Help File Problems

[Darrell Price]

I am having some problems with the Help file displaying on both PBWin and PBCC. When I select "Help" and then "PB/Win Contents" (or "PB/CC Contents") the left side contains the proper contents but the right side is blank. What are some of the possible causes of this?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Darrell

[Mike Doty]

PowerBASIC 9?

[Darrell Price]

Yes, PBWin9 and PBCC5. Sorry!

[Mike Doty]

I just re-installed and unfortunately it works here.

[Darrell Price]

I re-installed and still getting the same problem. I'll have to try something else tomorrow. Got to get my beauty rest.

Thanks.

[Kev Peel]

What are some of the possible causes of this?

If it's on a remote/network drive IE will block the pages, HTMLHelp files need to be installed locally.
If the help file IS installed locally, check your security settings in IE.

[Roger Garstang]

I reported this early on in Beta but no one could duplicate it. It happened to me when using FireFly, and since it isn't a PB product it wasn't high on the list. The new HTML help stuff seems to be reusing the window, or at least the frame of it. I even had it open a link in a frame of a totally different window. Not sure if it is PB's fault or just M$/Windows. It is worth checking into how the links are opened though and not reusing any windows.

[Mike Doty]

Curious, what operating systems are you guys using? I'm on XP SP3.

[Darrell Price]

I'm using XP SP3. Before retiring last night I tried the help files on PBForms, Firefly, and EZGUI (both Pro and Utility Dialog Designer) in addition to PBWin9 and PBCC5 and experienced the same problem. Upon rebooting the machine the problem corrected itself.

Thanks to all of you for your help.

[Kev Peel]

Curious, what operating systems are you guys using? I'm on XP SP3.

Vista SP1 here, but it shouldn't matter too much as HTML Help uses IE7 underneath, same version as XP.

[Roger Garstang]

I never installed IE7, so mine wouldn't be using it. Reboots usually fix mine too. It seems to do it more when the system has been working for a while. I never could duplicate it on demand either...it just happened, usually when I didn't want it to.

As for OS, yes XP SP3...actually my OS doesn't exist. M$ lied about SP3 supporting all XP OS and it didn't work with my MCE 2005, so I had to use the older MCE and integrate everything manually with my Pro...so, I'm actually running Win XP Pro MCE 2002 SP3. And, yes the Pro is functional without MCE reduced functionality as it is when installed as normal.

[Eddy Van Esch]

Darrell,

I had this once when opening a .chm file (that I compiled myself).
The culprit was the fact that I downloaded the chm file from my own website. That was enough to make Win XP consider this file as suspicious and I got the effect you mention.

After telling XP that the file was harmless it displayed correctly. How I 'told' XP, I don't remember exactly. I think it was during download. I got a window that asked if I should trust the downloaded file. The window was simular as that displayed when you have the DEP feature turned on.
Sorry I can't be more specific ...

Kind regards

[Eddy Van Esch]

Darrell,

I found a screenshot I saved at that time. Here is how that particular window looks. It is in Dutch but it will look simular on your English XP/Vista.

Kind regards

[Darrell Price]

Eddy,

Everything seems to be working fine now. All previously mentioned software has been installed for quite a while and everything was working until yesterday. A few other applications were acting strangely, making me think that Windows was acting a little flaky.

Darrell

[Brian Chirgwin]

I am having some problems with the Help file displaying on both PBWin and PBCC. When I select "Help" and then "PB/Win Contents" (or "PB/CC Contents") the left side contains the proper contents but the right side is blank. What are some of the possible causes of this?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Darrell

On the help file properties you may find an Unblock button. Click the unblock button and Windows stores info (probably in registry) that the help file is "Safe" to be opened. See image.

[Darrell Price]

Brian,

Can't find that button on "Properties" of any of my help files. Must be some type of Windows security settings. Thanks for the info. It's something to be aware of.

Just wanted to say "Thank you" again to all who responded. This board has some of the nicest and most helpful people of any out there.

Darrell

[Brian Chirgwin]

Darrell

Yes, it is a Windows security update. I forget when it was added.

I keep forgetting about it because it isn't often that I am opening a new help file.

You could try MS PC Advisor, maybe it would spot something it can fix. Not sure what OS you're running.

Brian,

Can't find that button on "Properties" of any of my help files. Must be some type of Windows security settings. Thanks for the info. It's something to be aware of.

Darrell

[Michael Mattias]

>Can't find that button on "Properties" of any of my help files

Thru Explorer (the file explorer), select a file, right click, then select properties.

Block/Unblock stuff is near bottom of "general" tab. (Windows XP/Pro)

[Darrell Price]

>Can't find that button on "Properties" of any of my help files

Thru Explorer (the file explorer), select a file, right click, then select properties.

Block/Unblock stuff is near bottom of "general" tab. (Windows XP/Pro)

Interesting. I checked on my laptop (XP Home) and both desktops (XP Home, XP Pro), logged in as both user and root, and the button is on neither. That warrants further investigation.

[Michael Mattias]

The "blocked" prompt/buttons only appear on "General" tab IF THE BLOCK IS ON.

Once you click "unblock" and then "apply" you will never see it again.