CHM file is giving "Navigation to Page canceled"

[Dani333]

I am trying to generate a chm file and after building primary and open chm output it just says 'Navigation to the webpage was canceled' for every single topic.

Pdf output appears fine.

Please HELP!!! Need to wrap this project up and I know VERY LITTLE about this program!!!

Thanks in advance for all your help.

[RamonS]

Do you try to open the CHM from a network drive? If yes, copy it to a local drive and see if that fixes the issue. If yes, then this behavior is by Microsoft's design...or rather to say lack of willingness to fix a security flaw and rather cutting features.

[NorthEast]

The usual reason for that message is if you try to open a CHM file from a network drive.

You can't view CHM files over a network (due to security settings), you need to view them from a local drive.

[Dani333]

OMG!!! THANK Y'ALL SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH~!!!


I feel like a total idoit! Would have taken me forever to figure that out!!!!

[Andrew]

The usual reason for that message is if you try to open a CHM file from a network drive.

You can't view CHM files over a network (due to security settings), you need to view them from a local drive.

Actually, you can...you just need to have a registry setting in place that punches a hole in the security patch for the specific network location in question.

[Dani333]

Ok. The above fix worked for viewing the chm on the pc that has the Flare software but now I am trying to view the file from my other pc and cannot.

I have saved the file directly to a local drive and am getting the same 'Navigation has been cancelled' message.

I've checked the properties to ensure there is not an 'Unblock' option there.

This file is not having any issues being viewed on any of the other pc's in the office when saved locally.

Running Win 7 x64
IE 8

Help Please! =(

Actually, you can...you just need to have a registry setting in place that punches a hole in the security patch for the specific network location in question.

Our network admin would like additional info/instructions on this if you have it available.


Many thanks to Everyone in advance!

[RamonS]

Actually, you can...you just need to have a registry setting in place that punches a hole in the security patch for the specific network location in question.

Our network admin would like additional info/instructions on this if you have it available.


Many thanks to Everyone in advance!

Make sure that the network admin is aware that this will impact security. There is a reason why Microsoft locked this down.

[Dani333]

Network admin wanted to see what it entailed to determine the risk v benefit of doing so.

I know little 'bout that side of things so I'll leave that for him to determine.

From what (little) knowledge I have of that stuff seems like it would suit better to leave it and just deal w the fact that it has to be local to view.

BUT....I can't view it on this pc anyways....so a lot of good that does me........lol

[RamonS]

Maybe there is something wrong with the CHM Viewer on that box? Also, Internet Settings may play a role here, but maybe you checked this already.

[Dani333]

I'm open to ANY suggestions you may have as to how to fix this.

The Flare software is on an old laptop and my desk is entirely too small to have this junker hanging around just for the purposes of being able to view the chm. It's bad enough having to have it hang around while I'm actively working on the content in the software.

Been google searching and only coming up with the 'copy to local drive' and 'click unblock in chm properties'. Niether of which is applicable to my situation here.

[Andrew]

Actually, you can...you just need to have a registry setting in place that punches a hole in the security patch for the specific network location in question.

Our network admin would like additional info/instructions on this if you have it available.

MadCap Knowledgebase link
That link should provide the information your network admin needs. It's actually a fairly harmless setting as long as you don't add some outside, non-controlled location to it. You want to use it only for the exact network location of your CHM.

For example, most of our customers put the help on a network location such as H:\xyzproduct\help, and punching a hole for that one network location isn't a problem, because they control who can write to it.

[Dani333]

It's actually a fairly harmless setting as long as you don't add some outside, non-controlled location to it. You want to use it only for the exact network location of your CHM.

For example, most of our customers put the help on a network location such as H:\xyzproduct\help, and punching a hole for that one network location isn't a problem, because they control who can write to it.

We have multiple softwares (apx 12) and have all the Help documentation and related *stuff* to create and generate said documentation all housed under a single directory called 'Software Manuals' on a network drive. Since you have to be connected to that drive and have sercuity permissions to read/write on that drive, I would assume you are probably right about the security issue. But again, Im no network admin....lol. Thanks so much for providing that info, I'm sure he will find it useful.

Now if you only had an answer for my issue. *insert sad puppy dog face and whimper*

Lol

[Andrew]

Now if you only had an answer for my issue. *insert sad puppy dog face and whimper*

Lol

Sorry...the only reason I've ever seen the "Navigation canceled" error message is opening a CHM from a network drive.

[rmdavidson]

Dani333,

Does everyone have access to view/read the file if you go right-click the CHM file and go to Properties > Security or is it limited to certain accounts/computers?

Robin

[KevinDAmery]

Sooo how did the CHM get to the computer you're having trouble viewing it on? The reason I ask is that if you send it by email or download it through a browser, some versions of Windows think it's a potentially dangerous file and block access to it.

If this is the case, you can unblock it by right clicking on it and choosing Properties. If it is blocked, there will be a section at the bottom of the General tab below the check boxes for Read-Only and Hidden that says something to the effect that the file came from another computer and has been blocked. Beside it, there will be an Unblock button.

If this text and button are not there, the CHM isn't blocked using the method I described; in that case, you have a different problem.