Digital Workshop

I've just sent a test file to DW, but as it's Friday night I don't expect to get a response until Monday, so I wondered if anyone else had come across this....

I've got an Opus button to launch an .exe file. It's a Macromedia application to install flash on pcs without internet connection.

Using an XP pc, when I run the pub and click on my launch button, I get an "Open File Security warning" which requires a yes or no click.

That's fine... I expect that. But, the mouse is behind this warning, so I can't click on the button. All I can do is escape to quit everything.

If I launch the exe outside of Opus, I can click the Yes button fine, and the installation starts.

Thanks, Linda

Hi Linda,

I don't have XP, but at the time of launched file do you have another page in Chapter Window? If this is the case, try not having the second window open and see if this resolves the problem.

Steve's tested this privately, and doesn't get an error, so I think it's an XP-only problem.

I can't post the file here, as I'm not supposed to distribute it; however, if there's someone on XP who can take a look, please email me on linda@rossiterandco.com. It's less than 1mb

I did see that I got an error massage saying "DW Device Change Monitor: programme not responding" so there's obviously a problem somewhere.

Thanks, Linda

Linda this probably isn't what you wanted to hear

I tested in Win XP Home SP2 by setting up a button to run the Flash Installer for Flash 7. I installed Flash 7 to both Explorer and Firefox.

At no time did I get a security warning.

Good luck

Ray, I'm guessing that will be because you've previously told XP not to display those warnings. I could un-check the box so as not to receive them either.

But one of the pcs I testing this on is a new bog-standard cheap pc from the local electrical superstore (Currys) as I know many home users will have such pcs.

So I'm sure that XP is initially set to show the warning messages. Which means there's a good chance that the people using my pub get the warning.

It's not the warning itself that's the problem though.... it's the fact the Opus isn't aware that it's there (?) and so the mouse remains behind it. The only way to click on Run is to TAB through the options.

Non-technical viewers just don't need that kind of distraction!

Hi Linda

Sorry to have to advise you that I have not turned off those warnings, because I want nothing installed on my computer unless I know about it.

These boxes appearing are a problem that has arisen with XP Service Pack 2 ...it's down to the security settings, and is a result of MS trying to lock down things to make them safe(r). There also doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason as to why they appear on many XP SP2 machines, but not others (see Ray Walsh's comments).

I've had similar issues with offline copies of webpages - it seems that some things which are treated as OK within the 'Internet Zone' are flagged as a problem in the 'Local Zone'.

I know how to fix the problem for offline webpages, but no idea how to do it for .exe files, short of getting user to change their security settings - which is not advisable anyway.

Rob 'not really helping much at all' Kirkwood
www.visibleform.co.uk

... But it's really nice to hear from you anyhow!

For this time, I've taken the easy route, and changed my launch .exe button to an internet link to Macromedia's Flash installation.

Not much use if the viewer isn't online, of course, but I've given up thinking of alternatives... it's bad enough having to work on a Sunday afternoon, without trying to fix the impossible too.

(That's only done on Mondays....)

Linda,

I think you can get a Macromedia player installation that will install without using the ActiveX control. I just downloaded two installations, version 8, from the Adobe-Macromedia site: install_flash_player.exe and install_flash_player_active_x.exe.

Test using the Opus Launch feature:
install_flash_player.exe: just executes without any intervention. It shows the progress bar and then exits when complete.

install_flash_player_active_x.exe: this opens a dialog box and ask if you want to install the ActiveX control. You have to select Yes or Cancel.

On another note:
Just last Friday I visited a Internet site with Flash content and it required version 8. The ActiveX dialog box appeared (your screenshot) and ask if I wanted to install the newer version. Neither of the above installations displayed the Open File - Security Warning dialog box.

Leo