Shorthand for Windows^TM
Known Bugs and Common Problems

For questions on the basic operation of Shorthand (e.g. how to move your word list to another computer), please see to the FAQ page.

Problem: Shorthand does not work in Internet Explorer.

Solution: Internet Explorer (IE) 7 and later has Protected Mode enabled which prevents Shorthand from tracking your keystrokes.
To disable Protected Mode:

1. Click the Tools button in Internet Exploreer, choose Internet Options, and select the Security tab.
2. Select the zone you want to modify and unselect (uncheck) the Enable Protected Mode box. Note that each zone has its own Protected Mode setting.

Problem:: In Microsoft Word, there is an extra space after the first character in my expansions. (e.g. "dr" expands to "d octor")

Cause: Microsoft Word sometimes insert extra spaces if you select "Simulate Clipboard Paste if Text Only" as the Shorthand text transfer method.

Solution:To disable the automatic spaces in Word:

1. From Word's Tools menu, click Options then click the Edit tab.
2. Uncheck the Smart cut and paste box.

Problem: My abbreviations are not being expanded as I type.

Solution: Here are some reasons why Shorthand may not be expanding your abbreviations:

• The AutoReplace function may have been disabled. Press F10 to bring up Shorthand and make sure the AutoReplace box (next to the Keyword box near the top of the Shorthand window) is CHECKED.
• The word processor may have been installed by the administrator (this is true for programs such as Windows Explorer and Notepad if you have Windows 7). Try running Shorthand as administrator: shut down Shorthand and run Shorthand as administrator.
  If you have Windows XP, see: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/305780
  If you have Windows VISTA or Windows 7:
  1. If Shorthand is running, shut it down (choose EXIT from Shorthand's FILE menu)
  2. Run Shorthand as administrator: Right-click the SH icon that you use to run the Shorthand program, and then click Run as administrator.
  3. When you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the administrator password, or click Continue.
• If the F10 key fails to bring up Shorthand, it may be possible that your PC has been infected with a software virus. Scan your system for viruses using Norton Anti-Virus or other reliable virus scanner.
• There may another program that is conflicting with Shorthand. First, shut down and restart Windows. Next, identify and shut down ALL software programs (e.g. virus scanners, spell checkers, email programs, etc.)' running on your PC. Finally, start your word processor, run Shorthand and see if Shorthand is able to work.

Problem: Shorthand is expanding words inside another word.

Solution:

• Try turning off Shorthand's "Remember Last Expanded Word" feature:
  1. Choose Preferences from Shorthand's File menu.
  2. Select the "4. AutoReplace" tab
  3. Uncheck (unselect) the "Remember Last Expanded Word" box.
• This problem appears to occur with some wireless keyboards. Try uninstalling then reinstalling your wireless keyboard drivers. If that doesn't help, try using a regular (non-wireless) keyboard.

Problem: Expanded words are not capitalized when CAPS LOCK is on.

If you have set Shorthand's Transfer method to "Simulate Clipboard Paste if Text Only": Shorthand uses the Windows Clipboard to transfer text and the Windows Clipboard ignores the state of the CAPS LOCK (this is a Windows "feature" and not a Shorthand bug).

Instead of using CAPS LOCK to capitalize words, we suggest you use one of these techniques to capitalize an expansion:

Simply type the abbreviation in all CAPS using the SHIFT key. For example if you have the following abbreviation:

subj = subjective

typing "SUBJ" will expand to "SUBJECTIVE". (note: use your SHIFT key to type "SUBJ"; using the CAPS LOCK key will not work).

Another technique is to define separate abbreviations for your long forms you need in all CAPS.

For example:

subj = subjective
subj1 = SUBJECTIVE

Problem: Shorthand does not expand abbreviations in word processors running via a remote desktop through a virtual private network.

Solution: You can make Shorthand work with a word processor running via a remote desktop by having a small piece of your personal desktop show on the screen: You can do this by minimizing the connection screen just slightly. (Thanks to Karen S. for submitting this tip.)

Problem: Shorthand is not working with my Edix computer system.

Solution: Turn off the macros in TWS (thanks to Darlene E. for submitting this tip).

Problem: The keyboard sometimes locks up under Windows NT/2000/XP.

Cause: Windows NT/2000/XP differentiates between the left and right Ctrl/Alt/Shift keys and does not correctly process commands from Shorthand for the Ctrl/Alt/Shift keys on the right side of the keyboard.

Solution: This has been fixed in Version 8.50 and later for normal typing conditions. There is one exception: The keyboard's SHIFT key could be stuck in the "down" position under the following circumstances:

1. Your keyboard's NumLock is ON
2. You attempt to expand a Shorthand keyword containing the following Shorthand code: {@KEY shift+numpadKey} where numpadKey is any key on the numeric keypad.

Problem: When Shorthand plays back text, the first character of the keyword is not erased. Keystrokes or characters are also sometimes lost after Shorthand expands a keyword.

Cause: Your word processor cannot process the keystrokes fast enough.

Solution: Choose Preferences from the File menu and increase the delay between keystrokes. This will slow down Shorthand.

Problem: Keystrokes are lost when using Shorthand to open or switch to a new window.

Cause: Windows may ignore keystrokes while opening or repainting a window.

Solution: Try inserting an {@PAUSE} tag after the keystroke command to open or switch to a new window. This will allow Windows time to open and display the new window.

Problem: Shorthand does not insert characters correctly into the application.

Cause: The application is incompatible with the current setting of Shorthand's text transfer method.

Solution: Try changing the text transfer method. Shorthand has two methods for transferring text: by keyboard simulation and by simulating the clipboard paste operation. If you encounter a problem inserting text into an application, try changing the text transfer method in Shorthand's Preferences box. If you are using Microsoft Word, be sure to disable MS Word?s AutoCorrect wizard by choosing AutoCorrect from MS Word?s Tools menu and unchecking the "Replace Text as You Type" box.

Problem: Keyboard does not respond to keystrokes.

Cause: Shorthand may have gotten out of sync with your word processor.

Solution: Use the mouse to activate Shorthand by clicking on the Shorthand icon. Click the Hide button to send Shorthand to the background. If your keyboard still doesn't work, shut down and restart Shorthand.

Problem: GPF occurs after opening a large dictionary.

Cause: Windows has run out of resources.

Solution: Split the large dictionary into smaller files.