[COBS Tech Support]

Microsoft has introduced changes to the core functions of its help system that may prevent CAPITAL Office from displaying help files using the Microsoft HTML Help System. Please note that this problem is inherent to *ALL* Windows programs that use Microsoft's latest help system, and is not an issue specific to CAPITAL Software.

Microsoft has disabled the ability of its own help software to display help information when help files are located on drive locations that are not local to the computer needing to access those files. This will include any location that is a networked (mapped) drive, or any connection that Windows thinks is a networked (mapped) drive. Most network environments are potentially affected.

If you are unable to view help topic pages when accessing CAPITAL Office, two options are available:

A. Copy the .chm files from your server's location to your local hard drive, and then change the help path settings of your software to point your system to this new location.*

This method is not recommended, as you will be required to repeat this procedure each time you update your CAPITAL software. Users may end up with out of date help files using this approach.

*If your users are accessing CAPITAL through a terminal server connection, the definition of 'local drive' will be the local drive of the server, not your local PC.

B. Configure Internet Explorer to identify your help file path as a safe location.

Note: You will need to do this even if you do not use Internet Explorer as your primary web browser, as the Microsoft help system uses internal components within Internet Explorer to render help text information onto your screen.

Method A - Moving Your Help Files to Your Local Drive

1. Create a folder on your local C drive called C:\CAPHELP
2. Using Windows Explorer, locate all *.CHM files found in your \CAPITAL folder on your server, and copy them into C:\CAPHELP
3. Start CAPITAL Office on your local computer, and from the main menu select File|Preferences|File Locations
4. Under Help Files Directory type:
C:\CAPHELP
5. Press OK
6. Repeat steps 3-5 for each computer on your network that runs CAPITAL, that exhibits a problem displaying help files.

Method B - Configure Internet Explorer

1. Start Internet Explorer
2. Select Tools|Internet Options
3. Press Security tab
4. Click on Local Intranet icon
5. Press Sites button
6. Press Advanced button
7. In the "Add this website to the zone" field type the server's UNC, e.g.,

\\myserver

8. Press Add button
9. Press Close
10. Press OK
11. Press OK
12. Close Internet Explorer

Repeat all these steps for each computer on your network that is affected.

Note: If you do know know where your 'profile' information is stored, you may need to contact your IT administrator to obtain this information.

For understanding the implications and ramifications of making these changes to your operating system it is important to consult these Microsoft technical bulletins:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896054/
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896358/

Regrettably, Microsoft has phased out support for the old .HLP format in later versions of its Windows operating system, while simultaneously disabling basic functionality in its newer .CHM format. In many networked environments the elementary ability to display help information across your network may no longer be possible without reconfiguring your network environment as described above.