Skip to main content
Known Participant
March 3, 2010
Question

I seem to have forgotten how to set up AIRHelp to auto-update...

  • March 3, 2010
  • 2 replies
  • 731 views

I seem to have forgotten how to set up AIRHelp to auto-update. Silly me!

Here's what I'm doing:

1.) In the "General" settings of the AIRHelp SSL wizard, I browse to the directory in which I want my updates to be found for customers. This is the same directory on the Web server in which I plan to have the "update XML" file also reside.

2.) In the "View settings, I enable the "Enable Auto Update" option. Since I am trying to update from a Web server, I have selected the "http" option (not the "File" option), then paste in the direct URL to my Web server that I intend to generate my updated AIRHelp installer. At the end of that URL path, I type the name of an XML file.

3.) I generate a 1.0 iteration of my AIRHelp. Once it has completed, I copy it from the updated directory, then paste it onto the Desktop of a remote computer. I install this iteration.

4.) I generate a 2.0 iteration of my AIRHelp file (and ensure not to touch any other settings). Once it has completed, I verify that it is is a newer .AIR file by the file date/time as specified by Windows Explorer.

5.) I launch my 1.0 iteration of my AIRHelp document, but it does not auto-detect the updated .AIR file. However, I do have my settings correct that the 1.0 AIRHelp document is viewing the "online iteration."

So, what am I doing wrong?

As always, thank you very much in advance for your assistance!

Most sincerely,

Sammy Spencer

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    2 replies

    Praful_Jain
    Participating Frequently
    March 3, 2010

    Hi Sammy,

    Please try the following things,

       1. Try typing the auto update XML URL which you provided in the SSL Dialog, in a browser as well. and see if you are able to see the XML File or not.        You should be able to see the XML file opened in the browser.

       2. Open the version 1.0 AIR Help file, click preferences button in the bottom of Help file. this will open the preference dialog. There is a check for update        button, and click update now. and see if it shows the update or not.

    And yes, Please read the review given by Peter Grainge. He has written a nice post related to RoboHelp AIR Help.

    -Praful

    Known Participant
    March 3, 2010

    Hey, Peter and Praful.  Thank you both for your replies.

    Peter, I have indeed read your content on using this function. You have a great Web site, and I'm still digesting lots of it! But I have thoroughly read and reread all your content on AIRHelp. I'm afraid despite following your instructions, I am still running into this problem.

    Praful, that was a good suggestion to connect to the updating XML file to ensure the remote computer can see that directory (and XML file). Indeed, I can read that XML file in a Web browser from the remote computer in which the older AIRHelp is installed. I have also gone into the Preferences and tried to check for updates immediately; the AIRHelp file informs me that there are no updates available.

    I was curious: After the AIRHelp file is installed, I see that there is a .helpcfg file which tells the AIRHelp where to find offline and online iterations of itself. Isn't there supposed to be another .helpcfg file which points to the directory/Web server in which the updating XML file is to be found? If so, that .helpcfg file doesn't seem to get installed.

    Does anyone have any other suggestions?

    As always, I really appreciate all your assistance!

    Most sincerely,

    Sammy Spencer

    Peter Grainge
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    March 3, 2010

    Updating is covered in my articles on AIR. Look there first and come back if that doesn't help.


    See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

    @petergrainge

    Use the menu (bottom right) to mark the Best Answer or Highlight particularly useful replies. Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here.