Help and Support won't launch

You can run setup again and it will replace just the missing system files without needing a full reformat, worth a first try to see if that is the problem.

The only way I have been able to fix that problem is a repair installation of XP (which is what I believe Oz was referring to). An XP CD is required. You will have to reinstall any service packs and updates not on your install CD. Programs and the registry remain intact.

See link below for instructions:

http://www.fujitsu-siemens.co.uk/rl/servicesupport/techsupport/software/windows/xp/Repair.htm

Hopefully, someone has a simpler solution.

Dalton

Do you get an error message or does it just not run, like nothing happens when selected?

Have you tried running the application not using the shortcut?

The shortcut points to here"
":\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\helpctr.exe"
If its just the shortcut you can try rebuilding it by going to:
1. Click Start.
2. Right click on empty space in start menu and select properties.
3. Select Start Menu tab.
4. Place dot in "Start Menu" and click Customize.
5. Select Advanced Tab.
6. "Help and Support" is listed in the "Start menu items:" list.
Remove check from the box and apply to remove it, and then put the check back again.

Is the nfo file extension associated with another program? If so, launch Windows Explorer, go to tools and folder options. Select the File Types tab and find the nfo extension in the list.

Highlight the nfo and the advanced button will turn into a restore button. Click restore to associate it with microsoft help again.

One of the first things that I do on a fresh install is to change the association of nfo to "Notepad". Nfo was always a text file back in the day. I don't know why MS decided to use it for their help files. Must have been to combat piracy.

house - Representin' the scene at TR. LOL.

Hi

I had this problem a while ago which not resolved until after a MS update. As a work-around, I discovered that if you open Control Panel, click the Help menu, then select Help and Support Centre, WinXP help would start.

Good luck

This can also be a result on not have the Help and Support service started. Discovered that when optimising my machine and turning off unneeded services. Didn't think I'd need it, but then was trying something with remote assistance and couldn't get in.

Follow the instructions at this link to repair 'Help and Support' not running:

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_h.htm#h&s

Cheers,

RW

"Help and Support" link from Start Menu does not work:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/startmenuhelp.htm

I wasted a lot of time downloading "fixes" that did not work. To resolve the problem, Start the Help and Support Center service and set it to Automatic. Do this by following these steps:

-Click Start, then Run and type Services.msc
-Double-click Help and Support
-Set the Startup type to Automatic
-Start the Service