Just a passing thought. Have you considered using the System Restore Point? Go to 'Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools' and on click on 'System Restore'.
I have the same problem with my Dell Dimension 8200 with Windows XP Professional. I don't think my problem has anything to do with the registry. I invoked hlpctr.exe (located in C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Binaries) from a shortcut, and have the same behavior: Help and Support Center attempts to start and then it gives up. I renamed that file and XP regenerated it with one of the same date: 08/04/2004. Nothing changed. The only way I can partially use the Center is by going to "Start/Search/Information in Help and Support Center".
In summary, I believe, at least in my case, that the problem is with hlpctr.exe itself, and wouldn't be surprised if the newer (problem) version of that file came when I "upgraded" XP to SP2. Also, I am not sure whether or not this was brought about because mine is a Dell Computer, and the "intertwining" between Dell and MS Windows. Notice, for example, that the Dell Solution Center stopped working with SP2. I uninstalled it, but nothing changed. No idea of where to go from now, other than accepting that this is yet one more facility that I have lost.
The problem with Dell Solution Center and SP2 is well documented. There is no such documentation for problems with Help and Support and SP2. See if any of the links
here prove helpful.
Ronnietkh
103 Posts
0
July 13th, 2004 05:00
Hi
Just a passing thought. Have you considered using the System Restore Point? Go to 'Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools' and on click on 'System Restore'.
Ronnie
Ronnietkh
103 Posts
0
July 13th, 2004 05:00
BTW, read this and install the software for further info.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4219
Ronnie
Dimension8200Us1
2 Posts
0
January 2nd, 2005 04:00
I have the same problem with my Dell Dimension 8200 with Windows XP Professional. I don't think my problem has anything to do with the registry. I invoked hlpctr.exe (located in C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Binaries) from a shortcut, and have the same behavior: Help and Support Center attempts to start and then it gives up. I renamed that file and XP regenerated it with one of the same date: 08/04/2004. Nothing changed. The only way I can partially use the Center is by going to "Start/Search/Information in Help and Support Center".
In summary, I believe, at least in my case, that the problem is with hlpctr.exe itself, and wouldn't be surprised if the newer (problem) version of that file came when I "upgraded" XP to SP2. Also, I am not sure whether or not this was brought about because mine is a Dell Computer, and the "intertwining" between Dell and MS Windows. Notice, for example, that the Dell Solution Center stopped working with SP2. I uninstalled it, but nothing changed. No idea of where to go from now, other than accepting that this is yet one more facility that I have lost.
Denny Denham
2 Intern
•
18.8K Posts
0
January 2nd, 2005 05:00
The problem with Dell Solution Center and SP2 is well documented. There is no such documentation for problems with Help and Support and SP2. See if any of the links here prove helpful.
Dimension8200Us1
2 Posts
0
January 11th, 2005 00:00
Thanks Denny, but none of that helped. I even reinstalled Help and Support, and that didn't work either. Thanks anyway.