System Info

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Guest

Why does the "help and support" window open now when I click on "SYSTEM
INFORMATION" instead of the system info screen? How can I change it back?
 
Brian A. said:
Why does the "help and support" window open now when I click on "SYSTEM
INFORMATION" instead of the system info screen? How can I change it back?
Click to expand...


Type the following in the Run Dialog box and see if this will launch System
Info:

msinfo32.exe
or
"%ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\MSInfo\msinfo32.exe"

Look at the Shortcut properties for System Info and see if the full path is
correct. The shortcut is located here:

"C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\System
Tools"
 
Wesley Vogel said:
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.

According to Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]...

Rebuilding the help center re-creates the index.dat.

Reinstalling Help and Support Center in Windows XP
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
Brian A. said:
Why does the "help and support" window open now when I click on "SYSTEM
INFORMATION" instead of the system info screen? How can I change it back?
Click to expand...
Wes
Click to expand...
It worked great! Thank You very much for the help!
 
--
Sandy

Wes, can't tell you how helpful this was...it must be a pretty common
problem lately, as I've run across three people this month with the exact
same question. Now maybe I can help them! One question (still learning my way
around this site): you said you attached a copy of index.dat...is an
attachment available to all viewers? I can't find it! Thanks!
 
CDO posters (web interface) cannot attach files or see any attachments, you
need a newsreader like Outlook Express in order to post or even see
attachments.

I have no idea how old this thread is, I cannot find it on a Google Groups
search.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
Oh, how embarrassing :(
I was so excited at finding the thread, I didn't even notice the year was
'06..only the 3/7 sunk in. But hey, people are still having the problem, and
the info is still valid!

I found it by coming to Microsoft and doing a search of the XP Newsgroups.
Had already googled and nothing showed up. When that happens, I come here!
Should start coming here first...duh.

I followed the link you provided to Ramesh's page about rebuilding the help
center to get the index.dat back-- and it (still) works!

But I'm glad I asked about the attachment...I use Outlook Express, but never
before had the need or desire to learn about the newsreader and how to use
it. Now, thanks to you, I have both. So, again...thank you, thank you, thank
you!
 
Hi Sandy,

Yes msinfo32 with index.dat file missing can still be a problem. glad you
got it worked out. ;-)

Read this, then click on the aumha link...

MICROSOFT PUBLIC NEWSGROUPS
[[There are many valuable newsgroups on the msnews.microsoft.com server, on
nearly every available topic and in many different languages. Clicking the
links below will automatically create any necessary account configuration in
Outlook Express and take you directly to the newsgroup you have selected -
no complicated technical configurations are needed!]]
http://aumha.org/nntp.htm

Then all you have to do is scroll down and click on the newsgroup links that
you want to subscribe to.

If you want to try the harder way...
1. Launch Outlook Express.
2. On the Tools menu in Outlook Express, click Accounts.
3. In the Internet Account dialog box, click the Add button, and then click
News.
4. In the Internet Connection Wizard that appears, type your name in the
Display name field, and then click Next. Type your e-mail address in the
e-mail address field, and then click Next.

Mung your E-mail address so that it is not real. I.e.
(e-mail address removed) that looks real but has extra letters.

5. Type: msnews.microsoft.com in the News (NNTP) Server field.
6. Click Next. Click Finish, and then click Close.
7. When asked, "Would you like to download newsgroups from the news server
you added?" click Yes.
8. In the Newsgroup Subscriptions dialog box, type
microsoft.public.windowsxp. to display all Windows XP newsgroups. Click
the newsgroups you're interested in, then click Subscribe, and you're
ready to go!

from...
Windows XP Newsgroup Setup Instructions for Outlook Express
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroupsetup.mspx

Using Outlook Express To View Newsgroups
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/842970/en-gb

Setting up Outlook Express Newsreader
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

Mastering Newsgroups in Outlook Express: Power User Tips
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/community/columns/newsgroups.mspx

Outlook Express newsgroups 101
http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/IE/community/columns/newsgroups101.mspx

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
Hope this helps. Let us know.<<

I'm letting you know: You did it again! Saved me hours finding instructions
and figuring everything out. Thanks, Wes. Next time I see your name, it'll be
in my OE Newsreader!
 
Sandy, have fun, dang it.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
Sandy said:
I'm letting you know: You did it again! Saved me hours finding
instructions and figuring everything out. Thanks, Wes. Next time I see
your name, it'll be in my OE Newsreader!
--
Sandy


Wesley Vogel said:
Hi Sandy,

Yes msinfo32 with index.dat file missing can still be a problem. glad
you got it worked out. ;-)

Read this, then click on the aumha link...

MICROSOFT PUBLIC NEWSGROUPS
[[There are many valuable newsgroups on the msnews.microsoft.com server,
on nearly every available topic and in many different languages.
Clicking the links below will automatically create any necessary account
configuration in Outlook Express and take you directly to the newsgroup
you have selected - no complicated technical configurations are needed!]]
http://aumha.org/nntp.htm

Then all you have to do is scroll down and click on the newsgroup links
that you want to subscribe to.

If you want to try the harder way...
1. Launch Outlook Express.
2. On the Tools menu in Outlook Express, click Accounts.
3. In the Internet Account dialog box, click the Add button, and then
click News.
4. In the Internet Connection Wizard that appears, type your name in the
Display name field, and then click Next. Type your e-mail address in
the e-mail address field, and then click Next.

Mung your E-mail address so that it is not real. I.e.
(e-mail address removed) that looks real but has extra letters.

5. Type: msnews.microsoft.com in the News (NNTP) Server field.
6. Click Next. Click Finish, and then click Close.
7. When asked, "Would you like to download newsgroups from the news
server you added?" click Yes.
8. In the Newsgroup Subscriptions dialog box, type
microsoft.public.windowsxp. to display all Windows XP newsgroups.
Click the newsgroups you're interested in, then click Subscribe, and
you're ready to go!

from...
Windows XP Newsgroup Setup Instructions for Outlook Express
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroupsetup.mspx

Using Outlook Express To View Newsgroups
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/842970/en-gb

Setting up Outlook Express Newsreader
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

Mastering Newsgroups in Outlook Express: Power User Tips
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/community/columns/newsgroups.mspx

Outlook Express newsgroups 101
http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/IE/community/columns/newsgroups101.mspx

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Can you send me the info on how to fix my system information issues in super
lame name terms I try to view my system information & I cant

Wesley Vogel said:
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.

According to Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]...

Rebuilding the help center re-creates the index.dat.

Reinstalling Help and Support Center in Windows XP
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
Brian A. said:
Why does the "help and support" window open now when I click on "SYSTEM
INFORMATION" instead of the system info screen? How can I change it back?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I looked like you said here but its not there and i cant find it
I cannot reinstal my windows xp bc it came preinstalled on machine & I dont have the disks
Click to expand...
Wesley Vogel said:
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.

According to Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]...

Rebuilding the help center re-creates the index.dat.

Reinstalling Help and Support Center in Windows XP
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
Brian A. said:
Why does the "help and support" window open now when I click on "SYSTEM
INFORMATION" instead of the system info screen? How can I change it back?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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