Microsoft KB Archive/67681

Multiplan 4.20: File Handling Causes Corruption PSS ID Number: Q67681 Article last modified on 04-10-1992 PSS database name: D_MPlan

4.20

MS-DOS

dm0244 Summary:

If a spreadsheet is opened or created in Multiplan version 4.20 and saved after several operations (for example, Copy, Blank, or Insert), the file may become corrupted the next time it is loaded. Possible symptoms of a corrupt file include the error message “Not a valid spreadsheet” or a system hang when loading the file.

The corruption occurs because the load/save causes some file pointers to be mapped to random memory locations.

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Multiplan version 4.20. This problem was corrected in Multiplan version 4.20a.

A corrected Multiplan program file (MP.EXE) is available on an application note titled “File Handling Correction.” Application notes can be obtained by calling Microsoft Product Support Services at (206) 454-2030.

The corrected program file (MP.EXE) is currently unavailable on the CompuServe or GEnie information services.

More Information:

The corrected Multiplan program file (version 4.20a) will load a corrupt file that was created or saved in Multiplan version 4.20 format. Multiplan version 4.20a corrects the file corruption as much as possible. However, in many cases, the file is corrupt beyond repair, and nothing can be done to fix the corruption.

Multiplan version 4.20a addresses only the specific file corruption problem described above.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1992.