Javascript breaks after client downloads file to disk

[Jeff Cooper]

Hey there folks,

I have a link on a page which I would like to point to string that's
downloaded as a file -- a *.tab file to be exact. The link points to a file
(download.aspx) which contains no html but uses response.write to send the
data to the client who then downloads it. Problem is, unless I get the
target attribute of the link to _blank, then any javascript I have sitting
on the page gives me an "access is denied" error, but only AFTER a file is
downloaded. I can't just point the link to an existing file since the
contents to be downloaded are generated dynamically.

Below if the code from the load event of download.aspx:

'no html on this page, just that top yellow <@ page ...> line.
Private Sub Page_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
Dim S As String
'
' Bunch of code here to build string S
'
Response.Clear()
Response.ContentType = "text/tab-separated-values"
Response.AppendHeader("Content-Disposition", "attachment;filename=" &
"myfile.tab")
Response.Write(S)
Response.Close()
End Sub

As I said, if I use the tag <A HREF="download.aspx"> then the file
downloads. But, any subsequent javascript I try to execute on the same
page, gives me Access is Denied (I have a drop down list which calls a
function on the onChange event).

If I use the tag <A HREF="download.aspx" target="_blank"> then the file
downloads and I'm ok, except for a new window that's now opened.

I tried doing it all using javascript and a child window:

function doDownload() {
var dlwin
dlwin =
window.open("download.aspx","dlwin","width=10,height=10,dependent=yes,menuba
r=no,toolbar=no,scrollbars=no,resizable=no");
dlwin.close();
}

and changed the link to <A HREF="JavaScript: doDownload()">, but the
dlwin.close() command does not execute for some reason. No error is
reported.

Any advice? Any tips? Any Advil?

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[Jeff Cooper]

ok, it's not javascript that's breaking, looks like for some reason
selecting an option from a drop down list after downloading a file raises
an "access is denied" error on the client (otgher javascript code seems to
work ok). Still stumped.

I see all sorts of examples of downloading files on the web. Has no one else
had this problem?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jeff