RoboHelp 10 can't update linked FrameMaker book

[SOLpubs]

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.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

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?

[SOLpubs]

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]

That’s sounding like something’s damaged in your TCS install – RH is always seeing my instance of FM sitting open when I do it. What happens if you create a brand new project and link it?

[SOLpubs]

We are thinking on the same track.  After sending my last post I tried to start a blank project and link to a different book.

Same results. Launches FM, hangs, "Not responding" in Task Manager. If I click through the "Failed to read" warnings, it will try again--RH eventually spun up three instances of FM that way!

I have tried reinstalling RH only, with no luck.

Should I reinstall FM and RH? Or all of TCS 4?

Would it be better to uninstall first? Run C Cleaner on the registry?

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Deactivate first; then uninstall TCS4, then reinstall with Admin rights & apply all updates.

[SOLpubs]

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?

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

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.

[SOLpubs]

Summary

This issue was resolved.

It seems to have been a registry corruption on my machine due to a Windows Update restart that occurred when the Help project and FrameMaker project were open.

The main symptom was that RoboHelp could no longer update the project from the FrameMaker files and was spawning a new instance of FM with each retry, even if FM was already open.

I tried lots of things: opened a new project, restored a backup copy of project, attempted an export of project etc., etc. (see above).

The solution was to:

- revert to a "known good" restore point in Windows (before the auto-update)

- deactivate and uninstall TCS 4

- run Windows Update

- re-install TCS 4

- turn automatic Windows Updates OFF

Everything in FrameMaker and RoboHelp generates properly now.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Wow, what a mess – I’m glad you managed to tease out the issue.