why can't I edit the source in notepad on my new pc ?

[carpetpaul]

Hi, I've been editing my website code at work today with no problems, the site is locally stored on my memory stick. I've brought it home to continue working on my new Vista Laptop. I've set up ftp pro and uploaded the changes that I'd made at work, however I spotted a mistake and have then found that I can't click into the code to edit it.
I always end up with stupid problems, I'm using Internet Explorer and the code opens in notepad (on vista this has colours within the code) - I just can't suss out this silly problem. I've confirmed that I am deffinately viewing the local code rather than that from the site stored on the net.

please, please help

I've cleared the browser cache, and history etc and used CC cleaner, but it made no difference


Paul.

[Charles]

You're using Vista? I'm sorry for your loss. It sounds like MSIE is simply saving the local copy with the read only attribute set. In theory you could find that file and reset that attribute but Vista is all about limiting your ability to do things so you may be stuck. Use instead an editor like PSPad (http://www.pspad.com/), my current favorite, or HTML Kit (http://www.htmlkit.com/), my previous favorite. Both allow you to pull the document from the web by HTTP or, better yet, both allow you to more or less edit the file in place with FTP.

[carpetpaul]

Thanks very much for the advice, I've downloaded the PSpad and I was able to use it (by going to 'open' and searching for the page) to edit my page. I need to be able to right click on the local pages and click 'view source' and get it to open up in the new editor and I can't find a way to do this.
Some websites I've looked at suggest having to do the 'regedit' thing, which I'm not confident in. this all seems a bit extreme when all I need is to be able to make simple changes to basic website code

can you help me any further with this ?


thanks

Paul

[Major Payne]

I use Vista and just checked my HTML files stoed on hard drive with NotePad. Had no problems opening, editing and saving again with an html extension.

Did you set NotePad's Encoding and choose "All Files (*.*)"? RE: "(on vista this has colours within the code)". I see no colors within my code. All text and html tags are black on a white background...as normal.

Absolutely nothing is wrong with Vista. Just does things differently and hasn't slowed down my laptop at all. In fact, laptop is faster than desktop. Processor on laptop is "slower" than desktop, but the additional 1 GB of RAM in laptop has made a BIG difference.

[Charles]

Absolutely nothing is wrong with Vista.Just keep doing what the nice men is white tell you to do and whatever you do don't stop taking the medication. And please, don't even think of voting.

[Major Payne]

Just keep doing what the nice men is white tell you to do and whatever you do don't stop taking the medication. And please, don't even think of voting.What the heckl is that comment for? :mad::confused:

Vista as all Windows OSes have had some problems, but not a reason that stopped many people from using them. Vista Home Premium has been NO PROBLEM for me on my laptop. Get a REAL computer and see.

End of Off Topic Posts!!!!!

[scragar]

EDIT: wasn't needed apparently.

[Major Payne]

*scragar: Sent PM to you as you should have done about these OTs.

[carpetpaul]

I downloaded the other editor that was suggested and I found that I can infact edit the source code with that but the trouble is that when you right click and go to 'view source' it just opens up again in Notepad and there seems no easy way to specify the new program.
I can do it with the new program but I have to open the program and then search for the correct page by clicking open.
I'll have a look at the defult settings on the notepad that comes with vista, I just can't believe that the standard settings won't even let you alter the code. you can highlight stuff but you can't even 'click' into the text and enter or delete any character ! wierd

Paul.

[Not So Smart]

my favorite editor is editplus3 works on all os's available at www.editplus.com/
if you make a mistake it backs up your original when u save your work

[Fang]

Configuring Your View Source Editor: http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2007/03/28/ie7-in-vista-configuring-your-view-source-editor.aspx

[GaZ_D200]

carpet paul, I had the same problem, and was just looking for an answer online when I stumbled across this thread. Although the question wasn't really answered I seem to have solved it myself.

I bet you any sum of money, that the folder you're opening the htm file from has got the preview pane enabled? Go to Organize>Layout and disable it, now try again. It worked for me! :D

[carpetpaul]

Thanks VERY much for the reply, maybe I'll get somewhere with this, but where is 'Organise' which menu is that in ?
Do you think this could have anything to do with the fact that I'm opening these files from my memory stick ?


cheers


Paul

[GaZ_D200]

It's not in a menu, it's the bar underneath the menu bar. Organize should be right underneath File.

So am I right in saying you have a preview pane visible in the folder you're opening it from? Whether it's on a memory stick or not I imagine that's the problem.

[Julijet]

This thread came up when I was having the same problem.
Just in case it hasn't been mentioned elsewhere, THIS is the solution:
http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/default-view-source-editor-changed-in-ie8/

Internet Explorer 8+ has a built in developer tools, but if you press f12 to start the Developer Tools, in the new window click file > Customize Internet Explorer View Source, then you can choose from Default Viewer, Notepad or Other…


If you are like me and prefer to work with notepad, this worked for me.