PRB: Repeated Open / Close DBF May Cause "Illegal Seek Offset"

• Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, versions 2.5, 2.5a, 2.5b, 2.6, 2.6a

SYMPTOMS

An "Illegal Seek Offset" error message, followed by a "File In Use" error message may be generated on a workstation (or session of FoxPro for Windows) that is running a program or run-time FoxPro executable, which is repeatedly opening and closing the same FoxPro for Windows database file.

This error may occur only while a second workstation (or session of FoxPro for Windows) is running a program that is seeking to read a record in the first FoxPro for Windows database file and then update a second FoxPro for Windows database file.

CAUSE

PCAnywhere version 7.5 by Symantec adds the following line to the Windows 95 registry:

   [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\SYMEVNT]
   "StaticVxD"="C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANTEC\SYMEVNT.386"
   "Start"=hex:00

RESOLUTION

Download the latest patch file (currently version 7.5a) named Symevnt.exe. This file is a self-extracting .exe file available from Symantec's BBS at (541) 484-6669. Connect to Symantec's Web site at http://www.symantec.com on the World Wide Web for more information on how to obtain this file update.

Search the Windows 95 registry file for the string "Symevnt.386" and remove the value reference.

MORE INFORMATION

When you install PCAnywhere, it installs a file named Symevnt.386 and modifies the Windows 95 system registry file. FoxPro for Windows or executable applications created from FoxPro for Windows may give you an "Illegal Seek Offset" error message.

In most cases where the error message "Illegal Seek Offset" was observed, it was followed by a spurious "File In Use" error message.

PCAnywhere is manufactured by Symantec, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

(c) Microsoft Corporation 1997, All Rights Reserved. Contributions by Perry Newton, Microsoft Corporation