Windows 'help' not working 2

[jomtones2]

The built in XP 'help' function is not working - fine in programs but not for XP itself. Any ideas?

Cheers,

Bill.

 

[Xaqte]

Do you get any error message?

See if you're able to launch Help Center from Start -> Run dialog, by mentioning the full path name as:

c:\windows\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\HelpCtr.exe

If that works, but not the Start Menu HelpCenter link, read here:

"Help and Support" link from Start Menu does not work:

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

If that doesn't work, you might want to try from Start -> Run:
sfc /scannow
It will ask for your OS cd though.

Let us know your results!

X

 

[jomtones2]

hmm no luck so far, i tried sfc /scannow but it made no difference. the helpctr.exe file IS there, and on running it appears in task-manager but then just dissapears again.

Also tried the reg-fix on the link you gave but it didn't work...

Just noticed THIS folder is empty, could this be the prob:

C:\windows\pchealth\helpctr\HelpFiles

Here's the contents of my helpctr folder anyway, anything missing?:

C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\msinfo.dll C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\pchshell.dll C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\pchsvc.dll C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\hscmui.cab C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\hscsp_w3.cab C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\pchdt_w3.cab C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpHost.exe C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\helpsvc.exe C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\hscupd.exe C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\msconfig.exe C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\notiflag.exe C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\brpinfo.dll C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HCAppRes.dll

cheers!

b

 

[Xaqte]

Just noticed THIS folder is empty, could this be the prob:

C:\windows\pchealth\helpctr\HelpFiles

I don't think so, that folder is empty on my PC too.

Are you saying that you only have two folders in this location:

C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr

The Binaries folder and the helpctr folder? If so, this may be the problem. These are all the foldrs I have in the directory above:
BATCH
binaries
Config
Database
DataColl
HelpFiles
Indices
InstalledSKUs
Logs
OfflineCache
PackageStore
System
System_OEM
Temp
Vendors

If this is case, you may want to see if you could copy them from another PC with the help function working.

In the meantime, I'll try to dig up some more info.

Let us know your results!

X

 

[bcastner]

Try first Doug Knox's little script to repair Help file association entries:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/fixwinxphelp.htm

If no joy, then see Kelly Theriot's extensive notes on this issue:

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

(scroll down a bit).

 

[jomtones2]

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/fixwinxphelp.htm

That did it! And I HAD run Toni Arts Easycleaner!...

hmmm.. does anyone know if recent versions of his software still create problems? or could someone recommend an alternative?

Many thanks,

Bill.

 

[bcastner]

Was fixed in blacklist beginning with release #6:

http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts