23 November, 2014

Printing problem in Crystal Reports for VS2005 - SOLVED!

Crystal Reports
Crystal Reports (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
23-Nov-2014


A week or so ago, I had my old work desktop PC formatted and installed with Windows 7. I opted for that because I don't want any leftovers from previous users cluttering up my work. Say I'm fussy, but that is me. At least I can safely say, if ever the time comes that I leave the company, that they can format the hard disk drive, without ever worrying about 'others' having leftover files in the HDD of the PC that I used for X number of years.

Now, that new Windows 7 OS is sure better than XP Professional SP3, and while I am able to make use of the better hardware and better OS, in that the very reason why I had the Windows 7 installed after a format is that the hardware is better, even when it was running Windows XP. Yap, there was another desktop PC involved. I had a swap. I had the faster PC for a swap, and requested for a total clean sweep of the hard disk, which mandated the installation of Windows 7. I didn't know that, but it was a pleasant surprise - when I was told that due to the formatting of the hard disk, I will now be getting Windows 7 instead of Windows XP. I said, "Err... okay!"

When all applications have been reinstalled back, I discovered that the main software I use in my daily work is getting a problem: it wasn't able to run Crystal Reports, or to be precise, all sections work, except the Crystal Reports form.

When that problem was fixed, a new one came about: printing function. All else, like exporting, viewing pages, etc., work. I was stuck, as again, printing the generated report was a mandatory part of the process flow that I call work.

I asked for help, which didn't easily come. I figure, I had to do it on my own. And that was even harder because I don't have internet access at work. I should say it is hard, but I feel safer and more comfortable, with much ado about wasting time browsing while working, etc., etc. So I do my web seraching at home, then attempt all solutions and resolutions when I come back to the office.

To cut to the chase, here's what I did, and unfortunately, I am not quite sure on the exact item that fixed the problem. And yes, I am using Windows 7 64-bit OS. Sadly, some of the articles that I checked insisted that it has nothing to do with the bit-ness of the OS of the client, or the local PC, but the bit-ness of the server. That is contrary to my experience.

  1. I turned on .NET Framework 3.5 through the Control Panel, Turning Windows features on or off.
  2. I installed ReportViewer.exe
  3. I installed cr_net_2005_x86.msi
  4. I installed CRRedist2005_x86.msi
  5. I installed CRRedist2005_X64.msi

Five items, and I didn't know which one did the fix. So I suggest that if you are following my method, help me out by doing one-by-one, and noting which one does the fix, so I can update my post.

Hope this helps somebody, as it did me.

Till then!

22 November, 2014

Quick Start Guide to JavaFX

JavaFX Mobile
JavaFX Mobile (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
22-Nov-2014


Last week or so, I completed reading my first book on JavaFX. It wasn' actually an intentional read. I just grabbed that book when it presented itself to me while I was browsing through the shelves in the library.

It wasn't a bad choice, I could say. It was bery basic, really a primer, but it gave me an idea of where JavaFX is leading, towards a more graphics-oriented computing, and it is no longer a very time-consuming activity. At least that is what it looks like on the surface.

Graphics.

Since that is something that catches our attention, what better way to create applications, whether on the desktop, or on the web, but which is expressed in graphics?

I had to return the book today, so I am making a short note now that I would again borrow the same book, re-read and re-read as many times as I can, then grab a new one to further my knowledge.

Fancy every time, a rounded button is designed how? That is one of the things I learned in this JavaFX primer.

Short read, much learning. How's that?

Till then!

16 November, 2014

How to log USB transactions?

English: A Sandisk-brand USB thumb drive, SanD...
English: A Sandisk-brand USB thumb drive, SanDisk Cruzer Micro, 4GB. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
16-Nov-2014


I am looking at the possibility of logging USB thumb drive transactions, like copy to and fro, delete, format, etc. This, unfortunately, I cannot find anything on the world wide web.

Can anybody help me?

I don't even find it in CodeProject.com repository. Or maybe I am just not looking hard enough?

At any rate, I am curious how this works, if ever.

I need help. Anybody, if you know, or if you can direct me to some other articles that has the answer, please feel free to let me know.

Thank you!