Home Forums Discussions Problems AC crashing

Our nurse has an acer laptop that is running windows 7 home premium on it. Every time she goes to make a phone call to a patient and then opens up an imported item AC freezes. Any ideas on why this is happening.

Are you using WiFi?

Can you give more details?

Is the laptop the "main computer" (with the AC databases), or connecting to another computer through a wireless or wired network?

Is it a VOIP phone call using your office network, or via a local telco?

Does the freeze occur if you connect the laptop to the network by an ethernet cable?

I also face the same issue. AC crashes or takes for ever when trying to open any item in 'Imported items' tab. AC is installed on the server Windows 2003, Quad core processor with 6GB RAM and two clients (4GB RAM) connected wired with 100MB/s CISCO switch. I am using AC version 6.1.2 (yet not upgraded to 6.3.2, scheduled in the next week).

I also did performance tuning of the server and network.

Sometimes pdf files cannot be opened. I have to right click then open in new window.
Also checked antivirus program Norton that does not interfere with AC.
Thanks for any suggestions.

Orange Pediatrics
Altamonte Springs, FL

Server & clients sound okay (hopefully Windows 7 Pro, version 6 has been glitchy with Win XP). Gigabit switch might make a difference. Why don't you run Amazing Utilities/Advanced Options menu and compare "speed to/from databases" on server to speed on clients. Mine is usually 0.370 or so from the clients (Gigabit router). Might indicate a network problem if consistently slow.

Hi Erin and Sachin,

First, almost every software company I know when I call for support will say, "What version are you running?" First thing they say is, "Upgrade, try again, call us back."

It certainly can't hurt to reinstall anyway.

This one is weird. Those pesky imported items. Good reason to move to F.A.P., lol.

AC needs to really buckle down and improve II, right John?

I need to change my signature from my smart phone to "When you ask questions, please include your OS of your main computer, OSs of your clients, wired or wireless, network setup, etc.

Thank you, John. I will try that.

Here is interesting thing. I realized that for a patient there was one pdf file if I click on it to open, AC freezes. To avoid this freezing temporarily, I went to the path:
windows explorer--> program files--> Amazing charts--> Imported Items--> (patient acct number). There I changed the icon view to preview Thumbnails (or large icon). I could see which lab results I wanted (because file names are just the numbers).

I will try to delete this problematic scanned pdf file and re-import the file to see if that solves the issue. Also I realized that the size of the imported items folder for the patient was large. May have to optimize the size.

Sachin,

Wait one second before you do that. I want to show you something.

I am sure you know this, but after you delete the file and before you do anything else, you want to go to:

Admin -> Tools -> Imported Items: Repair missing files and links.

Then run Steps 1 through 3.

Thank you Bert.
I saw a window popped up explaining what to do for the missing links or files.

Bert, you read my mind. If those folders would just stay closed...

Well, we all know that 80 of the Big 81 have been incorporated. The only one left is the folders staying closed.

I heard that NextGen just added that feature.

Arrggh!!!

yes

Erin,

Yes to what?

the laptop is not the main computer. we have that on a server. It only freezes when you try pull up an imported item, or try to resize a document in imported items for her tired old eyes.

Have you tried Amazing Utilities and run everything including optomize databases along with using the Advanced tab at the top reindexing the databases?

oops I meant that this is a a wifi computer.

Well, there is a good place to start. The best way to troubleshoot it would be to connect it directly to the switch with an Ethernet cable. If it doesn't crash, then you have found your problem.

While many people use wireless for logistical purposes, wired is always better.

Hope the laptop has Windows 7 Pro, version 6 has been glitchy with Win XP.

Run the Imported Items with the laptop connected to your network router by ethernet cable, as Bert said. If no problems wired, you need a faster or closer WiFi connection.

Run Amazing Utilities/Advanced Options menu and compare "speed to/from databases", both wired & wireless on the laptop. Mine is usually 0.370 or so (I have a "n" wireless router). Might indicate a wireless issue if only slow wireless. Might be a network problem if consistently slow, both wired & wireless.

Erin,

I agree with John as to running nearly every tool in Amazing Utilities.

But, at the same time (and this would include John's advice), it would be helpful if you try something and let us know.

I count six pieces of advice and a few questions.

The most important troubleshooting step you can take is to connect it directly to the network as John suggested. Just grab a short Ethernet cable and connect it to the switch or to the wireless router if it has wired ports.

There are many potential issues with WiFi, latency, speed, reliability, etc. Here's an example:



9000 out of 1 Million Packets Dropped for Wireless. While 1 out of 12 Million for for Wired (probably just an off shot too). 371 Errors vs 0 Errors. I'll keep on saying this, use wired if possible. If you absolutely have to use WiFi, I'd consider using a Terminal Server in house.


Speed Comparison - Wired vs Wireless

Packets are how the information travels from one point to another. Think of it like a car and a plane. A car has to stay on the road (cable). It can still wander a bit. The plane will get to its destination, but can wander a lot more.

Good analogy, Sandeep?

I like it. And some of planes never reach their destination.

How about a rickshaw pulling Bert who is giving directions vs a high speed train transiting Sandeep???

Not bad. On the speed issue, though.

Also, remember with packets, they don't all arrive at the same time. They need to be reassembled at the other end.

There are some very nice 50 to 100 feet Cat 6 Ethernet cables at Monoprice Dot Com.

I always like the red and purple ones. Sometimes, it is a good idea to run different colors to different things. I have two networks, so my patch cords to Network A is the traditional blue, but to the other I use orange.

Bert,
Would it improve my analogy if you were utilizing your droid app to translate English to Japanese to communicate with the rickshaw driver using his iphone app translating Japanese to English?

Maybe, but since I like my freedom, I wouldn't be in a rickshaw with anyone with an iPhone. And, I would probably be using an application for my Android OS, which is now moving to Jelly Bean, although I think I will stay with Ice Cream Sandwich for now.

You have to remember, I use about 30 analogies a day. It would be typical for me to say, "I wrote for Augmentin to take twice a day. It would be like taking your Zantac twice daily." My patients really love those clarifications.