In web for file upload, check out, check in and other file handling operations Active X or ‘Web Client Controls’ are used. This wiki will be a short explanation of these applications and why in some cases it might not work

Differences between Active X and Web client controls

Differences between ActiveX and Web client controls

Both applications do the same job and the only main difference for user is how these applications are installed on their PC.

eB Web Client Controls is installed as any other windows application. Installation comes with all the other installation Client installation or with hot fix. Installation file is called ‘Web Client Controls.msi’. It might come in two different versions 64 bit and 32 bit version, bit version should match your browser (Internet Explorer) version not Operating system. Default installation directory is C:\Program Files (x86)\Bentley\eB\Web\Control32 (if it’s 64bit version then Control64)

Active X is installed on users’ pc only when users opens eb Web, opens page where Active X is required and Accepts ActiveX installation from prompt screen (screenshot below).

 Location where Active X is stored Windows\Downloaded Program Files (sometimes it is stored under Conflict.x folder).

 Installation file is located in Web server eB virtual directory, Framework folder (C:\inetpub\wwwroot\site_name\Framework) and is called eB.Control.Web.cab.

Other major difference for client is that all users can use different bit versions of Web Client Controls as for ActiveX only one bit version can be used by all users and the bit version will depends on server configuration. Note: ActiveX is never used with internet explorer 64bit version as it is five times slower than 32bit version.

Note: If you have Web Client Components installed and ActiveX on same machine, Web Client Components will override ActiveX.

Note: Client Components or ActiveX should be reinstalled after installing new version of eB.  

Note: Client Components and ActiveX doesn’t work with any browser except Internet Explorer

Most frequent issues

How to identify that ActiveX or Web Client Components is not working: Open Create new eB Object or any Not Approved document and if you are not able to see “Turtle sign” It means that ActiveX or Web Client Components is not working and you won’t be able to do any file handling operation.

Causes:

1) If you are using ActiveX make sure you are using correct bit version of Internet Explorer.

2) If you are using Web Client Components make sure you are using correct bit version of Internet Explorer.

3) You are not prompted with installation message in IE and you don’t have ActiveX installed make sure you have correct settings set under your browsers security settings (see screenshot below).

4) After installing Web Client Components make sure you have "Allow Previously unused ActiveX controls to run without prompt" Security setting for IE set to Enabled. This option set to Disabled might cause you some issues if you don't have permissions on running ActiveX components.

See Also

Troubleshooting File upload Issues

Installing different versions of Web Client Controls on one machine