change default browser

[kingpaul]

I use Firefox as my primary browser, yet when I call up the manual in HL, it starts IE. Is there a way to change this?

 

[Sigil]

I use Firefox also and it would be nice not to have to use IE. So I second that question/request.

 

[DannyBoy2k]

Ummm...easiest way around this is to open the manual straight in Firefox. Works for me.

 

[kingpaul]

Ah, but if you try to call up the *.htm* files in HL itself, it automatically grabs IE. I'd like to change that default setting if its possible.

 

[rob]

At 09:51 AM 3/25/2007, you wrote:

I use Firefox as my primary browser, yet when I call up the manual in HL, it starts IE. Is there a way to change this?

Yes. You need to configure Windows so that Firefox is your primary browser. When you launch the manual within HL, it tells Windows "launch the default program configured for viewing HTML files". By default, that is going to be IE.

To fix this, you actually need to do TWO things. First, you need to configure Firefox to make sure it is the default browser. This is done by going to the Tools menu and selecting Options. On the Main tab, there is a checkbox at the bottom that controls this behavior. Make sure it is checked.

The second thing you need to do is tell IE *NOT* to be the default browser. You see, Microsoft prefers you use its tool, so it likes to steal back control unless you tell it not to. So, with at least some versions of IE and Windows, you have to go into IE and disable the same behavior. Go to the Tools menu and select Internet Options. You should be able to configure it there.

This will ensure that Firefox is truly your default browser for all purposes, and with all programs.

Hope this helps,
Rob

 

[rob]

At 04:12 PM 3/25/2007, you wrote:

Ah, but if you try to call up the *.htm* files in HL itself, it automatically grabs IE. I'd like to change that default setting if its possible.

HL does NOT grab IE. HL tells Windows:
    Here is a .HTM file. Launch the configured default tool for this file.

Then Windows looks up its default program for .HTM files and launches that tool. On every system of mine, it automatically launches Firefox, because I have successfully configured Firefox to be the default browser AND I've managed to configure IE to not constantly re-assert itself as the default browser. It's this last bit that can sometimes be a pain in the keister, thanks to Microsoft's arrogant insistence that you must use IE.

Go into Windows Explorer. Navigate to any HTM file on your computer. Double-click on it. Whatever browser is launched is what Windows believes is the default browser. HL uses the EXACT SAME method as Windows Explorer for launching the browser to view HTM files. When you get things working correctly within Windows Explorer, then try it in HL. It should then work.

 

[kingpaul]

Now I'm truly confused. I went into both browsers, and Firefox says is set to be the default and IE is not. I click on *.htm* files, and Firefox comes up. I restart HL, click "View Manual", and IE opens.

 

[sppeterson]

It's coming up in Firefox for me -- this is both for View Manual off the Configure Your Hero popup and off the Help >> d20 system menu item.

 

[kingpaul]

Aha! I found the problem. Firefox was set to be the default browser, IE was set to not be the default browser. However, *.htm files were still set to use IE, while *.html files were set to use Firefox.

Once I got that item taken care of, Firefox now launches.

I see what you mean by the insistence to use IE. What part of "Firefox is default" does XP not understand?

 

[rob]

At 08:49 PM 3/25/2007, you wrote:

Aha! I found the problem. Firefox was set to be the default browser, IE was set to not be the default browser. However, *.htm files were still set to use IE, while *.html files were set to use Firefox.

Once I got that item taken care of, Firefox now launches.

Excellent!

I see what you mean by the insistence to use IE. What part of "Firefox is default" does XP not understand?

Yep. And it's particularly obnoxious to products like HL that do everything possible to be properly behaved Windows programs, yet Microsoft's crapola ends up making it look like we're doing it wrong.

That's why I switched to the Windows Explorer suggestion. If you can get a file to open with the correct program by double-clicking it within Windows Explorer, you've basically got the battle won. Until that works, there's no point trying it from within another program like HL.

 

[kingpaul]

At 08:49 PM 3/25/2007, you wrote:
Yep. And it's particularly obnoxious to products like HL that do everything possible to be properly behaved Windows programs, yet Microsoft's crapola ends up making it look like we're doing it wrong.

Yes, I see that now. Sorry for bringing this up as an issue on your part. Perhaps a note in your FAQ?

 

[rob]

At 06:31 AM 3/26/2007, you wrote:

rob wrote:
At 08:49 PM 3/25/2007, you wrote:
Yep. And it's particularly obnoxious to products like HL that do everything possible to be properly behaved Windows programs, yet Microsoft's crapola ends up making it look like we're doing it wrong.

Yes, I see that now. Sorry for bringing this up as an issue on your part. Perhaps a note in your FAQ?

I believe this issue has only been brought up once before, and that was at least two years ago (could be 4-5). That user got it sorted out instantly, so I never considered this to be a widespread problem for users. I figured it was the rare exception. Then you bring up the issue and lots of folks yell "me too!". So I guess maybe it should go in the FAQ....