Problem with windows help center

[MadAmos]

I am attempting to get my brother-inlaws computer working betterand wanted to show him how to use the request remote assistance feature as he lives 90 miles away. When I found his help center will not open. When you click on the link in the start menu there is a brief flash but nothing else. I have also tried the command line helpctr.exe with the same results. I have found that the help files folder C:/windows/pchealth/helpcentr is empty. could this be the problem? and if so how do I install these I do have the install disc but so far have been unable to locate them :frown: I am considering sfc /scannow will this replace the help files? I can usualy get these things figured out but thought I would see if anyone has a suggestion
The system is a P-4 2.4 running XP SP2 with all updates current I have done several spyware and virus scans with no problems found.

Amos

 

[nchavie]

I would try putting in the WinXP disc and doing the sfc /scannow first. If that doesn't work you can try this:


If you get an error Windows cannot find HELPCTR.EXE, it may be that a registry entry has gotten corrupted.

1. Start Regedit
2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\HELPCTR.EXE
3. If the key isn't there, right click and create a new key HELPCTR.EXE
4. It should have a value of C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe
5. Reboot

I haven't tried this but found it while googling an answer for you.

 

[MadAmos]

Originally posted by: nchavie
I would try putting in the WinXP disc and doing the sfc /scannow first. If that doesn't work you can try this:


If you get an error Windows cannot find HELPCTR.EXE, it may be that a registry entry has gotten corrupted.

1. Start Regedit
2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\HELPCTR.EXE
3. If the key isn't there, right click and create a new key HELPCTR.EXE
4. It should have a value of C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe
5. Reboot

I haven't tried this but found it while googling an answer for you.

Thanks nchavie, I had tried the first and checked your second idea with no success I ended up copying the Helpctr exe from my computer to a USB drive and replaced the one on his computer and it now works. I guess it was a corrupted or damaged exe.
Thanks for the help

Amos :heart: