MikTex Troubleshooting

Steps to make MikTex Work.

This is the general procedure I use to get MikTex running.

1) Check that user has Full Access permissions on the MikTex directory.

I give the main user "Power User" priveledges and I do a recursive change to the MikTex directory to give Power User full access. Make sure that all child processes are also changed.

IMPORTANT - Go to the Advanced button on the Security tab and make sure you select the two check boxes so that all child processes are also changed. If you don't do this, the font directories will not have their permissions changed and you will get font errors when you compile.

2) Verify the root folders are correct.

    - Go to Miktex Options (File-Programs-Miktex-Miktex Options).
    - Click on the Roots tab.
    - Make sure the TEXMF directories are current.

3) Refresh the File Name Database and update the format files.

- On the General tab of Miktex Options, click the "Refresh Now" button and then the "Update Now" button.

4) Make sure Ghostview works.

- Make sure Ghostview can open a .ps file. This is important because the DVI viewer, Yap, uses Ghostscript to do compiling.

5) Check Ghostview path in Yap.

    - Open Yap (Start-Programs-Miktex-DVI Viewer).
    - Go to View-Options in Yap.
    - Select the PostScript tab.
    - Check the PostScript path goes to the correct version of Ghostview.

6) To view EPS files, do the following in Yap:

    1) Go to View - Options - Postscript.
    2) De-select "Ignore PostScript Specials".
    3) On the Security tab - select "execute all shell commands".

7) Select "Letter" size for the paper size on the Display tab in Yap options.

8) Create an input directory for user-defined inputs.

- IMPORTANT: Secretaries usually have their own input files so it's important to create an input directory for them.

    - Put Miktex input files in <localtexmf>\tex\latex\styledirectory\
    - If the above directory structure does not exist, then create it. And whatever you do, do not rename the directory or move it.
    - Refresh the filename database and update the format files in MikTex Options (General tab).
    - Note: The local texmf directory might be different in each installation. Just find where it's defined in MikTex options, Roots tab.

Helpful Links

MikTex Web Site
MikTex Archives at Sourceforge

Created By:
Lisa Preble
pcs@physics.ucsb.edu