Windows Help and Support

[Rainy]

Hi,

I clicked on Windows help and support and windows is telling me it can't
find it.. I did some research and found that the folder called PCHealth is
where it is supposed to be.. the folder is not there??? so I did a search
for helpctr.exe and found it was in several places on my computer.. so I
created a Folder called PCHealth/Helpctr/Binaries and copied and pasted the
helpctr.exe from windows.. thinking I was so smart.. lol but it is still not
working.. One prompt said it was not enabled in services.. I remember
disabling it a while back.. tried to enable it but got the prompt that it
could not be found.. round the mary go round we go! any help always
appreciated.. thanks Rainy ps. I rarely use it, but don't like things to be
out of wack on my computer...

 

[Harry Ohrn]

Check here
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...ic.windowsxp.*&rnum=11&hl=en#0d6959cecc90a529

 

[Rainy]

Hi, none of the other suggestions
worked, so I am trying this one but don't know where %systemroot%\inf
folder is? And what is W.Explorer? If they are talking about windows
system, I could not find the inf folder... thanks for the help.. Rainy

In _nothing_ helps, try reinstalling HelpCenter:


Open %systemroot%\inf folder and locate the PCHealth.inf file (might show as
PCHealth in W.Explorer). Right-click the file and choose "Install". Insert
your XP CD when prompted. If you have a Service Pack installed, be sure to
point to the %Windir%\i386\ServicePackFiles folder, or your slipstreamed XP
CD (if available)

Check here
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...ic.windowsxp.*&rnum=11&hl=en#0d6959cecc90a529

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp

Hi,

I clicked on Windows help and support and windows is telling me it can't
find it.. I did some research and found that the folder called PCHealth
is where it is supposed to be.. the folder is not there??? so I did a
search for helpctr.exe and found it was in several places on my
computer.. so I created a Folder called PCHealth/Helpctr/Binaries and
copied and pasted the helpctr.exe from windows.. thinking I was so
smart.. lol but it is still not working.. One prompt said it was not
enabled in services.. I remember disabling it a while back.. tried to
enable it but got the prompt that it could not be found.. round the mary
go round we go! any help always appreciated.. thanks Rainy ps. I
rarely use it, but don't like things to be out of wack on my computer...

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Locate the file named PCHealth.inf (in Windows\Inf folder). Right-click, and
choose Install.

What's the exact error message when you started the Help & Support Service?

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

Hi, none of the other suggestions
worked, so I am trying this one but don't know where %systemroot%\inf
folder is? And what is W.Explorer? If they are talking about windows
system, I could not find the inf folder... thanks for the help.. Rainy

In _nothing_ helps, try reinstalling HelpCenter:


Open %systemroot%\inf folder and locate the PCHealth.inf file (might show
as
PCHealth in W.Explorer). Right-click the file and choose "Install". Insert
your XP CD when prompted. If you have a Service Pack installed, be sure to
point to the %Windir%\i386\ServicePackFiles folder, or your slipstreamed
XP
CD (if available)

Check here
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...ic.windowsxp.*&rnum=11&hl=en#0d6959cecc90a529

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp

Hi,

I clicked on Windows help and support and windows is telling me it can't
find it.. I did some research and found that the folder called PCHealth
is where it is supposed to be.. the folder is not there??? so I did a
search for helpctr.exe and found it was in several places on my
computer.. so I created a Folder called PCHealth/Helpctr/Binaries and
copied and pasted the helpctr.exe from windows.. thinking I was so
smart.. lol but it is still not working.. One prompt said it was not
enabled in services.. I remember disabling it a while back.. tried to
enable it but got the prompt that it could not be found.. round the mary
go round we go! any help always appreciated.. thanks Rainy ps. I
rarely use it, but don't like things to be out of wack on my computer...

 

[Rainy]

Hi Ramesh, the prompts I got are below...

"Windows cannot open Help and Support because a system service is not
running. To Fix this problme start the service named Help and support"

So I treid to start the service but got the prompt that "could not start
Help and Support service on local computer. Error 1083 The executable
program that this service is configured to run in does not implement the
service"


I did locate pchealth.inf eventually...and tried to install it, it asked for
the windows xp service pack 2 cd (Not the windows XP CD) and fortunately I
had ordered it a while back.. but once I inserted the cd.. they asked for
dataspec.xml and could not find which folder that would be in..so I'm stuck
again.. I wish sometimes when you follow instructions, that letter by
letter steps are included, for instance, it would have helped immensely to
know where it was located... Perhaps someone could send me that file... but
probably that would not be all it would ask for..

but thanks for the response..

much appreciated.. Rainy

Locate the file named PCHealth.inf (in Windows\Inf folder). Right-click,
and choose Install.

What's the exact error message when you started the Help & Support
Service?

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

Hi, none of the other suggestions
worked, so I am trying this one but don't know where %systemroot%\inf
folder is? And what is W.Explorer? If they are talking about windows
system, I could not find the inf folder... thanks for the help.. Rainy

In _nothing_ helps, try reinstalling HelpCenter:


Open %systemroot%\inf folder and locate the PCHealth.inf file (might show
as
PCHealth in W.Explorer). Right-click the file and choose "Install".
Insert
your XP CD when prompted. If you have a Service Pack installed, be sure
to
point to the %Windir%\i386\ServicePackFiles folder, or your slipstreamed
XP
CD (if available)

Check here
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...ic.windowsxp.*&rnum=11&hl=en#0d6959cecc90a529

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


Hi,

I clicked on Windows help and support and windows is telling me it
can't
find it.. I did some research and found that the folder called PCHealth
is where it is supposed to be.. the folder is not there??? so I did a
search for helpctr.exe and found it was in several places on my
computer.. so I created a Folder called PCHealth/Helpctr/Binaries and
copied and pasted the helpctr.exe from windows.. thinking I was so
smart.. lol but it is still not working.. One prompt said it was not
enabled in services.. I remember disabling it a while back.. tried to
enable it but got the prompt that it could not be found.. round the
mary
go round we go! any help always appreciated.. thanks Rainy ps. I
rarely use it, but don't like things to be out of wack on my
computer...

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Rainy,

You need to insert the Windows XP CD (with SP2 integrated, called as a
Slipstreamed XP CD). Otherwise, point to the following folder where the
updated files would be present.

C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386

Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2):
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

Here is a comprehensive rebuild method for Help and Support Center, courtesy
of Rebecca Chen[MS]
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

Resolve the Help and Support Service startup failures:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/helpsvcfix.htm

 

[Rainy]

Hi Ramesh, I don't believe that my windows XP CD would have SP2 integrated,
since I have had windows Xp for longer than SP2 has been out.. maybe you are
talking about something else... but the prompt did not ask for the CD it
asked for the Windows SP2 cd.. aside from that..
I went to this link..

Here is a comprehensive rebuild method for Help and Support Center, courtesy
of Rebecca Chen[MS]
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

and still could not use my help and support.. although it might have done
some good as the next link.. seemed to work!


Resolve the Help and Support Service startup failures:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/helpsvcfix.htm

I ran this executable and got the prompt "Done" please restart your
computer... which I did.. then went back to the link on the start up.. and
clicked on the help and support icon.. but got the prompt that the service
was not started

So I was able to go to services and restart the help and support service,
which I had not been able to do before, so I thought ok.. this is going to
work..)

Went back to the Help and support Icon on my start menu..clicking on it, and
got no prompt, but nothing happened either... I think we are half way
there.. thanks Ramesh.. appreciate it ... Rainy ps. should I now try one
of the other links you sent?

Rainy,

You need to insert the Windows XP CD (with SP2 integrated, called as a
Slipstreamed XP CD). Otherwise, point to the following folder where the
updated files would be present.

C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386

Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2):
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

Here is a comprehensive rebuild method for Help and Support Center,
courtesy of Rebecca Chen[MS]
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

Resolve the Help and Support Service startup failures:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/helpsvcfix.htm


--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

Hi Ramesh, the prompts I got are below...

"Windows cannot open Help and Support because a system service is not
running. To Fix this problme start the service named Help and support"

So I treid to start the service but got the prompt that "could not start
Help and Support service on local computer. Error 1083 The executable
program that this service is configured to run in does not implement the
service"


I did locate pchealth.inf eventually...and tried to install it, it asked
for the windows xp service pack 2 cd (Not the windows XP CD) and
fortunately I had ordered it a while back.. but once I inserted the cd..
they asked for dataspec.xml and could not find which folder that would be
in..so I'm stuck again.. I wish sometimes when you follow
instructions, that letter by letter steps are included, for instance, it
would have helped immensely to know where it was located... Perhaps
someone could send me that file... but probably that would not be all it
would ask for..

but thanks for the response..

much appreciated.. Rainy

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Rainy,

You can point to Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 for updated files as I said
before, or create a slipstreamed XP SP2 CD using the procedure here:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

BTW, to automate the slipstreaming task, you can use an utility called
AutoStreamer available from here:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4444.html

In this link (http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm), try copying the
commands to a Notepad, and save as "HelpFix.bat". Save it to Desktop, and
then double-click the file.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

Hi Ramesh, I don't believe that my windows XP CD would have SP2
integrated,
since I have had windows Xp for longer than SP2 has been out.. maybe you
are
talking about something else... but the prompt did not ask for the CD it
asked for the Windows SP2 cd.. aside from that..
I went to this link..

Here is a comprehensive rebuild method for Help and Support Center,
courtesy
of Rebecca Chen[MS]
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

and still could not use my help and support.. although it might have done
some good as the next link.. seemed to work!


Resolve the Help and Support Service startup failures:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/helpsvcfix.htm

I ran this executable and got the prompt "Done" please restart your
computer... which I did.. then went back to the link on the start up.. and
clicked on the help and support icon.. but got the prompt that the service
was not started

So I was able to go to services and restart the help and support service,
which I had not been able to do before, so I thought ok.. this is going to
work..)

Went back to the Help and support Icon on my start menu..clicking on it,
and
got no prompt, but nothing happened either... I think we are half way
there.. thanks Ramesh.. appreciate it ... Rainy ps. should I now try
one
of the other links you sent?

Rainy,

You need to insert the Windows XP CD (with SP2 integrated, called as a
Slipstreamed XP CD). Otherwise, point to the following folder where the
updated files would be present.

C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386

Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2):
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

Here is a comprehensive rebuild method for Help and Support Center,
courtesy of Rebecca Chen[MS]
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

Resolve the Help and Support Service startup failures:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/helpsvcfix.htm


--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

Hi Ramesh, the prompts I got are below...

"Windows cannot open Help and Support because a system service is not
running. To Fix this problme start the service named Help and support"

So I treid to start the service but got the prompt that "could not start
Help and Support service on local computer. Error 1083 The executable
program that this service is configured to run in does not implement the
service"


I did locate pchealth.inf eventually...and tried to install it, it asked
for the windows xp service pack 2 cd (Not the windows XP CD) and
fortunately I had ordered it a while back.. but once I inserted the cd..
they asked for dataspec.xml and could not find which folder that would
be
in..so I'm stuck again.. I wish sometimes when you follow
instructions, that letter by letter steps are included, for instance, it
would have helped immensely to know where it was located... Perhaps
someone could send me that file... but probably that would not be all it
would ask for..

but thanks for the response..

much appreciated.. Rainy

 

[Rainy]

Hi Ramesh, this is becoming a bit hard for me... but I tried to install
the pchealth.inf.. and was successful... I put in my Windows XP cd.. when it
asked for files, and it finished installing.. I also made the bat file.. I
have never done that before!!! lol and doubled clicked it.. but after all of
this.. I still don't get a response when I click on help and support on my
start menu.. I'm not getting errors, just not getting it to come up..

I have done everything plausible to make this work.. and for some reason..
it just refuses to!

Maybe I installed it from the wrong folder.. I found the pchealth.inf in C
windows service pack files, i386 .. perhaps I was supposed to install from
some other folder, could this be it? I"m just trying to figure this out...
not doing very well though..

Thanks for the help... Rainy

Ps. I have followed instructions from every link you sent... except for
slipstreaming.. since it seemed to work from the windows XP pro Cd.. I
didn't think it was necessary..

Rainy,

You can point to Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 for updated files as I said
before, or create a slipstreamed XP SP2 CD using the procedure here:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

BTW, to automate the slipstreaming task, you can use an utility called
AutoStreamer available from here:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4444.html

In this link (http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm), try copying the
commands to a Notepad, and save as "HelpFix.bat". Save it to Desktop, and
then double-click the file.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

Hi Ramesh, I don't believe that my windows XP CD would have SP2
integrated,
since I have had windows Xp for longer than SP2 has been out.. maybe you
are
talking about something else... but the prompt did not ask for the CD it
asked for the Windows SP2 cd.. aside from that..
I went to this link..

Here is a comprehensive rebuild method for Help and Support Center,
courtesy
of Rebecca Chen[MS]
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

and still could not use my help and support.. although it might have done
some good as the next link.. seemed to work!


Resolve the Help and Support Service startup failures:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/helpsvcfix.htm

I ran this executable and got the prompt "Done" please restart your
computer... which I did.. then went back to the link on the start up..
and
clicked on the help and support icon.. but got the prompt that the
service
was not started

So I was able to go to services and restart the help and support service,
which I had not been able to do before, so I thought ok.. this is going
to
work..)

Went back to the Help and support Icon on my start menu..clicking on it,
and
got no prompt, but nothing happened either... I think we are half way
there.. thanks Ramesh.. appreciate it ... Rainy ps. should I now try
one
of the other links you sent?

Rainy,

You need to insert the Windows XP CD (with SP2 integrated, called as a
Slipstreamed XP CD). Otherwise, point to the following folder where the
updated files would be present.

C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386

Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2):
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

Here is a comprehensive rebuild method for Help and Support Center,
courtesy of Rebecca Chen[MS]
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

Resolve the Help and Support Service startup failures:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/helpsvcfix.htm


--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org


Hi Ramesh, the prompts I got are below...

"Windows cannot open Help and Support because a system service is not
running. To Fix this problme start the service named Help and support"

So I treid to start the service but got the prompt that "could not
start
Help and Support service on local computer. Error 1083 The executable
program that this service is configured to run in does not implement
the
service"


I did locate pchealth.inf eventually...and tried to install it, it
asked
for the windows xp service pack 2 cd (Not the windows XP CD) and
fortunately I had ordered it a while back.. but once I inserted the
cd..
they asked for dataspec.xml and could not find which folder that would
be
in..so I'm stuck again.. I wish sometimes when you follow
instructions, that letter by letter steps are included, for instance,
it
would have helped immensely to know where it was located... Perhaps
someone could send me that file... but probably that would not be all
it
would ask for..

but thanks for the response..

much appreciated.. Rainy

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Rainy,

It looks like you've used the base XP CD (without any SP). Secondly, you've
not told anything about Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 (whether you pointed
Windows to look at that path for updated file? or not).

Also, do you have any StarDock products installed (particularly their Beta
software)?

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

Hi Ramesh, this is becoming a bit hard for me... but I tried to install
the pchealth.inf.. and was successful... I put in my Windows XP cd.. when
it asked for files, and it finished installing.. I also made the bat
file.. I have never done that before!!! lol and doubled clicked it.. but
after all of this.. I still don't get a response when I click on help and
support on my start menu.. I'm not getting errors, just not getting it to
come up..

I have done everything plausible to make this work.. and for some reason..
it just refuses to!

Maybe I installed it from the wrong folder.. I found the pchealth.inf in C
windows service pack files, i386 .. perhaps I was supposed to install from
some other folder, could this be it? I"m just trying to figure this out...
not doing very well though..

Thanks for the help... Rainy

Ps. I have followed instructions from every link you sent... except for
slipstreaming.. since it seemed to work from the windows XP pro Cd.. I
didn't think it was necessary..

Rainy,

I don't believe that my windows XP CD would have SP2 integrated

You can point to Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 for updated files as I
said before, or create a slipstreamed XP SP2 CD using the procedure here:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

BTW, to automate the slipstreaming task, you can use an utility called
AutoStreamer available from here:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4444.html

and still could not use my help and support

In this link (http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm), try copying the
commands to a Notepad, and save as "HelpFix.bat". Save it to Desktop, and
then double-click the file.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

Hi Ramesh, I don't believe that my windows XP CD would have SP2
integrated,
since I have had windows Xp for longer than SP2 has been out.. maybe you
are
talking about something else... but the prompt did not ask for the CD it
asked for the Windows SP2 cd.. aside from that..
I went to this link..

Here is a comprehensive rebuild method for Help and Support Center,
courtesy
of Rebecca Chen[MS]
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

and still could not use my help and support.. although it might have
done
some good as the next link.. seemed to work!


Resolve the Help and Support Service startup failures:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/helpsvcfix.htm

I ran this executable and got the prompt "Done" please restart your
computer... which I did.. then went back to the link on the start up..
and
clicked on the help and support icon.. but got the prompt that the
service
was not started

So I was able to go to services and restart the help and support
service,
which I had not been able to do before, so I thought ok.. this is going
to
work..)

Went back to the Help and support Icon on my start menu..clicking on it,
and
got no prompt, but nothing happened either... I think we are half way
there.. thanks Ramesh.. appreciate it ... Rainy ps. should I now try
one
of the other links you sent?





Rainy,

You need to insert the Windows XP CD (with SP2 integrated, called as a
Slipstreamed XP CD). Otherwise, point to the following folder where the
updated files would be present.

C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386

Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2):
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

Here is a comprehensive rebuild method for Help and Support Center,
courtesy of Rebecca Chen[MS]
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

Resolve the Help and Support Service startup failures:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/helpsvcfix.htm


--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org


Hi Ramesh, the prompts I got are below...

"Windows cannot open Help and Support because a system service is not
running. To Fix this problme start the service named Help and
support"

So I treid to start the service but got the prompt that "could not
start
Help and Support service on local computer. Error 1083 The
executable
program that this service is configured to run in does not implement
the
service"


I did locate pchealth.inf eventually...and tried to install it, it
asked
for the windows xp service pack 2 cd (Not the windows XP CD) and
fortunately I had ordered it a while back.. but once I inserted the
cd..
they asked for dataspec.xml and could not find which folder that would
be
in..so I'm stuck again.. I wish sometimes when you follow
instructions, that letter by letter steps are included, for instance,
it
would have helped immensely to know where it was located... Perhaps
someone could send me that file... but probably that would not be all
it
would ask for..

but thanks for the response..

much appreciated.. Rainy

 

[Rainy]

sorry, I didn't mean to send it to your regular email.. so I'm posting it
again here.. Rainy


Hi Ramesh, The base cd was what I thought you wanted me to use.. boy am I
confused.. lol but the file they wanted was right
there..so I used it.. it was exactly what they were asking for.

I have the "windows XP service Pack 2 with advanced security technologies"
that I got from Microsoft.. they sent it to me free of
charge... I tried using this the first time... ... and yes I did point
it to the i386 folder on my hard drive.

and yes I did have stardock.. I had been trying to uninstall it for a long
time.. and it would not uninstall, so I deleted it
manually.. ..then ran my utilities to get rid of the mess I created doing
it that way.. I even reinstalled it thinking it would
come with an uninstaller, but no such luck. I don't know if it was beta...
I usually stay clear of beta software..

Well if you are still up for it.. what next? thanks Rainy

Rainy,

It looks like you've used the base XP CD (without any SP). Secondly,
you've not told anything about Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 (whether you
pointed Windows to look at that path for updated file? or not).

Also, do you have any StarDock products installed (particularly their Beta
software)?

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

Hi Ramesh, this is becoming a bit hard for me... but I tried to
install the pchealth.inf.. and was successful... I put in my Windows XP
cd.. when it asked for files, and it finished installing.. I also made
the bat file.. I have never done that before!!! lol and doubled clicked
it.. but after all of this.. I still don't get a response when I click on
help and support on my start menu.. I'm not getting errors, just not
getting it to come up..

I have done everything plausible to make this work.. and for some
reason.. it just refuses to!

Maybe I installed it from the wrong folder.. I found the pchealth.inf in
C windows service pack files, i386 .. perhaps I was supposed to install
from some other folder, could this be it? I"m just trying to figure this
out... not doing very well though..

Thanks for the help... Rainy

Ps. I have followed instructions from every link you sent... except for
slipstreaming.. since it seemed to work from the windows XP pro Cd.. I
didn't think it was necessary..

Rainy,

I don't believe that my windows XP CD would have SP2 integrated

You can point to Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 for updated files as I
said before, or create a slipstreamed XP SP2 CD using the procedure
here:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

BTW, to automate the slipstreaming task, you can use an utility called
AutoStreamer available from here:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4444.html

and still could not use my help and support

In this link (http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm), try copying
the commands to a Notepad, and save as "HelpFix.bat". Save it to
Desktop, and then double-click the file.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org


Hi Ramesh, I don't believe that my windows XP CD would have SP2
integrated,
since I have had windows Xp for longer than SP2 has been out.. maybe
you are
talking about something else... but the prompt did not ask for the CD
it
asked for the Windows SP2 cd.. aside from that..
I went to this link..

Here is a comprehensive rebuild method for Help and Support Center,
courtesy
of Rebecca Chen[MS]
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

and still could not use my help and support.. although it might have
done
some good as the next link.. seemed to work!


Resolve the Help and Support Service startup failures:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/helpsvcfix.htm

I ran this executable and got the prompt "Done" please restart your
computer... which I did.. then went back to the link on the start up..
and
clicked on the help and support icon.. but got the prompt that the
service
was not started

So I was able to go to services and restart the help and support
service,
which I had not been able to do before, so I thought ok.. this is going
to
work..)

Went back to the Help and support Icon on my start menu..clicking on
it, and
got no prompt, but nothing happened either... I think we are half way
there.. thanks Ramesh.. appreciate it ... Rainy ps. should I now
try one
of the other links you sent?





Rainy,

You need to insert the Windows XP CD (with SP2 integrated, called as a
Slipstreamed XP CD). Otherwise, point to the following folder where
the
updated files would be present.

C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386

Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2):
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

Here is a comprehensive rebuild method for Help and Support Center,
courtesy of Rebecca Chen[MS]
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

Resolve the Help and Support Service startup failures:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/helpsvcfix.htm


--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org


Hi Ramesh, the prompts I got are below...

"Windows cannot open Help and Support because a system service is not
running. To Fix this problme start the service named Help and
support"

So I treid to start the service but got the prompt that "could not
start
Help and Support service on local computer. Error 1083 The
executable
program that this service is configured to run in does not implement
the
service"


I did locate pchealth.inf eventually...and tried to install it, it
asked
for the windows xp service pack 2 cd (Not the windows XP CD) and
fortunately I had ordered it a while back.. but once I inserted the
cd..
they asked for dataspec.xml and could not find which folder that
would be
in..so I'm stuck again.. I wish sometimes when you follow
instructions, that letter by letter steps are included, for instance,
it
would have helped immensely to know where it was located... Perhaps
someone could send me that file... but probably that would not be all
it
would ask for..

but thanks for the response..

much appreciated.. Rainy

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Rainy,

Stardock's Beta software caused problems with Help Center. See if you can
get the manual uninstall instructions from their support team. Apart from
that, I running out of ideas.

 

[Rainy]

thanks for the help.. I will check into it.. Rainy

...