Missing Browse Sequences in HTML Help

Problem

Browse sequences in our Microsoft HTML help (.CHMs) are missing after we upgraded from RoboHelp x5 (running WinXP Pro) to RoboHelp 9 (running Win7, 64-bit).

Background

We've been using RoboHelp x5 and RoboSource Control 2.3 version control for several years. Prior to 2012, our RoboSource Control server machine was a WinXP Pro VM session, while our 3 RoboHelp/RoboSource Control client (author) machines were physical WinXP Pro machines.

After the first of this year, our 3 client machines were replaced with Windows 7 Enterprise, 64-bit physical machines. In order to continue running RoboHelp x5, we created a Windows XP Pro virtual machine on each client machine; Robohelp x5 and the RoboSource Control 2.3 client software were then installed and run from the WinXP VM environment. Browse sequences were included in the many (at least 4 per month) CHMs that we compiled/generated during the several months that we ran in this environment without any issues.

We just (over the past few weeks) upgraded to Adobe's Technical Communication Suite 3.5 (RoboHelp HTML 9 and RoboSource Control 3.1). A new Windows 7 Enterprise, 64-bit VM was created for the RoboSource Control server installation, and we simply installed the RoboHelp 9 and RoboSource Control 3.1 client software directly on our 3 Windows 7 client machines. We did not remove the VM sessions from the client machines, but we don't run them either.

Since we upgraded RoboHelp to version 9 (which is also to say, started running RoboHelp in a true Windows 7 64-bit environment), none of our browse sequences appear when we compile/generate a .CHM in RoboHelp 9 and then launch the .CHM from anywhere OTHER THAN within the RoboHelp HTML application. If we launch the Help from within RoboHelp, using either the Generate Primary Layout function (and then view result) or the View Primary Layout function (HTML Help is our primary layout), the browse sequences appear and function properly.

I've already researched (including this forum and all the previous posts on this issue) and run tests, attempting to identify the cause and/or resolve the issue. The actual tests and results are listed after the next section (which provides technical details on what I believed to be the critical aspects of this issue within our environment; perhaps someone will spot something regarding the version of the HHActiveX.dll or a path/value for one of the registry settings). 

Environment Technical Details

RoboHelp 9/RoboSource Control 3.1 Server

• OS: Windows 7 Enterprise, 64-bit, SP1
• RoboHelp Programs:
  • MS SQL Server Express 2005
  • RoboSource Control 3.1 Server and Client
  • RoboHelp HTML 9.0.2.271
  • Note: RoboSource Control 2.3 was installed on this machine at one point, in an attempt to perform the database migration, but it was subsequently uninstalled and the migration was performed on our old Windows XP RoboSource Control 2.3 server machine. No other version of RoboHelp has ever been installed on this machine.
• HHActiveX.dll: Here are all the instances of HHActiveX.dll on this machine.
  • C:\Program Files\(x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\RoboHTML
    • File version: 9.0.1.262
    • Product name: Adobe RoboHelp HTML 9
    • Product version: 9.0.1.262
    • File size: 759 KB
    • Date modified: 6/22/2011 4:45 PM
  • C:\Program Files\(x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\Redist
    • File version: 9.0.1.262
    • Product name: Adobe RoboHelp HTML 9
    • Product version: 9.0.1.262
    • File size: 759 KB
    • Date modified: 6/22/2011 4:23 PM
  • C:\Program Files\(x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\Redist\x64
    • File version: 9.0.1.262
    • Product name: Adobe RoboHelp HTML 9
    • Product version: 9.0.1.262
    • File size: 1.11 MB
    • Date modified: 6/22/2011 4:23 PM
  • Registry References to HHActiveX.dll:
    • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{399CB6B4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\1.0\0\win32
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\RoboHTML\HHActiveX.dll
    • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{399CB6C4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\InprocServer32
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\RoboHTML\HHActiveX.dll
    • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{399CB6C4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\ToolboxBitmap32
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\RoboHTML\HHActiveX.dll, 102
    • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{959F94FD-DD1E-11D2-B559-00105A0422DF}\InprocServer32
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\RoboHTML\HHActiveX.dll
    • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\TypeLib\{399CB6B4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\1.0\0\win32
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\RoboHTML\HHActiveX.dll
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU
      • regsvr32 C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp9\Redist HHActiveX.dll\1
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{399CB6B4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\1.0\0\win32
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\RoboHTML\HHActiveX.dll
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{399CB6C4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\InprocServer32
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\RoboHTML\HHActiveX.dll
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{399CB6C4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\ToolboxBitmap32
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\RoboHTML\HHActiveX.dll, 102
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{959F94FD-DD1E-11D2-B559-00105A0422DF}\InprocServer32
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\RoboHTML\HHActiveX.dll
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\TypeLib\{399CB6B4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\1.0\0\win32
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\RoboHTML\HHActiveX.dll
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\{399CB6C4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\InprocServer32
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\RoboHTML\HHActiveX.dll
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\{399CB6C4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\ToolboxBitmap32
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\RoboHTML\HHActiveX.dll, 102
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\{959F94FD-DD1E-11D2-B559-00105A0422DF}\InprocServer32
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\RoboHTML\HHActiveX.dll
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\TypeLib\{399CB6B4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\1.0\0\win32
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\RoboHTML\HHActiveX.dll
    • HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-2146773085-1508210334-1857977687-1551\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU
      • regsvr32 C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp9\Redist HHActiveX.dll\1
• HH.exe: Here are all the instances of HH.exe on this machine.
  • C:\Windows
    • File version: 6.1.7600.16385
    • Product name: HTML Help
    • Product version: 6.1.7600.16385
    • File size: 16.5 KB
    • Date modified: 7/13/2009 9:39 PM
  • C:\Windows\SysWOW64
    • File version: 6.1.7600.16385
    • Product name: HTML Help
    • Product version: 6.1.7600.16385
    • File size: 15.0 KB
    • Date modified: 7/13/2009 9:14 PM
  • C:\Windows\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-htmlhelp_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_244ae8599e6d81bb
    • File version: 6.1.7600.16385
    • Product name: HTML Help
    • Product version: 6.1.7600.16385
    • File size: 16.5 KB
    • Date modified: 7/13/2009 9:14 PM
  • C:\Windows\winsxs\wow64_microsoft-windows-htmlhelp_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_2e9f92abd2ce43b6
    • File version: 6.1.7600.16385
    • Product name: HTML Help
    • Product version: 6.1.7600.16385
    • File size: 15.0 KB
    • Date modified: 7/13/2009 9:14 PM
  • Registry References to HH.exe:
    • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\hh.exe
    • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\chm.file\DefaultIcon
      • %SystemRoot%\hh.exe,0
    • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\chm.file\shell\open\command
      • "%SystemRoot%\hh.exe" %1
    • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache
      • C:\Windows\hh.exe
        • Microsoft® HTML Help Executable
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache
      • C:\Windows\hh.exe
        • Microsoft® HTML Help Executable
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU
      • C:\Windows\SysWOW64\HH.exe C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\DSISWHelp.chm\1
      • C:\Windows\HH.exe C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\DSISWHelp.chm\1
      • C:\Windows\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-htmlhelp_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_244ae8599e6d81bb\HH.exe C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\DSISWHelp.chm\1
      • C:\Windows\winsxs\wow64_microsoft-windows-htmlhelp_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_2e9f92abd2ce43b6\HH.exe C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\DSISWHelp.chm\1
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Applications\hh.exe
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\chm.file\DefaultIcon
      • %SystemRoot%\hh.exe,0
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\chm.file\shell\open\command
      • "%SystemRoot%\hh.exe" %1
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectDraw\MostRecentApplication
      • hh.exe
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileAssociation
      • RUNDLL32.EXE;MSHTA.EXE;DLLHOST.EXE;APPLAUNCH.EXE;HH.EXE;WINHLP32.EXE;MMC.EXE;
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\FileAssociation
      • RUNDLL32.EXE;MSHTA.EXE;DLLHOST.EXE;APPLAUNCH.EXE;HH.EXE;WINHLP32.EXE;MMC.EXE;
    • HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-2146773085-1508210334-1857977687-1551\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache
      • C:\Windows\hh.exe
        • Microsoft® HTML Help Executable
    • HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-2146773085-1508210334-1857977687-1551\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU
      • C:\Windows\SysWOW64\HH.exe C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\DSISWHelp.chm\1
    • HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-2146773085-1508210334-1857977687-1551_Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache
      • C:\Windows\hh.exe
        • Microsoft® HTML Help Executable

RoboHelp 9/RoboSource Control 3.1 Client Machines

• OS: Windows 7 Enterprise, 64-bit, SP1
• RoboHelp Programs:
  • RoboSource Control 3.1 Client
  • RoboHelp HTML 9.0.2.271
• HHActiveX.dll: Here are all the instances of HHActiveX.dll on these machines.
  • C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\Redist
    • File version: 9.0.1.262
    • Product name: Adobe RoboHelp HTML 9
    • Product version: 9.0.1.262
    • File size: 759 KB
    • Date modified: 6/22/2011 4:23 PM
  • C:\Program Files(x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\Redist\x64
    • File version: 9.0.1.262
    • Product name: Adobe RoboHelp HTML 9
    • Product version: 9.0.1.262
    • File size: 1.11 MB
    • Date modified: 6/22/2011 4:23 PM
  • C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\RoboHTML
    • File version: 9.0.1.262
    • Product name: Adobe RoboHelp HTML 9
    • Product version: 9.0.1.262
    • File size: 759 KB
    • Date modified: 6/22/2011 4:45 PM
  • C:\Windows\System32
    • File version: 11.0.228.0
    • Product name: RoboHelp HTML 11
    • Product version: 11.0.228.0
    • File size: 452 KB
    • Date modified: 11/18/2003 2:44 PM
  • C:\Windows\SysWOW64
    • File version: 11.0.228.0
    • Product name: RoboHelp HTML 11
    • Product version: 11.0.228.0
    • File size: 452 KB
    • Date modified: 11/18/2003 2:44 PM
• HH.exe: Here are all the instances of HH.exe on this machine.
  • C:\Windows
    • File version: 6.1.7600.16385
    • Product name: HTML Help
    • Product version:  6.1.7600.16385
    • File size: 16.5 KB
    • Date modified: 7/13/2009 9:39 PM
  • C:\Windows\SysWOW64
    • File version:  6.1.7600.16385
    • Product name: HTML Help
    • Product version: 6.1.7600.16385
    • File size: 15.0 KB
    • Date modified: 7/13/2009 9:14 PM
  • C:\Windows\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-htmlhelp_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_244ae8599e6d81bb
    • File version: 6.1.7600.16385
    • Product name: HTML Help
    • Product version: 6.1.7600.16385
    • File size: 16.5 KB
    • Date modified: 7/13/2009 9:39 PM
  • C:\Windows\winsxs\wow64_microsoft-windows-htmlhelp_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_2e9f92abd2ce43b6
    • File version: 6.1.7600.16385
    • Product name: HTML Help
    • Product version: 6.1.7600.16385
    • File size: 15.0 KB
    • Date modified: 7/13/2009 9:14 PM
  • Registry References to HHActiveX.dll:
    • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{399CB6B4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\1.0\0\win32
      • C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\hhactivex.dll
    • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{399CB6C4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\InprocServer32
      • C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\hhactivex.dll
    • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{399CB6C4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\ToolboxBitmap32
      • C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\hhactivex.dll, 102
    • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{959F94FD-DD1E-11D2-B559-00105A0422DF}\InprocServer32
      • C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\hhactivex.dll
    • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\TypeLib\{399CB6B4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\1.0\0\win32
      • C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\hhactivex.dll
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU
      • regsvr32 C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\hhactivex.dll\1
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{399CB6B4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\1.0\0\win32
      • C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\hhactivex.dll
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{399CB6C4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\InprocServer32
      • C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\hhactivex.dll
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{399CB6C4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\ToolboxBitmap32
      • C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\hhactivex.dll, 102
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{959F94FD-DD1E-11D2-B559-00105A0422DF}\InprocServer32
      • C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\hhactivex.dll
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\TypeLib\{399CB6B4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\1.0\0\win32
      • C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\hhactivex.dll
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\{399CB6C4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\InprocServer32
      • C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\hhactivex.dll
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\{399CB6C4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\ToolboxBitmap32
      • C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\hhactivex.dll, 102
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\{959F94FD-DD1E-11D2-B559-00105A0422DF}\InprocServer32
      • C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\hhactivex.dll
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\TypeLib\{399CB6B4-7312-11D2-B4D9-00105A0422DF}\1.0\0\win32
      • C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\hhactivex.dll
    • HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-2146773085-1508210334-1857977687-1551\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU
      • regsvr32 C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\hhactivex.dll\1

RoboHelp x5 and RoboSource Control 2.3 Server

• OS: Windows XP Professional, SP3
• RoboHelp Programs:
  • RoboSource Control 2.3 Server and Client
  • RoboHelp HTML x5.0.2 (Build 606)
  • Note: MS SQL Server and RoboSource Control 3.1 were temporarily installed in order to convert the databases from RoboSource Control 2.3 to RoboSource Control 3.1.
• HHActiveX.dll: Here are all the instances of HHActiveX.dll on these machines.
  • C:\Program Files\RoboHelp Office\Redist
    • File version: 13.10.801.0
    • Product name: RoboHelp HTML 13
    • Product version: 13.10.801
    • File size: 460 KB
    • Date modified: 11/4/2004 10:54:04 AM
  • C:\Program Files\RoboHelp Office\RoboHELP
    • File version: 13.10.801.0
    • Product name: RoboHelp HTML 13
    • Product version: 13.10.801
    • File size: 460 KB
    • Date modified: 11/4/2004 10:54:04 AM
  • C:\Program Files\RoboHelp Office\RoboHTML
    • File version: 13.10.801.0
    • Product name: RoboHelp HTML 13
    • Product version: 13.10.801
    • File size: 460 KB
    • Date modified: 11/4/2004 10:54:04 AM
• HH.exe: Here are all the instances of HH.exe on this machine.
  • C:\WINDOWS
    • File version: 5.2.3790.2453
    • Product name: HTML Help
    • Product version: 5.2.3790.2453
    • File size: 10.5 KB
    • Date modified: 4/14/2008 5:42:22 AM
  • C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386
    • File version: 5.2.3790.2453
    • Product name: HTML Help
    • Product version: 5.2.3790.2453
    • File size: 10.5 KB
    • Date modified: 4/14/2008 5:42:22 AM

Troubleshooting Tests and Results

Test 1: Ran command line: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\HH.exe C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\DSISWHelp.chm

• Result: Browse sequences PRESENT.

Test 2: Ran command line: C:\Windows\HH.exe C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\DSISWHelp.chm

• Result: Browse sequences ABSENT.

Test 3: Ran command line: C:\Windows\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-htmlhelp_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_244ae8599e6d81bb\HH.exe C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\DSISWHelp.chm

• Result: Browse sequences ABSENT.

Test 4: Ran command line: C:\Windows\winsxs\wow64_microsoft-windows-htmlhelp_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_2e9f92abd2ce43b6\HH.exe C:\Documents\DSISWHelp\DSISWHelp.chm

• Result: Browse sequences PRESENT.

Test 5: Deleted HHP, CPD, and created new HTML Help SSL definition. Opened project, compiled with new SSL, opened CHM from Windows Explorer via double-click.

• Result: Browse sequences ABSENT.

Test 6: RoboHelp install again. Didn't see any "repair" options, so I ran the install over the existing one. Then deleted HHP, CPD, and created new HTML SSL definition. Compiled. Opened the CHM from Windows Explorer via double-click.

• Result: Browse sequences ABSENT.

Test 7: Edited the browse sequences to see if that would trigger or set a flag. Note: I already compared the "flags" (it's actually a number sequence) in the RHwnd.apj file (via Notepad) to the "flags" in the RHwnd.apj file. While I don't know which one represents browse sequence enabling, the number sequences were identical. Note: I compared RHwnd.apj files pre- and post-Browse Sequence enabling (with no other changes), but the flag values were completely different (it's not a simple 0/1 flag).

• Result: N/A

Test 8: I copied older CHMs that were generated/compiled in RoboHelp x5 over to my local, Window 7 Enterprise, 64-bit, SP1, machine. Launched the CHMs from Windows Explorer by double-clicking on them.

• Result: Browse sequences ABSENT.

Test 9: I browsed over our network (via Windows Explorer) to our old RoboHelp x5/RoboSource Control 2.3 server, and launched older CHMs that were generated/compiled in RoboHelp x5 and still sitting on that machine, by double-clicking on them.

• Result: Browse sequences ABSENT.

Test 10: I logged on (via RDS) to our old RoboHelp x5/RoboSource Control 2.3 server (WinXP), and launched older CHMs that were created (and never upgraded) in RHx5 by double-clicking on them.

• Result: Browse sequences PRESENT.

Test 11: I logged on (via RDS) to our old RoboHelp x5/RoboSource Control 2.3 server (WinXP), opened Windows Explorer on that machine, browsed over the network to our new RoboHelp 9/RoboSource Control 3.1 server (Win7), and then launched new CHMs that were generated/compiled in RoboHelp 9 by double-clicking on them.

• Result: Browse sequences ABSENT.

Test 12: I logged on (via RDS) to our older RoboHelp x5/RoboSource Control 2.3 server (WinXP), copied CHMs that were generated/compiled on our new RoboHelp 9/RoboSource Control 3.1 server (Win7) in RoboHelp 9 over to the WinXP machine, and then launched them by double-clicking on them.

• Result: Browse sequences ABSENT.

CONCLUSIONS

• The machine you are logged on to matters more than where the CHM resides (that is, locally or on another networked machine), or even the version of RoboHelp that it was compiled/generated in (although as my next conclusion states, this last one does appear to matter).
  • Supporting evidence: CHMs that were compiled/generated in RoboHelp x5 only display browse sequences when they are launched (via double-click) locally from a WinXP machine. Browse sequences are absent when they're launched from a Win7 machine.
• The version of RoboHelp that the CHM was compiled in matters.
  • Supporting evidence: Browse sequences in RoboHelp 9 generated/compiled CHMs do not appear, even when the CHMs reside on a WinXP machine. Is HHActiveX.dll somehow incorporated into the generate/compile process?
• Either HH.exe or HHActiveX.dll, or both, matter.
  • Supporting evidence: Browse sequences appear in RoboHelp 9 generated/compiled CHMs on a Win7 machine when I launch the CHM from a command line, specifying which HH.exe to use.
    • Is this a function of the HH.exe (there are multiple instances of HH.exe on my Win7 machine, but the command line solution doesn't work for all of them; plus, each files seems to be identical/the same version), or
    • is it a function of HHActiveX.dll (does HHActiveX.dll registration control which HH.exe works, which would explain why some of HH.exe's don't work from a command line; the assumption here, then, is that when I double-click a CHM, the default HH.exe that is used isn't the one that's registered)?