QuestSuite® Professional software is the ideal choice for industrial hygiene and safety professionals with a totally integrated system solution for recording, reporting, charting and analyzing exposures to a multitude of occupational and environmental hazards. Whether you are using a sound level meter or a dosimeter, you no longer have to switch between multiple software. Here are the solutions to the most common problems faced by users of QuestSuite.

Whenever I download from my instrument, the process seems to go fine, but then I get 'Error Reading From File'?

In this situation, the file probably did download into QuestSuite successfully. Immediately after the download, QuestSuite parses (reads thru) the data in an attempt to arrange the data into a usable, viewable format for the user. It is here that the error is encountered. To troubleshoot, first PRINT the data directly FROM THE METER (not QuestSuite) to verify that data in the unit itself is reasonable. Either print to a printer using the parallel cable, if you have one, or print to your computer using a program such as 'Terminal' in Win 3.1 or 'HyperTerminal' in Win95.  Next, check to be sure that the data is acceptable - that there is no dB values greater than 150dB, etc.  If all the printed data looks correct and you can get a date and time from the unit, setup settings, etc. but still can not successfully download, please call your dealer or Quest Technologies.

When I select my com port in Setup->Serial Port, QuestSuite immediately returns 'Check Cables and Connections'.  I think they are correct. What is wrong here?

When QuestSuite immediately returns with this response, without trying to send data, it means that the serial port could not be initialized. Check to be sure no other programs are running that may want to use a serial port. If you use a device such as a palm pilot, the software for these devices tend to hold on to the communication port. Find the ICON and disconnect from the port. If problem persists, try a different port.

How do I know which serial communication port to use?

USUALLY people use com port #1.  This is the best first try.  If after setting up the port you get an error message, try com port #2. If your system has a com port #3 or #4, these should only be used as a last resort.  The reason for this is somewhat technical, but for those interested here it is:  Com port #1 and com port #3 share something called an interrupt.  When data comes into the PC on a serial port, this interrupt is activated.  It tells the computer to interrupt what it's doing and go and get the data located at either com port 1 or com port 3.  So if you are already using com port 1 for a device other than QuestSuite, it may be occupying or conflicting with sharing the interrupt. Then when your instrument needs to use this interrupt to tell the computer that it has data to send, the interrupt service routine that gets data is busy with com port 1 and consequently misses the data coming in on com port 3.  This same phenomenon occurs on com ports 2 and 4.

Whenever I start up QuestSuite, I just get  'Authorization Failed' without a chance to put in a code.  What happened here?

1.You have Windows NT or Windows 2000. If this is the case, you will need to install the NT drivers. Start up the installation CD and select 'NT drivers'. To do this installation you must be logged in as an Administrator. During the installation you will be ask to select a location for the Crypkey server. Make sure this location matches the location of QuestSuite. 

2. If you have an old version of QuestSuite (V2.5 or earlier) and Win95 Rev B, then you will need a new CD.  Win95 B has a feature that supports 32 bit FAT tables, which was not available at the time of QuestSuite V2.5. 

3. You are attempting to install QuestSuite on a network. If this is the case and  you are outside of the U.S., please call your dealer, otherwise please call Quest Technologies.

Can I move QuestSuite to another computer?

Yes, if you are using version 3.74 or newer, use the 'Transfer Software License' feature under Setup, Authorize. If you have an older version contact your dealer or Quest Technologies directly for a new installation CD.

Can I use the authorization code again?

Never.  Not even on the same computer - it will not work.  Authorization codes are NOT pre-determined by Quest or your dealer - they are generated for each unique site code that is created based on unique characteristics of your computer.  We do not know any codes ahead of time, they are created by a security program that Quest purchased from a firm that specializes in such products.

How do I add another application to QuestSuite ?

To add an applet, please call your dealer. You will receive an upgrade CD with instructions.

How do I get updates? 

The fastest way you can get the latest update is by visiting our website at: www.quest-technologies.com. The QuestSuite update can be found on the website under the 'Support' section, otherwise email us at sales@quest-technologies.com, or contact us directly.

Will QuestSuite work on a network?

Yes, but it requires a special Network version. Please call Quest or your dealer for further setup requirements.

I go to open a file, even a sample file, and I get a general protection fault.  Sometimes this occurs whenever I click on different tabs in a dialog box.  What is wrong here?

QuestSuite, like many other software programs, uses libraries of functions to perform some operations.  These libraries are stored in separate files called 'DLL' files or 'VBX' files.  When programs are started, they load these accompanying files.  Many times these libraries are purchased products.  For example, the graphing functions in QuestSuite use a graph from a product called 'Chart2fx'.  They supply a library of functions that reside in a file called 'Chart2fx.Vbx', which we ship with QuestSuite. Problems may arise when a user has a different, separate program on their computer that also uses or shares the same file.  The potential problem is that their version of the library file may not be the latest version. Since only one version of this file can be loaded into memory, if the older version is loaded when QuestSuite runs, then QuestSuite may (and usually does) crash.

To fix this problem, you must be sure that only one version of these common library files exists on your system. The following files are:

To verify this, in Win95 right-click on the 'Start' button.  Select "Find". In Win2000 select "Search".This brings up a dialog box for searching for files. In the 'Named' box, type in one of the files above. In the 'Look In' box, type in 'C:\\'.Then click 'Find Now'. Windows will find the files with the matching name. Note, you should always find one in the C:\\QSUITE directory.  If you find any others, be sure to verify both the size and the version of the file. To do this, right-click on the file and select 'Properties' .DO NOT RELY ON THE DATES!!! Generally, if the file shows the EXACT number of bytes, it is the correct one. But it is always a good idea to verify the version, also. If you have any files that are not the same size or version as above, rename them, then copy the good file(s) from the C:\\QSUITE directory to the location the file should be in. Then re-boot the computer. This should take care of any crash problems you may be experiencing with QuestSuite.

Can I overlay graphs?

No. At this time you cannot overlay or super-impose one graph on top of another. You can tile multiple graphs on the screen, though. To do this, open two different graphs as normal, and then go to \Window-Tile Vertically\.

I have a graph that won't print correctly. It has dots, but does not have lines connecting the dots.  How do I fix this? 

This is actually a printer-driver error, not a QuestSuite error.  It has to do with how the driver resolves circles.  You can either download a new printer driver from the printer maker's website, or you can remove the dots from the graph by clicking on the chart properties icon, then selecting the 'Series' tab.  From here, de-select or 'uncheck' the 'Point markers' check-box.

I moved my legend off the screen.  How do I get it back? 

Click on the 'Tools' icon on the graph toolbar and select 'Series Legend'. The Legend will re-appear.

How do I paste a graph into a document? 

To paste a graph or table or just about anything into a document first copy it to the clipboard. To do this, from the MAIN menu in QuestSuite, select 'Edit->Copy'. Then paste it into your target document.  Open the document using the application you wish to use (spreadsheet, word processor, etc) and then from within that application do an 'Edit-Paste'.  Or, usually holding the 'Shift\ key and pressing the 'Insert' key will have the same effect.

I've installed QuestSuite but am unable to download data from my instrument. Where do I start?

First , check your cabling. Make sure the part number on the cable matches the part number listed in the manual as the 'Serial computer cable'. Second, click on setup and pull down to 'PC serial port'. Set serial port and baud rate. The usual baud rate would be 9600. Finally, make sure the instrument is also set for 'Serial' and the same baud rate.

The last time I used QuestSuite I saved data from my Sound Level Meter, I want to look at that file today and can not find it. Did I forget to save it?

Go to File and then Open. If the file was a Sound Level Meter file, it should end with the extension .snd for sound. If the \list files of type\ is set for something other than .snd your file will not show. Reset this setting and you should see your file.

Will QuestSuite run on Windows Millennium?

Yes, but you must have version 4.21 or newer. If you have an older version, contact Quest for a free update.

Will Questsuite run on Windows 2000?

Yes, but note that Windows 2000 is an evolution of Windows NT so it will be necessary to install the NT drivers.

I have just downloaded my instrument and realize that the time was not set correctly in the instrument. Can I adjust that in the file?

Unfortunately no. The time stamp information is considered part of the data and can not be changed. For future files always verify that the date and time are correct before monitoring. This can be done in QuestSuite under \Remote\ and then \date and time\. Make sure to press the \GET\ button to show your instruments setting on the computer screen.

How do I get updates?

The fastest way you can get the latest update is by visiting our website at: http://www.quest-technologies.com, or email us at sales@quest-technologies.com or contact us directly. At this time, updates from the website are not available to international distributors.

My report contains an Event that does not contain data. It was caused by the accidental pressing of the Run Key. Can I delete this event from the file?

Unfortunately no, The event is part of the dosimeter record. QuestSuite does not modify any data that has been transferred from the dosimeter