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A
Anonymous
September 4, 2009
Question

Printed Documentation Malformed Error

  • September 4, 2009
  • 2 replies
  • 7433 views

All,

I need some help.  I'm trying to create printed documentation from my current project.  I've created a custom TOC with all the pages that I want to be included in the document.  When I start generating the output it gets about half way through and then I see the error message about "Warning: The Word Document became corrupt when attempting to append a malformed topic: 'Tools\Systems\FARM\FARM_Call_Center\FARM_Assignment_Information.htm'
Failed to build 'FARM Assignment Information'..."  nd every topic after that one is the same.  It will produce a document but none of the links within the document will work and no images will be displayed..

  • I have read through Peter's site and no success. 
  • I have deleted my CPD and let RH rebuild the links and list still the same output.
  • I've re-installed RH and still the same
  • I've checked my macro setting and they are set to medium.
  • I'm working off my local machine and generating to my local machine, so I know there is no network issue there.

I'm using RoboHelp 6 and I'm thinking of upgrading but for right now this what I have to work with.  Please help.

Thank You,

Ian

This topic has been closed for replies.

2 replies

G
ginafromtampa
Inspiring
November 10, 2009

I've searched all of the postings here for RoboHelp printed docs and read the postings on Peter Grainge's site.  I still can't generate printed docs from my projects.  However, I CAN generate docs from RoboHelp's sample projects.

I've used the same RoboHelp project for 5 years, and suddenly I can't print a Word doc anymore.  I've read all the postings and can't figure it out.  I hope you can help.  I don't have a support contract with Adobe but at this point I'm going to have to call Support and pay for some help.

Here's what's happening:

Tried to generate a Word 2003 doc:  In RoboHelp Output View dialog:  "Warning: The Word Document became corrupt when attempting to append following malformed topics:" with list of topics.

The doc only has the cover page and no topics.
(In Print Document Appearance dialog: None, User the Project's CSS Styles), which is what I've always used.

After reading several postings:
Closed all other programs.
Changed virtual memory (advanced advanced in my computer properties) to system managed size.
Virtual Memory:  3199 MB (total pagin file size for my C drive)
Deleted robohelp.cpd and other temp files (ldb, hha, etc.) found with Beyond Compare and Source Control (Microsoft Visual Studio 2005).  I check my RoboHelp files in every few days.

Deleted current single source layouts and created new one for test.
Created new print layout:  Print Document Appearance dialog:  switched to Style Mapping
Tried just selecting a few topics instead of the entire project.
Word error:  $StylePrepFile.htm caused a serious error the last time it was opened.  Would you like to continue opening it?  Clicked Show Help button, but I did not enable the file in the Disabled list: 

****************************************

"If you attempt to open a file marked as damaged or disabled by an Office application, you may encounter this error. You will continue to receive this error each time you attempt to open the file even if the file was recovered or repaired.

The file is in the Disabled Items list because it has caused the application to fault or shut down more than once in previous attempts to open the file. This error message helps you avoid potential problems that may occur if the file is opened and causes other currently open files to suspend.

If the file was properly recovered, replaced, or deleted, you can remove the file from the list of disabled files (re-enable the file) by selecting Help, About Microsoft Office <ApplicationName>, and clicking Disabled Items....

Re-enabling a file does not guarantee the application can open it. The file must be recovered from either a backup or undamaged recovered file."

Error:  "Adobe RoboHelp 7 has encountered a problem and needs to close.  We are sorry for the inconvenience.  For more info, click here:

Error Signature:
AppName: robohtml.exe    AppVer: 7.3.1.0         ModName: printdocgenerator.dll
ModVer: 7.0.145.0        Offset: 00038766

****************************************

Repaired Word 2003 from Add/Remove programs.
Changed Word macro security to low (Tools/Options/Security/Macro Security/Low)
Uninstalled RoboHelp 7 and reinstalled it (I have Technical Communication Suite
Deleted c:\temp files.
Deleted IE 8 temp files.
I keep trying by deleting the temp files (cpd, $StylePrepFile.htm, etc.), but same errors.

Environment:
In RoboHelp Output dialog:  Printed Document Generator Environment: Word 11.0.8227,  OS 5.1.2600, RAM 2048 M Bytes
Windows XP Professional  2002 SP 3
RoboHelp 7 (Tech Comm Suite)
Word 2003
Pentium 4 CPU 3.00 GHz
3.12 GB of RAM (I actually have 4 GB installed).
Space available on drive C:  43.5 GB

I hope you can point me in the right direction.

Thanks very much.

Gina

Message was edited by: Peter Grainge to correct messed up content

Peter Grainge
Community Expert
Peter GraingeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
November 10, 2009

Gina

Make a copy of the project and remove all the content of the SSL folders. Zip it up and post back here the size of the zipped up file.

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

Follow me @petergrainge

Help others by clicking Correct Answer if the question is answered. Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here. "Upvote" is for useful posts.
Peter Grainge
Community Expert
Peter GraingeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
November 11, 2009

I didn't know about the deactivation.  When I Googled it, I found you can do that from the Help menu.  It's too late because I already uninstalled RoboHelp through Add/Remove Programs and I'm halfway done uninstalling Tech Comm Suite.  I didn't know the license allowed you to install the app on two computers.  Since I've never done that, hopefully it will let me install it on my laptop at home to test.


Don't worry about the deactivation, it was more precautionary.

There's a bit of your post that still isn't sitting right. You are talking about uninstalling RH as if it is separate from TCS. Uninstalling TCS uninstalls RH. I am thinking you are seeing RH8.0.1 in Add/Remove and thinking that is uninstalling RH. It is not. It is only uninstalling the patch. Maybe that is why uninstalling did not fix the problem, maybe you only really uninstalled the patch?

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

Follow me @petergrainge

Help others by clicking Correct Answer if the question is answered. Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here. "Upvote" is for useful posts.
Peter Grainge
Community Expert
Peter GraingeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
September 5, 2009

First try setting the macro level to Low so that we can rule that being the cause.

Assuming that is not the answer, then here is the exact same answer I gave in a post just a few days ago.

I have seen projects where there is nothing wrong with the topic but where the machine needed more RAM. What are the basics of your PC?

Also try turning off PDF and generating a Word document instead. If that works, PDF from there. Does that work?

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

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A
Anonymous
September 8, 2009

Peter,

I tried what you suggested.  I lowered my macro level to low, it was on medium.  My PC set up is running

  • Windows XP Pro
  • 2.00 Gig Intel Core 2 Duo processor
  • 3.5 GB of RAM

I am also trying to create to a word doc and not a PDF.  once I get this output to work I can always convert it over to a PDF, but I don't think for what I'm doing I will need to do that.

Thank you,

Ian

Peter Grainge
Community Expert
Peter GraingeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
September 8, 2009

Search on Malformed in this topic.

http://www.grainge.org/pages/authoring/printing/print_issues.htm

Does that make any difference?

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

Help others by clicking Correct Answer if the question is answered. Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here. "Upvote" is for useful posts.
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