Dynamic Menu Links Do Not Work when Hosted on the Local Computer

 This article is suitable for a Library Administrator

Ref: JB201103231535 
Last Edited: September 28th, 2011
 
Description:
When executing a hyperlink from a dynamic (Flash-based) menu, the link doesn't work. Clicking the link has no effect.
The following are likely to be true:
  • The browser is Internet Explorer.
     
  • The target file is hosted on the local computer.
     
  • The link specifies a file path (not, for example, an HTTP path).
    This may be a relative path: one which is relative to the menu system file that has been opened through a file path.
 
Cause:
Internet Explorer security prevents opening content in the 'My Computer' zone from links executed from pages in other zones.
 
Workaround 1: Configure 'My Computer' zone
 
This has worked on Windows XP and Windows 7 test systems.
 
The 'My Computer' zone can no longer be configured from within Internet Explorer, unlike the other security zones. It requires direct editing of the Registry.
 
"Internet Explorer security zones registry entries for advanced users"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/182569
 
Under this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\0
 
Change this value:
2101: 00000003 -> 00000000
 
 
Workaround 2: Share a local resource, e.g. the CD drive
 
This technique works on Windows XP, but not on Windows 7.
 
i) Share the CD drive as 'CD'.
 
ii) Open a Windows Explorer view using a UNC path that targets the content on CD:
\\127.0.0.1\CD
 
Note: By using a UNC path, the location is no longer regarded as in the 'My Computer' zone, and so the security behaviour is different.
 
iii) In that Windows Explorer window, navigate to sitehome.html, and open it.
 
Notes:
  • When displaying a webpage, Internet Explorer displays the associated security zone in a bar at the bottom of the window.
  • Although a file may be stored locally, it may have content or reference content through links from other sources. In that case, the associated security zone may not be the expected 'My Computer'. When displaying a dynamic menu stored on the local computer, the security zone displayed by Internet Explorer may be 'Unknown Zone (Mixed)'.
Workaround 3: Linking to an intermediary file
This technique is applied on the server and therefore only needs to be applied once, although it has several negatives.  The negatives are that it will be slightly less convenient for the user than the above workarounds and that you will not be able to use space's in your file paths.
i) Download the file "doc.html" from the attachments on this page.
ii) Place the "doc.html" file in a location accessible through the internet/intranet.
iii) Modify all of the homepage links to files to link to the "doc.html" file but add "#filepath" on the end.  For example:
If your "doc.html" file is located here:
http://processlibraries.triaster.co.uk/processlibraries/doc.html
And you are needing to link to:
N:\ImportantDocument.doc
Then you will need to make the link:
http://processlibraries.triaster.co.uk/processlibraries/doc.html#N:\ImportantDocument.doc
Remember that you cannot put any spaces in the file path, this includes both directory and file names.

Applies to:
  • Flash-based dynamic menus.

Need further help? Contact the Triaster Support team by e-mailing support@triaster.co.uk or by calling us on +44 (0)870 402 1234.
 
Do you have any feedback or suggestions that you would like to share with Triaster? We would love to hear from you! Please e-mail feedback@triaster.co.uk 
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doc.html
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6 Oct 2011, 07:51
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