Question

How To Re-Install XP "Help & Support" System onto a Local Sony PCV-RS410 PC?

Asked by: desertcities

I'm working on a Sony PCV-RS410 P4 computer (latest patches installed) part of a small network. My problem is that the Sony is completely missing the Window's XP Help & Support' support. This is a local machine.

I've installed the VPS Regedits to restore XP Help from Kellys Corner site <http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com> and I do see in the XP Services the 'Help & Support' service and it's enabled.

However, when I click on the Start button I get the following error:

"Error 1083: Could not start the Help & Support service on the local computer. The executable program that the service is configured to run does not implement the service."

The path to the executable seems fine and svchost.exe exists: "C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs".

I do have an XP CD and can copy and expand files even though I suspect Sony had it's original install XP CD. I almost attempted an XP Repair install but was asked fof Admin password, don't know and blank didn't work, and I didn't want to crack it. I thought there must be an easier way to restore XP's help system.

I've also used Mjsdia to check on registered help dll files. Please see those comments below before answering if anything is related to the solution here.

However, I believe this report is largely to check on the IE browser help and less to do with XP Help & Support?

Any suggestions?

Thank you.
------------------------------

MJ's Help Report

A common problem with HTML Help 1.x is DLLs not correctly registered during installation. This utility checks all components and registers DLLs if required. We also report if the RoboHelp DLL is registered, and if MS Help 2 components are installed and registered.

After running the report, try running your program again to see if the fault has cleared.
General Info

Report EXE:       C:\DOCUME~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\ZGTemp\MJsDiag.exe
Report Run Date:      7/16/2007 4:01:03 PM
Report EXE Version:       2.7.0.0
Download URL:       http://helpware.net/downloads/

Operating System:      Windows NT 5.1.2600
SysLocale.DefaultLCID:       0x0409 (1033)
SysLocale.PriLangID:       0x0009 (9)
SysLocale.SubLangID:       0x0001 (1)
DecimalSeparator:      .

HH Installed:      YES
HH Version:      5.2.3790.2847
HH Friendly Version:       > 1.4a

H2 Installed:      YES
H2 Version:      2.5.50727.198

IE Installed:      YES
IE Version:      6.0.2900.2987
IE Friendly Version:       Internet Explorer 6 (Windows XP SP2)

NT Administrator

NT Admin Check: Current user has full administor privileges: YES

HTML Help Run-time Components

File Registered OK: C:\WINDOWS\system32\hhctrl.ocx (Version: 5.2.3790.2847)
File Registered OK: C:\WINDOWS\system32\itss.dll (Version: 5.2.3790.2453)
File Registered OK: C:\WINDOWS\system32\itircl.dll (Version: 5.2.3790.2453)

File Found: C:\WINDOWS\system32\hhctrl.ocx
      Version = 5.2.3790.2847
      Registry Info: {adb880a6-d8ff-11cf-9377-00aa003b7a11}
       ClassName = HHCtrl Object
       InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\system32\hhctrl.ocx
       ProgID = Internet.HHCtrl.1
      DLL is Found and Registered OK = YES

File Found: C:\WINDOWS\system32\itss.dll
      Version = 5.2.3790.2453
      Registry Info: {5D02926A-212E-11D0-9DF9-00A0C922E6EC}
       ClassName = Microsoft InfoTech IStorage System
       InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\system32\itss.dll
       ProgID = MSITFS1.0
      DLL is Found and Registered OK = YES

File Found: C:\WINDOWS\system32\itircl.dll
      Version = 5.2.3790.2453
      Registry Info: {4662DAA5-D393-11D0-9A56-00C04FB68BF7}
       ClassName =
       InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\system32\itircl.dll
       ProgID = ITIR.WordWheelBuild.4
      DLL is Found and Registered OK = YES

For HH Version Info See: http://helpware.net/htmlhelp/hh_info.htm

HTML Help 1.x Registry Settings

Description: If present this Key can disable HH Shortcuts and HH WinHelp commands on the local PC
Reference: KB 810687, KB 323180

Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\
Value: HelpQualifiedRootDir (string value) =
-> Report: Policy is not enabled. HH Shortcuts are not restricted on local machine.

Description: This key can be used to enable Hhctrl.ocx ActiveX Visual controls on servers
Reference: KB 892675

Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\HTMLHelp\1.x\HHRestrictions
Value: UrlAllowList (string value) =
Value: MaxAllowedZone (string value) =
-> Report: Settings reported for information only.

Description: This key allows MS programs such as iexplore.exe to open ITS file that do not have a .CHM file extension
Reference: KB 873343

Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\HTMLHelp\1.x\HelpRestrictions\AllowedExtensions
-> Report: No special file extensions have been enabled on this PC.

Description: This key can be used to allow access to remote ITS files
Reference: Win 2003 SP1, KB 896054

Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\HTMLHelp\1.x\ItssRestrictions
Value: UrlAllowList (string value) =
Value: MaxAllowedZone (string value) =
Value: NestedProtocolList (string value) =
-> Report: Settings reported for information only.

For HH Registry Info See: http://helpware.net/htmlhelp/hh_info.htm#hh14

HTML Help 1.x Workshop Components

*** HH Workshop not found or not installed correctly. Try reinstalling.

File not found: C:\Program Files\itcc.dll

*** File Not Found: hha.dll

KeyHelp OCX by Keyworks.net - KeyHelp.ocx

      Detecting KeyHelp.ocx by looking for the IKeyPopup interface
      Registration Info: {1E57C6C4-B069-11D3-8D43-00104B138C8C}
       Version = 1.1.2174.0
       ClassName = KeyPopup Class
       InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\System32\KeyHelp.ocx
       ProgID = KeyHelp.KeyPopup.1
      Dll Found and Registered = YES

For More Info See: http://keyworks.net/

RoboHelp DLL by eHelp/Macromedia - HHActiveX.dll

This is for information only. HHActiveX is a 3rd party DLL.
*** HHActiveX.dll is not registered or not installed!
*** You can register your HHActiveX.dll using the "Register DLL..." button.
*** HHActiveX.dll could be installed anywhere on your PC.

For More Info See: http://www.macromedia.com/

MS Help 2 Run-time Components

File Found: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Help\HxDs.dll
      Version = 2.5.50727.198
      Registry Info: {31411198-A502-11D2-BBCA-00C04F8EC294}
       ClassName = HxSession Class
       InProcServer32 = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Help\hxds.dll
       ProgID = HxDS.HxSession.1
      DLL is Found and Registered OK = YES

*** File Not Found. Try reinstalling: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Help\HxVz.dll

More info on H2 can be found at: http://helpware.net/mshelp2/h20.htm

MS Help 2 SDK Components

*** File Not Found: hxCsrv.exe
*** File Not Found: hxComp.exe
*** File Not Found: hxConv.exe
*** File Not Found: hxReg.exe
*** File Not Found: hxMerge.exe

end:

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Asked On: 2007-07-16 at 18:56:05ID22700382
Topic: Windows XP Operating System
Participating Experts: 3
Points: 500
Comments: 11

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Answers

by: dhoffman_98Posted on 2007-07-16 at 19:12:53ID: 19501697

Check to see if you have the following directory: C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\BINARIES

If so, then try double-clicking on HELPCTR.EXE and see if that starts it. If that starts it, then check the registry fix in the following article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888018/en-us which should get you running again.

It's possible that since you have an OEM version of XP installed, the Help and Support sub-system may not have been installed.

Here is a link to another page that explains how to reinstall the Help and Support Services:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

by: FOTCPosted on 2007-07-16 at 19:14:26ID: 19501700

First you should check that the help and support service is running ,to do this first click on start then click on run, In the run dialog box type in "services.msc" (without the double quotes)

In the window that opens up scroll down until you see "help and support" then check the status to see if it is active. If it says disabled double click on help and support listing and from the dialog box that pops up select automatic for the startup type and then click on apply.click on the start button on the same dialog box to start help and support then click on ok.See if help and support comes up when you try to start it. If this doesn't help then the following articles might be of help

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888018/en-us
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/873158/en-us

You can also try:

Go to Start/Run and type in: regsvr32 HHCTRL.OCX and ok

or

This VBScript has been known to work:

This script will not correct issues that are accompanied by an error message. The indications for the use of this script are that Help and Support will not open, there is no error message, just a brief change of the mouse cursor to an hourglass.

This VB Script will restore the associations for Windows® XP Help and Support that Easy Cleaner removes.

To use: Download the fixwinxphelp.vbs file and save it to your hard drive (you may want to right click and use Save Target As). Double-click the fixwinxphelp.vbs file. You will be prompted when the repairs have been completed. This script can be viewed in Notepad or any text editor, as to the specific Registry key and value that are updated.

or

Start > cmd > sfc /scannow

Good Luck

by: dhoffman_98Posted on 2007-07-16 at 19:15:30ID: 19501702

Here's one more article that potentially could help:
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_reinstall_the_windows.htm

by: sramesh2kPosted on 2007-07-16 at 19:53:31ID: 19501842

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

<excerpt>

When you attempt to start the Help and Support Service using the Services.msc applet, one of the following error may be displayed:

Could not start the Help and Support service on Local Computer.
Error 2: The system cannot find the file specified.

Could not start the 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

</excerpt>

by: desertcitiesPosted on 2007-07-16 at 22:48:31ID: 19502426

Hi Everyone,

Well, I did manage to finally get the Help & Support Service to start, but still cannot load up Help & Support (either by link or by clicking HELPCTR.EXE either. Cannot get Accessories > System Tools > System Info to load either.

After running 'helpsvcfix.exe' (thanks Sramesh2k) that's when the service finally loaded.

And I was able to successfully run "Start/Run and type in: regsvr32 HHCTRL.OCX" (thanks Fotc) but I could not run "cmd > sfc /scannow" as it kept asking for XP SP 2, which I have, but I believe the computer had a Sony OEM XP install and my XP and SP2 are different CD sizes. Thus, I cannot run this procedure as I believe the system is looking for original OEM CD.

Presently, I'm download Auto Patcher and will create a Slip Stream CD (pretty cool) and see if by using that if I can fix things.

I've tried just about everything mentioned or referenced here.

But all I get when I click on Help & Support is an hour-glass and then 1-2 seconds goes away.

At least the Service now starts.

Will keep you updated.

by: sramesh2kPosted on 2007-07-16 at 23:22:32ID: 19502524

desertcities,

Start with DLL registration. Proceed to next method if one fails to resolve
the problem.

Type in Start, Run dialog:

helpctr -regserver
regsvr32 itss
regsvr32 hhctrl.ocx
regsvr32 jscript

Fix Windows XP Help - from Doug's site:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/fix_windows_xp_help.htm

In that does not help, try reinstalling Help and Support Center using this method:

Click Start, Run and type "%systemroot%\inf". Right-click the file PCHealth.inf 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).

Here is the comprehensive rebuild method for Help and Support. http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm. Thanks to Rebecca Chen [MSFT] for that tip.

by: desertcitiesPosted on 2007-07-17 at 01:32:33ID: 19503019

Sramesh2k,

The dlls registered fine, everything in your last comment seemed to work, including Rebecca Chen's procedure. However, while the Help & Support Service starts, I still get no Help & Support screen, nor does Start > Accessories > System Tools > System Info work.

Also I noticed when I do a right-click onto "PCHealth.inf" I have no "install" option at all. I'm not sure why on right-click no install?

The slipstream is still building and when it's complete I will try the "cmd > sfc /scannow" and see if that helps as then it can read off the slipstream CD.

Thanks everyone so far for pitching in!

Mark

by: sramesh2kPosted on 2007-07-17 at 06:27:49ID: 19504583

Mark,

>> I'm not sure why on right-click no install?

The .INF file association fix from this site should bring back the "Install" option:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

As for the Help and Support issue, the symptoms that you wrote can happen if the Help and Support files are missing in the system. If you have another Windows XP computer, transfer the Help and Support files to this location:

C:\Windows\pchealth\helpctr\

This fixed the problem every time when I suggested it to others.

by: sramesh2kPosted on 2007-07-17 at 21:00:39ID: 19510997

Which one did the trick, Mark?

by: desertcitiesPosted on 2007-07-17 at 22:50:10ID: 19511280

Hi Sramesh2k,

I finally did the most obvious and simple thing like you suggested and copied all of the helpctr files from one PC on the network to the Sony PC and I did manage to get Accesories > System Tools > System Info working! Super.

But I cannot get the Start > Help & Support to load. I'm sure it's a bad registry entry.

I followed the steps as shared by <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888018/en-us>, but I cannot find the registry entry. Steps:

1.      Click Start, click Run, type Regedit, and then click OK.
2.      Locate the following registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\HELPCTR.EXE

If this registry subkey does not exist, right-click the following registry subkey, click New, click Key, type HELPCTR.EXE, and then press ENTER:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths
3.      In the left pane, click HELPCTR.EXE, in the right pane, right-click (Default), click Modify, in the Value data box, type C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe, and then click OK.
4.      Quit Registry Editor, and then restart your computer.

I'm going zonkers trying to find this entry. Saw it yesterday.

I know the Start > Help & Support = bad path as HELPCTR.exe loads up if clicked.

But I'm very happy I at least got System Info working to export some log info.

My deepest thanks.

If anyone wants to add anything how I can fix this Start > Help & Support registry link, cool.

Mark

by: sramesh2kPosted on 2007-07-17 at 22:52:44ID: 19511286

Thanks for the update, Mark.

>> If anyone wants to add anything how I can fix this Start > Help & Support registry link, cool.

The procedure you stated above (App Paths registry key) applies if you're able to start Help Center by typing the full path (C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe) in Start/Run, but the Start menu "Help and Support" link does not work.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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How To Re-Install XP "Help & Support" System onto a Local Sony PCV-RS410 PC?

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