Help Files Don't Display Correctly.

[support]

Problem

When you try to access help in PhonePad, you get one or both of the following error messages: "Action Canceled" or "The page cannot be displayed".


Cause

PhonePad uses the Microsoft HTML Help format for its help files. In June 2005, Microsoft released Security Update 896358, which effectively disables all HTML Help files located on network drives. In other words, if you have the help files (which have a file extension of .chm) located on a network drive they will not work correctly. The help files will work correctly if they are relocated to a local drive.

The effect of the security update is an intentional action by Microsoft to plug what they consider is a potential security hazard. Therefore, they have no intention of changing this.

Please note: This affects all HTML Help files, not just the PhonePad ones.


Solution

We will be making changes to PhonePad that will allow the help files to be optionally located on local drives. These changes will most likely be included in Version 4.05 or 4.06.

In the meantime, there are a number of options available.

Option 1: Copy the help files (*.chm) to a folder on a local drive and manually open them from there.

Option 2: Re-enable the ability to display all HTML Help files on network drives. WARNING: Please consider the security consequences of doing this. If you have an IT department, you should consult with them prior to doing this as it effectively overrides the security update. The fixes are provided 'as is' and we do not accept responsibilty for their use.

Option 3: Re-enable the ability to display HTML Help files on network drives only for PhonePad help files. This is a lot safer than option 2 above but may still present a security risk, although to a lesser extent. This is the option Microsoft recommends.

We have developed a small utility that can implement the fixes in Option 2 and Option 3. Download the utility and copy it to the PhonePad directory on your network drive. The utility should be run from the network drive on each workstation, ie. from each workstation open Windows Explorer, navigate to the PhonePad folder on your network, and run the utility. We recommend that, if you decide to use this utility, you only re-enable the help files for PhonePad (listed as Option 3 above, and the default option in the utility). The utility also allows you to remove the fix if you change your mind. You can download the utility here.



Please contact <!-- e --><a href="mailto:support@cybercom-software.com">support@cybercom-software.com</a><!-- e --> if you have any questions.

References

* Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-026
* MS05-026: A vulnerability in HTML Help could allow remote code execution
* Certain Web sites and HTML Help features may not work after you install security update 896358 or security update 890175
* You cannot open remote content by using the InfoTech protocol after you install security update 896358, security update 840315, or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1

[support]

The HTML Help file problem has been rectified in PhonePad Version 4.05 by allowing you to install the help files locally. In this release, all applications in the PhonePad suite have been updated to allow a configurable help file location.

Once you have installed this new version, all you need to do is download the new help file installer.

When you run the installer it will prompt you for a local drive to install the help files on. The installer will automatically update PhonePad with this information, however you can also specify this manually under Preferences.

If you still want to install the help files on a network drive then we recommend you download the Help File Fix utility and use Option 2.