Handling Playback Problems
The information that follows describes some of the issues you may encounter while running a SHO script and offers suggestions on how to handle them.
General Script Failure
As a first step in troubleshooting script playback issues, always make sure the software application the SHO script is intended to work with is loaded and visible on your screen. If it is not and the script has not been set up to launch the application for you, playback will likely fail.
Object Not Found Message
Since SHO scripts interact with the interface objects (buttons, menus, links, etc.) of other software applications, you may occasionally encounter situations in which the script is unable to locate the interface object it is looking for. The most common cause is a slow-loading browser page, window or dialog box. In other cases, the object the script was designed to look for no longer is part of the application’s interface or the script may not be set up to point to the correct object.
If the problem was caused by a slow-loading page or window, clicking Retry should allow SHO Player to successfully locate the interface object, and the script will resume. However, if SHO Player still cannot find the object, you may see a second message window like the one below.
When this second message appears, SHO Player unloads all filters to give you full control over the application and instructs you to perform the required step without assistance. After performing the step, click the Continue button to resume using the script. If you are unable to perform the step as instructed, click the Cancel button to exit the script.
Script Appears to be Frozen
If the script appears to be frozen and will not
continue to the next step, you should try the following
suggestions in the order listed.
- Wait about 30 seconds. Sometimes the delay may be the
result of the script searching for an interface object
needed to perform the next step. If this is the case, the
script will eventually locate the object, or else it will
display the Object Not Found message window described above.
- If the script does not resume after 30 seconds, press
the Esc key on your keyboard. In most cases, this
will cause the script to exit and will remove any interface
object filtering, allowing you full control over your
computer.
- If the Esc key does not unload the script, it could be an indication of a more substantial playback failure. Ending the sho player.exe task in Task Manager should unload the script and free up your computer.
Unable to Click on a Button, Menu, Etc.
When a SHO script is running, it will typically
filter out interface objects that are not needed to perform the
current step. If you are unable to use an interface
object, follow the suggestions below.
- Verify that you are performing the step in accordance
with the instructions provided by the script. The blocking
may be an intended feature of the script.
- If the interface object is required to complete the step, it could be an indication that the script has malfunctioned or needs to be revised, in which case you should press Esc to exit the script.
Script Not Working on My Software
SHO scripts are generally designed to provide instructions on the use of a particular version of a software application or browser. If you are using an unsupported software version, differences in the interface and associated workflows may prevent the script from functioning properly. Verify that you are using a supported software version.
Browser Toolbars Interfering with Script
Some third-party browser toolbars may alter the way a page is structured or rendered, which can have undesirable effects on a SHO script. If you encounter difficulties running a SHO script, you may want to close third-party browser toolbars and then try the script again.