Cannot access .chm files through the network.

[Tan Lee Yew]

Dear all,
I'm using Windows 2000 advanced server. I've a problem with my HTML help.
I've installed MSDN VS6.0 in my workstation. Previously I've already copied
the MSDN Disk 2 files to another workstation(as an MSDN file server). So
whenever i browse through MSDN, it will point to that workstation.
Previously, it's working fine until recently, a blank page is displayed
(nothing is displayed) instead of the content. So, to ensure that the chm
files is not corrupted, i copied the chm files(MSDN D2) from that
workstation to mine. it's working fine, but when i open the chm files
directly from the workstation, it says 'Action Cancelled. Internet Explorer
was unable to link to the Web page you requested. The page might be
temporarily unavailable.'

That means i can only view the .chm files when it is put in my local HDD and
not the network path.
I've tried other workstations and pointed the MSDN to the MSDN file server.
All are working fine except mine.
I do not know why. Recently i've updated all the critical updates on my
computer. Please help. Thank you.

--
Tan Lee Yew,
Software Development Department,
MS Elevators Engineering Sdn Bhd,
Kuchai Lama, KL, Malaysia.

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[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Tan,

Recent security update causes this. See:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896905
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892675

--
Ramesh, MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

Windows XP Newsgroup Setup Instructions for Outlook Express:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroupsetup.mspx

 

[Tan Lee Yew]

Thanks, Ramesh. It's working now.

Tan,

Recent security update causes this. See:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896905
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892675

--
Ramesh, MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

Windows XP Newsgroup Setup Instructions for Outlook Express:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroupsetup.mspx

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

You're welcome Tan.

--
Ramesh, MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

 

[parsonsv]

These workarounds now enable me to view the chm files over a network;
however, I'm still not able to see run time controls, such as my
"related topics" button. Anyone else have the problem, and if so, what
was the cure?

 

[PD.Lees]

parsonsv,

These workarounds now enable me to view the chm files over a network;
however, I'm still not able to see run time controls, such as my
"related topics" button.

This is another consequence of installing the 896358 security update.
See http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=892675 for details, but in
summary there are two registry fixes you can use.

"Fix 1"

To re-enable the controls in the help files stored in specific folders
only, create a string value called UrlAllowList under the following
registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\HTMLHelp\1.x\HHRestrictions

Give UrlAllowList a value specifying the folders to enable, as in this
example:

\\servername\sharename\;file://\\servername\sharename

You require two entries like this for each shared folder.

"Fix 2"

To re-enable the controls in the help files stored in *any* shared
folder in your intranet, create a DWORD value called MaxAllowedZone
under the HHRestrictions registry key shown above.

Give MaxAllowedZone a value of at least 1 to remove the block on all
files in the Local Intranet zone. (2 enables files in the Trusted sites
zone as well, 3 extends this to files in the Internet zone, and 4
unblocks files in the Restricted sites zone.)

In both cases, you can implement these fixes on a machine-by-machine
basis or roll them out across all the machines in the intranet via a
Group Policy object (see the 896358 article for details).

 

[PD.Lees]

tsi5980,

... what is the registry key syntax for a location via a drive letter
instead of via UNC. for example:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\HTMLHelp\1.x\ItssRestrictions]
"UrlAllowList"="K:\;file://k:\"
The above entry does not work, but is it because the syntax is wrong or
because the path must be via UNC and not via drive letter?

You *can* use drive letters, but as far as I can see it's not enough to
specify the letter alone. For example, the following doesn't work:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\HTMLHelp\1.x\ItssRestrictions]
"UrlAllowList"="K:\\;file://;"

But these do work:

"UrlAllowList"="K:\\MyHelpFile.chm;file://;"
"UrlAllowList"="K:\\subdir;file://;"