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Resolved Problem with firefox as default

Discussion in 'Firefox, Thunderbird & SeaMonkey' started by cozzielex, 2010/01/31.

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  1. 2010/01/31
    cozzielex

    cozzielex Inactive Thread Starter

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    When using Excel 2007, I can't create hyperlinks with Firefox set as my default browser.
    This is a problem because all my stuff is on Firefox, but when I'm work on the excel document (or anything else) and I want to create a hyperlink, I have to then revert to IE8 as being the default browser.
    Does anyone know a way around this small irritation?
    Thanks
     
    cozzielex,
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  2. 2010/02/01
    JCinvan

    JCinvan Inactive

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    Start> Properties> Start Menu tab> Customize> Internet Link: Choose Mozilla Firefox.
     
    JCinvan,
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  4. 2010/02/01
    cozzielex

    cozzielex Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks JCinvan, I clicked 'customize'. Under 'show on start menu' i have shown firefox'. If that is what you mean it makes no difference.
    Can I make it clear that Firefox is set properly as my default browser and is shown as such under 'Set program access defaults' and also in Firefox>Tools>Options.
     
    Last edited: 2010/02/01
    cozzielex,
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  5. 2010/02/01
    JCinvan

    JCinvan Inactive

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    Could be an option you have to set within Excel. I'm sorry I can't help you more as I don't use Excel.
     
    Last edited: 2010/02/01
    JCinvan,
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  6. 2010/02/01
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Never tried it, but just had a look: Excel Options > Advanced, under General button Web Options, Browsers tab.
     
    Arie,
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  7. 2010/02/01
    cozzielex

    cozzielex Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks Arie, there's nothing there to help. On the drop down list it only includes various versions of IE.
    There is some talk on the web on this topic which refers to the possibility that Firefox is not CODED as is IE. Presumably meaning that firefox being non-microsoft is somehow excluded.
    Does that (a) make any sense; or(b) suggest any solution.
    It looks to me like if you are trying to access a microsoft product from your browser you are being forced to use a microsoft browser.
     
    Last edited: 2010/02/01
    cozzielex,
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  8. 2010/02/01
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Not on mine! (and I'm sure not on yours either... you have to look closely!)

    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3, Netscape Navigator 3.0, or later
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4, Netscape Navigator 4.0, or later
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4, or later
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5, or later
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, or later

    Now, I have no idea what it does ;)
     
    Arie,
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  9. 2010/02/01
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Office 2007 is "hard wired" to Internet Explorer and does not give options to use different browsers, by default, it can only use IE. To change this behavior one must set the default system Web browser by:

    1. set FF as default in FF options.

    2. set IE as NOT default in Internet Options > Programs > uncheck "Tell me if IE is not the default Web browser. "

    3. Same page > Set programs button > Set program access and comp defaults > select Custom radio button > expand by clicking arrow > select browser radio button > checkmark "enable access to this program. "

    4. Same page > Set your default programs > select browser in list > set this program as default.

    5. Same page > Choose defaults for this program > checkmark Select All > Save button.

    6. Internet Options > Apply button.

    Office 2007 programs may or may not now use FF for links.

    One may need to edit the Windows registry to enable Office 2007 programs to use a browser other than IE. This sometimes works, sometimes doesn't, thus I am not post the registry hacks.

    Sometimes, after making the above changes, one may need to uninstall FF and then reinstall it, making sure to set it as default in its options again.

    I have Chrome, FF & IE8 on Windows 7. Chrome was set as my default browser. I did the above steps (without reinstalling FF), created a link in an Excel file, link opens in FF. Excel links MUST be full URLs to eb pages, e.g. hxxp://www.domain.xxx/file (replaced tt with xx so as to not create a real link in this post)

    If the above does not work for you then check any Internet Security programs that may be prevents changes to default browser and such settings.
     
    Last edited: 2010/02/01
    TonyT,
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  10. 2010/02/01
    cozzielex

    cozzielex Inactive Thread Starter

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    TonyT,
    thanks for your detailed response, still the same though.
     
    cozzielex,
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  11. 2010/02/01
    Westside

    Westside Inactive Alumni

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    Choice 1: forget about Excel, and install the free Open Office. It handles any Microsoft documents.
    Choice 2, install Coral IE Tab, and use Firefox, as if it is IE. It should work, that way.
     
    Last edited: 2010/02/01
    Westside,
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  12. 2010/02/01
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    I see you are using XP SP3 per your system profile here, correct?
    If so, go to Control Panel > Folder Options > Filetypes tab. What's listed for htm, html? It should say "Firefox document." If it doesn't say that, click the Change button and select Firefox and put a checkmark in "always use this program... "
     
    Last edited: 2010/02/01
    TonyT,
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  13. 2010/02/01
    cozzielex

    cozzielex Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks Tony it already shows them as firefox documents.
     
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  14. 2010/02/02
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Try changing them to IE, then open a link or two in email and other programs, then change back to FF.
     
    TonyT,
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  15. 2010/02/02
    tmarks Lifetime Subscription

    tmarks Inactive

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    do you have the add-on microsoft office pluggin for netscape navigator
     
    tmarks,
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  16. 2010/02/02
    Westside

    Westside Inactive Alumni

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    There was a plugin for Office, but is it going to be compatible with your version? You can try.
     
    Westside,
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  17. 2010/02/02
    cozzielex

    cozzielex Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks guys I checked out the MS Office Plug-in for navigator in excel options>add-ins, nothing there how; would that affect the issue any way? Westside that plug in is way too old.
    TonyT that didnt work but I think the answer may be somewhere there in folder options>file types. I changed back as you suggested and the reverted to 'htm document' and 'html document'. But nothing happened. I clicked on the advanced tab and there is a DDE drop down which I don't understand, could that be relevant?
    Thanks for all the effort guys.
    PS can I emphasise one thing it is only with the creation of hyperlinks with which I have a problem; they open just fine with firefox (maybe that makes the problem even more enigmatic)
     
    Last edited: 2010/02/02
    cozzielex,
    #16
  18. 2010/02/02
    cozzielex

    cozzielex Inactive Thread Starter

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    Further to my post immediately above. On examining the Folder options>file types>htm(or html)>Advanced. There are 3 entries in the pane, Open, print & edit.
    Highlighting one of them and clicking 'edit' gives me the editing action for type window.
    Unlike 'open', for 'print' and 'edit', I have noticed the following:
    1. The DDE message box is blank
    2. The Application box shows 'Msohtmed' (not Firefox as in 'Open')
    3. DDE application not running is blank
    4. Topic shows'system
    Is there any possibility that the problem lies here, I ask this becuase as I have said I can open hyperlinks ok but cant create them.
    Sorry that this small issue is turning into an pain in the neck, but it would be nice to find a solution, if only for achievement's sake.
    Thanks
     
    cozzielex,
    #17
  19. 2010/02/02
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Reset FF as default browser:
    Start > Run > firefox.exe -silent -setDefaultBrowser

    In Folder Options > Filetypes set ALL of these to FF:
    URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP protocol)
    URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol with Privacy (HTTPS protocol)
    URL:File Transfer Protocol {FTP protocol)
    HTM File

    Try the "Folder Options" adjustments shown at this Mozilla page. It's not a direct answer to your issue but it does have to do with local HTML and HTM files.

    As for the DDE, there's a checkbox "turn off DDE ". Checking that won't really turn it off but it does clear the data in the 3 sections below it. Perhaps you or something else best known to Gates cleared the fields.
     
    Last edited: 2010/02/02
    TonyT,
    #18
  20. 2010/02/02
    cozzielex

    cozzielex Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks TonyT. I really thought we were getting somewhere with this DDE thing, but after changing the DDE as recommended....Nothing. I still get the error message when I try to create the hyperlink.
    One thing I noticed however, was that even though the DDE changes have been made ( I double checked them all and the changes have not reverted) but the main 'apply' button on Folder Options remained grey and could not be activated after the changes were made. Does this mean that even though I have altered the file types, the changes may not have been applied?
    There is another (none) URL: file type called gopher protocol still opening as IE, is that relevant.
    Thanks for all your time my friend.
     
    cozzielex,
    #19
  21. 2010/02/02
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    TonyT,
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