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Q251005: OLE Automation Number Conversion Changed in SP4

Article: Q251005
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): winnt:4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5,4.0 SP6,4.0 SP6a
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbWinNT400PreSP7Fix
Last Modified: 08-MAY-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5, 4.0 SP6, 4.0 SP6a 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5, 4.0 SP6, 4.0 SP6a 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition versions 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5, 4.0 SP6, 4.0 SP6a 
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SYMPTOMS
========

There may be conflicting symbols for decimal separators and digit grouping for
numbers and currencies in a user's regional settings. For example:

                  Numbers        Currency
  ---------------------------------------
  Decimal         ,              .
  Grouping        .              ,

Prior to Service Pack 4, programs can convert strings to numbers correctly in
this situation. With Service Pack 4 or later, numbers are truncated after the
first symbol in the string. Or, there may be other effects resulting in
incorrect conversion of user input.

CAUSE
=====

The conversion algorithm was changed so that it honors both number types. When
the settings conflict, incorrect results occur.

RESOLUTION
==========

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to
correct the problem described in this article and should be applied only to
systems experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the
fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and
information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World
Wide Web:

  http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are normally incurred for support calls may
be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific
update will resolve your problem. Normal support costs will apply to additional
support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in
question.

The English-language version of this fix should have the following file
attributes or later:

  Date       Time        Version       Size      File name
  -----------------------------------------------------------
  01/05/00   3:10:50pm   2.40.4514.1   143,632   Asycfilt.dll
  01/05/00   3:10:50pm   2.40.4514.1   614,672   Oleaut32.dll
  01/05/00   3:10:50pm   5.0.4514.1    164,112   Olepro.dll
  01/05/00   3:10:50pm   2.40.4514.1    16,896   Stdole2.tlb



WORKAROUND
==========

Programs can check for conflicting settings by calling the Win32 GetLocaleInfo
function by using these values for the LCType parameter:

                  Numbers           Currency
  --------------------------------------------------------
  Decimal         LOCALE_SDECIMAL   LOCALE_SMONDECIMALSEP
  Grouping        LOCALE_STHOUSAND  LOCALE_SMONTHOUSANDSEP

If conflicting settings are detected, the program can prompt the user to resolve
the mismatch.


STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products that are
listed at the beginning of this article.

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

The files for this hotfix are the same as those referenced in the following
Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

  

  Q251002 Loading Invalid Image Using OLE Automation Displays Assertion

Please retrieve the files by using this article number.

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbWinNT400PreSP7Fix 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW400sp5 kbWinNTW400sp4 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTSEntSearch kbWinNTSEnt400sp6 kbWinNTSEnt400sp5 kbWinNTSEnt400sp4 kbWinNTS400sp6 kbWinNTS400sp5 kbWinNTS400sp4 kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTW400sp6 kbWinNTSEnt400SP6a kbWinNTW400SP6a
Version           : winnt:4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5,4.0 SP6,4.0 SP6a
Hardware          : ALPHA x86
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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

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