Double-clicking topic checks it out and does not open

[Guest]

Hi all,

I'm experiencing a strange, vexing problem with both of our source-controlled help projects that no one else on my team is experiencing. This appears to be a problem with my computer/installation of RoboHelp.

Today, I went into our help projects for the first time in a couple of days, and when I double-clicked any topic, it automatically checked it out of VSS but did not open it. It also checked out the CSS file, template (master page) file, and any graphic files associated with the topic.

Normally, when I double-click a topic, the topic opens, and it only checks it out of VSS if I start typing in the topic. It does not check out the CSS, master page file, or graphic files unless I make changes to those files.

Like I said, no one else is experiencing this problem. We all have the same system versions (see below). It appears to be only me, and it's happening with both of our help projects. To my knowledge, I did not do anything to my computer or its application settings to cause this. Has anyone experienced a problem like this? If so, what can I do to fix it? Any other ideas?

My system information:

RoboHelp HTML version 8.0.2.208

Output type: WebHelp

Source control: Microsoft Visual SourceSafe 8.0.50727.42

Thank you in advance for any assistance,

Lisa

[RoboColum_n_]

Hi Lisa.

Would you have inadvertantly selected the Get the latest version of all project files when opening projects option? Check the Version Control tab inside your Tools > Options dialog inside RH.

---

The RoboColum(n)

@robocolumn

Colum McAndrew

[Guest]

Hi Colum,

All of us on the team have this check box selected and have had it selected all along. This problem only just started, and it's only me who is affected. Plus, don't we want this check box selected? We want to "get files" every time we launch a project. This problem occurs after I've launched the project and gotten files. I'm not even sure it's getting the topic when I double-click it. It's just checking it out and not displaying it.

I hope you or someone can help me. Today is my first day back from vacation, and the problem is still occurring.

Thanks,

Lisa

[MergeThis]

Have you somehow switched your default editor to something not recognized? (I'm reaching, here, I know!)

Good luck,

Leon

[Guest]

Hi Leon,

Thank you for your response. I just checked the Associations tab and this is the complete list of settings:

• File Associations:
  • .JS -- Edit and view with Notepad
  • .XML -- Edit and view with Notepad
• HTML Editors:
  • Design View -- Path is <Internal> and Yes for Default
  • HTML View -- <Internal>
  • Notepad -- Notepad.exe
  • Word 2007 -- C:\Program Files\ ... \WinWord.exe
  • Dreamweaver 8 -- C:\Program Files\ ... \Dreamweaver.exe
• Auto-select Editor is selected

I checked with the others on my team, and they have the same settings.

Any further ideas?

Thanks,

Lisa

[Captiv8r · Accepted solution]

Hi Lisa

Does anything change if you change the Auto select editor option?

Cheers... Rick

Helpful and Handy Links RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7 or 8 moments from now - $24.95! Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training SorcererStone Blog RoboHelp eBooks

[Guest]

Hi Rick,

Yes! Changing it to Use Default Editor fixed it! I'm not sure why I was the only person having that problem, when my teammates have the Auto Select option checked, but I'm just happy that it has fixed the problem. Thank you, thank you, Rick! And many thanks again to Colum and Leon for starting me toward the solution.

Appreciatively and with best regards,

Lisa

[Captiv8r]

Hi Lisa

That actually makes total logical sense to me. Here's why.

Each PC running the Microsoft Windows operating system has a database we all know as the Registry. Inside that registry are entries that govern the behavior of Windows. Consider the Registry to be similar to DNA. The DNA is different for every human, right? The same really holds true with Windows. Some might argue that this cannot be, because if you had the same setup it would be the same. But each copy of Windows has a different user and more specifically, a different serial number.

Okay, in this registry database is an area known as file associations. So Windows keeps track of which applications should open when files are double-clicked.

RoboHelp has a similar feature that is governed from the dialog you were in. But it also works in concert with Windows. So who really knows why sometimes it does the things it does. I understand that RoboHelp determines the editor by meta tags found in the HTML of the topics.

I do know that as part of any RoboHelp training class I facilitate, I regularly lead folks to this area and configure to the "Use Default" as an early step. I do this because if you import a Word document into the project and you leave Auto-select enabled, Word opens when you attempt to double click topics in the RoboHelp editor.

Happy to have been of some small help... Rick

Helpful and Handy Links RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7 or 8 moments from now - $24.95! Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training SorcererStone Blog RoboHelp eBooks

[Guest]

Hi Rick,

Thank you for this explanation. I like understanding why things have gone awry behind the scenes. It sounds like I should recommend that the others on my team change their settings to "Use Default Editor," as well, to avoid problems in the future.

Many thanks again for your help!

Lisa