Start Menu - Help & Support Stopped Working 2

[rwc01]

I have lost my help and support capabilities in Windows XP Pro. Researched the net through Google and have tried just about everything suggested short of doing the repair install over top of my current installation that some have suggested. I have the common indication that is talked about a lot on most forums and posts which is that when I click on Start->"Help and Support" the cursor appears for just an instance and then it disappears and nothing else happens. I don't get any error boxes at all....just dead silence; so to speak. I also don't have any "System Information" anymore. In my research it seems that these 2 functions kind of go together and when you loose the one...you most likely loose the other. Does anyone know of a magic bullet that I have not tried yet? I kinda don't want to do the repair install because I have XP Pro just the way I want it and quite often a repair install puts a lot of junk back in and then I will have to go through and remove it all again :-((

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Rwc01

 

[smah]

Try Start, Run, [!]helpctr -regserver[/!], OK

 

[rwc01]

Thanks smah....how do you say it. "Been there done that".
But I tried it again just for the heck of it...but still no
"Help and Support

 

[smah]

Does the command complete properly? Try running it from a regular command prompt window so that you can see the result.

 

[rwc01]

You may have hit on something I hadn't noticed by running the command from the run box. Ok so now when I run it from the command prompt I get:

'helpctr' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

So now does that give us any kind of clue as to why the helpctr -regserver command is not fixing the problem?

 

[Freestone]

This sounds like it addresses your symptoms:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/fix_windows_xp_help.htm

 

[rwc01]

Already tried that before but tried it again and it said that the registry had already been fixed and that there was nothing to fix at this time with that utility.

 

[smah]

OK, from a command prompt, what happens when you type:
[!]%SystemRoot%\PCHealth\helpctr\Binaries\helpctr[/!]

 

[rwc01]

Thanks for hanging in there with me smah. OK I did that at the command prompt and it does take the command ok with no errors. I guess it does something...not sure what and then it return to the previous prompt. So I try the "Help and Support after that and still nothing....no "System Information" yet either. Just a brief flash of the hour glass and then nothing comes up. At least it doesn't break anything after that. All other programs and shortcuts work perfectly.

So where we go from here? Very much appreciate your suggestions and help!

Robert

 

[smah]

Interesting, that is the actual Help & Support executable and it should have run manually like any other application.
Check the registry key mentioned in KB555472

Interestingly it looks like H&S Center uses a couple of .dll's from IE. If you're using IE6, try this IEFix, then try H&S Center again.

Does it behave the same in safe mode?

 

[rwc01]

Registry key mentioned in KB555472 is OK. It is exactly what it is suppose to be. I ran the IEfix program and still no difference. No Help and Support or System Information. As to whether it works in safe mode....no it does not work in safe mode either.

 

[Freestone]

Don't know if you have seen these tips. Look for section titled Help and Support

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_h.htm

 

[rwc01]

Thanks Freestone. I already tried all those options and fixes on that web page. I even re-booted after applying the reg fixes and still no "Help and Support" or "System Information"

Robert

 

[linney]

Make sure the Help and Support service is on Automatic and is started.

Clean out your Temp Files and perhaps even Temporary Internet Files.

What is in the Event Viewer?

Help and Support Center does not work
thread779-798728

windows xp Help and Support do not work
thread779-758314

This tool checks the correct installation of the help-related files.

MJ's Help Diagnostics at

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

 

[rwc01]

Linney,

I have 3 words for you: "You Da Man"! I have been working on this problem for about a year now and you finally came up with the solution. I simply downloaded and ran the MJ's Help Diagnostics program at:

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

that you suggested and it fixed everything. My IE help works now, my help and support for windows works now and my windows system information works now. I can't thank you Linney enough and all the rest of you guys who contributed to solving this problem. I asked for a magic bullet and I got one! I guess unless anyone else has any more comments...this thread can be closed except for viewing purposes because it may help someone else that has the same problem that I had with their windows help function.

Robert

 

[linney]

You're welcome, and you are right, this forum is a team effort where we all help to contribute, and hopefully build toward a successful solution. I know without the other members guiding me, and eliminating possible causes, solutions would be harder to find.

 

[rwc01]

Linney,

I have one other minor problem with a blank box popping up each time I reboot. Could you have a look at that new thread I posted and see if you have any ideas for me on that issue:

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1408863