Window XP: Helpctr.exe file does not work

[Eli]

The Helpctr.exe file does not work. It is in the proper
location under C:\Windows\PCHealth\Helpctr\Binaries\ and
the registry points to this location. When you go to
Start>Help and Support it gives you a message saying that
the file could not be found. This is really annoying when
you want to find out something but Help cant help you.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Guest]

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

This is a hidden folder: Go to Start/Run and type
in: control folders. View: Show hidden files and
folders and uncheck Hide extensions for known file types

Last, go to Start/Run and type in: helpctr - regserver

 

[Kelly]

Hi Eli,

Helpctr.exe not responding - Go to Start/Run and type in: Helpctr.exe. For
some users this has restored the functionality in the Start Menu.

If the above didn't help:

Check your settings here: Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session
Manager\Environment

In the right pane if windir is listed under type as REG_SZ, it needs to be
changed to REG_EXPAND_SZ, Value Data: C\Windows.

If this is the case:

Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session
Manager\Environment

Right click on Environment, then choose Export, name it and save it. Then
go to the right pane, right click in an empty area and choose New/Expandable
String Value. Name it windir. Then double click it and under Value data,
type in: C:\WINDOWS

From there, right click and delete the windir which type was listed as
REG_SZ then hit refresh (F5).

More info, edits and workarounds here under:

Why doesn't Help and Support work?
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/top10faqs.htm