Why might a Winhelp Search tab display as blank?

Question

I am using Robohelp 7 to generate a stand-alone winhelp file for a client, i.e., there is no application associated with this help file, and the client does not have Robohelp installed. To make the help file run, I have given him the HLP and CNT files as well as the ROBOEX32.DLL file. When he puts all of these files into the same folder, he can see and use the Contents and Index tabs of the compiled file. He can also see the Search tab, but when he tries to use it, it displays as blank, i.e., clicking on the Search tab opens the Wizard as usual; after clicking Finish, though, the Search tab comes up blank.

I have tried running the compiled help file on my home computer (HLP, CNT and the DLL), and all tabs work fine; my home computer does not have Robohelp installed, so it doesn't seem to be a missing file issue for the client. Does anyone know which files (if any) are necessary for the Search tab to work properly (e.g., DLLs??)? The only thing I can think of at this point is that the client's work security protocols are blocking these files somehow. Thoughts?

David Hurlston · Answer

This was posted a long time back, but if still an issue - here are two possible causes:

1. The windows/help folder on the user's machine is set read-only by company policy. The search index files (xxx.fts) are built here and the search tab will be blank if writing here is denied. You may be able to persuade the IT people to loosen up on the folder access.

2. Old fts files may be lying around., Try a search and destroy for all xxx,fts files. No problem deleting them as they will get rebuil;t by the application

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