File Download Dialog Box Appears

[BillNielsen]

I'm trying to link a help file (*.hlp) in a page. I'm using this code:

<a href=&quot;Myhelp.hlp&quot;>Call the Windows based help file</a>

I keep getting the File Download Dialog Box (&quot;Do you want to save or open this file?&quot. I've read an article at MSDN
(

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q303/4/75.ASP)

and did what it says but I still get the lousy box showing up.

Anyone have gone through this before and can help me out here. I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Bill N

 

[DeZiner]

This seems to be a browser related issue because the browser can not open .hlp files. There for asking if you wish to download it.. It also seems there is no way for a PC to know which office application to open this in since it could use one of many applications on a computer. So it has to ask to save it, then where to open it. The work around in the MS link wold relate to .doc, .xls, .pub type files not help files DeZiner

When the gears stop turning,
we all stop learning.

 

[BillNielsen]

Thanks DeZiner for your reply.

I'm not an expert on this and I certainly could be wrong but I do think that it is operating system level problem not a browser problem. I think the help file (I have to link to a specific windows help file not an office app) is associated with the operating system.

I believe products like HelpScribble and RoboHelp simply use the Windows help compiler and Windows simply call the help file (load onto stack) similiar to calling any exe.

I'm open to any suggestions or debugging tips so please don't hesitate to give me any suggestions.

Thanks,
Bill N

 

[DeZiner]

This makes perfect sense and I could be wrong about the app. However because the browser can not open it (unsupported extension) it wants to save it so the user can choose where to open the file or what app to use to open it.
I played with it today and could not get a work around working, I am sure there is a way, or create a new window and code the help files as a web page. DeZiner

When the gears stop turning,
we all stop learning.

 

[TazzMann]

According to Microsoft, Certain files will ALWAYS show file download box. The Following extensions will cause this:

.exe
.com
.hlp
.dat

I think that if this is important to you, then you should take DeZiner's advice and convert it to a web page help system. Tazzmann

 

[BillNielsen]

Thanks guys,I appreciate the help.

Bill N