Cannot view MS Project file

[calista]

I have a small intranet where I post a variety of document formats. I just added a schedule done in MS Project. However, when a user clicks on the file and tries to open it, IE just hangs. This happens to users who have Project installed on their machines.

I had a similar problem with PDFs early on. I remedied that situation by installing Acrobat Reader on my Web server. This is despite the fact that everyone here has Reader installed on their machine. I had to put it on the server in order to open the files.

So, my question is this: Has this happened to anyone else, and is the solution to intall Project on my server? I can get that done if neccesary, which leads to another issue. If I do that, is there a way the users who do NOT have Project installed on their machine (like me!)can view the file? I know the file can be converted to HTML, but I have been told that is not an option. And, I don't think they want to hear that they are going to have to buy a license for Project for everyone on this project, or get a site license.

Thanks, everyone! Calista :-X
Jedi Knight,
Champion of the Force

 

[randall2nd]

I am guessing you do need the program on the server. The server is the one opening the file. Just guessing though.

Have you tried loading MSproject on the server?
Did it work?
Have you fixed the problem? How? Randall2nd

 

[calista]

I put in a request to have Project installed on my server, but that has not been done, yet. As an experiment, I deleted Acrobat Reader from my machine, and tried to open a PDF that is on my server, but it wouldn't open. (I did put Reader on the server.) I take this to mean that even with Project on the server, the user will still need a copy of Project in order to view the file. Is there a way to avoid this? I'll keep you posted. Thanks! Calista :-X
Jedi Knight,
Champion of the Force

 

[strantheman]

Hi calista

Would the network user have access to the Project file directly without the intranet site? If they wanted to, could they browse the network and find it via mapped drive or something if you showed them where to look?

I like IE and its integrating features for things like XCEL, Word documents, and sharing email messages with other outlook users but in this case id suggest finding a method to have the user execute the file externally. Only hard part is youd have to put a shortcut on everyone's desktop, and make sure they all had access to the network drive.

1. Create a folder the network user can see, put a openproject.bat in there.
2. Duplicate this .bat file once for every user, using the last octet of their internal IP address as an identifier so everyone has their own .bat. If my IP was 192.168.1.222 my file would be named openproject_222.bat.
3. Create a shortcut called OpenProject, email it to everyone, and have them copy it to their desktop. Manually edit every one and make sure the location is correct for that user's IP.
4. When they use the intranet site to request a specific project file, edit their specific .BAT file and put the full path of the project file. Prompt the user to then run the shortcut on their desktop.

Remember the BAT file is stored on the server, but it will resolve C:\ as the C drive on the user's hard drive, not the servers.

good luck

 

[calista]

Update: I just got Project installed on my server, and now users can view the file. (I also got it on my local computer.) The other idea that occured to me was to convert the file to a PDF, and upload that. Calista :-X
Jedi Knight,
Champion of the Force