Are you missing the Help File in Sidekick 98? And, is Time Sync a problem for you? 1

[Rich224422]

It has been quite a while since I posted on this forum. I was looking for information on how to disable the time sync function in SK 98. Previous conversations with James33 covered the subject. See my previous post Sidekick 98 Doesn't close. thread807-1732540. As I read my old post, I realized that I had offered to make available the Sidekick Help file that I had located in my very old computer.

This file is called SIDEKICK.HLP, Date: 8/14/1997, and is 523,469 mg. A google search for that file won't find it. At the suggestion of James33, I am more than happy to share it with any member that may need the file. I uploaded it just now to ENGINEERING.COM SEE

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...3a33-465d-aff1-36bd5b9a62ba&file=SIDEKICK.HLP

I have used Sidekick for 22 years now. I am curently working with it on a W 10 Pro OS. It works fine except for the pesky time sync that doesn't work (and isn't needed.) One tip that seems to work is to enter the Time Suync Setup (Task bar at the top of SK/Tools/Synchronize/time sync setup. In that menu you will find the Time Synchronize menu box. In the middle, under "Schedule" select Zero for the frequency of synchronization. As the notation states, "Enter Zero to Disable."
That should do the trick.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All
Congratulations to the Artist....James33...my old friend across the pond.

 

[jimalex]

Hi,
Nice to see SIDEKICK:HLP turn up with a download link. There´s a little problem here in that Microsoft stopped the help (HLP) files access starting with Vista. I believe if you can copy WinHlp32.exe in Windows XP to Windows10 you can get HLP to work in Windows10.
I have an app HelpExplorer 3 which should read HLP in Windows10 but I can only get a page entitled "Fonts".
If you are able to open it I would request you to make a pdf. Sorry about this but maybe the others or yourself have better ideas.

 

[Rich224422]

Hi Jimalex: My Help file works as it should. From within Sidekick, if i select "Help" on the task bar selections while running Sidekick (98) it works fine. It opens the old reliable Sidekick Help File. I am running it successfully in W 10 Pro. Occasionally (like just now)SK does not open. The opening bars go about 1/3 of the way and then stop. A reboot (though I have not yet done it for this instance today) usually clears up the failure to open Sidekick problem.

An old subject but worth comment: You would think that someone would redo the Sidekick program. It is such a good, reliable utility. And, so many of us have data that is years old and still being compiled. A search of the many threads on this subject in Tek-Tips reveals that no program has yet come close to replacing the versatility of Sidekick.

Happy New Year to All

Rich

 

[jimalex]

Hi Rich,
Some years ago I contacted the creator of Sidekick (Philippe Kahn)with your sentiments. I also looked for the code but think it disappeared in Motorola. I agree with you that there is nothing better.
Happy New Year to you too.

 

[james33]

Dear All
I am on Windows 7 Sidekick98 and have just gone to the following link, downloaded and installed the Microsoft solution to this problem.

Error opening Help in Windows-based programs: "Feature not included" or "Help not supported"

You have to choose the correct reader for the Help file dependent on your Operating System Version in my case Win7 but the only option for 7 was the 32bit which worked with my Win7 64bit system and I suppose also works with the 32bit system (Need to confirm that)

https://support.microsoft.com/en-ie...dows-based-programs-feature-not-included-or-h

Hope that helps

By the way Rich224422 Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you too and hopefully a peaceful New Year too for all of us!
Regards Jim
Check the FAQ area of this Forum for answers, it could save you a lot of time and effort! Good Luck!

 

[james33]

Actually Rich224422,

The help file is installed with Sidekick98 and in my case that is in the Sidekick program file, here:
C:\Starfish\Sidekick 98\program

Regards Jim
Check the FAQ area of this Forum for answers, it could save you a lot of time and effort! Good Luck!

 

[Rich224422]

Reference: my thread in December with the attached SK help file for download.
It is now a few weeks later and Wonderful Microsoft (Microhard) has updated once again several files in an update session. Among those is the sidekick help file which is still present in my Starfish/Sidekick/Program files under the name Sidekick.hlp (all 523469 bits of it)dated 814.1997,

So, Microsoft in its big brother mode directs me to their useless on-line help site whenever I try to access Sidekick Help from the SK 98 program itself.

I downloaded my own posted help file and put it in the SK 98 program file. Help still does not work. I am still directed to that useless on line MS site.

Todays discovery came about when I was trying to remember how to reorder my folder tabs in the Contacts File. A simple enough task but I forget how to do it.

Any thoughts on a recent update to MW Windows 10 doing this little trick to the help file in SK 98?

 

[james33]

Dear Rich224422

I understand that this may NOT work with Windows10 but have you tried it?

In my post above I explained that it is the Microsoft reader which is the problem with the help file, I have repeated the instructions here:

I am on Windows 7 Sidekick98 and have just gone to the following link, downloaded and installed the Microsoft solution to this problem.

Error opening Help in Windows-based programs: "Feature not included" or "Help not supported"

You have to choose the correct reader for the Help file dependent on your Operating System Version in my case Win7 but the only option for 7 was the 32bit which worked with my Win7 64bit system and I suppose also works with the 32bit system (Need to confirm that)

Here is the link:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-ie...dows-based-programs-feature-not-included-or-h

Hope that helps

Regards Jim
Check the FAQ area of any Forum you are in for answers to similar queries, it could save you a lot of time and effort! Good Luck!

 

[Rich224422]

UPDATE! YOU CAN READ THE HELP FILE IN SIDEKICK AFTER ALL. PLEASE READ ON FOR THE FIX.

Nothing like a good mystery. Especially if you can do a workaround to MICRO HARDS updates.
I found a fix that will allow users of Windows 10 (Including Pro Version) to open files with the .HLP extention. It is working on my machine as I write this!
Windows 10 Pro with all updates.

I downloaded a utillity that installs HELP EXPLORER 3.0. This is a 2007 utility created by KAMA. I hope it is ok to post the download link here? Trusting that it is...here you go:

http://download.cnet.com/Help-Explorer-Viewer/3000-6675_4-10666661.html

FYI: Before installing, I hit it hard with Norton, Malware Bites, and everything else that I have. I believe it to be safe but encourage you to do your own scrubbing before installing.

Opening the Sidekick Help files will add a step when you need Sidekick help. The Sidekick. hlp --- help file still does not open in Sidekick 98. However, if you use the Help Explorer 3.0 utility and browse to your file called SIDEKICK.HLP this utility does open it. It appears there in HELP EXPLORER 3.0 exactly as it used to look in SK. FYI: The Sidekick.HLP is in your Program files,Starfish/Sidekick/Program file.

I did find that the hyperlinks in the Sidekick help file are not operational, but I didn't need them anyway.

The links in Help Explorer 3.0 do not link to KAMA Software (original 2007 creator).

I hope this helps. It only took 3 hours (Sheeshhhh) of surfing to many unproductive web solutions.

Thanks again to The Bill Gates Micro Hard Corporation.

 

[jimalex]

Hi
The problem I had with Help Explorer 3 was a simple one.
On the top bar "Change View" gives you Contents on the left and your selection on the right. You can the select in the Contents titles.