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SOLpubs
Participating Frequently
January 28, 2014
Question

RoboHelp 10 can't update linked FrameMaker book

  • January 28, 2014
  • 1 reply
  • 1232 views

TCS 4

Linked FrameMaker book

HTML Help output

When I open a previously working project and go to update the FrameMaker files, the Update and Update All options are greyed out.

A possible culprit is that Windows Update ran automatically while the project was open, and then restarted the machine.

If I Force Update All, RH launches an instance of FM, which doesn't open anything and remains on its startup screen. If FM is already running with the book + .fm files open, another instance of FM starts w/o loading any files. RH then hangs, going into a "Not responding" state in Task Manager.

If I start a new blank project and attempt to link to the FM book, RH launches another blank instance of FM and hangs.

I tried opening the project and exporting the project settings in an .isf file, but RH hangs trying to scan.

i tried relinking the FM book, but RH launches another blank instance of FM and hangs.

i tried deleting the book, but RH hung partially through the deletion.

i tried reinstalling RH. Same behavior.

Is there some file I can delete and/or restore to reacquiant FM and RH?

Note that when Windows Update ran the FM book was open too, and when I subsequently generated/updated the book, some files were listed as missing and some cross-refs were broken. This was fixed by replacing the broken cross-refs. The FM book generated/updated with no errors before the first attempt to update in RH.

Thanks.

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    1 reply

    Jeff_Coatsworth
    Community Expert
    Jeff_CoatsworthCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 28, 2014

    The launch of FM at the Starter screen when linking or importing into RH is normal behaviour. You can speed things up a bit by having a session already launched when you start RH up.

    It sounds like the RH project may have been corrupted – have you tried deleting the .CPD file, opening RH and opening the project, then doing a Force Update All?

    S
    SOLpubsAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    January 28, 2014

    Thanks for responding Jeff.

    I deleted the .cpd file and opened the project by double-clicking the .xpj file. It scans for a while, then displays "Failed to get any FrameMaker document from D:\<path to book>". When I click OK in that message, it goes back to the "Processing FrameMaker files" and then launches a second instance of FM.

    Note: If I have FM open already when I try to update, RH launches another instance. It doesn't see the first instance.

    Also Note: It does this when I start a new blank project and link to that book.

    Jeff_Coatsworth
    Community Expert
    Jeff_CoatsworthCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 29, 2014

    I did as you suggested. No luck, same behavior.

    I tried to load and update a backup copy of the project from a couple of weeks ago. Same behavior.

    Suspecting something in the registry got stomped on. Any other ideas?


    Well, you could try it again using revouninstaller – that really cleans up an uninstall. Then I would try a completely fresh project and some lorsum text in some new FM files and do a test to see if they can be linked. If they still can’t, then I think you’ll have to talk to Adobe Support.

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