Index page problem

[Ken]

Using FP 2003
I've created a new web and unable to change index.htm page to index.html. A
pop up says index_files already exist. I don't understand this index_files
since it does not appear in the files folders, not is it in any of my other
webs where I had no problem changing the index page to .html

I did a search for index_files and only found one (not in other webs) in the
web I'm creating, but it's not listed in folder files. When I opened it
there was a file called _vti_cnf and filelist.xml.

Any suggestion how to change my current index page to .html without deleting
and creating a new index page?

The reason I need to change to .html is that my server requires the home
page to be .html vice. .htm, all other pages can be .htm.

Thanks, Ken

 

[Andrew Murray]

I wouldn't touch the _vti..... files or folders. These are special files
that are to do with the server extensions.

You can rename the index file on the server or in the local web through the
"publish" window view in FP. Right click the file, choose "Rename" and type
in the new name. Republish the file with the correct name, and delete the
incorrect one from the server.

 

[Ronx]

That will not work where there is a thicket involved - see my reply to
Ken.

--
Ron Symonds - Microsoft MVP (FrontPage)
Reply only to group - emails will be deleted unread.

http://www.rxs-enterprises.org/fp

FrontPage Support: http://www.frontpagemvps.com/

 

[Ronx]

A folder named pagename_files (in your case index_files) is a thicket
folder. Thickets are created when content is created in Word, Excel,
PowerPoint or Publisher and saved as HTML from those applications, or
when VML graphics are used. (VML consists of WordArt, ShapeArt,
Text-boxes or any objects created from the Drawing toolbar). Thickets
are also created when saving a web page opened in Internet Explorer as
HTML (complete).

Thicket folders are *always* hidden in FrontPage. The folder contains
images and other files associated with the page. The _vti_cnf folder
contains meta data used by FrontPage for web management.

To change the extension of a page that has a thicket folder associated
with it, you must use a 2 step process:

1) rename the page to something completely different - rename index.htm
to default.htm . This renames the thicket folder to default_files.

2) rename the page to what you really want - rename default.htm to
index.html. This will rename page and thicket folder to index.html and
index_files respectively.


In both the above steps, allow FrontPage to update all hyperlinks to the
page.
--
Ron Symonds - Microsoft MVP (FrontPage)
Reply only to group - emails will be deleted unread.

http://www.rxs-enterprises.org/fp

FrontPage Support: http://www.frontpagemvps.com/

 

[Ken]

Ron,

Thank you very much for the helpful information. Following your instructions
I had no problem renaming my index page. Looking back, I think this thicket
folder, as you called it, came about because I played around with WordArt
and later decided not to use it. Since WordArt and some of the other
reasons that creates a thicket folder is not being use, would it be safe to
delete this folder? None of my other webs have it.

Ken

 

[Ronx]

If the thicket folder is empty - apart from the .xml file and _vti_cnf
folder then delete it with Windows Explorer.
Before you do this, open Windows Explorer, then Tools->Folder Options -
View tab.
Scroll down to "Managing Pairs of web pages and folders
Select "Show both parts and manage them individually"
Click OK

If this is not done, deleting the index_files folder may also delete the
index.html page.

--
Ron Symonds - Microsoft MVP (FrontPage)
Reply only to group - emails will be deleted unread.

http://www.rxs-enterprises.org/fp

FrontPage Support: http://www.frontpagemvps.com/

 

[Ken]

Thanks again, your instructions were easy to follow and to the point.

Ken