Windows "Help" command does nothing !!?

[peegee]

here's a weird one - in XP Pro, when I go to Help command (Start>Help and Support)
it does nothing...

n-a-d-a-

whats up with that?
works fine on my other two machines.

 

[scottws]

Maybe it's not installed? I'm pretty sure it is an item you can remove in Add/Remove Programs| Windows Components.

 

[Markbnj]

Is the Help and Support service running?

 

[peegee]

no nothing - nada. no explorer window opens, nothing at all.
you click the link (Start > Help and Support) and NOTHING happens.
its that simple!!

everything else works fine though. weird.

 

[scottws]

What Markbnj means is that there is a Help and Support Service that has to be running. To find out follow these steps:

1. Open the Run... dialog (Windows key+R or Start | Run...)
2. Type "services.msc"
3. Look down the list to see if there is a Help and Support Service
---a. If there is, see if "Started" is next to it.
------I. If so, then I do not know what is wrong.
------II. If not, ensure that it is set to something other than "Disabled" and start the service by right-clicking on it and selecting Start.
---b. If there is not, go to Control Panel | Add/Remove Programs | Windows Components. Look in the options for "Help and Support." You might have to click "Details..." on some of the listed objects to see it.
------I. If you find it and it is unchecked, then check it and then click OK.
------II. If you find it and it is already checked, then I don't know what is wrong.

 

[peegee]

thanks scottws,

very helpful of you to explain all that to me, but... it is there in the services list, Help and Support Service, Started, (automatic).
I checked 'properties and it all looked ok too.

anyone got further ideas?

 

[Markbnj]

The only other thing I can think of is to take a look at what the start menu shortcut actually points to. Post the contents here if you like.

 

[peegee]

sorry, not clear what you mean - how do I show you what it "points to"?

 

[peegee]

actually is there another way to launch "help and support" outside of the start menu?
I should try that, I guess

 

[jlbenedict]

You didn't happen to delete all the *.hlp files did you?

 

[peegee]

just searched for *.hlp and there seems to be a whole bunch of files there, as C:\windows\help

 

[scottws]

You seem to not be the only one with this problem. Here is a resolution.

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

And some more info:

http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/printthread36032.html

 

[peegee]

ok, now we're getting somewhere!!

thanks - that seems right when I use run command to do "%Windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe" I do indeed get to my "Help" centre. so its all present but the connection is broken.

in your link it says:
To resolve the problem, download and apply this REG fix: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/reg/startmenuhelp.reg

when I click on it, I get a bunch of code/instructions, but this ignorant newbie doesn't know what to do with them...

do I just put them in the run command or what?

thanks,
paul

 

[Doh!]

download the .reg file (right-click on the link and click on "save target as"). when downloaded to your hard drive, double-click the file, hit 'ok' & you're set.

 

[peegee]

YEESSSSS!!! all fixed!

thanks so much to all here. you're geniuses.

I guess I'd used a registry cleaner at some point way back and it wiped that connection. damn that toniarts...

Brilliant. today was not wasted.

paul

 

[Markbnj]

Glad you got it working 🙂.