MSINFO32 starts Help and Support

[jopa66]

Perhaps a minor annoyance but I cannot start MsInfo. No matter if I use Run
box, shortcut or double click msinfo32.exe in \Program Files\Common
Files\Microsoft Shared\MSInfo. Each time "Windows Help and Support Center"
opens instead of MsInfo. However, if I double click a *.nfo file, I get an
error message that msinfo cannot open it etc. etc. When I click OK, MsInfo
will now open but it is now framed within the Help and Support Window. Not a
big problem but, the utility is handy at times and I would just like to fix
it.

 

[Joidon Codrington]

Perhaps a minor annoyance but I cannot start MsInfo. No matter if I use Run
box, shortcut or double click msinfo32.exe in \Program Files\Common
Files\Microsoft Shared\MSInfo. Each time "Windows Help and Support Center"
opens instead of MsInfo. However, if I double click a *.nfo file, I get an
error message that msinfo cannot open it etc. etc. When I click OK, MsInfo
will now open but it is now framed within the Help and Support Window. Not a
big problem but, the utility is handy at times and I would just like to fix
it.

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/msinfo.mspx

 

[jopa66]

Thanx for the link. Although it doesn't solve my problem, I find that if I
use a switch when trying to run msinfo32 I can at least get it to open in
the "Help and Support" window. It still will not open in its own window, but
Hey! It's an acceptable workaround.

 

[jopa66]

Thanx Wes, that fixed it. The only thing I can think of is, I have recently
downloaded and used CCleaner which purports to clean the index.dat file in
TIFF. (now I'm wondering which other index.dat files are missing.) Have to
check this out before I start recommending CCleaner. Thanx again. I wouldn't
have thought of this.
--
~john aka: jopa

The index.dat file may be missing from >>
C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache
or
%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache if Windows is not on C:\

First. Set Hidden files and folders to display.

Start | Settings | Control Panel | Folder Options | View tab
Check:
Display the contents of system folders
Show hidden files and folders
UNCheck:
Hide protected operating system files
Apply | OK

[[Hidden files and folders will appear dimmed to indicate they are not
typical items.]]

Second. Paste this in the Start | Run box...

%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache

Click OK.

Look for a file called index.dat. Is one there?

If not, save the attached zip file and unzip it to ...

%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache

The zip file contains the appropriate index.dat file.

Move index.zip to
%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache
that way the next time you delete the index.dat you
can unzip index.zip again.

If you do not trust this, get the index.dat from a friends machine.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanx for the link. Although it doesn't solve my problem, I find that if
I
use a switch when trying to run msinfo32 I can at least get it to open in
the "Help and Support" window. It still will not open in its own window,
but Hey! It's an acceptable workaround.

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/msinfo.mspx

 

[Wesley Vogel]

As far as I know, this is the only index.dat file that doesn't automatically
get recreated after being deleted. Also the only one that causes any
problems when it's missing.

I have never used CCleaner, but with other cleaner programs there is usually
a way to not delete this index.dat.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanx Wes, that fixed it. The only thing I can think of is, I have
recently downloaded and used CCleaner which purports to clean the
index.dat file in TIFF. (now I'm wondering which other index.dat files
are missing.) Have to check this out before I start recommending
CCleaner. Thanx again. I wouldn't have thought of this.
--
~john aka: jopa

The index.dat file may be missing from >>
C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache
or
%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache if Windows is not on C:\

First. Set Hidden files and folders to display.

Start | Settings | Control Panel | Folder Options | View tab
Check:
Display the contents of system folders
Show hidden files and folders
UNCheck:
Hide protected operating system files
Apply | OK

[[Hidden files and folders will appear dimmed to indicate they are not
typical items.]]

Second. Paste this in the Start | Run box...

%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache

Click OK.

Look for a file called index.dat. Is one there?

If not, save the attached zip file and unzip it to ...

%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache

The zip file contains the appropriate index.dat file.

Move index.zip to
%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache
that way the next time you delete the index.dat you
can unzip index.zip again.

If you do not trust this, get the index.dat from a friends machine.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanx for the link. Although it doesn't solve my problem, I find that if
I
use a switch when trying to run msinfo32 I can at least get it to open
in the "Help and Support" window. It still will not open in its own
window, but Hey! It's an acceptable workaround.

--
~john aka: jopa

On Mon, 6 Feb 2006 14:59:27 -0500, "jopa66"

Perhaps a minor annoyance but I cannot start MsInfo. No matter if I
use Run
box, shortcut or double click msinfo32.exe in \Program Files\Common
Files\Microsoft Shared\MSInfo. Each time "Windows Help and Support
Center" opens instead of MsInfo. However, if I double click a *.nfo
file, I get an error message that msinfo cannot open it etc. etc. When
I click OK, MsInfo will now open but it is now framed within the Help
and Support Window. Not a
big problem but, the utility is handy at times and I would just like
to fix
it.

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/msinfo.mspx

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Adding to Wesley's excellent tip:

Rebuilding the help center re-creates the index.dat.
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

FYI, jopa.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


As far as I know, this is the only index.dat file that doesn't automatically
get recreated after being deleted. Also the only one that causes any
problems when it's missing.

I have never used CCleaner, but with other cleaner programs there is usually
a way to not delete this index.dat.

 

[jopa66]

Thanx Ramesh, good info to have on hand.

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Glad to assist, jopa.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Thanx Ramesh, good info to have on hand.

 

[Guest]

Hi, I am having the same problem with msinfo. I replied to another post of
same reference but that thread is over one year and don't know that it would
be noticed. Anyway, I'm in a pickle. I need to get the index.dat file back.
If you could be so kind and forward me the zip file, I would be ever so
greatful.

Thanks much
jc

As far as I know, this is the only index.dat file that doesn't automatically
get recreated after being deleted. Also the only one that causes any
problems when it's missing.

I have never used CCleaner, but with other cleaner programs there is usually
a way to not delete this index.dat.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanx Wes, that fixed it. The only thing I can think of is, I have
recently downloaded and used CCleaner which purports to clean the
index.dat file in TIFF. (now I'm wondering which other index.dat files
are missing.) Have to check this out before I start recommending
CCleaner. Thanx again. I wouldn't have thought of this.
--
~john aka: jopa

The index.dat file may be missing from >>
C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache
or
%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache if Windows is not on C:\

First. Set Hidden files and folders to display.

Start | Settings | Control Panel | Folder Options | View tab
Check:
 Display the contents of system folders
 Show hidden files and folders
UNCheck:
 Hide protected operating system files
Apply | OK

[[Hidden files and folders will appear dimmed to indicate they are not
typical items.]]

Second. Paste this in the Start | Run box...

%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache

Click OK.

Look for a file called index.dat. Is one there?

If not, save the attached zip file and unzip it to ...

%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache

The zip file contains the appropriate index.dat file.

Move index.zip to
%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache
that way the next time you delete the index.dat you
can unzip index.zip again.

If you do not trust this, get the index.dat from a friends machine.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In jopa66 <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Thanx for the link. Although it doesn't solve my problem, I find that if
I
use a switch when trying to run msinfo32 I can at least get it to open
in the "Help and Support" window. It still will not open in its own
window, but Hey! It's an acceptable workaround.

--
~john aka: jopa

On Mon, 6 Feb 2006 14:59:27 -0500, "jopa66"

Perhaps a minor annoyance but I cannot start MsInfo. No matter if I
use Run
box, shortcut or double click msinfo32.exe in \Program Files\Common
Files\Microsoft Shared\MSInfo. Each time "Windows Help and Support
Center" opens instead of MsInfo. However, if I double click a *.nfo
file, I get an error message that msinfo cannot open it etc. etc. When
I click OK, MsInfo will now open but it is now framed within the Help
and Support Window. Not a
big problem but, the utility is handy at times and I would just like
to fix
it.

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/msinfo.mspx

 

[Guest]

--
Newish to computer stuff

Perhaps a minor annoyance but I cannot start MsInfo. No matter if I use Run
box, shortcut or double click msinfo32.exe in \Program Files\Common
Files\Microsoft Shared\MSInfo. Each time "Windows Help and Support Center"
opens instead of MsInfo. However, if I double click a *.nfo file, I get an
error message that msinfo cannot open it etc. etc. When I click OK, MsInfo
will now open but it is now framed within the Help and Support Window. Not a
big problem but, the utility is handy at times and I would just like to fix
it.
--
~john aka: jopa


Mr Wesley Vogel certainly knows his stuff.

Have just restored Help and Support using this excellent advice
How does anyone get to know so much; it seems a world away to me, but I am
most grateful for his expertise. Thanks - Ian