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Hi there
Normally you see this behavior under the following conditions:
You have perhaps opted for the "Pure HTML" output. But your screen capture shows that isn't the case.
Notice that the option reads: DHTML > Pure HTML. That indicates that WebHelp will first try using DHTML, and fall back to Pure HTML if it's incapable of using DHTML.
And that sounds exactly like what is happening here.
Personally, given that nothing has really changed and it suddenly started happening, I'd suspect maybe a change in browser settings. Especially any settings that might prevent JavaScript from being executed.
Have you asked your IT staff if they have rolled out changes?
Cheers... Rick 
Is that the Start Page as defined in the SSL? Usually it will be index.htm or the project name in older projects.
See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips
Hmmm, just picked up on the "whnjs.htm" bit. Wouldn't that be "WebHelp" (the WH part) and "njs" (I'm thinking NO JavaScript) here. And with NO JavaScript, that would likely result in the letters.
In fact, when I just double-click that file in one of my own projects, it behaves as I suspected and I too see the alphabet letters.
So I guess the question here is to ask exactly why you are choosing that particular file to open?
Cheers... Rick
Okay, we are seeing conflicting information here. Your last post says:
The start page is defined as C:\temp\testhelp\!SSL!\WebHelp\index.htm.
But in the post before that you said:
or if I open Windows Explorer and launch the whnjs.htm
So the question is, if the start page is defined as index.htm, why are you opening the whnjs.htm? The whnjs.htm is used if DHTML isn't available and that's why you are seeing the odd behavior.
Cheers... Rick
There is a Java warning that pops up when I run version 8.
This has been showing up for years. I have been clicking the link to view without javascript and it showed me the correct table of contents, index, and search tabs. When I run it from Visual Studio through http://localhost, it never appears. If I click allow blocked content, I see empty tabs.
If I open Internet Options, Advanced, and check the setting to Allow active content to run in files on My Computer, I see the same blank page for Table of Contents and Index.
In the version 11trial, I get this warning:
If I check the setting to allow active content to run from my computer, it loads correctly. I don't know if the boss is willing to spend $1,000 on a new version of RoboHelp because there is an annoyance that occurs in 8 that goes away in 11. The end result is the same. The end user sees the help correctly on our web site because they are viewing it via a URL.
Any ideas?
Browser and operating systems have always been the drivers behind software upgrades, eh?
Product X ran just dandy on Windows XP and now it gags and pukes on Windows 7. Gotta upgrade Product X if you depend on it.
RoboHelp is linked at the hip to browser updates. It's a constant struggle as browsers are constantly being updated to thwart security hacks and that often affects the WebHelp and code for other outputs.
The bottom line here is that you may need to advise your boss of the real need to upgrade RoboHelp. And I would imagine any other tool would suffer the same issues.
Cheers... Rick
LOL, I wasn't trying to pick a fight here. And no, I certainly never upgrade software unless a newer version offers me something the older doesn't.
My point with the reply was to acknowledge that even though you have been using RoboHelp for as long as you have with seemingly no issues, you are now suddenly having issues.
And to me, that would seem to be an indication that it's time to talk to the boss about an upgrade.
I really wish I had the ability to say "let me wave this magickal wand and make things better". Unfortunately, all I can do is offer what I know and am aware of.
Cheers... Rick
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