Article: Q68989
Product(s): Microsoft Programming Utilities
Version(s): MS-DOS:1.03,1.05,1.06,1.07
Operating System(s):
Keyword(s): kb16bitonly
Last Modified: 31-OCT-1999
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The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft HELPMAKE Utility for MS-DOS and OS/2, versions 1.03, 1.05, 1.06, 1.07
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SYMPTOMS
========
If a concatenated help database is decoded with either "Decode" (/D) or "Decode
Unformatted" (/DU), HELPMAKE may be caught in an infinite loop that will
eventually fill the hard disk.
RESOLUTION
==========
When using HELPMAKE.EXE to decode concatenated help databases, you must use the
"Decode Split" option (/DS).
STATUS
======
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem with HELPMAKE for MS-DOS and OS/2.
This problem was corrected in HELPMAKE version 1.08.
MORE INFORMATION
================
If OS2.HLP is decoded with
helpmake /D /Ooutfile OS2.HLP
HELPMAKE will decompress the first database in OS2.HLP over and over until either
the disk fills up or you stop the program (with a CTRL+BREAK, for example).
If OS2.HLP is decoded with
helpmake /DS OS2.HLP
it is broken into STRUCT.HLP, MACROS.HLP, and TABLES.HLP. These help files can
then be decoded properly with the /D or /DU option.
If you don't know how a help file is assembled, the following are the steps to
take to decompress it:
1. Save a backup copy of the help file in case of problems.
2. Rename the help file to "TEMP.HLP".
3. Split the file as follows:
HELPMAKE /DS TEMP.HLP
If the file is not a concatenated database, you will get a single file with
the name of the help database as it was originally built (the internal
database name).
If the file is a concatenated database, you will get individual help files
with the internal database names. For OS2.HLP, these are STRUCT.HLP,
MACROS.HLP, and TABLES.HLP.
4. Decode the resulting files as follows:
HELPMAKE /D TEMP1.HLP /OTEMP1.SRC
HELPMAKE /D TEMP2.HLP /OTEMP2.SRC
Additional query words: 1.03 1.05 1.06 1.07
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Keywords : kb16bitonly
Technology : kbAudDeveloper kbZNotKeyword2 kbHELPMAKE kbZNotKeyword3 kbHELPMAKE106DOS
Version : MS-DOS:1.03,1.05,1.06,1.07
Solution Type : kbfix
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