Users getting Time out message when they click back from PDF

[Nicolas Verhaeghe]

I have designed an application which uses the Crystal Reports 8.5 ActiveX to
show a report as a PDF.

The report is compiled from a SQL database populated through web forms
programmed in ASP.

When the Active X is lauched, a PDF is pushed as a stream to Internet
Explorer, which calls the Acrobat Reader plugin to view it.

When some of my users click on the Back button to get out of the PDF report,
they get the Timeout message, or what they think is a timeout.

They can't copy and paste the message, they have no clue how to do that,
they are in a different location. They have the latest Internet explorer.
Cache is set to refresh at every visit to the page.

I keep telling them nothing is wrong server-side, but they are losing
patience and so am I.

Does anybody know what is going on?

 

[joker]

It might be a form that leads to that page. Thus data was posted & IE
won't post again unless the user clicks yes.

This is just a guess without the error message.

Tell them that next time they get the error to do the following. (I'm
assuming the "error" is displayed in there IE Window.)

1) Click on any the text in the error.

2) Press CTRL+A

3) Press CTRL+C

4) Open e-mail program.

5) Start new e-mail addressed to you.

6) Click in the body section.

7) Press CTRL+V

That should hopefully get them to send you the error they are getting.
Otherwise you are going keep on guessing as to what the "error" is.

 

[Nicolas Verhaeghe]

I know how to copy paste, thank you for that (smile)

They just don't get it, even when explained like that. Regular users...

I think I am onto something now. It has to be the POST method. Will try to
use a GET method instead...!

 

[thorpe]

ive seen this error myself a few times after going back from viewing a pdf.
i think there getting the 'page has expired' error. not sure what causes it,
think maybe the sessions are being lost. i dunno. why dont you have the pdf
open in a new page, this way they dont have to click 'back' to get out of
it.

hope this helps,

 

[joker]

Well I wasn't so sure about them is all. Besides unless you can
reproduce it or get the error I'm not sure what it is. If you can teach
them how to copy & paste they might just be more useful to your company.

I wouldn't call that regular users. Ask them if they are willing to
learn. If they say yes then teach them. I have found that people will
listen to you closer if you ask them that before you start teaching
them. That even includes the 60+ crowd as well as the younger generations.