Why am I receiving "Wrong Authorization Code" or "Active Content" errors when I know I've entered the correct code?
If your PC has been updated with current Windows security patches, your browser may have had its Active Content functionality disabled. For full functionality of the ASTM Standards Source CD software, it is very important that your browser be able to view active content.

To set active content:

Internet Explorer: From Tools - Internet Options - Advanced, choose "Security"; Toggle "Allow Active Content Files" ON

Netscape: From Edit - Preferences - Advanced - Scripts & Plugins; Toggle "Enable JavaScript for Navigator" ON

Also, make sure that pop-up blocking software is disabled.


When I launch CD Standards Source, the software fails to open.
Two main factors can cause problems launching the software:

1. TCP/IP MUST be enabled on your PC.
Users without Internet connections or on Local Area Networks may need to set up a TCP/IP protocol.

To test if TCP/IP is enabled:

1. From Windows Start menu, select Programs, MS-DOS Window.

2. At the C:\Windows prompt, type ping 127.0.0.1

3. On a system with proper TCP/IP, there will be 4 reply lines of output. If there is a problem with the TCP/IP, the response will be an error or something like "no response from host". If you get one of these non-replies, set up a new TCP/IP protocol (see below).

To set up a new TCP/IP protocol:

1. From your PC's Control Panel, double-click the Network icon.

2. Scroll through the list of installed components under the Configuration tab. You should have either no TCP/IP components or possibly only an EtherLink connection.

3. Select Add...

4. Select Protocol and Add

5. Select Microsoft, TCP/IP, and then OK

6. Your PC will have to install some system files and then restart your system for the changes to take place.

7. Once your computer has re-booted, attempt to launch the software again. .


2. You may have installed your Netscape web browser in a custom location.

ASTM Standards Source requires the use of an up-to-date browser (Netscape or Internet Explorer versions 4.0 or better). The ASTM software has its default browser setting for Netscape's typical location (C:\Program Files\Netscape\Communicator\Program\netscape.exe). If you are using Internet Explorer, a dialog box will appear the first time you launch the software asking if you would like to select MS IE as your default browser.

Problems sometimes occur when Netscape users have installed their browsers in locations different from the program's default. If this is the case, you will simply need to edit one line in the search.ini file to specify the location of your browser. See directions below for "Even though I installed Netscape 4.04, my old browser opens when I launch the software."


Even though I installed Netscape 4.04, my old browser opens when I launch the software.
If the ASTM software is launching an older version of a web browser, you will need to edit the software's search.ini file.

To edit the search.ini file:

1. Right-click on the Netscape Communicator desktop icon and select Properties from the menu.

2. Select the Shortcut tab.

3. Right-click on the highlighted "Target" line and copy the line. After you have copied the line, you may close the Properties window.

4. From your PC's My Computer desktop tool, double-click on the search.ini file icon, located in the C:\ASTM directory. (Unless you specified differently at the time of installation.) The file will open in Notepad.

5. Scroll to the bottom of the file, locating the "Browser=" line in the last group.

6. Put your cursor just after the equals sign ("=").

7. Right-click your mouse and paste the browser path into the Browser= line.

8. From the File menu, select Save and then close the window.

9. Restart the software. The browser you have selected will now open.

When I launch CD software, the browser opens, but I get the error "Unable to find location 127.0.0.1".
This is a common problem for users who access the Internet through a Proxy Server or firewall. If you have a Proxy Server, you will need to add 127.0.0.1 to the list of proxy exceptions in your web browser. Directions follow.

Netscape Communicator

1. Go to Edit - Preferences - Advanced - Proxies.

2. The option for Manual Proxy Configuration should already be checked. Choose View.

3. Add the address 127.0.0.1 to the list of exceptions.

4.Choose OK.

5. Close the browser and Restart the software for the changes to take affect.

Internet Explorer

1. Go to View - Internet Options- Connection.

2. The option for Proxy Server should be checked. Click on Advanced.

3. Add the address 127.0.0.1 to the list of exceptions.

4. Choose OK.

5. Close the browser and Restart the software for the changes to take affect.


From the standard's Summary page, I do not have a link to view the PDF file of the standard itself.
1. You may have an out-dated browser

Even though many older browsers (Netscape and MS Internet Explore versions 3.x and earlier) allow access to the Search and Summary pages of the software, the Java code that operates the acquisition of the standards' PDF files requires a newer browser.

The Standards Source CD software requires version 4.0 or better of either Netscape Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. Older browser versions will allow viewing of the software up to the Summary pages, but will not recognize the Java software running behind the HTML page.

2. You may have truncated files during installation

Even though the software is being installed on Windows95 or Windows98 (which both support long file names), many systems still operate with CD-ROM drives that do not read file names with lengths over 8.3 characters. This will prevent the software from reading the necessary Java files to operate correctly.

Fixing the problem requires re-naming the files to their original names:

1. From your Windows Explorer or My Computer tools, open the C:\ASTM\pages directory.

2. From the menu bar, select View - Arrange Files - By Type

3. The first two files in the directory should now be CDCheck.class and HTUU.class. If these files have been truncated during installation (names will appear like "CDCheck.cla~"), rename them with the full .class file extension.

4. Re-run the ASTM software.

3. If you have had a prior release of the ASTM CD software, you may not have done a complete uninstall prior to installing the new version.

Since ASTM not only updates its 10,000+ standards during quarterly CD releases, but also the search software that operates it, new versions of the software differ significantly from prior releases. It is important that prior to installing a new update of the CD software, a complete uninstall is completed.

To uninstall:

1. Run the Uninstall program from the Start - ASTM menu.

2. When the Uninstall is complete, drag the C:\ASTM folder into your Recycle Bin to complete the uninstallation. This step is very important as the C:\ASTM\pages directory must get removed along with the other software prior to reinstallation of the next update.


From the standard's Summary page, I receive the error message "Contact ASTM to purchase access to [standard designation]".
An incorrect Authorization Code was entered at the time of installation

To check your Authorization Code:

1. From your PC's My Computer desktop tool, double-click on the standards.ini file icon, located in the C:\ASTM\forms directory. The file will open in Notepad.

2. Locate the AUTHORIZATION_STRING= line.

3. Make sure the Authorization String is exactly equal to the Authorization Code cited in the printed Installation & Usage Instructions that accompany the CD package. There should be no spaces between the equals sign (=) and the 12-digit Authorization Code that follows.

4. From the File menu, select Save and then close the window.

5. Re-start the software and attempt your search again. You should have now have a gray button in your Summary pages with the message "Insert Disk and click here to view standard ');".


When I click the button to view a standard's PDF file, I get unreadable pages of code instead of the standard.
You do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader properly installed on your system. Acrobat Reader is the software tool that allows viewing of standards in the PDF format.

We have included version 3.0 of Acrobat Reader on the Standards Source Index (installation instructions are in the printed Installation documentation that accompanies the CD product), or you can always download the latest version of Adobe Reader for free at www.adobe.com.


What do I need to install ASTM Standards Source on CD ROM?
ASTM Standards Source CD software requires Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP or NT with one CD-ROM drive; Java-Compatible Web browser (Netscape Communicator version 4.0 or newer or MS Internet Explorer 4.0 or newer); Adobe Acrobat Reader version 4.0. or newer.


What do I need to view ASTM Standards Source?
Using ASTM Standards Source CD software requires having both an up-to-date Internet browser (Netscape Communicator version 4.0 or better or Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4.0 or better) and Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your PC. The software will automatically open using Internet Explorer or Netscape, usually whichever you have set as your default browser. For your convenience, the Index CD has both Netscape Communicator 4.04 and Adobe Acrobat Reader included. If your system does not have either or both of the programs installed, please follow the Installation Instructions from the Installation and Usage Instruction insert.


Why do I need a web browser to use the ASTM software? Does the software operate over the Internet?
ASTM Standards Source CD software uses a web browser interface to view and operate the software. It is absolutely neccessary to have an up-to-date version of either Netscape Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer to properly use the software. However, at no time in the search or viewing process of the software will it be neccessary to have an Internet connection.


When I click on "Insert Data Disc in you CD-ROM..." button, I get the error: "You have reached this page in an illegal manner." What is the problem?
There are two possible problems:

1. The document you are attempting to view is not a part of your subset collection. If you have accidentally reached a page that is not in your subset collection, you will be denied access to the full document text.

2. The Windows NT Terminal Server Edition Internet Explorer browser has a known bug that may affect software usage. This browser version 4.0 (4.72.3110.8 service pack 1A and possibly others) has been known to truncate query strings in browser address line. This affects the ASTM software's ability to operate effectively and will cause the "illegal manner" error. To resolve, upgrade your IE browser to a version 5.0 or use the included Netscape version 4.7 (or better).


I can run the software and view scope pages, but I can't see the full text (PDF) documents. What is the problem?
There are two possible problems. Either you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed as a plug-in to your web browser, or you have certain image-reading functionality turned off on the browser.

1. To test your Acrobat Reader: Insert the first Data Disc into your PC's CD-ROM drive; Type the address file:/D:/1 into your browser's address or location window (where D: is the drive letter of your CD-ROM drive, change if necessary); Double-click on any of the .PDF files. If the document opens correctly in your browser window, your Acrobat Reader is correctly installed as a plug-in to your browser.

2. To Reset default browser settings (MS Internet Explorer): From the Tools - Internet Options - Advanced tab, click the Restore Defaults button.


How do I navigate back to the search page from the standard image?
Use your browser's Backspace button at any point to return to previous search pages. Where the Backspace button does not function, use the Close [X] button. For example, using Netscape or Internet Explorer:

... to move from the Full-text Image to the Document Summary, use Back Space;
... to move from the Document Summary to the Search Results, use Close [X]; and
... to move from the Results page to the Search Statement Page, use Back Space.


I can get to the Scope page, but there are no directions for viewing the standard itself. What happened?
There are several possible reasons for not having directions to view a standard's PDF file:

1. You may have an outdated web browser--the ASTM CD software requires Netscape or MS Internet Explorer versions 4.0 or better

2. You may have entered an incorrect Authorization Code during installation--check the C:\ASTM\forms\standards.ini file to verify that there are no "typos" or errors in your code

3. Some CD-ROM drives will truncate file names during installation. Inspect the CDCheck.class and HTUU.class files, located in the C:\ASTM\pages directory, to make sure that files have retained their full names


I receive the message "Please contact ASTM to access [standard number]" at the summary page. What is the problem?
You have entered an incorrect Authorization Code during installation.

You do not have to reinstall the software to correct the problem. If you have the correct Authorization Code in your product documentation, perform the following edit to your standards.ini file:

1. From either Windows Explorer or the "My Computer" desktop tool, open the standards.ini file from the C:\ASTM\forms directory.

2. Notepad will open the file. Locate the line AUTHORIZATION_CODE:

3. Edit this line so that the correct authorization code immediately follows the above prompt.

4. Save and exit Notepad. Restart the Search software.

If the problem persists, Submit a Support Request to our support center.


From the Scope page, why does it take so long after clicking the "Insert CD..." button to view the standard's PDF file?
From the time you click the "Insert CD..." button, it should take approximately 5 seconds for Acrobat Reader to load and the standard's PDF file to appear. Users viewing the software with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 have reported extremely long load times running the Java applet and launching Acrobat. If you are experiencing this, upgrade your browser to either Internet Explorer 5.0 (or better), or the latest version of Netscape Navigator.


Why does my CD Standards Source software attempt to dial out to the Internet?
Most PPP software has an option to dial automatically when an application using TCP (for example, the web browser running ASTM Standards Source) is launched. Because the software uses TCP to communicate with your browser, your PPP software tries to establish a network connection for you.

To prevent your computer from dialing out when you launch ASTM CD Standards Source, turn off the auto-connect option in your PPP software.


If I have subscribed to the Standards Source service, will I have to reinstall the software with each quarterly update?
Yes. With each quarterly update the latest version of the software will need to be uninstalled and the new version reinstalled. A complete reinstallation is necessary so that not only are the latest versions of all ASTM standards available, but that new software enhancements will be added to your system.


There is a standard that I know has been updated, but even the most recent CD has an outdated edition. How can I make sure to get up-to-the-minute standards information?
ASTM makes every effort to have the very latest standards on each CD update. Unfortunately, due to the time it takes to edit, print, publish and convert to CD, occasional standards will miss the deadline for CD distribution but will still be available through other ASTM document delivery systems. In these cases the updated standard will be on the next CD edition.

If you have questions regarding the currancy of a particular standard, consult ASTM Customer Service at (610) 832-9585, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time or service@astm.org.


How can I set up the ASTM Standards Source software to run on a Local Area Network?
You must contact ASTM to purchase the networked version of the software. At that time you will receive support on configuring the network version.


How can I have my ASTM CD Standards Source software launch the latest version of my web browser?
Setting the software to automatically launch a particular version of a browser requires editting your search.ini file:

1. From the C:\ASTM directory, open the search.ini file.

2. Scroll to the bottom of the file and locate the browser= line.

3. Edit the line with the complete file path to your desired browser immediately following the equals sign (=). For example:
browser=C:\Program Files\Netscape\Communicator\Program\netscape.exe
You can easily find this path by Right-clicking on the document's desktop icon and looking at the Target line under the Shortcut tab.

4. Save the changes, exit and re-start the search software


Who should I contact for information about copying or distributing copies of ASTM standards?
For permission issues with regards to copying or distribution of ASTM standards, contact Ms. Kathe Hooper at 610-832-9634 or e-mail khooper@astm.org.