KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q99507: PIF Hot Key Causes Errors or Help to Appear in Mail/Schedule+

Article: Q99507
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 3.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.1,3.11
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 30-OCT-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

Creating and using a program information file (PIF) for an MS-DOS- based
application that has a hot key sequence containing the F1 key may cause the Help
programs for both Mail and Schedule+ to appear when you access the MS-DOS-based
application and then return to either Mail or Schedule+.

WORKAROUND
==========

To work around this problem, you must edit the PIF with the PIF Editor program
and modify the hot key sequence so that it does not include the F1 key.

MORE INFORMATION
================

When you access an MS-DOS-based application with its hot key sequence (as
defined in its PIF) and the hot key sequence contains the F1 key, the Help
programs for Microsoft Mail and/or Schedule+ may pop up. One of the following
messages may also be displayed:

  No Help is available for this command

-or-

  Help Topic does not exist

This situation continues until you quit and restart Microsoft Windows for
Workgroups. Closing the MS-DOS-based application or exiting and signing out of
Mail and/or Schedule+ has no effect on this condition.

Steps to Reproduce Problem
--------------------------

1. Create a PIF for the MS-DOS command prompt that contains F1 in the hot key
  sequence.

2. Execute the MS-DOS command prompt using your PIF.

3. Start Microsoft Mail or Schedule+.

4. Use the hot key sequence to switch back to the MS-DOS command prompt.

The next time you enter Mail or Schedule+ and try to access any of the menus, the
Help program will appear. Subsequent attempts to access Mail or Schedule+ may
result in the aforementioned error messages.

Additional query words: 3.10 3.11 Mail Schedule Plus help

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbWFWSearch kbWFW310 kbWFW311
Version           : WINDOWS:3.1,3.11

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.