Microsoft XP: having problems?

As part of the release of Microsoft's XP operating system, Service Pack 2, Microsoft decided to increase considerably the default security on the XP platform which includes enhanced security in Internet Explorer (IE).

Microsoft has introduced a pop-up blocker tool that will by default prohibit the opening of pop-up windows propagated by web sites accessed over the Internet.

This functionality will particularly affect those customers using the PublicAccess application. Certain tools or options in PublicAccess are designed to open pop-up windows, for example, the help screen or the results of a map search.

The pop-up blocker settings will have to be altered in order to permit the opening of PublicAccess' pop-up windows. There are different ways that this can be undertaken, such as disabling the pop-up blocker or lowering the level of security.

The recommended option, however, would be to add the PublicAccess website address to the 'Allowed Sites' list in the 'Exception' settings section. The 'Allowed Sites' list will permit all pop-ups from a list of specified web sites.