OLE Automation Number Conversion Changed in SP4 with Conflicting Digit Separators (251005)

SYMPTOMS

There may be conflicting symbols for decimal separators and digit grouping for numbers and currencies in a user's regional settings. For example:

                   Numbers        Currency
   ---------------------------------------
   Decimal         ,              .
   Grouping        .              ,

Prior to Service Pack 4, programs can convert strings to numbers correctly in this situation. With Service Pack 4 or later, numbers are truncated after the first symbol in the string. Or, there may be other effects resulting in incorrect conversion of user input.

RESOLUTION

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to computers that are experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, 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 English-language version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

   Date       Time        Version       Size      File name
   -----------------------------------------------------------
   01/05/00   3:10:50pm   2.40.4514.1   143,632   Asycfilt.dll
   01/05/00   3:10:50pm   2.40.4514.1   614,672   Oleaut32.dll
   01/05/00   3:10:50pm   5.0.4514.1    164,112   Olepro.dll
   01/05/00   3:10:50pm   2.40.4514.1    16,896   Stdole2.tlb

WORKAROUND

Programs can check for conflicting settings by calling the Win32 GetLocaleInfo function by using these values for the LCType parameter:

                   Numbers           Currency
   --------------------------------------------------------
   Decimal         LOCALE_SDECIMAL   LOCALE_SMONDECIMALSEP
   Grouping        LOCALE_STHOUSAND  LOCALE_SMONTHOUSANDSEP

If conflicting settings are detected, the program can prompt the user to resolve the mismatch.

MORE INFORMATION

The files for this hotfix are the same as those referenced in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

251002 Loading Invalid Image Using OLE Automation Displays Assertion

Please retrieve the files by using this article number.