Technical Support - Ability 1.2

Overview

Version 1.2 of Ability was released in 1985 and was widely bundled with the Amstrad 1512 and 1640 PC's.

If you have a modern PC (e.g. 386 or better), we strongly urge you to upgrade to Ability Plus 3.0. Many of the problems relating to out of date hardware support don't exist in the latest version.

Anything not covered in the Frequently Asked Questions section should be addressed directly to support@ability.com.

FAQ

  1. Cannot get the £ sign on screen
  2. Cannot get the £ sign on printer
  3. Year 2000 - any problems [Answer :- No!]
  4. Cannot open a database file
  5. How to Import/Export files
  6. Ability won't run with Novell network drivers loaded
  1. Cannot get the £ sign on screen

    This is a DOS problem - go to the DOS prompt (leave Ability altogether) and try typing a £ sign: you won't get it. You need to tell your PC that you're in the UK by running a keyboard driver. How you do this depends on your version of DOS/Windows as follows:
    • Windows 95

      The default Windows 95 setup still doesn't choose the correct keyboard for DOS programs on non-US installations. To do this, click the Start button and then select Run. Type in SYSEDIT at the Open prompt. A series of Windows will be displayed - click on the one titled AUTOEXEC.BAT. Add two new lines to this file:

      C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\KEYB UK,,C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\KEYBOARD.SYS
      C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\GRAFTABL

      Close Sysedit by selecting File/Exit from the menus.
    • DOS 6.xx, 5.xx

      Edit the AUTOEXEC.BAT file and add two new lines:

      C:\DOS\KEYB UK,,C:\DOS\KEYBOARD.SYS
      C:\DOS\GRAFTABL

      Note that this assumes your MS-DOS is installed in the directory C:\DOS. To edit your AUTOEXEC file, type the following command at the DOS prompt:

      EDIT C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT

      Make the changes and save by selecting ALT-F and then Exit. Select "Yes" when prompted.
    • DOS 4.xx

      Get an earlier/later DOS version or struggle through with the DOS manual!
    • DOS 3.1, 3.2

      Edit the AUTOEXEC.BAT file and add two new line:

      C:\DOS\KEYBUK
      C:\DOS\GRAFTABL

      If you haven't got a text editor you're familiar with, use EDLIN, instructions to which you'll need to reference in your DOS manual.
  2. Cannot get the £ sign on printer

    Either: Incorrect printer driver selection from the Devices screen - double check that you have the right make model selected using F2-Other-Devices.

    Or: Your dot matrix printer is in the wrong mode. Many dot matrix printer work in either an IBM mode or an Epson mode, selectable via a dipswitch on the printer. Ability will work with either providing the corresponding driver is selected in the Devices screen.

    Or: The printer driver file is out of date. You can download the latest drivers file here.