Help Center Not Running - Win XP Pro

[FXP]

When I press "Help & Support" on the main menu nothing happens. I checked the Registry and it has key:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\HELPCTR.EXE

The Exe is where it should be in the Windows folder. I looked at Services and it is running as Automatic. When I go to the exe and double click it nothing happens. Could it be corrupted or something? Any suggestions welcome. Thanks.

 

[flyboytim]

Helpctr.exe is only part of the help system. You could try to reinstall it, as well as the other associated files:

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

 

[linney]

Have you checked from Safe Mode, or from Normal Mode but with a different user?

Try the "Fix Windows XP Help" under the Win XP Fixes at

http://www.dougknox.com/

this will restore the correct file associations with the Help and Support Center program.

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560

I see lots of recommendations here for programs like -

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

SuperAntispyware

http://superantispyware.com/

 

[BadBigBen]

check your firewall or any program that may be blocking the application...



Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[FXP]

Thanks for the fast replies. I downloaded the scripts (vbs) that fix the Registry, but they didn't fix the problem. I'm thinking that if when I double-click the exe in the Windows directory nothing happened. maybe a Service isn't running that is needed. I don't get any error messages only a whirling hour-glass icon for a couple of seconds.

 

[linney]

Does it load in Safe Mode, or Safe Mode with Networking? Does it load in another users profile?

 

[FXP]

No luck in Safe Mode, it behaves the same way. The hour glass spins for a few seconds and ends.

 

[linney]

See if the Diagnostic program can pick up any problems with Help.

MJ's Help Diagnostics

http://helpware.net/downloads/#MJs

Is there any problem with the Help and Support Service in Services?


Some general things to try.

See if System Restore will get you back to a restore point before your problem with Help.


Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Try it first by not checking either box (this will run it in a Read-only mode) to see if it flags any hard drive or file problems. If it does, restart it by ticking both boxes, and rerun it to allow it to attempt to fix any found problems.


Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341/en-us

 

[FXP]

Thanks, ran MJDiags, chdsk, SFC and Services running automatic -- no luck. I am hesitant to do a Sys Restore and Reinstallation for this problem. I had serious problems with these in the recent past. Guess, I will live with this problem and just noodle it; its not fatal. Thanks for all the advice and suggestions. I do appreciate your help.

 

[linney]

Part of your "noodling" ???? could involve a look at this program. See if you can get it to tell you what is going on with the Help.

Process Monitor v2.8

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-au/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

A couple of other things to try might be cleaning out your Temporary Internet Files, Cookies, and Browsing History, in case it is the online side of the Help program that is going wrong.

You could also have a look at the Event Viewer for some further clues.

 

[tlcscousin]

Do you have Stardock or Windows blinds installed or any similar program? If so look for IPREPAIR.DLL and see if its installed if so try renaming it.

 

[FXP]

I don't have Stardock or any of those programs on the pc.