How to prevent Windows from blocking ActiveX and add-ons

I'm not sure this is where I need to post this but thought I'd start here.


In March we purchased a new computer with Windows 7 Ultimate and also have an older computer with Windows 7 Home Pro. We need to download a couple of add-ons in conjunction with a job we do. One is an ActiveX to view images and the other is RapidSketch, which i believe employs ActiveX also. The computer with Home Pro has never had any problems in downloading these to view and use. The computer with Ultimate on it has never let us download either. I either get a "Windows has Blocked ActiveX" message or it will act like it is downloading the programs and then a red X will appear instead of the programs.

Yesterday I tried to access these on the older computer with Home Pro on it and it wouldn't allow me just like the newer computer. I got a fix to override the activex block and applied it to both computers. The Ultimate remained the same and refused to allow me to download but the Home Pro computer appeared to be fixed and I could access the programs. When I booted up this morning I couldn't access it again. So the fix didn't remain on the old computer and I still do not have access to this program on either of the computers.

The fix was go in to Internet Explorer, Click on Tools, Internet Options, Security and Custom Level. Then I was to enable or prompt different options under ActiveX.


Thank you in advance for any help.


Linda

Could you provide the specific names of the add-on(s) you're trying to download?

Is the RapidSketch you're talking about the one that's used to create floor plans? If so, I believe they offer a 15 day free trial. After that there's a one time fee for the first copy and a reduced fee for additional copies. Perhaps they have a support or customer service team that could provide additional help.

Goog morning marsmimar,

It is and it is provided through the company we work for. That and another ActiveX program used to view uploaded images are the ones I'm having trouble with.

Go figure, I just checked both programs on this computer and they actually opened up correctly. That's a first on this one. Hopefully it will work from now on since this is the computer I would prefer it work on. If I lose them again I'll try the company we work with and see if they have any ideas. In my experience they have even less knowledge then I do.

Thank you,

Linda

That's certainly good news, Linda. Fingers crossed they continue to work.

Well,

I just shut my computer down to reconnect to the internet and when I booted back up I'd lost the ActiveX again. Not sure what I'm going to do at this point.

Linda

Hi again, Linda.

Well, this problem is way above my pay grade. Just some random thoughts that might help your IT Dept.

1. Does RapidSketch come in different versions (32-bit and 64-bit) and has the correct version been provided to you?
2. Are your computers networked? Anyone else experiencing the same issue?
3. Is your data base split? Back-end (tables) and Front-end (queries, forms, reports, macros, mdoules)?
4. Does each user have their own copy of the Front-end deployed on their local machine?

Hi marsmimar,



I found the fix, thanks to my husband and the Adobe Flash troubleshooting site. Ron thought I might have the wrong version of Flash Player installed, but I was up to date, so I checked for flash player troubleshooting, and the site suggested that Internet Explorer 32 bit version must be used and ActiveX filtering must be turned off. Worked like a charm on both computers. Funny thing, the older computer said I had the 32 bit version of IE set as default but it didn't work until I reset it.


For anyone having the same problem, click on the "Help" tab in IE, click on "About Internet Explorer" and make sure that you are running the 32 bit version. If the 64 bit is being used it will have 64 bit after the version #. To change to the 32 bit version, remove all links to IE (Desktop, Start Menu and Taskbar). Then click on "Start", "All Programs" and find Internet Explorer (be sure it's not the 64 bit version just above the correct one) in the list. Click on it and when the page opens disable "ActiveX Filtering" under the "Tools" tab. This should allow any flash and ActiveX to run correctly. You can replace the links to the Start Menu, Taskbar and Desktop by right clicking on Internet Explorer in the program list.



So, hopefully this takes care of this problem, now if I could just get this newer computer to allow file transfers between computers. Probably a simple fix for that too, just need to figure out what it is.


Thanks for your help,


Linda

Outstanding news! I need to remind myself it pays to check the obvious. Like when you hear hoof beats think horses, not zebras.