Do not use Microsoft Outlook Express with PowerPrint USB

Brian Johns found the following Support Note on InfoWave's web site:

Why does my computer freeze with MS Outlook Express and PowerPrint USB?

We are aware of an incompatibility with Outlook Express and PowerPrint. When printing from Microsoft Outlook Express and PowerPrint the print dialog box will have text and boxes missing. Selecting Print, Options, or Color will cause the machine to freeze forcing you to reset.

Solution: Do not use Microsoft Outlook Express with PowerPrint USB.

Brian more recently received a reply from InfoWave on the Outlook Express matter that adds some interesting tidbits:

We have looked into this extensively and unfortunately until Microsoft can change their Printing Code we will have conflicts with their software. You can try changing your Colors to Greyscale in the Print Window. There is a bug in OS 8.5 that causes certain apps to crash when Black & White is selected. Apple's programmers accidentally left behind some Debugging string code that causes this conflict.

PowerPrint cannot print from OS 8.5 in black and white or 8 color, from certain applications. Print jobs sent under the above configuration results in either: a) print job spooling away and disappearing, without printing and without an error notification; or, b) printer printing a single blank page.

We have confirmed that the following applications fail when printing in black and white or 8 color mode, from OS 8.5 : - ClarisWorks (word processing component) - Microsoft PowerPoint - Now Contact - Claris Emailer. Other applications may also be affected.

Brian also reports that there are new PowerPrint USB and PowerPlot USB fixes, but they do not address the Outlook Express problem.