FIX: Cannot Input Some Characters When Using DBCS Code Page (817846)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Host Integration Server 2000
  • Microsoft Host Integration Server 2000 SP1

SYMPTOMS

When you use the 5250 Client (Win5250.exe) with DBCS code pages, you experience problems when you type any of the following characters:
  • ' APOSTROPHE
  • { } BRACES
  • < > BRACKETS
  • : COLON
  • , COMMA
  • = EQUALS SIGN
  • / FORWARD SLASH
  • - MINUS SIGN
  • . PERIOD
  • + PLUS SIGN
  • " QUOTATION MARK
  • ? QUESTION MARK
  • ; SEMICOLON
  • [ ] SQUARE BRACKETS
  • _ UNDERSCORE
You experience the following symptoms if the 5250 Client is configured to use a Host Code Page as follows:
  • If the 5250 Client is configured to use a Host Code Page of United States (037) on a system configured to use a DBCS code page (for example, Chinese, Japanese, or Korean) for the default System Locale, the 5250 Client's Input Inhibited (II) indicator is highlighted when you type any of the characters listed earlier.
  • If the 5250 client is configured to use a Host Code Page of Chinese GB (935) (or any other DBCS code page) on a system configured to use a DBCS code page (for example, Chinese, Japanese, or Korean) for the default System Locale, the 5250 Client displays question marks (?) or unrecognizable characters when you type any of the characters listed earlier.

CAUSE

The 5250 Client receives two WM_KEYDOWN messages for each of the special characters listed in "Symptoms" when configured to use a DBCS code page. One of the WM_KEYDOWN messages is for a virtual key code that was causing a problem with the key code conversion resulting in the problems described in "Symptoms".

RESOLUTION

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing to further ensure product quality. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Microsoft Host Integration Server 2000 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question. The global version of this fix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel. 
   Date         Time   Version     Size     File name
   --------------------------------------------------
   01-Apr-2003  18:35  5.0.0.902   258,320  Win5250.exe
NOTE: Because of file dependencies, the most recent fix that contains the preceding files may also contain additional files.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft Host Integration Server 2000 and Host Integration Server 2000 SP1.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about another 5250 Client issue that is related to the use of DBCS code pages, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

816041 5250 Client Uses Japanese Keyboard Language Type with Chinese or Korean Host Code

The Host Code Page setting appears in the Session Configuration dialog box of the 5250 Client. To set the default System Locale on a Windows 2000 system, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Regional Options.
  2. On the General tab, click Set Default.
  3. In the Select System Locale dialog box, select the locale that will be used as the default System Locale, and then click OK.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/6/2005
Keywords:kbfix kbbug KB817846
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