Very Computer

1. Apache trying to open excel file instead of downloading only

Hi,
  I've got a user having a problem with apache (1.3.9) under Unix
(Solaris7).  He has an excel document on his web site which he wants
users to be able to download.  However, when you click on the link it
tries to open the file in the web browser instead of downloading.  I'm
pulling my
hair out trying to determine why.   I have check the web browser
(Netscape 4.73) under both Unix and Windows and the same action
happens.  I do not believe it is a client problem as I can download an
excel file from a remote site.  I believe it is a server configuration
problem.  In the apache conf directory there is a file: mime.types.  In
it the following is listed for Excel:
  application/vnd.ms-excel
I have tried adding "xls" (without the quotes) on that line.  I have
tried adding entries to the httpd.conf along the lines of:
  AddHandler vnd.ms-excel .xls    (with and without the . in xls)
After each mod I restart the server.  But it still wants to try and open
the excel document in the browser.
Incidentally, the client application preferences are:
  Microsoft Excel Worksheet
  application/vnd.ms-excel
  xls
And the radio button is set to "Unknown, prompt user"

Can anyone suggest what I am doing wrong?
I have looked through the Apache FAQ and other docs but cannot see what
the problem is.  I must be missing something pretty obvious.

I've also tried running the server via "httpd -X" which the man pages
suggest is useful for debugging.  But got nothing useful.  I've also
trussed the binary but got nothing there either.

And if I rename the excel file to fred.doc (say) I get prompted to
download, as I assume it believes it's a M/S Word file.

--
Stephen Meatheringham
   Senior Network Engineer, IT Services Centre
   Australian Defence Force Academy

   Phone: +61 2 6268 8142     Fax: +61 2 6268 8150

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