Can't access local .chm files from directories created from my domain account

For some unknown reason, I can no longer open .chm files that were
downloaded locally to my machine from a shared drive or the internet
to any directory where I [Domain\me] created the directory. After I
download the file locally to my desktop and try to open it,
I get the HTML Help window up and a File Download - Security Warning dialog
asking me to Open, Save, or Cancel.
If I click Open,
I get a File Download dialog, then it goesback to the HTML Help and File
Download -Security Warning dialogs. It is an infinite loop.
If I Click Save, I get the standard Save As dialog, and I save to another
location and try to open it there, I get the infinite loop above again.

Here is what I have tried and what I have deduced is in ( ):

This happens on any machine I log on to using [Domain\me],
From a my Vista machine,
From another Vista machine in which I logged onto previously.
From another Vista machine, in which I never logged onto before, thus,
it created my profile when I logged in the first time. (then download the
file locally)
From an XP box in which I had logged into previously.
(seems my profile may be screwed up w/ some registry setting about
help files)

I have tried various .chm files
(.not specific to just one .chm file)

and downloaded them to a number of places
C:\\users\[me]\desktop
C:\\users\[me]\My documents
c:\temp
but to no avail.
(not specific to a directory location that was created by me)

From these four machines, other users [Domain\user2], [Domain\user3], could
successfully open files downloaded locally by saving them
to any of their directories. They can open any .chm file in any of the
directories they created.
If I [Domain\me] try to open a .chm file located on
C:\users\[User2]\desktop, I can open it file normally.
If user2 tries to open a .chm file located on c:\users\[me]\desktop, they
can not open the .chm file, same behavior as above.
(specific to my profile, more specifically to a directory in which this
profile account has created.)

I have not seen any other strange behavior with any other file types other
than .chm files. This problem has baffled our IT staff.

I am familiar of the changes to the .chm file behavior in XP SP2, (security
update 896358 or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1)
and note I can't right click Properties on the .chm file, and click
"Unblock" as this option does not appear!

Any one know what setting controls this behavior?

Not sure if this is the proper place, so if not, please tell me where I
should post this interesting question to.

TIA.
Tom

Made some progress on my .chm issue.

By following these steps below, I was able to place a .chm file in the
directory and it will open successfully.
By why? Can someone explain this to me?

One other thing I tried, is to start a cmd, running as administrator,
navigate to a directory where I didn't run this before, then try to open the
..chm file there, same problem.

I'm confused.
Tom

=====

How to Elevate Your Admin Privileges
Here's how to elevate your privileges in Vista on a folder-by-folder basis.
I've shamelessly stolen my instructions from a comment written by "Alan" on
The How-To Geek.
1. Assuming you already have admin privileges: Right-click the AOL folder
you wish to delete, click Properties, then click your Security tab.
2. The bottom half of the Security window will list the current user
permissions. Click the Advanced button you'll see there.
3. Click the Owner tab, then click the Edit button (you'll be asked for
permission if UAC is enabled).
4. Change the Owner to your own account, then place a checkmark next to the
words, 'Replace owner on subcontainers and objects' and click the Apply
button. This results in all files including system files being switched to
your account as the owner.
5. Now click 'Advanced Security Settings for (your folder) '. Now you can
edit the permissions: select your account (the one you just used to take
ownership) and click the Edit button.
6. You will now see the Permissions tab. Select your user account (first
doublecheck that the permission set for it is Full Control). Place a
checkmark next to the words, 'Replace all existing inheritable
permissions.', then click Apply.
Vista may still ask for permission to delete your folder, but now you have
the permission you need to delete it.

Pasted from <http://anti-aol.livejournal.com/48686.html>


"Tom Chm" <tomc@newsgroups.nospam> wrote in message
news:%23vDRgrFMIHA.1212@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> For some unknown reason, I can no longer open .chm files that were
> downloaded locally to my machine from a shared drive or the internet
> to any directory where I [Domain\me] created the directory. After I
> download the file locally to my desktop and try to open it,
> I get the HTML Help window up and a File Download - Security Warning
> dialog
> asking me to Open, Save, or Cancel.
> If I click Open,
> I get a File Download dialog, then it goesback to the HTML Help and
> File
> Download -Security Warning dialogs. It is an infinite loop.
> If I Click Save, I get the standard Save As dialog, and I save to another
> location and try to open it there, I get the infinite loop above again.
>
> Here is what I have tried and what I have deduced is in ( ):
>
> This happens on any machine I log on to using [Domain\me],
> From a my Vista machine,
> From another Vista machine in which I logged onto previously.
> From another Vista machine, in which I never logged onto before, thus,
> it created my profile when I logged in the first time. (then download the
> file locally)
> From an XP box in which I had logged into previously.
> (seems my profile may be screwed up w/ some registry setting about
> help files)
>
> I have tried various .chm files
> (.not specific to just one .chm file)
>
> and downloaded them to a number of places
> C:\\users\[me]\desktop
> C:\\users\[me]\My documents
> c:\temp
> but to no avail.
> (not specific to a directory location that was created by me)
>
> From these four machines, other users [Domain\user2], [Domain\user3],
> could
> successfully open files downloaded locally by saving them
> to any of their directories. They can open any .chm file in any of the
> directories they created.
> If I [Domain\me] try to open a .chm file located on
> C:\users\[User2]\desktop, I can open it file normally.
> If user2 tries to open a .chm file located on c:\users\[me]\desktop, they
> can not open the .chm file, same behavior as above.
> (specific to my profile, more specifically to a directory in which this
> profile account has created.)
>
> I have not seen any other strange behavior with any other file types other
> than .chm files. This problem has baffled our IT staff.
>
> I am familiar of the changes to the .chm file behavior in XP SP2,
> (security
> update 896358 or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1)
> and note I can't right click Properties on the .chm file, and click
> "Unblock" as this option does not appear!
>
> Any one know what setting controls this behavior?
>
> Not sure if this is the proper place, so if not, please tell me where I
> should post this interesting question to.
>
> TIA.
> Tom
>