Cannot open XP Help and Support

[beemer]

I have just tried to open my XP Prof SP3 Help and Support using the menu and
nothing happens.

Please advise

regards,

Beemer

 

[TaurArian]

Click Start then select Run and type in:
helpctr -regserver
regsvr32 itss
regsvr32 hhctrl.ocx
regsvr32 jscript
Press OK after each one

--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2009 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Disclaimer: The information has been posted "as is" with no warranties or
guarantees and doesn't give any rights.
Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco

 

[beemer]

I did as you asked and everythong registered but Start/Help and Support
still does nothing

regards,

Beemer

Click Start then select Run and type in:
helpctr -regserver
regsvr32 itss
regsvr32 hhctrl.ocx
regsvr32 jscript
Press OK after each one

 

[Gerry]

Is Internet Explorer Offline? Change it to Online and then see if that
makes any diifference?

Have a look in the System and Application logs in Event Viewer for
Errors and Warnings and post copies here. Don't post any more than 48
hours ago.

You can access Event Viewer by selecting Start, Control Panel,
Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching the meaning
of the error, information regarding Event ID, Source and Description
are important.

HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427/en-us

A tip for posting copies of Error Reports! Run Event Viewer and double
click on the error you want to copy. In the window, which appears is a
button resembling two pages. Click the button and close Event
Viewer.Now start your message (email) and do a paste into the body of
the message. Make sure this is the first paste after exiting from
Event Viewer.


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Unknown]

In control panel--administrative tools---services---Is help and support set
to auto?

 

[Twayne]

I have just tried to open my XP Prof SP3 Help and Support using the

menu and nothing happens.

Please advise

regards,

Beemer

I had a similar problem on one of my machines awhile back. It worked in
my case.
Here's an article from an MVP that helped me once; credits are in the
document. This is to re-install the Help & Support Center:

Reinstalling Help and Support Center in Windows XP

Credits: Rebecca Chen [MS]


Please use the following steps to reinstall the Help and Support Center:

Step I - End the Help and Support services
Click Start, click Run and type Taskmgr and click OK. This opens Task
Manager. Click the Process tab. Stop all of the following processing if
running:
· helpsvc.exe
· helphost.exe
· helpctr.exe

Step II - Reinstall Help and Support
· Click Start, click Run and type CMD, and click OK.
· In Command Prompt, type the following commands and press Enter after
each line: (Alternately, create a Batch file and run.)
net stop helpsvc
cd /d %windir%\pchealth\helpctr
rd packagestore /s /q
rd installedskus /s /q
cd binaries
start /w helpsvc /svchost netsvcs /regserver /install
start /w helpsvc /register
Note: The “start /w helpsvc /svchost netsvcs /regserver /install"
command line reinstalls Help and Support, which may take several
minutes.

 

[TaurArian]

The Help And Support Center uses two related modules: the Microsoft Help
Center Service (Helpsvc.exe) and the Help And Support Center executable
(Helpctr.exe).
Under some circumstances, clicking the Help And Support Center icon might
not produce a result.
If you look in the Windows Task Manager, you'll see that both modules are
running; you might also see multiple instances of Helpctr.exe, which could
be causing your Help problems.

To solve this problem, follow these steps:
Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Windows Task Manager.
Click the Processes tab and then click the Image Name heading to sort the
list in alphabetical order.
Highlight each instance of Helpctr.exe in the list and click the End Process
button. Repeat until all instances are gone from the list and then close
Task Manager.
Open Control Panel's Services option (in the Administrative Tools group,
under Performance And Maintenance Options).
Select Help And Support from the list of services, right-click, and then
choose Restart.
After completing this procedure, you should be able to restart the Help And
Support Center.
Start Menu/Help and Support doesn't work: Go to Start/Run and type in:
helpctr -regserver

If required - Rebuild Help
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

BTW - are you using a 3rd party theme?



--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2009 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Disclaimer: The information has been posted "as is" with no warranties or
guarantees and doesn't give any rights.
Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco

 

[beemer]

Not using third party theme. Both Helpsvc.exe and Hlpctr.exe appear in
Task manager dthen disappear after 3 seconds!

Does this help?

regards,

Beemer

 

[TaurArian]

Did you try the link I gave you

"Rebuild Help
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm"



beemer wrote:
:: Not using third party theme. Both Helpsvc.exe and Hlpctr.exe
:: appear in Task manager dthen disappear after 3 seconds!
::
:: Does this help?
::
:: regards,
::
:: Beemer
:: ::: The Help And Support Center uses two related modules: the Microsoft
::: Help Center Service (Helpsvc.exe) and the Help And Support Center
::: executable (Helpctr.exe).
::: Under some circumstances, clicking the Help And Support Center icon
::: might not produce a result.
::: If you look in the Windows Task Manager, you'll see that both
::: modules are running; you might also see multiple instances of
::: Helpctr.exe, which could be causing your Help problems.
:::
::: To solve this problem, follow these steps:
::: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Windows Task Manager.
::: Click the Processes tab and then click the Image Name heading to
::: sort the list in alphabetical order.
::: Highlight each instance of Helpctr.exe in the list and click the End
::: Process button. Repeat until all instances are gone from the list
::: and then close Task Manager.
::: Open Control Panel's Services option (in the Administrative Tools
::: group, under Performance And Maintenance Options).
::: Select Help And Support from the list of services, right-click, and
::: then choose Restart.
::: After completing this procedure, you should be able to restart the
::: Help And Support Center.
::: Start Menu/Help and Support doesn't work: Go to Start/Run and type
::: in: helpctr -regserver
:::
::: If required - Rebuild Help
::: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm
:::
::: BTW - are you using a 3rd party theme?
:::
:::
:::
::: --
:::
::: TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2009 - Update Services
::: http://taurarian.mvps.org
::: ======================================
::: How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
::: Disclaimer: The information has been posted "as is" with no
::: warranties or guarantees and doesn't give any rights.
::: Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco
:::
:::
::: :::: I did as you asked and everythong registered but Start/Help and
:::: Support still does nothing
::::
:::: regards,
::::
:::: Beemer
:::: ::::: Click Start then select Run and type in:
::::: helpctr -regserver
::::: regsvr32 itss
::::: regsvr32 hhctrl.ocx
::::: regsvr32 jscript
::::: Press OK after each one
::::
:::::
::::: --
:::::
::::: TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2009 - Update Services
::::: http://taurarian.mvps.org
::::: ======================================
::::: How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
::::: Disclaimer: The information has been posted "as is" with no
::::: warranties or guarantees and doesn't give any rights.
::::: Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco
:::::
:::::
::::: :::::: I have just tried to open my XP Prof SP3 Help and Support using
:::::: the menu and nothing happens.
::::::
:::::: Please advise
::::::
:::::: regards,
::::::
:::::: Beemer

--

 

[Kelly]

Start Menu/Help and Support
Go to Start/Run and type in: helpctr -regserver

Restore winhlp32.exe for XP (Line 57)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Workaround: Replace the one from the servicepackfiles with the one
listed under System32.

If you want to view only the locally stored Windows XP Help documentation in
the Classic View: Go to Start/Run and type in: hh windows.chm

To reinstall Help and Support: Go to C:\Windows\inf\pchealth.inf
Right click and choose install. Have your CD handy.

--

All the Best and Happy Holidays,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

[Rick J.]

I'm having the same problem and I have tried everything in this post with no
success. When I try to rebuld the help files I get an error message that it
can't copy the files helpctr.exe, helpsvc.exe and hscupd.exe even though
these files exist.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have just tried to open my XP Prof SP3 Help and Support using
the menu and nothing happens.

I'm having the same problem and I have tried everything in this
post with no success. When I try to rebuld the help files I get an
error message that it can't copy the files helpctr.exe, helpsvc.exe
and hscupd.exe even though these files exist.

First problem is that you state you had tried everything in this post and
had no success - however - given what you have chosen to quote in your
posting - you have tried nothing (as you quoted none of the solutions).
Depending on the newsreader and settings and/or the news server and settings
and/or the web interface/forum and its settings - some people will be unable
to see what you are referring to without a search - which most will not do.

I did said search and am certain you are talking about this posting:
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...ee4a29ae246/fe77b422cc9a3689#fe77b422cc9a3689

Please verify the following and do those things you have not done listed
below. The more you share, the better yor chances in resolving your issue.

<TaurArian suggestion (1)>
Click Start then select Run and type in:

helpctr -regserver
regsvr32 itss
regsvr32 hhctrl.ocx
regsvr32 jscript

Press OK after each one
</TaurArian suggestion (1)>

<TaurArian suggestions (2)>
To solve this problem, follow these steps:

- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click the Processes tab and then click the Image Name
heading to sort the list in alphabetical order.
- Highlight each instance of Helpctr.exe in the list and
click the End Process button. Repeat until all instances
are gone from the list and then close Task Manager.
- Open Control Panel's Services option (in the Administrative
Tools group, under Performance And Maintenance Options).
- Select Help And Support from the list of services, right-click,
and then choose Restart.

After completing this procedure, you should be able to restart the Help And
Support Center.

Start Menu/Help and Support doesn't work: Go to Start/Run and type in:
helpctr -regserver

If required - Rebuild Help
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm
</TaurArian suggestions (2)>

<Kelly suggestions>
Start Menu/Help and Support
Go to Start/Run and type in: helpctr -regserver

Restore winhlp32.exe for XP (Line 57)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Workaround: Replace the one from the servicepackfiles with the one
listed under System32.

If you want to view only the locally stored Windows XP Help
documentation in the Classic View:
Go to Start/Run and type in: hh windows.chm

To reinstall Help and Support: Go to C:\Windows\inf\pchealth.inf
Right click and choose install. Have your CD handy.
</Kelly suggestions>

<Twayne suggestion>
Reinstalling Help and Support Center in Windows XP

Credits: Rebecca Chen [MS]

Please use the following steps to reinstall the
Help and Support Center:

Step I - End the Help and Support services
Click Start, click Run and type Taskmgr and click OK.
This opens Task Manager. Click the Process tab. Stop
all of the following processing if running:
· helpsvc.exe
· helphost.exe
· helpctr.exe

Step II - Reinstall Help and Support
· Click Start, click Run and type CMD, and click OK.
· In Command Prompt, type the following commands and press Enter after
each line: (Alternately, create a Batch file and run.)

net stop helpsvc
cd /d %windir%\pchealth\helpctr
rd packagestore /s /q
rd installedskus /s /q
cd binaries
start /w helpsvc /svchost netsvcs /regserver /install
start /w helpsvc /register

Note: The "start /w helpsvc /svchost netsvcs /regserver /install"
command line reinstalls Help and Support, which may take several
minutes.
<Twayne suggestion>

You have not done the following (if you had, we'd see the
resulting answers):

<Gerry query>
Have a look in the System and Application logs in Event Viewer for
Errors and Warnings and post copies here. Don't post any more than 48
hours ago.
</Gerry query>

<TaurArian query>
Are you using a 3rd party theme?
</TaurArian query>

<Unknown query>
In control panel--administrative tools---services---Is help and support set
to auto?
</Unknown query>

 

[Rick J.]

Sorry for the mistake. Thanks for the heads-up.

I tried everything in the post again. I did find that I was missing some
files in the Windows/pchealth/helpctr folder. I replaced the files with ones
from another computer running the same OS and now Help & Support works
partially. It will now start and I can do a limited help search but I do not
get any results from the MS Knowledge Base. In addition the Support and
Options buttons in the menu bar do not work.

Also when trying to run install on the pchealth.inf file I continue to get
an error message that it can not copy the file.

Thanks, for the help.

Rick J.

I have just tried to open my XP Prof SP3 Help and Support using
the menu and nothing happens.

I'm having the same problem and I have tried everything in this
post with no success. When I try to rebuld the help files I get an
error message that it can't copy the files helpctr.exe, helpsvc.exe
and hscupd.exe even though these files exist.

First problem is that you state you had tried everything in this post and
had no success - however - given what you have chosen to quote in your
posting - you have tried nothing (as you quoted none of the solutions).
Depending on the newsreader and settings and/or the news server and settings
and/or the web interface/forum and its settings - some people will be unable
to see what you are referring to without a search - which most will not do.

I did said search and am certain you are talking about this posting:
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...ee4a29ae246/fe77b422cc9a3689#fe77b422cc9a3689

Please verify the following and do those things you have not done listed
below. The more you share, the better yor chances in resolving your issue.

<TaurArian suggestion (1)>
Click Start then select Run and type in:

helpctr -regserver
regsvr32 itss
regsvr32 hhctrl.ocx
regsvr32 jscript

Press OK after each one
</TaurArian suggestion (1)>

<TaurArian suggestions (2)>
To solve this problem, follow these steps:

- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click the Processes tab and then click the Image Name
heading to sort the list in alphabetical order.
- Highlight each instance of Helpctr.exe in the list and
click the End Process button. Repeat until all instances
are gone from the list and then close Task Manager.
- Open Control Panel's Services option (in the Administrative
Tools group, under Performance And Maintenance Options).
- Select Help And Support from the list of services, right-click,
and then choose Restart.

After completing this procedure, you should be able to restart the Help And
Support Center.

Start Menu/Help and Support doesn't work: Go to Start/Run and type in:
helpctr -regserver

If required - Rebuild Help
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm
</TaurArian suggestions (2)>

<Kelly suggestions>
Start Menu/Help and Support
Go to Start/Run and type in: helpctr -regserver

Restore winhlp32.exe for XP (Line 57)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Workaround: Replace the one from the servicepackfiles with the one
listed under System32.

If you want to view only the locally stored Windows XP Help
documentation in the Classic View:
Go to Start/Run and type in: hh windows.chm

To reinstall Help and Support: Go to C:\Windows\inf\pchealth.inf
Right click and choose install. Have your CD handy.
</Kelly suggestions>

<Twayne suggestion>
Reinstalling Help and Support Center in Windows XP

Credits: Rebecca Chen [MS]

Please use the following steps to reinstall the
Help and Support Center:

Step I - End the Help and Support services
Click Start, click Run and type Taskmgr and click OK.
This opens Task Manager. Click the Process tab. Stop
all of the following processing if running:
· helpsvc.exe
· helphost.exe
· helpctr.exe

Step II - Reinstall Help and Support
· Click Start, click Run and type CMD, and click OK.
· In Command Prompt, type the following commands and press Enter after
each line: (Alternately, create a Batch file and run.)

net stop helpsvc
cd /d %windir%\pchealth\helpctr
rd packagestore /s /q
rd installedskus /s /q
cd binaries
start /w helpsvc /svchost netsvcs /regserver /install
start /w helpsvc /register

Note: The "start /w helpsvc /svchost netsvcs /regserver /install"
command line reinstalls Help and Support, which may take several
minutes.
<Twayne suggestion>

You have not done the following (if you had, we'd see the
resulting answers):

<Gerry query>
Have a look in the System and Application logs in Event Viewer for
Errors and Warnings and post copies here. Don't post any more than 48
hours ago.
</Gerry query>

<TaurArian query>
Are you using a 3rd party theme?
</TaurArian query>

<Unknown query>
In control panel--administrative tools---services---Is help and support set
to auto?
</Unknown query>

 

[Gerry]

Rick

Have a look in the System and Application logs in Event Viewer for
Errors and Warnings and post copies here. Don't post any more than 48
hours ago.

You can access Event Viewer by selecting Start, Control Panel,
Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching the meaning
of the error, information regarding Event ID, Source and Description
are important.

HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427/en-us

A tip for posting copies of Error Reports! Run Event Viewer and double
click on the error you want to copy. In the window, which appears is a
button resembling two pages. Click the button and close Event
Viewer.Now start your message (email) and do a paste into the body of
the message. Make sure this is the first paste after exiting from
Event Viewer.

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry for the mistake. Thanks for the heads-up.

I tried everything in the post again. I did find that I was missing
some files in the Windows/pchealth/helpctr folder. I replaced the
files with ones from another computer running the same OS and now
Help & Support works partially. It will now start and I can do a
limited help search but I do not get any results from the MS
Knowledge Base. In addition the Support and Options buttons in the
menu bar do not work.

Also when trying to run install on the pchealth.inf file I continue
to get an error message that it can not copy the file.

Thanks, for the help.

Rick J.

I have just tried to open my XP Prof SP3 Help and Support using
the menu and nothing happens.

I'm having the same problem and I have tried everything in this
post with no success. When I try to rebuld the help files I get an
error message that it can't copy the files helpctr.exe, helpsvc.exe
and hscupd.exe even though these files exist.

First problem is that you state you had tried everything in this
post and had no success - however - given what you have chosen to
quote in your posting - you have tried nothing (as you quoted none
of the solutions). Depending on the newsreader and settings and/or
the news server and settings and/or the web interface/forum and its
settings - some people will be unable to see what you are referring
to without a search - which most will not do.

I did said search and am certain you are talking about this posting:
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...ee4a29ae246/fe77b422cc9a3689#fe77b422cc9a3689

Please verify the following and do those things you have not done
listed below. The more you share, the better yor chances in
resolving your issue.

<TaurArian suggestion (1)>
Click Start then select Run and type in:

helpctr -regserver
regsvr32 itss
regsvr32 hhctrl.ocx
regsvr32 jscript

Press OK after each one
</TaurArian suggestion (1)>

<TaurArian suggestions (2)>
To solve this problem, follow these steps:

- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click the Processes tab and then click the Image Name
heading to sort the list in alphabetical order.
- Highlight each instance of Helpctr.exe in the list and
click the End Process button. Repeat until all instances
are gone from the list and then close Task Manager.
- Open Control Panel's Services option (in the Administrative
Tools group, under Performance And Maintenance Options).
- Select Help And Support from the list of services, right-click,
and then choose Restart.

After completing this procedure, you should be able to restart the
Help And Support Center.

Start Menu/Help and Support doesn't work: Go to Start/Run and type
in: helpctr -regserver

If required - Rebuild Help
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm
</TaurArian suggestions (2)>

<Kelly suggestions>
Start Menu/Help and Support
Go to Start/Run and type in: helpctr -regserver

Restore winhlp32.exe for XP (Line 57)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Workaround: Replace the one from the servicepackfiles with the one
listed under System32.

If you want to view only the locally stored Windows XP Help
documentation in the Classic View:
Go to Start/Run and type in: hh windows.chm

To reinstall Help and Support: Go to C:\Windows\inf\pchealth.inf
Right click and choose install. Have your CD handy.
</Kelly suggestions>

<Twayne suggestion>
Reinstalling Help and Support Center in Windows XP

Credits: Rebecca Chen [MS]

Please use the following steps to reinstall the
Help and Support Center:

Step I - End the Help and Support services
Click Start, click Run and type Taskmgr and click OK.
This opens Task Manager. Click the Process tab. Stop
all of the following processing if running:
· helpsvc.exe
· helphost.exe
· helpctr.exe

Step II - Reinstall Help and Support
· Click Start, click Run and type CMD, and click OK.
· In Command Prompt, type the following commands and press Enter
after each line: (Alternately, create a Batch file and run.)

net stop helpsvc
cd /d %windir%\pchealth\helpctr
rd packagestore /s /q
rd installedskus /s /q
cd binaries
start /w helpsvc /svchost netsvcs /regserver /install
start /w helpsvc /register

Note: The "start /w helpsvc /svchost netsvcs /regserver /install"
command line reinstalls Help and Support, which may take several
minutes.
<Twayne suggestion>

You have not done the following (if you had, we'd see the
resulting answers):

<Gerry query>
Have a look in the System and Application logs in Event Viewer for
Errors and Warnings and post copies here. Don't post any more than 48
hours ago.
</Gerry query>

<TaurArian query>
Are you using a 3rd party theme?
</TaurArian query>

<Unknown query>
In control panel--administrative tools---services---Is help and
support set to auto?
</Unknown query>