I
Iceman
(Courtesy of a Microsoft MVP):
This error message is misleading because, unlike some earlier versions of
Windows, Windows XP doesn't actually make use of a glossary.hlp file at
all. Instead, it uses some quite complicated scripting to retrieve the text
of the popup definitions from the file ntshared.chm in the directory
\windows\help. No glossary.hlp file is used or required.
If you're experiencing this problem in spite of the fact that your
\windows\help directory contains a copy of ntshared.chm then you might
try the following:
1) Use MJ's Help Diagnostics to check that all the help viewer components
are properly installed and registered.
http://helpware.net/downloads/index.htm#MJs
(The only section of the MJ's Help Report that is relevant to your problem
is the one headed "HTML Help Run-time Components".)
2) Use Microsoft Critical Update 811630 to upgrade the help viewer
components. You can download the update from here:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811630
3) Delete or rename the file hh.dat, which you should find in this
directory:
\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data\Microsoft\HTML Help
The hh.dat file stores user-specific information on all the help files on
your system (favourite topics, etc.), and can cause the files to misbehave
if it has somehow been corrupted. Windows will create a new version of
hh.dat when you next open any .chm file.
4) Empty your Temporary Internet Files directory (in Internet Explorer,
Tools > Internet Options > General tab > Delete Files). A full TIF
directory can cause the help files to misbehave.