HelpNDoc : Problem to generate CHM format help - Error HHC5010

Question

I would like to generate a CHM help file with HelpNDoc.

But I get an error message:

HHC5010: Error: Cannot open "c:\users\philippeDocuments\HelpNDoc\Output\chm\creabook.chm". Compilation stopped.

I tried to create the CHM folder myself, in the "Output" folder but no result.

I'm running Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS and using Wine as a Windows emulator. Maybe it's an authorization issue?

What is surprising is that I was able to generate the Word and html documentation.

Is someone can help me ?

Answer 1

I do not use Ubuntu or Wine as an environment and would like to recommend a machine with Windows for compiling CHM help files.

Despite the close connection of CHM help files with the Windows operating system, I do not want to completely exclude the possibility of compiling in a Wine environment.

My good old compiler Error Message Reference shows the following:

HHC5010: Cannot open ""file name"". Compilation stopped. Problem: The specified file either doesn't exist, or another program has it open and is denying permission to read the file. Result: The .chm file is corrupt and cannot be used. Solution: If another program does have the file open, close the program. Otherwise either correct the name in your project file or remove it.

Please make sure that the CHM help file "c:\users\philippeDocuments\HelpNDoc\Output\chm\creabook.chm" is not open in Wine's HTML help viewer by using e.g. wine hh creabook.chm.

Please also try if you can open another CHM help file in your environment. Maybe you have to specify a windows path, e.g.

wine hh.exe `winepatch -w /some/dir/somefile.chm`

As mentioned above, this is somewhat problematic outside of Windows.

See also some notes at Installing Microsoft HTML Workshop under Wine