FAQ# 21:
How do I view the data, as it comes in from my wire service??
---------------------------------------------------------------------
From the wire browser, press Ctrl-F10. This will bring you to the Buffer
Statistics screen. Highlight the line for the port that you receive that wire
service on. (Only those ports that receive wire services will be listed, so if
you have only one wire service, there will be only one line.) Once the correct
line is highlighted, press F7. This will bring up a box where the data will be
displayed as it is received.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 22:
How do I determine if my serial port is working??
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The Setup program that is used to install NewsReady contains a utility to
determine if a serial port is working. This utility is called a Loop back.

For a stand-alone system, from the C:\WIRE prompt, type SETUP. When asked for
the installation path, enter C:\WIRE.

For a LAN system, from the [install path]\INSTALL prompt (such as
F:\WIRE\INSTALL) type SETUP. When asked for the installation path, type the
[install path], such as F:\WIRE.

On the Main Menu, choose Select Service Type and Speed. This will display the
wire services that have been set up. Included in each service is the port
address, such as 2f8, followed by the port interrupt, such as 3.

Have nothing on the serial port you are checking. Highlight the line that has
the correct port address and port interrupt. Press F8. This should bring up an
empty box. If characters show, even with nothing on the port, then either the
port does not work, or there is another port with the port address that is set
up. Try setting up for a different port address and port interrupt.

If no characters show in the box, then the next step is to put a loop back
tester on the serial port. Loop back testers are included in the test kit that
came with your software when you bought it. With the loop back tester on the
port, the alphabet and other characters will constantly scroll through the
box. This indicates that the port works, and that the port address and port
interrupt are what you set them up as.

If nothing still shows in the box, then either the port does not work, or it
has a different address and/or interrupt. Try a different address.

To change the address and/or interrupt that the port is set for, highlight the
line in Select Service Type and Speed, and press Enter. Highlight Port
Address, and press Enter. Choose the port address you want, and press Enter.
Do the same to change the port interrupt. Press F4 twice to save your
settings. You can then loop back a port with these new settings.

NOTE: This method is intended for checking a serial port, to make sure that
you are configured correctly, and have a working serial port, in order to
receive wire services. If you change settings, as described above, this will
change the settings that NewsReady is using to try to receive wire services.
So, if you are looking to test a serial port that is being used for other
purposes, such as connecting a modem, we recommend that you write down the
original settings, and restore them when you are done.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 23:
How do I know if my wire service cable is wired correctly.?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To receive your wire service, the computer must receive the data on its serial
port's Receive Data pin. When the software was bought from WireReady NSI, we
included a test kit. In that test kit is an RS-232 minitester. (You can also
buy a minitester at Radio Shack and similar stores.) If you remove the cable
from the serial port, and attach the minitester to the cable (without
connecting it to the serial port) you should see the RD LED on the minitester
light up. If you do not see the RD LED light up, then either the cable is
wired incorrectly, or the equipment from your wire services is not working
correctly. (If you see TD light up, but not RD, then you probably just need a
null modem adapter. You can purchase one if them at radio Shack and similar
stores.)

Even if RD does light up, the cable still might not be wired correctly. The
above method is simply a way of checking for the most common problem with
cables.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 24:
What if I am receiving some stories but not others? For example, I am
receiving everything except national news.?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Because you are receiving some news, NewsReady is working properly. You may
not be seeing all your stories because you currently have a search setup that
is filtering out the other stories. Try pressing the F3 key to show all
stories. If this doesn't work you will need to call your wire service, to
make sure that they have you set up to receive the proper stories.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 25:
How do I make a template for my newscasts??
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Create the template in the Notepad, then save it as a text file, with F4. Any
time you need this template, retrieve it into the Notepad, with F10, Retrieve
file from DOS.

You can even create a folder, calling in Templates, and save several different
templates in that directory.

This is useful if each of your newscasts has a certain structure. The template
can be the header for each section (Weather, Sports, Stock Market, etc). Then,
call up the template, and type the actual stories under each heading.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 28:
When I try to start the WireReady program it says "Unable to Create
$Window.tmp".?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
When WireReady starts, it tries to create a small, temporary file called
$window.tmp. However, if your hard drive is full, then the system will return
this error. To fix it:

Stand-Alone Systems:

1) Try deleting any unnecessary files from your computer. Do this by typing
DEL [filename] at a DOS prompt. DO NOT DELETE ANY FILES under the C:\WIRE
directory (and its subdirectories) unless you have spoke with WireReady NSI.
If you need more help deleting files call or ask your engineer.

2) If you are unable to delete any files, try running CHKDSK (MS-DOS version
6.0 and lower) or SCANDISK (MS-DOS version 6.0 or higher). These utilities
clean up your hard drive and delete any extra files from your hard drive.

LAN systems:

If you are running a LAN system, try the above steps. However, one other
possibility is the user does not have the proper access rights (especially on
Novell). Make sure that each network user name has the proper access right s
to the WIRE\USER\[username]\TEMP directory.

Also, in rare cases the TEMP directory in the path above may not be present.
If it is, just make the directory (by typing MD TEMP from the
WIRE\USERS\[username\ prompt.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 36:
When I type MANAGER U=CAPTURE it tells me that "capture is not a valid user
path".?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To start the software on the capture station, you want to run the batch file
WCAPTURE.BAT. So just type WCAPTURE. Or type MANAGER S=F:\WIRE\CAPTURE
(replacing F:\WIRE with the proper path, if different.)
=====================================================================

FAQ# 39:
I am getting a message saying that there is not enough memory when I try to
start NewsReady.?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This error is given if you are running the 640K version of NewsReady, and you
do not have enough conventional memory to run the program.


If your computer has at least 2 MB of memory, the easiest solution is to call
WireReady NSI for an upgrade. (Upgrades are free if you have a valid technical
support plan.)

If your computer has 1 MB or less of memory (or to get NewsReady working
before you receive an upgrade) then the solution is to tell NewsReady to use
less memory: type MANAGER R=1. This will limit the wire browser to 1000
stories.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 40:
How do I set the size of the window for Ctrl-F10??
---------------------------------------------------------------------
In the file $c_f10.dat, the WINDOW line sets the size of the window. The
format is

WINDOW A B C D E

A sets the number of characters from the left margin.
B sets the number of characters from the top margin
C sets the width of the window.
D sets the height of the window.
E sets nothing, but it has to be there. So just set it to any number.

NOTE: a screen is 23 characters high, and 78 characters wide. So A plus C can
be no greater than 78, and B plus D can be no greater than 23. Because of the
menus in NewsReady, the height (B plus D) should really be no more than 17, or
the window will partially be hidden behind the menu.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 43:
How do I know which of my computers is running as the capture station??
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This applies only to those running on a network.

The user name for every computer is on the World Menu, above the clock in the
lower right corner of the screen. This will say CAPTURE for the capture
station.

Another way is by looking at the buffer statistics screen: From the wire
browser, press Ctrl and F10 at the same time. There will be headers, such as
Port, Rcvd, etc. If there is anything listed under these headers, then this
computer is set up to receive wire services, which means it is the capture
station.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 54:
How do I know if I am tuned to the correct satellite channel to receive my
wire service??
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This a question you must ask your wire service. WireReady NSI does not have
this information.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 57:
How do I stop a category from flashing in the wire browser??
---------------------------------------------------------------------
You will have to edit the configuration file, $config.wr. All of the
categories are listed in lines beginning with a lower case 'c'. The line will
be in the format

c [character] [number] [category].

For [number], 1 indicates flashing, and 0 indicates not flashing.

Go to the [category] you wish to stop flashing, and change [number] to 0.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 58:
How do I stop a priority from flashing in the wire browser??
---------------------------------------------------------------------
You will have to edit the configuration file, $config.wr. All of the
priorities are listed in lines beginning with a lower case 'p'. The line will
be in the format

p [character] [number] [priority].

For [number], 1 indicates flashing, and 0 indicates not flashing.

Go to the [priority] you wish to stop flashing, and change [number] to 0.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 59:
How do I make a category flash is the wire browser??
---------------------------------------------------------------------
You will have to edit the configuration file, $config.wr. All of the
categories are listed in lines beginning with a lower case 'c'. The line will
be in the format

c [character] [number] [category].

For [number], 1 indicates flashing, and 0 indicates not flashing.

Go to the [category] you wish to have flashing, and change [number] to 1.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 60:
How do I make a priority flash in the wire browser??
---------------------------------------------------------------------
You will have to edit the configuration file, $config.wr. All of the
priorities are listed in lines beginning with a lower case 'p'. The line will
be in the format

p [character] [number] [priority].

For [number], 1 indicates flashing, and 0 indicates not flashing.

Go to the [priority] you wish to have flashing, and change [number] to 1.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 63:
How do I add categories for archiving??
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This works for a network system:

From the wire\install prompt, run Setup. On the Main Menu, choose Set Custom
Categories. Enter the categories you wish. When finished, press F3, then press
F4. Then press Esc once to return to the Main Menu. Page down, and choose
Custom Scripting. You should have a choice Update Archive/Custom Categories.
Highlight that, and press Enter. Use the F9 key highlight/unhighlight all
users, or the Space bar to highlight/unhighlight specific users. (A
highlighted user will have his/her categories updated; an unhighlighted user
will not.) When the proper users are highlighted, press the Enter key.

NOTE: Normally, you will want all users to be using the same categories, so we
recommend you highlight all of the users.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 119:
When I try to create a new wire file, the screen moves up.?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This will occur if the setup program is unable to overwrite the old capture
file. Usually this means that a user is still in the WireReady software. All
users must exit the WireReady software when you create a new wire file.

This problem can also be caused by the network restricting the access rights
to the wire file. Make sure that the network permits you to create and delete
files.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 120:
When I try to create a new archive, the screen scrolls up.?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This will occur if the setup program is unable to overwrite the old archive
file. Usually this means that a user is still in the WireReady software. All
users must exit the WireReady software if you are trying to overwrite the
archive file.

This problem can also be caused by the network restricting the access rights
to the archive file. Make sure that the network permits you to create and
delete files.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 127:
When I am not using the capture station, it does not receive any new stories.
But while I am using the capture station, it receives stories without
problems.?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This will occur if you are running in Windows95/98 and the properties to the
capture station's PIF file have the box "Background Suspend" checked. This box
is on the Misc tab.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 129:
When printing from NewsReady, it takes a minute to start printing, or does not
print until NewsReady is exited.?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This will occur in Windows95/98:

Printing from Windows95 DOS Box

When you print from an MS-DOS-based program, it may take from 60 to 90 seconds
before printing begins. Quitting the program causes printing to begin
immediately.

WireReady is a DOS program. When any DOS program is run in a Windows95 DOS
box, the program does not communicate with your computer in the same way as
when run in DOS.

One of the differences is in the way a DOS program prints. When a DOS program,
running in DOS, prints, it sends the information directly to the printer port.
When you print from a DOS box, Windows95 intercepts the information that the
DOS program is sending to the printer port.

Windows95 will not send the information to the printer port until it knows
that it has received everything you are printing. One way it knows that you
are not going to send it any more printing information is when you leave the
program. That is why the printing will begin if you exit WireReady.

Another way that it knows that you are not going to send any more printing
information is using a timeout. If Windows95 does not receive any more
printing information for a certain amount of time, it assumes you are done.
The length of time is configurable in Windows95.

By default, Windows 95 waits 45 seconds after the program stops sending
information before printing the document. When you add in the amount of time
for WireReady to send the information to Windows95, and the amount of time for
Windows95 to process the printing and send it to the printer, this usually
means about a 1-minute delay in printing.

To decrease the delay in printing, check the System.ini file, which is in the
Windows directory. Edit the existing lines to read as follows, or add the
lines:

[Network]
PrintBufTime=10

[IFSMGR]
PrintBufTime=10

NOTE: If the [Network] or [IFSMGR] sections do not exist in the System.ini
file, add the sections after the [386Enh] section of the file.

These settings are in seconds. The lower the value, the sooner the document is
printed. If nothing prints, the documents are printed over multiple pages, or
documents are combined, the settings may be too low. Increase the settings
until documents are printed correctly.

A 10 second timeout is usually the best setting.

The entry in the [Network] section controls the network printing timeout using
the real-mode redirector (outside of Windows 95). The entry in the [IFSMGR]
section controls the network printing timeout using the protected-mode
redirector (within Windows 95). By default, this value is set to 45 seconds.

Note that these settings may affect local as well as network printing.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 134:
"Security key error" when the security key is on the parallel port, and the
parallel port is known to work.?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Sometimes, if there is a non-working printer attached (the printer is off, out
of paper, or in some other error state) there will be a security key error.
Try either removing the printer cable from the security key, or getting the
printer working again.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 138:
Where can I get drivers for the LCS8880 4-port board??
---------------------------------------------------------------------
There are no drivers required for WireReady NSI software to use the LCS8880.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 139:
Is it possible to receive wire services on a WindowsNT computer??
---------------------------------------------------------------------
WireReady NSI cannot guarantee that it will work. Even if it will work, we
recommend against it. Also, the only serial ports this might work on are com1
and com2. However, if you have Newsready32, and require receiving your wire
services on a WindowsNT computer, WireReady can provide a configuration that
might work for you. Call WireReady for assistance, as we will need to provide
some specialized files.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 141:
The feeds from UPI are not showing up properly in the wire browser.?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
If you were using WorldView prior to NewsReady, you need to call UPI when you
plug them into WireReady software and request them to download you for ANPA,
MODE 3. This is the format that most newsroom systems like WireReady
recognize.

When someone is getting Worldview, their receiver has been downloaded for IPTC
(International Press Telecommunications Council format) where as the more
common format systems like WireReady use is ANPA (American Newspaper
Association)

Assuming you are using an IDC receiver, you must be connected to port 4. You
probably are already connected to this port. If the receiver you have only
has one port, then you have no choice.

As soon as UPI downloads your receiver for ANPA/Mode 3, the feeds should start
coming in properly parsed and labeled.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 148:
Running in Windows95/98, the alarm works when computer is booted into DOS
mode, but not when running from a DOS window.?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Try removing com1 from device manager, and restarting windows.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 152:
The errors "fatal error 286" and "file not found" appear when starting the
software.?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This can sometimes happen if the server is too low on hard drive space. The
software requires at least 1 MB free. Free up space on the server and trying
running the software again.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 153:
Is it possible to split a UPI feed between NewsReady and Worldview??
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To do this, you must have a 4-port satellite receiver that is receiving UPI.

You would connect port 4 of the receiver to Worldview. No other equipment is
needed between the receiver and Worldview.

Either port1 or port 3 can be used to connect to a Canford, which would then
feed the NewsReady computer. Port 1 or 3 (whichever feeds the Canford) must be
modified for mode "2".

Contact UPI for details on having the receiver modified, and for equipment
setup.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 164:
The headlines for the Learfield wire service are corrupted.?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This is usually caused by a corrupted $learfld.id file. Download the most
current $learfld.id file from out download page, and put the new file into the
Wire directory, overwriting the file that is already there.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 165:
When NewsReady is not the active window, the computer stops receiving wire
service stories.?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
If NewsReady is not the active window, and the Always Suspend button is
checked in the properties of the NewsReady icon you use, you will not receive,
because Windows is ignoring the program.

In theory, you should be able to uncheck this box, and the problem would never
recur. However, for some computers, the box keeps getting checked again,
seemingly by itself. According to Microsoft, this is caused by the mouse
driver being a Logitech driver lower than 8.0. We have found that even later
versions of the Logitech mouse driver cause this problem.

The solution is to use the standard mouse driver:

Click Start, then Settings, then Control Panel. A window will come up.
Double-click system.

Click the Device Manager tab, double-click the Mouse branch to expand it, then
double-click Mouse.

Click the Driver tab, click Update Driver, click Next, click "Display a list
of all the drivers in a specific location, so you can select the driver you
want", and then click Show All Hardware.

Under Manufacturers, click Standard Mouse Types, and then click Standard PS/2
Port Mouse under Models.

Click Next, click Yes, click Next, click Finish, and then restart your
computer.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 168:
I am getting good data from AP, as seen in the buffer statistics screen, but
the stories are being combined in the wire browser.?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AP's equipment has the ability to strip control codes. These control codes are
required by NewsReady. Contact AP to make sure that your equipment is NOT
stripping control codes.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 174:
I am receiving wire service stories with no problem. They show properly in the
wire browser. But when I try to view them by pressing Enter, I get a general
protection fault.?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This sometimes will occur when running in DOS with EMM386 running. Edit
C:\CONFIG.SYS, find the line that shows EMM386 in it. Add REM followed by a
space to that line. Save the file, exit the editor, and reboot the computer.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 185:
How can I set up a single batch file, for all users to have, so that users
never have to enter a user name??
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The following will only work when running in a DOS box within windows95/98/nt.

The example below permits up to 11 different simultaneous logins. You can put
in more numbers to create more.

The batch file to create is:

FOR %%U IN (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11) DO call try.bat %%U

Try.bat is as below

del f:\wire\users\user%1\$inuse.dat
if exist f:\wire\users\user%1\$inuse.dat goto end
manager /a u=user%1
exit

:end
=====================================================================

FAQ# 188:
When printing from NewsReady to a network printer, on a Novell network,
nothing prints until I exit NewsReady. Or, it takes a long time to print.?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
If running in Windows95/98 on the workstation:

Right-click on Network Neighborhood, and choose Properties.
Click on Novell Netware Client, and click the Properties button.
Click on the Default Capture tab.
At the bottom, there will be a box for "seconds before timeout". Set this to 5
or 10 seconds.

After this change, you will need to restart Windows.

NOTE: The above needs to be done on each workstation that runs NewsReady and
prints to the network server. Nothing has to be done on the server.
=====================================================================

FAQ# 201:
How do I make my wire stories come in with ALL CAPS?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
In your $config.wr file for each user look for the line that
starts with a lower case e. the line will look something like this 'e 0
0 0 0' To make the stories all caps, change the fourth number to a 1.
This will only affect the user who's $config.wr file you changed. To
change the other users' files you'll have to edit them manually, or read
the FAQ on custom scripting (in the upgrading/installation section).
=====================================================================

FAQ# 216:
A lot of wire service stories are being cut in half, with the
second half showing in the wire browser with the headline
Unknown.?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This can be caused by RF interference. Put an RF filter on the
serial cable.
=================================================================