Install the help server
Important
This content is archived and is not being updated. For the latest documentation, see Microsoft Dynamics 365 product documentation. For the latest release plans, see Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform release plans.
Applies To: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
Use this procedure to install the Help server and Help files. If you are installing other Microsoft Dynamics AX components at the same time, the installation pages will vary based on the components that you are installing.
Note
To install the most recent help updates, see the blog post AX Content: Help Server update for AX2012 R3 is available, easier to find and install.
If you are upgrading Help server between Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack, and Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2, you should review Scenario: Perform in-place upgrade to AX 2012 R2 or AX 2012 R3.
Start Microsoft Dynamics AX Setup. Under Install, select Microsoft Dynamics AX components.
Advance through the initial wizard pages.
If the Setup Support files have not yet been installed on the computer, the Select a file location page is displayed. The Setup Support files are required for installation. Provide a file location or accept the default location, and then click Next. On the Ready to install page, click Install.
If you’re installing AX 2012 R3, in the Select an installation option page, click Microsoft Dynamics AX.
On the Select installation type page, click Custom installation, and then click Next.
On the Select components page, select Help Server, and then click Next.
On the Prerequisite validation results page, resolve any errors. For more information about how to resolve prerequisite errors, see Check prerequisites.
Note
Validation errors can be resolved through the Prerequisite validation results page only if you are installing the Help server on a supported server operating system. If you are installing on an unsupported client operating system for demonstration or development purposes, you must supply missing prerequisites manually.
When no errors remain, click Next.
On the Specify a location for configuration settings page, specify whether you want the help server to access configuration information from the registry on the local computer or from a shared configuration file. If you select to use a shared configuration file, you must enter the network location of the file. Click Next.
On the Connect to an AOS instance page, enter the name of the computer that is running the Application Object Server (AOS) instance that you want to connect to. You can optionally specify the name of the AOS instance, the TCP/IP port number, and the WSDL port for services. Click Next.
Note
If you entered AOS connection information for other Microsoft Dynamics AX components that are installed on this computer, this screen is not displayed. Subsequent installations on this computer reuse the existing AOS connection.
The Help Server must be installed on a 64-bit operating system. When you install Microsoft Dynamics AX components on a 64-bit system, the Select a file location page is displayed. Use this page to select the location where 32-bit versions of Microsoft Dynamics AX files should be installed, and then click Next.
On the Select a display language page, select a language and click Next.
On the Specify a location for configuration settings page, indicate whether client and server configuration settings should be stored locally or in a shared configuration file on the network. If you select the shared configuration, enter the network location of the file. Click Next.
On the Connect to AOS instance page, provide the name of the AOS server that the Help server will be using. You can optionally specify the AOS instance name, the AOS TCP/IP port number, and the services WSDL port. Click Next.
On the Configure a Web site for Help Server page, select the web site that you have chosen to host the Help server. Verify that the location of the physical directory for the web site is displayed. Click Next.
On the Specify the Help Server account page, enter a domain user account and password. This account must be the same as the .NET Business Connector proxy account for the AOS, and it must be a user in Microsoft Dynamics AX. This should be a service account that does not expire. Click Next.
On the Language and content selection page, select the Help languages and content types to install. EN-US must be installed, and is checked by default. Click Next.
Tip
To add additional languages or content later, obtain the necessary MSI files and run Setup again.
On the Prerequisite Validation page, resolve any errors. When no errors remain, click Next.
On the Ready to install page, click Install.
After the installation is complete, click Finish to close the wizard.
After the Microsoft Dynamics AX Help files are installed, they must be indexed by Windows Search Service before you can view them. Depending on system load and the number of files, it may take up to an hour for indexing to finish.