Help!!!!

[BradB]

The ability to use help files on my computer is gone. No matter what program it is, the ability to use help is gone.

I if click on any HELP tab, it's as if I'm didn't click anything. Some programs alert me "Help Failed." Others don't do anything.

What do I need to do to restore Windows capability to recognize help files. Please help me, I'm going crazy trying to do development work without any HELP capabilites.

 

[hildy36]

If you have access to your windows disk, you should be able to recover them, or have windows fix the problem from the disk. If this does not work try going to the windows update website, should have access to it from your start menu at the very top of the pull-up menu, and download the latest update, you might need your administrator to do this for you though.

 

[bcastner]

1) Upgrade the components used to view HTML Help files by applying Microsoft Critical Update 811630.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811630

2) Use MJ's Help Diagnostics to check that the help components are properly installed and registered on your machine.

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

3) Delete the file hh.dat, which you should find in this directory:

\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data\Microsoft\HTML Help

This is a database file that saves such session information as the window position and favorites for the HTML Help viewer. If the file has been corrupted then .chm files may behave erratically. Windows will automatically re-create the file when you next open any .chm file.

 

[BradB]

Issues Resolved!!!

Everyone, thanks for the help on my help issue. Bcastner, the MJ's Help Diagnostic did the job. Somehow the hhctrl.ocx file was missing from c:\winnt\system32 directory. I got the file from the Windows i386 directory. I registered it, and now the HELP files work. The help diagnostic was an invaluable tool!