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Aurum3003

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Windows 98 se troubleshooters not working

I'm able to get to the troubleshooters but when I click on the buttons I get a blank screen.How do I fix this?Thank you.
Avatar of blue_zee
blue_zee
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Have you an updated version of Internet Explorer installed (6 SP1)?

If you don't, update IE.

If you do, try an IE repair (I know you'll say: What???), but give it a try:

Add/Remove Programs: highlight "Microsoft Internet Explorer ..." and click Add/Remove.

A new windows will pop-up, select "Repair" and follow the prompts.

Reboot when asked to.

Confirm if the problem persists.

Zee
Avatar of caza13
caza13
Open the Find: All Files window.  Look In: C\Windows\Help .  Named: *.htm .  Click the Find Now button.
If .htm files are found double click on one and see if it will open in Internet Explorer.
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Goofytouy
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Hi Aurum:

It's possible that you need to reinstall Windows help files.

The best effort could be done at http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/es/default.asp
Here it will autodetect what your equipment needs and act in consequence.

If a box opens and asks you if you trust in Microsoft, do not answer with your point of view, just click Yes.

GoofytoUy


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LeeTutor
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Open up Windows Explorer, click on Tools -> Folder Options, go to the View tab, put a dot next to the Show all files option and remove the check mark next to Hide File Extensions for known file types.  Then find and click on the Windows\Inf folder, scroll down to the file Tshoot.inf, right click it and select Install from the Context Menu that scrolls out.  This will reinstall the Troubleshooter.  You may need your Windows install CD handy (if you don't have the installation files in a folder on your hard drive, such as Windows\Options\Cabs.)
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Goofytouy
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Yes, definitely, the ol'man has the point
That's the best way to reinstall troubleshooters...

GoofytoUy
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Aurum3003

ASKER

Thank you all for the suggestions, but unfortunately none of them worked.Any other ideas would be appreciated.Thank you.
Avatar of caza13
caza13
Do you not have the .htm files in C:\Windows\Help, or do you have them but they just won't open?  Do they open blank in Internet Explorer?  If so, right click on the page and select View Source from the menu to see if there is any HTML code.
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Aurum3003

ASKER

Do have the .htm files and they open in explorer and there is a HTML code when I select View Source.
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Goofytouy
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.htm files on Windows\help doesn't matter just because troubleshooters are on HTML compilated files with extension .chm.

Check if you have Tshoot98.chm in C:\windows\help. If not, advise and I will post a link to it.


GoofytoUy
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Goofytouy
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Well really we can avoid burocracy...
here's the link to the file


http://www.gemcosa.com.uy/Tshoot98.chm

right click on it and select "Save target as..."
save it on c:\windows\help

GoofytoUy
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Goofytouy
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oops!!

This is the right link!!!!!!!1

http://www.gemcosa.com.uy/paginas/Tshoot98.chm

GoofytoUy
Avatar of caza13
caza13
So you have the files and they aren't empty.  I guess that leaves us with the browser and HTML Help won't read them.  I assume that Internet Explorer can open other HTML files from the internet.  Do you have IE 6 installed?  As an experiment I'm posting the text of a file from my computer.  Copy and past it into Notepad and name it with a .htm extension then save it.  Then see if you can open it with your IE browser.

<HTML>

<HEAD>
<TITLE>Troubleshooter</TITLE>

<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" Content="text-html; charset=Windows-1252">
<META NAME="Author" CONTENT="Microsoft Corporation">

<link rel=stylesheet href="tshoot.css">
            
</HEAD>

<script language="VBScript">

<!--
Function ButtonForm_OnSubmit
      Dim size
      Dim i
      Dim strOut
      Dim bEmpty
      ReDim strCmds(Document.ButtonForm.Elements.length - 1)
      ReDim strVals(Document.ButtonForm.Elements.length - 1)

      bEmpty = 0
      On Error Resume Next
      size = 1
      For i = 1 to Document.ButtonForm.Elements.length - 1
            If Not(0 = StrComp(Document.ButtonForm.Elements(i).Name, "")) Then
                  ' MsgBox "Name:  " & Document.ButtonForm.Elements(i).Name & " - value: " & Document.ButtonForm.Elements(i).Value
                  If Document.ButtonForm.Elements(i).Checked Then
                        strCmds(size) = Document.ButtonForm.Elements(i).Name
                        strVals(size) = Document.ButtonForm.Elements(i).Value
                        size = size + 1
                  End If
            Else
                  If size = 1 Then
                        bEmpty = 1
                  End If
            End If
      Next
      strCmds(0) = Document.ButtonForm.Elements(0).Name
      strVals(0) = Document.ButtonForm.Elements(0).Value  ' The hidden trouble shooter name is the first item in the form.
      If bEmpty = 1 Then
            MsgBox "Please choose a button before pressing Next.", 0, "Troubleshooter"
      Else
            If size > 1 Then
                  If 0 = StrComp(strCmds(1), "TShootGotoMicroSoft") AND 0 = StrComp(strVals(1), "104") Then
                        strNavTo = parent.t1.ApgtsX21.PreLoadURL("")
                        navigate strNavTo
                  Else
                        strOut = parent.t1.ApgtsX21.RunQuery(strCmds, strVals, size)
                        document.open
                        document.write strOut
                        document.close
                  End If
            End If
      End If
      
      ButtonForm_OnSubmit = FALSE
End Function
 -->
</script>

<script language="VBScript">
<!--
Function Previous
      Dim strOut

      strOut = parent.t1.ApgtsX21.BackUp()
      if Not("" = strOut) Then
            document.open
            document.write strOut
            document.close
      End If
End Function
 -->
</script>


<SCRIPT LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT">
<!--
function starter
      Dim strOut

      strOut = parent.t1.ApgtsX21.ProblemPage()

      If Not("" = strOut) Then
            parent.t2.document.open
            parent.t2.document.write strOut
            parent.t2.document.close
      End If
end function
-->
</SCRIPT>


<BODY>

<!--DOCBODY_START-->

      <FORM NAME="ButtonForm">
 <INPUT TYPE=HIDDEN NAME="type" VALUE="startup">
<!-- IDH = Disable386File = 1022 -->
<H4> Disable the line referring to the device driver in the System.ini file. </H4>
If the error message refers to a .386 file, disable the line referring to that device driver in the   System.ini file.  <P>  <B>To disable the line referring to the device driver</B>  <OL>   <LI>Click <B>Start</B>, and then click <B>Run</B>.   <LI>In the <B>Open</B> box, type <B>Msconfig</B>, and then click <B>OK</B>.   <LI>On the <B>System.ini</B> tab, double-click <B>[386Enh]</B>.   <LI>Locate the line that refers to the device driver, click to clear the check box next to that line, and   then click <B>OK</B>.   <LI>When you are prompted to restart the computer, click <B>OK</B>.  </OL>  <P>  If the error message refers to a file with no extension, that file may not be listed in this section. If it is not,   choose <B>No</B> below.   <P>  Did this action solve the problem?  
<BR>
<TABLE>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN=top><INPUT TYPE=RADIO NAME="Disable386File" VALUE="101"></TD> <TD CLASS="answer" valign=top> Yes. </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN=top><INPUT TYPE=RADIO NAME="Disable386File" VALUE="0"></TD> <TD CLASS="answer" valign=top> No. </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN=top><INPUT TYPE=RADIO NAME="Disable386File" VALUE="102"></TD> <TD CLASS="answer" valign=top> I'd like to skip this step and try something else. </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P><NOBR><INPUT class="standard" TYPE=BUTTON VALUE="<&nbsp;&nbsp;Back&nbsp;" onclick="previous()"> <INPUT class="standard" TYPE=SUBMIT VALUE="&nbsp;Next&nbsp;&nbsp;>&nbsp;"> <INPUT class="standard" TYPE=BUTTON VALUE="Start Over" OnClick="starter()"></NOBR><BR>

      </FORM>
<!--DOCBODY_END  HTI -->

</BODY>
</HTML>
Avatar of Goofytouy
Goofytouy
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As far as I read his answers, he is not having problem with HTML files, he is having problems with troubleshooter. That is not an HTML file, is compiled, so that file is .CHM more accuratelly, is Tshoot98.chm the file he must look for.

Link to that file in a message above.

Goofytouy
Avatar of caza13
caza13
The HTML code I posted above is from a Troubleshooter file.  The regular Help files have .chm extensions, but the Troubleshooters are .htm.
Avatar of caza13
caza13
I think I misunderstood the last author comment.  The file does open in Internet Explorer but not in HTML Help.  I notice that the addressing is different between the two.  In Internet Explorer when I open the network troubleshooter, for example, the address is:   C:\WINDOWS\HELP\LAN.HTM .  But if I open it in HTML Help and open the Jump to URL window it lists the current URL as:  file:///C:/WINDOWS/HELP/LAN.HTM .

You might try opening HTML Help and right click on the title bar then select Jump to URL...
Copy the address I posted above and paste it into the Jump to this URL... form, then click OK to see if it will open that way.
Avatar of Aurum3003
Aurum3003

ASKER

Do have IE6-SP1 with latest patch.The Tshoot98.chm is present in c:\windows\help.Jumping the URL as advised  did not open it.Also, have no problems using IE6 Help.
Avatar of caza13
caza13
It sounds like there is a problem with HTML Help (hh.exe).  Do I understand correctly that it will open the help files (*.chm), but not the troubleshooter files (*.htm)?  It seems like the hh.exe file may be damaged somehow.  Maybe it would help to extract the file hh.exe from the Installation CD using the System File Checker tool (sfc).  If the CD drive is D: , you could extract hh.exe from D:\WIN98 to C:\WINDOWS .
Avatar of Aurum3003
Aurum3003

ASKER

HTML opens all the help files(*.chm) OK, but not the troubleshooter ones (*.htm).Did extract hh.exe, but it did not fix the problem.Any other thoughts.Thank you.
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Goofytouy
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Aurum, what do you get when you DOUBLE CLICK IN WINDOWS EXPLORER (not IE) on C:\Windows\Help\Tshoot98.chm?

Caza, I'm not going to enter in the discussion of which are help files (.hlp), htm files (htm or html) and which are HTML Compiled files (.chm).

GoofytoUy
Avatar of Aurum3003
Aurum3003

ASKER

Goofytouy,
              In windows Explorer,when I click on c:\windows\help\Tshoot98.chm,I get the Windows 98 Troubleshooters window with two panes :The left one has the list of the troubleshooters, the right one has the instructions about using the Win 98 troubleshooters.If I click on one of the troubleshooters in the left pane, then I get a list of options for that particular troubleshooter in the right pane.If I click on one of the options and then click enter,then I get a blank in the right pane instead of written instructions.Thank you for your help.
Avatar of blue_zee
blue_zee
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I just checked the troubleshooters in my Win98 PC and ...

They behave exactly the same way you describe in your last post Aurum3003.

This doesn't worry me at all, but it is weird.

Zee
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caza13
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blue_zee
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Nice work caza13, but that update is considered "critical":
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/20040210_windows.asp

I rather have the update and lose the troubleshooters. The problem is MS no longer supports Win98 and this bug, if it is Win98 specific (to be confirmed), will be permanent from now on.

But, and again, a VERY WELL DONE caza13!!

Zee
Avatar of Aurum3003
Aurum3003

ASKER

Yes indeed, just reviewed the tech details of IE6 latest patch, and that's this bug's origin.Nicely done caza13, and thank you all.If any of you  finds out how to get the troubleshooters working again, please post it.Aurum3003.
Avatar of caza13
caza13
You can also uninstall the security update through Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel.  That will also restore the operation of the troubleshooters.
Avatar of Aurum3003
Aurum3003

ASKER

caza13: Since this is a critical update do you think giving up the troubleshooters functionality is a worthy prize to pay for safety?What are you going to do?Whatever you do I'll do too.Aurum3003.
Avatar of Goofytouy
Goofytouy
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Aurum:

make a text file with notepad. name it whatever with .reg extension (for instance tshoot.reg).
copy & paste the following. after that right-click on it and choose install.


REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{4B106874-DD36-11D0-8B44-00A024DD9EFF}]
@="Microsoft Local Troubleshooter"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{4B106874-DD36-11D0-8B44-00A024DD9EFF}\ProgID]
@="TSHOOT.TSHOOTCtrl.1"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{4B106874-DD36-11D0-8B44-00A024DD9EFF}\InprocServer32]
@="C:\\WINDOWS\\HELP\\TSHOOT.OCX"
"ThreadingModel"="Apartment"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{4B106874-DD36-11D0-8B44-00A024DD9EFF}\ToolboxBitmap32]
@="C:\\WINDOWS\\HELP\\TSHOOT.OCX, 1"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{4B106874-DD36-11D0-8B44-00A024DD9EFF}\MiscStatus]
@="0"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{4B106874-DD36-11D0-8B44-00A024DD9EFF}\MiscStatus\1]
@="131473"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{4B106874-DD36-11D0-8B44-00A024DD9EFF}\Control]
@=""

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{4B106874-DD36-11D0-8B44-00A024DD9EFF}\TypeLib]
@="{4B106871-DD36-11D0-8B44-00A024DD9EFF}"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{4B106874-DD36-11D0-8B44-00A024DD9EFF}\Version]
@="1.0"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{4B106874-DD36-11D0-8B44-00A024DD9EFF}\Implemented Categories]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{4B106874-DD36-11D0-8B44-00A024DD9EFF}\Implemented Categories\{7DD95801-9882-11CF-9FA9-00AA006C42C4}]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{4B106874-DD36-11D0-8B44-00A024DD9EFF}\Implemented Categories\{7DD95802-9882-11CF-9FA9-00AA006C42C4}]


GoofytoUy

PS: Tell me if it worked.
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Goofytouy
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Well seems to me that when I was typing the whole fix for not loosing SP1, answer was accepted.
Ok, you may use the code equally just for not loosing sp1 as is a critical update.

GoofytoUy
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Goofytouy
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Eh... I think i won't sacrifice security just for having troubleshooters that almost always are not very helpful...

That's why I posted something it could give you the chance of having both things... security AND tshooters...

And now the answer is accepted... just for free!!!


GoofytoUy
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caza13
There is another update that is supposed to restore the funcionality of HTML Help after the other update is installed.  I haven't tried it yet, but you can find it here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/contents/WUCritical/q811630/default.asp
Avatar of Aurum3003
Aurum3003

ASKER

Sorry Goofytouy, should have let it run a little longer.Aurum3003.
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Aurum3003

ASKER

caza13,
          Downloaded that q811630 update, but it did not restore the troubleshooters functionality!Aurum3003.
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caza13
Maybe we could uninstall the 832984 security update and install the 810847 cumulative patch ( http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/810847/default.asp ) and the 811630 security update (http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/contents/WUCritical/q811630/default.asp ) instead.
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caza13
There are on-line troubleshooters that can be used instead of the local troubleshooters.  They can be found here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=/support/windows/tshoot/default.asp
Avatar of Aurum3003
Aurum3003

ASKER

Caza13,
           Thank you for your trouble.I will use the on-line  troubleshooters if I need them and leave things as they are.As long as I'm certain now nothing terrible is brewing in my PC ,I'll put this to rest.Maybe in the near future I'll try Goofytouy's solution.Thanks all again for the help.Aurum3003.
Avatar of brian5028
brian5028
the Accepted Answer using scanreg to undo the Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 SP1 (KB832894) will no longer work. what needs to be done now is to reinstall TSHOOT.INF and then remove in the registry the key {4B106874-DD36-11D0-8B44-00A024DD9EFF} at [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility.
then once one is done with the troubleshooters , reinstall the latest update for internet explorer 6.