUT As String
Dim result5491 As String
Dim result5491_Trimmed As String
' Dim result As String

resultDUT = SendMessageAndWaitForCR_DUT("#SZ0" + Chr(13)) 'send SZ0 command to turn off radio
If resultDUT = "==TIMEOUT==" Then
MsgBox("Timeout DUT SZ0 Fail")
'Exit Sub
End If

resultDUT = SendMessageAndWaitForCR_DUT("#SZ6" + Chr(13)) 'send SZ6 command to turn off sensors
If resultDUT = "==TIMEOUT==" Then
MsgBox("Timeout DUT SZ6 Fail")
'Exit Sub
End If
txtActivityWindow.Text += "#SZ6 OK" + vbCrLf


MsgBox("Please Operate Switch For Quiescent Current Reading", MsgBoxStyle.Exclamation)

Thread.Sleep(2000) 'allow to settle

'read current from multimeter
ClearBuffer5491()
result5491 = SendMessageAndWait5491("FUNC CURR:DC" & Chr(13), 12) 'changes to current mode
If result5491 = "==TIMEOUT==" Then
MsgBox("Timeout 5491 Change To DC Current Fail")
End If

ClearBuffer5491()

result5491 = SendMessageAndWait5491("CURR:DC:RANG:AUTO OFF" & Chr(13), 21) '
If result5491 = "==TIMEOUT==" Then
MsgBox("Timeout 5491 Auto Range Off")
End If

ClearBuffer5491()

result5491 = SendMessageAndWait5491("CURR:DC:RANG 0.5" & Chr(13), 16) 'changes to mA current mode
If result5491 = "==TIMEOUT==" Then
MsgBox("Timeout Current Range 0.5 Amp Fail")
End If

Thread.Sleep(500)
MultimeterComPort.DiscardInBuffer()
MultimeterComPort.DiscardOutBuffer()
ClearBuffer5491()

result5491 = SendMessageAndWait5491("FETCH?" & Chr(10), 14)


If result5491 = "==TIMEOUT==" Then
MsgBox("Timeout 5491 FETCH? Fail")
End If
Thread.Sleep(100)


Application.DoEvents()


MsgBox("Please Return Switch For Normal Operation", MsgBoxStyle.Exclamation)
result5491_Trimmed = Text.RegularExpressions.Regex.Split(result5491, "[^.\d]")(0)
'result5491_Trimmed = result5491
result5491_Trimmed = result5491.Substring(8, 6)
' MsgBox("result5491 " + result5491 + " result5491Trimmed " + result5491_Trimmed)


'result5491_Trimmed = result5491.Substring(8, 6)
txtActivityWindow.Text += "Quicent Current = " + result5491_Trimmed + "mA"
Result_Save += "Iq" + result5491_Trimmed.Trim + ","
If (result5491_Trimmed < QuiescentCurrentLow) Or (result5491_Trimmed > QuiescentCurrentHigh) Then
' go to fail mode
QuiescentBool = True
End If

Saves()


'poss problem
SerialNumber = Val(txtSerialNumber.Text)
SerialNumber += 1
SerialNumberWrite = "SerialNumber = '" + SerialNumber.ToString + "'"

System.IO.File.WriteAllText("SerialNumber.ini", SerialNumberWrite, Encoding.UTF8)


End Sub

Well I don't think that will format very nicely but... Seems to be better than I thought!

result5491_Trimmed = Text.RegularExpressions.Regex.Split(result5491, "[^.\d]")(0)
Do I need the (0) (as I said regex sends me nuts!)
Glenn

Ooops! Sorry about that.

I am trying to use this code, but have fallen foul of Regex before (C#)! I have the Imports.System.Text.RegularExpressions, looking around MSDN is this supported in VB 2008?
It is complaining about RegularExpression not being a member of String...

Yup! I most certainly do!

Thought of that for this instrument yes, but for other instruments not always!

Accepting and closing question as I think I have a solution!!! Have a 5 as you got thinking the right way!

Ah! CDec my old nemesis....

FreqResult1823_Trimmed = System.Convert.ToDecimal(result1823A_Trimmed) appears to round to the decimal point.

Given it a go it does what I was finding earlier was problems getting the String to a Decimal so I could do the multiply by 6

Thanks for that, I will try it! Mind you you start to get frustrated when you see you question poping up in Google....

No Worries I am working on this problem and another (and thinking about lunch!)

No, but am About to....

It always gets me in a mess have I accepted your answer or not?

Thanks Griff, though I could count on you,, one thing the CultureInfo requires more set up

Like a charm! Thanks You very much!

Bat signal away, bang head on floor! Spotted the error

Suddenly the customer is on the phone to the customer I think I have the OK to do a complete Re-Write!!! Yayy!!!

Ahh, but it was hacked so it appear to work.

oh my <redacted> not that!, I have make mods to some code that doesn't appear to work. I was give the task of getting rid of one board and replacing it. I appear to have disturbed the pile and it won't work now!

Umm also Griff um switching off error catching is that possible... Could this cause it to appear to work...

Now I really HATE it, why, for the love of... I want to immolate the Muppet who wrote this. It work my **** it will fail I can. I'm not allowed to rewrite it. I'm in Dilbert heck

Yup, tried that. That's where the cross threading came from in the first place! I think the problem is the rich text box the data is in is on a different thread to the GUI thread and it gets beyond me!

The worst bit is I can send and receive reply, the worst bit I can see the reply in the text box I just can't get at it!

We can but hope!

Like I said I'm really a C# guy for Windows which does seem to be a little easier don't really like VB...I also avoid using the Tool Box and roll my own due to bad memories of VB6/MSComm!

Thanks, first time I have come across WithEvents (mind you this is the first serious hack at VB.Net I have had!) on a separate note it has got rid of the blue wiggle but still isn't working! I didn't want to sleep tonight anyway, thanks.

just tried that: get the blue line and Error 1 Handles clause requires a WithEvents variable defined in the containing type or one of its base types.

Interesting...Giving it a go now...

Yup! I have an example of what I am trying to do in VB now:

Really it was thinking while typing

Thanks...

Now you mention it should == (the Equality Operator not the Assignment operator)

OK I'm guessing that the nice foreach() I use in C# does not exist in VB...(mutter, mutter, mutter) foreach (string subString in TextReply.Split(delimiters))

Couldn't use the Net PC booting, however have got around issue I think!

Face + Palm, I was going by the book Serial Port Complete 2nd Ed by Jan Axelson on page 164 WriteByte is down as a command...

Thanks!, Griff beat you to it!

Silly question but what type of Thermal printer, If it appears as Windows printer just use one of the print out examples here for C# to a printer. If you can't get it to appear in the printer list the manufactures web site is the place to go.

Thanks

I fully agree with you about timers and serial comms, I was using the tool box timer, System.Timer.Windows.Form the problem is the data is appearing in said rich textbox but I think the UI thread is running too fast for the update to be seen if I put a time wasting element it works fine.

Don't worry, I know, I have, at least I know where the bodies are buried and where the shovel is!

Hi, Another day of WTF how do you do this in VB done. I have the ability to send multiple commands at last(!) and the TIMEOUT working properly! (I think) Basic easy my ****

Thanks A lot!

Umm Griff how do I set up the Elapsed event? I tried to add the below:

Private Shared Sub NoDataAtPort_Elapsed(ByVal source As Object, ByVal e As ElapsedEventArgs)
MessageBox.Show("Timed Out")
'NoDataAtPort.Enabled = False
Reply_Status = REPLY.TIMEOUT_REPLY
'Data_Back = "TIMEOUT"

End Sub
Seems to be the Shared causing problems....

Great thanks for that, what have 'they' done to MSDN I can't see to search it like I used to?

Umm how is the TimeOut Handler added, like AddHandler NoDataAtPort.TimedOut,Object as Delegate ?

Thanks I have just tried to find the answer on MSDN what happened to it?

Doh! Face Palm moment again! I needed to import System.IO Sorry!

Well I type Fil then get the intelli-sense kicks in, so I go down the list and the closest I can get from there is FileAttr. do I need to use import for file IO?

The message box was put there to see what state the enum was. When run with the message box it produced the message that was sent (this is a Serial Comms program) if the message box is enabled it allows the message to be received once (and only once) it locks the UI. I have experimented with Pauses in and around the while loops to no effect!

No worries, I'm really a C guy too! I hate this VB malarkey!!

How ever on testing it, it only works once if the message box is enabled...

Ahh, that makes some sense!

I did click it, but it turned red for reject solution! I think some thing has gone wrong!

I'm stuck it has to be VB!!

Thanks

I wanted to use StringBuilder (I wanted to rewrite it in C# but wasn't allowed) so I might do that... or a mix or your & Pete's answer.

Thanks, I will have a go at that

One the major issues I don't have the VB6 it was generated from, it looks like this is going to go badly wrong!

I would have thought that would go down with Gimme Codez :-) urgent, after a Week & weekend I have had this know looks like the last problem.

Thanks Griff.... Happy Tree Day!!!!

You recommended my Article Thanks!

Added to right bit of code gives the dialog!

Added no effect??

So,DoEvents bad, threading good.
I can handle that.

Ummm, OK looking into that, why is DoEvents evil? like I said I came across it in VB6 solved a problem forgot about it....

Hmmm, If I do the above it will only check for the bit being set I also need to take action on the not set case, also won't that cause problems with trying to convert a ulong to a boolean?
I guess I should said so in the question but Hexvalue2 is a ulong.

I have never used Grid View but I am assumning you have it set up correctly, if I have a look at <p>http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx</p>
it would seem that you would need to give the location of the combo box i.e. DataGrid1.Row[?] and DataGrid.Column[?] then the line to get the value from the combo box.
Glenn (sorry) (Orig Griff over to you!)

LAN or Ian?

Also I have just remembered the an old VB6 trick I used to do to free up the UI was to use a 'DoEvents' to free up the multitasking, as I remember it worked on some programs others which used networking (can't remember exactly what) but I found it could alter the way set events were handled (frame ordering mostly). It might work but when "they" start complaining it might be the DoEvents!
Glenn

Umm if its VB6 why didn't you use MSComm? or did you need fast responce from the port (gathering burst data). The Net 2.0 uses the SerialPort class which is better
as it allows for interupt handling better and faster that the MSComm method so I would an interrupt apporach such as the below for the data recieved event
myComPort.DataReceived += new System.IO.Ports.SerialDataReceivedEventHandler(port_DataReceived); The unresponsive UI might be freed up with a doevents call, my memmory of VB6 is a little dim now but....

Umm Hi, I have asked this question in a different way, supplied some more detail, drank a lot of coffee lost some hair, but thanks to Griff got it working before the dead line. Thanks Glenn

Don't worry before it goes out the door I take all that stuff out and upload it to our SVN server, mind you I also try to keep all the versions I do on my machine to try to keep my thoughts intact as I have looked at code I have written (mostly embedded stuff) and though it works, but why??

My code tends to be a mess of commented out blocks, comments
along the lines reverse this string before use, monty python & star trek quotes. I take it from some of your answers, we are in similar roles, I am an Electronics Engineer that was made the mistake of not ducking fast enough when the phrase "We need a Windows Front End for this" was mentioned!
Glenn

Data Sheets...the thing is I think this system is in for a complete redesign once we get around to it. The problem has been it uses some out date NEC processor which I would like to replace MSP430 (I like them!), mind you the best part was prizing open the first of these units and the boss reply of "it uses a (can't remember!), oh <<expletive_deleted>> its an NEC I broke the FPIP last time I used it" then time spent repairing the FPIP. the rest of the time it was 'hmm thats not on the diagram' time!
Glenn

Thanks alot, I now have it reading and writing correctly, can I ask do you think the details were a little sparse of what the system should do and how to do it?
Glenn

Hmmm, gone home could forget about and found the following: //get it swapping ints to hex sring just //needs spaces ie. 10 27 00 00
int j = LEStringToInt("10 27 00 00"); textBox1.Text = j.ToString();
string s = IntToLEString(j);
textBox2.Text = s.ToString();
Now I can sleep thank you! Cheers for that I will try it tomorrow with the hardware thanks. Glenn //int j = LEStringToInt(s);

I have it working! hex to int, I am pretty sure if you gave it int j = LEStringToInt("12345678");
textBox1.Text = j.ToString();
string s = IntToLEString(j);
textBox2.Text = s.ToString();
it would choke, that is chore for tomorrow but accuratly one way!! hex to dec!! just need to go dec to hex and see if that cures my problem!!!

Hmm, I do see the drop down but added System.Globalization; and the WTF wiggly line disappeared still can't get it to do anything though!

Well if I can't get this working I might see some how, I don't think It will be very high as it's only got girly bananna plugs on it!, I lost my scope and white board when we moved!

No its a nice chunky Tenma 30 amp job, I wonder where it came from!

If pass IntToLEString(); 123 an integer it complains about "NumberStyles" not existing in the current context. Also if I pass it a string it complains about expecting an int, which is why I sending it an int.

Thanks for that. I am starting to talk to talk to my power supply!

Sorry, for that our mail server went nuts didn't see your reply. First time I used drop box for sharing stuff looks like it worked. As for OPL I hadn't seen it haven't got a compiler for it so I think it works but can't say. The stuff in the reply from the PSION handheld is as your comments say it might be "OK" or more interstingly "I have found life on Mars", if you read the below reply I am trying now to put into an array and reorder that! :)

Hi,
Just sent 123(hex) as 0c 23 01 00 00 with the command /cw 0c 23 01 00 00 via HyperTerm got a #0 when I read it with a cr I get 23010000(hex) I read in as 23010000 which I tranlate to 00000123 parse to 291(dec) Meaning my reading function is OK. When I send I am sending 291 (dec) is 0c 12 30 00 00 meaning my send is wrong. I need to go back to the string parsing thanks.

You now have what I have docs wise!

The OPL code
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/66257998/Smeter.opl

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/66257998/Smeter.opl

The OPH code:

The Opl Code https://dl.dropbox.com/u/66257998/Smeter.oph

The Interface Definition Document:
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/66257998/INS%201003%20A%20-%20Psion%20Operation%20Guide.pdf

Interface Specification manual...you jest sir. All I have is the Interface Documentation (really a PDF with some commands and responce) which really isn't enough and some PSION OPL code which is very hard to understand and is not the version running on the PSION. Customer shouting at Boss, Boss yelling via Email (he out of the country 'til next week) If you give me a web address I can upload the interface doc and the OPL code. They are in the public folder on my DropBox account ,I just can't get the web link working! or I could share them with you directly ?? Glenn I will give it another go!!

Oh <<expletive deleted!!!>> 3012 is 1230 I need to swap the characters in pairs 30 12 becomes 12 30 and then check to see if the last bit is a zero if it is get rid of it! scratch head, more caffine!!

Also if I send 10,000 credit from the device I am replacing this is read back as 10,000 by the software I have written. So the I don't think the issue is the read, I think it is with the way I am treating the write. Further looking is required!
Glenn

Okay 0x123 hex or 291 dec, sent, read back 12306 dec or 3012 hex???

Here comes the first "dumb bottom question" but I think it warrents a question on its own!
Glenn

Thanks!

No I think I have got it using Griffs example, but you never know!

Thanks for that!

Thanks, need to get my thinking right for this stand by for more dumb bottom questions!

Thanks for that, had problem, went took five minutes to look out window came back and thought oh <<bad word!>> let us hope no one sees, that I have asked this!

Thank you Hangs Head in shame!

because thats all the meter will take! I really don't know?, but it works!

A little of both at the moment I managed to burn on finger tip yesterday!

Umm, I am little busy at the moment for this sort of thing try www.lvr.com and ask a question on the Small Machines Forum and or get a copy of Parallel port Complete!

Thanks for that I ask it several times with slighly different wording due to fact I was working at home then at work this problem was a bit odd but I got working on my own mostly due to sitting down and writing out the problem to get a solution that would work for all values and then find its 10,000 max was a bit of a let down. Thanks for the solution though it should give another check.
Glenn

Thanks alot, but I have solved this problem!

Oh thanks for that link and sorry I wasted your time!
Glenn

Bits, Bytes lets call the whole thing off, go it sorted!

Thanks to all I think I have solved it?

Sorry for that, but looking at it you gave VB to answer a C# question, here starts a holy war! Thanks got the problem sorted!

It is, but I'm not allowed to fix it! this botch is in a product that is out in the field and if I fixed it I'm likely to break software/hardware that is happy. It's the classic "we know this is wrong but make it work!" mutter,mutter