Saving system summary

Question

Hi.

I am trying to save a system summary to a .nfo file for troubleshooting. However, In windows I am told to click "run" in teh start menu, type msinfo32. So far so good, the Help and support center opens. Now I am told to "...select system summary and click save as on the file menu". Unfortunately the Help and suppot center does not have any menus! How do I save the system summary in a .nfo file?

Kind regards.

joe53 · Answer

Your problem may be caused by a missing file caused "index.dat" which should be located in the folder: C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\OfflineCache
Can you navigate to this folder and see if it is missing? (You might have to configure Windows Explorer to show hidden files to see it.)

To see hidden files:

1. On the Tools menu in Windows Explorer, click Folder Options.
2. Click the View tab.
3. Under Hidden files and folders, click Show hidden files and folders.

If indeed it is missing, you can download a replacement from here:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Scroll down to #359 and download the index.dat zipfile on the right "Restore Offline Cache Index.dat"
Unzip it, and place it in the OfflineCache folder above.

maxd · Answer

I was just reading that very section when your email came in. Don't think that was the regedit I once used but your answer looks right on.

maxd · Answer

What's suppose to open when you enter the msinfo32 command is the 'System Information' module not the H & S like you're getting. If you try to access System Information via Programs\Accessories\System Tools you're likely to still get the wrong 'applet'. There's a permanent and temporary fix for this. I'll post the registry script shortly.

joe53 · Answer

@thshunm wrote:
Thanks guys. That did the trick. Any idea why this file was missing?

Thomas

You most likely deleted that index.dat file with a registry cleaner that deletes index.dat files. These files can all be safely deleted except for the one associated with PCHealth. The latest version of CCleaner was changed to prevent this from happening.

thshunm · Answer

Thanks guys. That did the trick. Any idea why this file was missing? Thomas

sfcpc · Answer

Many thanks joe53!!   I had essentially the same problem on several computers - whenever I would run msinfo32.exe (either from the run command or from System Tools), the only thing that would happen is that 'Help and Support' would open.  I applied this fix and instantly got System Information back!!  Again, many thanks (I looked everywhere but finally found the solution here)!   On my systems it is clear that CleanUp! (my PC cleaner) was set to delete this file - I have now removed it from the sweep!   Those of you searching for 'msinfo32 opens helps and support' - look no further, this works!!!

Windows General

Saving system summary

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