XP Pro install leads to missing Windows utilities

[davidi]

After several problems, I reformatted my HD and installed XP Pro, then
installed (after download from Microsoft) SP3 and all other Windows
Updates. Then, I reinstalled my apps. Things *seemed* OK.
However, I wanted details on my video card and clicked on Start/
Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information; absolutely
nothing happened. I then clicked on Start/Help and Support, and got a
message that "Windows cannot open Help and Support because a system
service is not running. To fix this problem, start the service named
'Help and Support'."
However, when I tried Start / Run / Services.msc and looked at the
list, I found *no* service beginning with "Help" at all.
I've also run Rootkit Revealer, and see nothing "untoward" to explain
this.
Does anyone have an idea what happened or what I should do... apart
from a complete reformat/reinstall of Windows and then all my apps,
etc.?
Many thanks in advance
Dave
mailto:[email protected]

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Did this behavior exist before you installed WinXP SP3?

Was the machine running WinXP Pro before the Clean Install? Did you use the
WinXP disk that came with your machine to do the Clean Install? Did you
also install all of the drivers using the disk that came with the machine?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

After several problems, I reformatted my HD and installed XP Pro, then
installed (after download from Microsoft) SP3 and all other Windows
Updates. Then, I reinstalled my apps. Things *seemed* OK.
However, I wanted details on my video card and clicked on Start/
Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information; absolutely
nothing happened. I then clicked on Start/Help and Support, and got a
message that "Windows cannot open Help and Support because a system
service is not running. To fix this problem, start the service named
'Help and Support'."
However, when I tried Start / Run / Services.msc and looked at the
list, I found *no* service beginning with "Help" at all.
I've also run Rootkit Revealer, and see nothing "untoward" to explain
this.
Does anyone have an idea what happened or what I should do... apart
from a complete reformat/reinstall of Windows and then all my apps,
etc.?
Many thanks in advance
Dave
mailto:[email protected]

Try one or all of these:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/fix_windows_xp_help.htm
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/top10faqs.htm
Or re-install Help:
Open the folder c:\windows\inf and right-click the PCHealth.inf file,
then choose "Install". If you have a Service Pack installed, select
c:\windows\i386\ServicePackFiles\PCHealth.inf instead.

 

[davidi]

Really good questions; not sure I can give "really good answers":
1) I don't know: I hadn't looked for system info or help & support
before doing the updates
2) To install Win XP Pro, I used a CD purchased from Microsoft
"Windows XP Professional B English NA CustSvc CD". (I'd previously had
XP Home, with all updates, also from Microsoft.) I booted from the CD,
did a "quick" format, and installed XP Pro. I then installed SP3
(complete) that I'd earlier downloaded from Microsoft and put onto a
flash drive (but copied to the HD for faster installation).
3) Apart from things such as MS Works, Power DVD, and such, the only
"driver" CD seems to be "Intel Express Installer Drivers and Software
Application CD" that indicates it has Intel D101GGC Drivers, plus a
group of applets such as "InterVideo MdeiaOne Silver" and "Musicmatch
Jukebox", none of which had ever been installed... nor would I want
them.
The machine, about 2 yrs old, btw, has a Pentium 2.66GHz, with 1Gb RAM

However, now that you mention it, I just looked at Device Manager, and
it shows ?s beside "SM Bus Controller" and "Video Controller (VGA
Compatible)". I *have* noticed that I can't get to any "modifications"
for my video card/monitor through right-clicking desktop + properties
+ settings. My guess is that the video is on the motherboard, and that
the Intel CD just might have the appropriate drivers. I can certainly
try it.

Nonetheless, is that likely to have any connection with XP Pro's lack
of "Help...Service" or "system info"?

Thanks again.

Dave

p.s. If you have the option, I'd be grateful if you could at least
copy replies to (e-mail address removed). Thank you.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Nonetheless, is that likely to have any connection with XP Pro's lack

of "Help...Service" or "system info"?

Could be, yes.

Repost:
Please answer the above question. Also tell me if the machine is currently
fully-patched at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com?

p.s. If you have the option, I'd be grateful if you could at least
copy replies to david*MUNGE*@shaw.ca. Thank you.

No. Asked here/Answered here. If you were using Microsoft's web-based
access to this newsgroup, you could opt for Email Notification of replies to
your posts.

 

[davidi]

Hi, again.

No. Asked here/Answered here. If you were using Microsoft's web-based
access to this newsgroup, you could opt for Email Notification of repliesto
your posts.

Understood; thanks.

Please answer the above question.

I'd like to, but can't: before installing SP3, I had not tried to use
either System Info or Help and Restore.

Also tell me if the machine is currently

fully-patched athttp://windowsupdate.microsoft.com?

Yes.

I did try to install c:\windows\inf\pchealth.inf However, the
procedure asked for the SP3 CD... and, of course, I couldn't continue,
as mentioned at http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_reinstall_the_windows.htm
I have a full XP Pro CD and I have WindowsXP-936920-SP3-x86-ENU.exe;
will I have to "slipstream" after all? Also, what about the non-
functioning "start/programs/accessories/system tools/system info"?

Thanks again!

Dave

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada. Go to
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=1173 | select "Windows
XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3

Hi, again.

No. Asked here/Answered here. If you were using Microsoft's web-based
access to this newsgroup, you could opt for Email Notification of replies
to your posts.

Understood; thanks.

Please answer the above question.

I'd like to, but can't: before installing SP3, I had not tried to use
either System Info or Help and Restore.

Also tell me if the machine is currently

fully-patched athttp://windowsupdate.microsoft.com?

Yes.

I did try to install c:\windows\inf\pchealth.inf However, the
procedure asked for the SP3 CD... and, of course, I couldn't continue,
as mentioned at
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_reinstall_the_windows.htm
I have a full XP Pro CD and I have WindowsXP-936920-SP3-x86-ENU.exe;
will I have to "slipstream" after all? Also, what about the non-
functioning "start/programs/accessories/system tools/system info"?

Thanks again!

Dave

Nonetheless, is that likely to have any connection with XP Pro's lack
of "Help...Service" or "system info"?

Could be, yes.

Repost:

Did this behavior exist before you installed WinXP SP3?

Please answer the above question. Also tell me if the machine is
currently
fully-patched athttp://windowsupdate.microsoft.com?

p.s. If you have the option, I'd be grateful if you could at least
copy replies to david*[email protected]. Thank you.

No. Asked here/Answered here. If you were using Microsoft's web-based
access to this newsgroup, you could opt for Email Notification of replies
to your posts.

Really good questions; not sure I can give "really good answers":
1) I don't know: I hadn't looked for system info or help & support
before doing the updates
2) To install Win XP Pro, I used a CD purchased from Microsoft
"Windows XP Professional B English NA CustSvc CD". (I'd previously had
XP Home, with all updates, also from Microsoft.) I booted from the CD,
did a "quick" format, and installed XP Pro. I then installed SP3
(complete) that I'd earlier downloaded from Microsoft and put onto a
flash drive (but copied to the HD for faster installation).
3) Apart from things such as MS Works, Power DVD, and such, the only
"driver" CD seems to be "Intel Express Installer Drivers and Software
Application CD" that indicates it has Intel D101GGC Drivers, plus a
group of applets such as "InterVideo MdeiaOne Silver" and "Musicmatch
Jukebox", none of which had ever been installed... nor would I want
them.
The machine, about 2 yrs old, btw, has a Pentium 2.66GHz, with 1Gb RAM

However, now that you mention it, I just looked at Device Manager, and
it shows ?s beside "SM Bus Controller" and "Video Controller (VGA
Compatible)". I *have* noticed that I can't get to any "modifications"
for my video card/monitor through right-clicking desktop + properties
+ settings. My guess is that the video is on the motherboard, and that
the Intel CD just might have the appropriate drivers. I can certainly
try it.

Nonetheless, is that likely to have any connection with XP Pro's lack
of "Help...Service" or "system info"?

Thanks again.

p.s. If you have the option, I'd be grateful if you could at least
copy replies to david*[email protected]. Thank you.

On Oct 10, 11:45 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
Did this behavior exist before you installed WinXP SP3?

Was the machine running WinXP Pro before the Clean Install? Did you use
the
WinXP disk that came with your machine to do the Clean Install? Did you
also install all of the drivers using the disk that came with the
machine?

davidi wrote:
After several problems, I reformatted my HD and installed XP Pro, then
installed (after download from Microsoft) SP3 and all other Windows
Updates. Then, I reinstalled my apps. Things *seemed* OK.
However, I wanted details on my video card and clicked on Start/
Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information; absolutely
nothing happened. I then clicked on Start/Help and Support, and got a
message that "Windows cannot open Help and Support because a system
service is not running. To fix this problem, start the service named
'Help and Support'."
However, when I tried Start / Run / Services.msc and looked at the
list, I found *no* service beginning with "Help" at all.
I've also run Rootkit Revealer, and see nothing "untoward" to explain
this.
Does anyone have an idea what happened or what I should do... apart
from a complete reformat/reinstall of Windows and then all my apps,
etc- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

 

[Jason]

how do I get web based access?

Could be, yes.

Repost:
Please answer the above question. Also tell me if the machine is
currently fully-patched at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com?


No. Asked here/Answered here. If you were using Microsoft's web-based
access to this newsgroup, you could opt for Email Notification of replies
to your posts.

 

[davidi]

PA Bear and Pegasus,
Thanks for your efforts.
I found that my copy of Win XP Pro came with two free support
inquiries; so, I sent a detailed email to Microsoft, who, supposedly,
will be answering within "24 business hours" as they say. We'll see.
My experience with the free SP3 support has not been fantastic: one of
the reasons I reformatted my HD was that, after installing SP3 on the
Win XP Home that was on my machine, I had many "unusual" artifacts. I
used their service. They did reply, asking me to do what I'd told them
I'd just done: a clean boot and an attempt to identify TSRs that might
be causing the problems. I explained that and heard nothing for a few
days. Then I got an email saying that, since I'd not replied to their
"several email messages", they were closing the file. My next email to
them - and, yes, I do always remain polite... - received no response.
After a while, I decided to reformat... and here I am...
Thanks again.
Cheers.
Dave

how do I get web based access?

Could be, yes.

Please answer the above question.  Also tell me if the machine is
currently fully-patched athttp://windowsupdate.microsoft.com?

No.  Asked here/Answered here.  If you were using Microsoft's web-based
access to this newsgroup, you could opt for Email Notification of replies
to your posts.

Really good questions; not sure I can give "really good answers":
1) I don't know: I hadn't looked for system info or help & support
before doing the updates
2) To install Win XP Pro, I used a CD purchased from Microsoft
"Windows XP Professional B English NA CustSvc CD". (I'd previously had
XP Home, with all updates, also from Microsoft.) I booted from the CD,
did a "quick" format, and installed XP Pro. I then installed SP3
(complete) that I'd earlier downloaded from Microsoft and put onto a
flash drive (but copied to the HD for faster installation).
3) Apart from things such as MS Works, Power DVD, and such, the only
"driver" CD seems to be "Intel Express Installer Drivers and Software
Application CD" that indicates it has Intel D101GGC Drivers, plus a
group of applets such as "InterVideo MdeiaOne Silver" and "Musicmatch
Jukebox", none of which had ever been installed... nor would I want
them.
The machine, about 2 yrs old, btw, has a Pentium 2.66GHz, with 1Gb RAM
However, now that you mention it, I just looked at Device Manager, and
it shows ?s beside "SM Bus Controller" and "Video Controller (VGA
Compatible)". I *have* noticed that I can't get to any "modifications"
for my video card/monitor through right-clicking desktop + properties
+ settings. My guess is that the video is on the motherboard, and that
the Intel CD just might have the appropriate drivers. I can certainly
try it.
Nonetheless, is that likely to have any connection with XP Pro's lack
of "Help...Service" or "system info"?
Thanks again.
Dave
p.s. If you have the option, I'd be grateful if you could at least
copy replies to david*[email protected]. Thank you.
On Oct 10, 11:45 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
Did this behavior exist before you installed WinXP SP3?
Was the machine running WinXP Pro before the Clean Install? Did you use
the
WinXP disk that came with your machine to do the Clean Install? Did you
also install all of the drivers using the disk that came with the
machine?
davidi wrote:
After several problems, I reformatted my HD and installed XP Pro, then
installed (after download from Microsoft) SP3 and all other Windows
Updates. Then, I reinstalled my apps. Things *seemed* OK.
However, I wanted details on my video card and clicked on Start/
Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information; absolutely
nothing happened. I then clicked on Start/Help and Support, and got a
message that "Windows cannot open Help and Support because a system
service is not running. To fix this problem, start the service named
'Help and Support'."
However, when I tried Start / Run / Services.msc and looked at the
list, I found *no* service beginning with "Help" at all.
I've also run Rootkit Revealer, and see nothing "untoward" to explain
this.
Does anyone have an idea what happened or what I should do... apart
from a complete reformat/reinstall of Windows and then all my apps,
etc- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

 

[Jason]

I was refering to access to this news server and several newsgroups.
PA Bear and Pegasus,
Thanks for your efforts.
I found that my copy of Win XP Pro came with two free support
inquiries; so, I sent a detailed email to Microsoft, who, supposedly,
will be answering within "24 business hours" as they say. We'll see.
My experience with the free SP3 support has not been fantastic: one of
the reasons I reformatted my HD was that, after installing SP3 on the
Win XP Home that was on my machine, I had many "unusual" artifacts. I
used their service. They did reply, asking me to do what I'd told them
I'd just done: a clean boot and an attempt to identify TSRs that might
be causing the problems. I explained that and heard nothing for a few
days. Then I got an email saying that, since I'd not replied to their
"several email messages", they were closing the file. My next email to
them - and, yes, I do always remain polite... - received no response.
After a while, I decided to reformat... and here I am...
Thanks again.
Cheers.
Dave

how do I get web based access?
message

Could be, yes.

Please answer the above question. Also tell me if the machine is
currently fully-patched athttp://windowsupdate.microsoft.com?

No. Asked here/Answered here. If you were using Microsoft's web-based
access to this newsgroup, you could opt for Email Notification of
replies
to your posts.

Really good questions; not sure I can give "really good answers":
1) I don't know: I hadn't looked for system info or help & support
before doing the updates
2) To install Win XP Pro, I used a CD purchased from Microsoft
"Windows XP Professional B English NA CustSvc CD". (I'd previously had
XP Home, with all updates, also from Microsoft.) I booted from the CD,
did a "quick" format, and installed XP Pro. I then installed SP3
(complete) that I'd earlier downloaded from Microsoft and put onto a
flash drive (but copied to the HD for faster installation).
3) Apart from things such as MS Works, Power DVD, and such, the only
"driver" CD seems to be "Intel Express Installer Drivers and Software
Application CD" that indicates it has Intel D101GGC Drivers, plus a
group of applets such as "InterVideo MdeiaOne Silver" and "Musicmatch
Jukebox", none of which had ever been installed... nor would I want
them.
The machine, about 2 yrs old, btw, has a Pentium 2.66GHz, with 1Gb RAM
However, now that you mention it, I just looked at Device Manager, and
it shows ?s beside "SM Bus Controller" and "Video Controller (VGA
Compatible)". I *have* noticed that I can't get to any "modifications"
for my video card/monitor through right-clicking desktop + properties
+ settings. My guess is that the video is on the motherboard, and that
the Intel CD just might have the appropriate drivers. I can certainly
try it.
Nonetheless, is that likely to have any connection with XP Pro's lack
of "Help...Service" or "system info"?
Thanks again.
Dave
p.s. If you have the option, I'd be grateful if you could at least
copy replies to david*[email protected]. Thank you.
On Oct 10, 11:45 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
Did this behavior exist before you installed WinXP SP3?
Was the machine running WinXP Pro before the Clean Install? Did you
use
the
WinXP disk that came with your machine to do the Clean Install? Did
you
also install all of the drivers using the disk that came with the
machine?
davidi wrote:
After several problems, I reformatted my HD and installed XP Pro,
then
installed (after download from Microsoft) SP3 and all other Windows
Updates. Then, I reinstalled my apps. Things *seemed* OK.
However, I wanted details on my video card and clicked on Start/
Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information; absolutely
nothing happened. I then clicked on Start/Help and Support, and got a
message that "Windows cannot open Help and Support because a system
service is not running. To fix this problem, start the service named
'Help and Support'."
However, when I tried Start / Run / Services.msc and looked at the
list, I found *no* service beginning with "Help" at all.
I've also run Rootkit Revealer, and see nothing "untoward" to explain
this.
Does anyone have an idea what happened or what I should do... apart
from a complete reformat/reinstall of Windows and then all my apps,
etc- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

I found that my copy of Win XP Pro came with two free support

inquiries...

That applies to WinXP itself, since you purchased it from MS.

If you installed WinXP SP3 via Windows Update or manually, you have
unlimited support for SP3-related issues (only) through April 2009:

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada. Go to
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=1173 | select "Windows
XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

PA Bear and Pegasus,
Thanks for your efforts.
I found that my copy of Win XP Pro came with two free support
inquiries; so, I sent a detailed email to Microsoft, who, supposedly,
will be answering within "24 business hours" as they say. We'll see.
My experience with the free SP3 support has not been fantastic: one of
the reasons I reformatted my HD was that, after installing SP3 on the
Win XP Home that was on my machine, I had many "unusual" artifacts. I
used their service. They did reply, asking me to do what I'd told them
I'd just done: a clean boot and an attempt to identify TSRs that might
be causing the problems. I explained that and heard nothing for a few
days. Then I got an email saying that, since I'd not replied to their
"several email messages", they were closing the file. My next email to
them - and, yes, I do always remain polite... - received no response.
After a while, I decided to reformat... and here I am...
Thanks again.

Nonetheless, is that likely to have any connection with XP Pro's lack
of "Help...Service" or "system info"?

Could be, yes.

Repost:
Did this behavior exist before you installed WinXP SP3?

Please answer the above question. Also tell me if the machine is
currently fully-patched athttp://windowsupdate.microsoft.com?

p.s. If you have the option, I'd be grateful if you could at least
copy replies to david*[email protected]. Thank you.

No. Asked here/Answered here. If you were using Microsoft's web-based
access to this newsgroup, you could opt for Email Notification of
replies
to your posts.

davidi wrote:
Really good questions; not sure I can give "really good answers":
1) I don't know: I hadn't looked for system info or help & support
before doing the updates
2) To install Win XP Pro, I used a CD purchased from Microsoft
"Windows XP Professional B English NA CustSvc CD". (I'd previously had
XP Home, with all updates, also from Microsoft.) I booted from the CD,
did a "quick" format, and installed XP Pro. I then installed SP3
(complete) that I'd earlier downloaded from Microsoft and put onto a
flash drive (but copied to the HD for faster installation).
3) Apart from things such as MS Works, Power DVD, and such, the only
"driver" CD seems to be "Intel Express Installer Drivers and Software
Application CD" that indicates it has Intel D101GGC Drivers, plus a
group of applets such as "InterVideo MdeiaOne Silver" and "Musicmatch
Jukebox", none of which had ever been installed... nor would I want
them.
The machine, about 2 yrs old, btw, has a Pentium 2.66GHz, with 1Gb RAM

However, now that you mention it, I just looked at Device Manager, and
it shows ?s beside "SM Bus Controller" and "Video Controller (VGA
Compatible)". I *have* noticed that I can't get to any "modifications"
for my video card/monitor through right-clicking desktop + properties
+ settings. My guess is that the video is on the motherboard, and that
the Intel CD just might have the appropriate drivers. I can certainly
try it.

Nonetheless, is that likely to have any connection with XP Pro's lack
of "Help...Service" or "system info"?

Thanks again.

p.s. If you have the option, I'd be grateful if you could at least
copy replies to david*[email protected]. Thank you.

On Oct 10, 11:45 am, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
Did this behavior exist before you installed WinXP SP3?

Was the machine running WinXP Pro before the Clean Install? Did you
use
the
WinXP disk that came with your machine to do the Clean Install? Did
you
also install all of the drivers using the disk that came with the
machine?

davidi wrote:
After several problems, I reformatted my HD and installed XP Pro,
then
installed (after download from Microsoft) SP3 and all other Windows
Updates. Then, I reinstalled my apps. Things *seemed* OK.
However, I wanted details on my video card and clicked on Start/
Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information; absolutely
nothing happened. I then clicked on Start/Help and Support, and got a
message that "Windows cannot open Help and Support because a system
service is not running. To fix this problem, start the service named
'Help and Support'."
However, when I tried Start / Run / Services.msc and looked at the
list, I found *no* service beginning with "Help" at all.
I've also run Rootkit Revealer, and see nothing "untoward" to explain
this.
Does anyone have an idea what happened or what I should do... apart
from a complete reformat/reinstall of Windows and then all my apps,
etc

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

I'd recommend sticking with your OE access, Jason. If you open this
newsgroup and use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+H, only your threads will be
displayed.