"Cannot display page" when using "Help and Support"

Try this:
Go to My computer | tools | folder options | view and select 'view all files'
then go to Windows\Inf folder and locate this file:
srchasst.inf
Right click and select Install. Have your XP CD or the files available from your I386 folder.

Go here and download this XP helpfix vbs file:
http://www.tech4uservices.com/download/XPhelp.vbs
then just double-click the VBS file.
(Modified by Doug Knox and based on original work by MS-MVP Bill James for Windows ME.)

Bev, check out this useless piece from MS
http://support.microsoft.com/search/preview.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q314330

I see that Steve - sounds like an endless loop to me!  They should perhaps visit EE for a few clues about our workarounds here (and to get some answers too:)

Unfortunately, this still did not do the trick... :-(

Still thinking...

MVP Doug Knox MVP posted this:

The file that is missing is BAR.XSL  (Windows\srchasst\mui\0409\bar.xsl

1)  Click Start, Run and enter CMD    
Then enter the following command where X is your CD drive letter.

EXPAND -r X:\I386\BAR.XL  C:\Windows\srchasst\mui\0409

(if you're using a copy of the I386 files, then change the path above to point to that location. Additionally, if the Windows Folder is not on your C: drive, change the command line accordingly).

I already have the bar.xsl file on my C: drive in the following directory:

Windows\srchasst\mui\0409

try this:
go to start |  run   and type  services.msc
next stop help & support
then start help & support (and make sure that it is set to automatic.)

what happens when you uncheck "search only networking and the web"

Thanks for all your help guys!

When I entered services.msc from Start|Run a "Services" console appeared on my desktop which contains 2 tabs, namely "Extended" and "Standard."

Where do I then enter or select "stop help & support" etc.?

I tried this from Start|Run and then entered stop help & support but I received an error message "Windows cannot find "stop."

Also, I am not clear as to where I should try unchecking "search only networking and the web."

Many thanks!

from your image you posted in the upper left hand corner

it doesn't matter which tab you choose in services.msc
scroll down, and yu will see help and services, right click on it
stop help & support
then start help & support (and make sure that it is set to automatic.)

#$@%! This problem is worse than expected... I did exactly as you suggested and was sure this would fix my problem, but no such luck.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks for hangin' in there with me. :-)

try sfc
http://support.microsoft.com/search/preview.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q310747

I am beginning to think that it may be a problem with Internet Explorer 6 - check your application log by going to:
start  |  run   and type   eventvwr.msc

List eventID's and Source here please (IE-related or others that you feel qualify)

you can also try a system restore point
start -->programs-->accessories-->system tools -->system restore, and choose a point before this happened

Good thought Bev, I was wondering if anything was showing up in event viewer too

try this:
start |run  and type   sfc /scannow
have your XP CD in CD-Rom

I am hesitant to do a restore because this problem surfaced months ago and only now am I inquiring about it.

As to doing eventvwr.msc, what is it I should be looking for specifically?

Also, I tried sfc /scannow with my XP CD in the CD-ROM but it was looking for XP professional, all the while my system came pre-installed with the Home version and I have the Home version CD-ROM. Go figure. :-)

I am hesitant to do a restore because this problem surfaced months ago and only now am I inquiring about it.

As to doing eventvwr.msc, what is it I should be looking for specifically?

Also, I tried sfc /scannow with my XP CD in the CD-ROM but it was looking for XP professional, all the while my system came pre-installed with the Home version and I have the Home version CD-ROM. Go figure. :-)

Try this: Open 'Help and Support' then click the Options button and make sure that you are set to 'Search the Knowledge Base'.  
If you have firewall software disable it to test.


Next copy this to notepad:*************************

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{833E4001-AFF7-4AC3-AAC2-9F24C1457BCE}]
@="Microsoft Help and Support Services"
"LocalServer32"="HelpSvc.exe"
"LocalService"="helpsvc"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\HelpSvc.EXE]
"AppID"="{833E4001-AFF7-4AC3-AAC2-9F24C1457BCE}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{833E4000-AFF7-4AC3-AAC2-9F24C1457BCE}]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{833E4000-AFF7-4AC3-AAC2-9F24C1457BCE}\1.0]
@="Help Service 1.0 Type Library"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{833E4000-AFF7-4AC3-AAC2-9F24C1457BCE}\1.0\0]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{833E4000-AFF7-4AC3-AAC2-9F24C1457BCE}\1.0\0\win32]
@="C:\\WINDOWS\\PCHealth\\HelpCtr\\Binaries\\HelpSvc.exe"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{833E4000-AFF7-4AC3-AAC2-9F24C1457BCE}\1.0\FLAGS]
@="0"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{833E4000-AFF7-4AC3-AAC2-9F24C1457BCE}\1.0\HELPDIR]
@="C:\\WINDOWS\\PCHealth\\HelpCtr\\Binaries\\"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID\{833E4001-AFF7-4AC3-AAC2-9F24C1457BCE}]
@="Microsoft Help and Support Services"
"LocalServer32"="HelpSvc.exe"
"LocalService"="helpsvc"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID\HelpSvc.EXE]
"AppID"="{833E4001-AFF7-4AC3-AAC2-9F24C1457BCE}"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{833E4000-AFF7-4AC3-AAC2-9F24C1457BCE}]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{833E4000-AFF7-4AC3-AAC2-9F24C1457BCE}\1.0]
@="Help Service 1.0 Type Library"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{833E4000-AFF7-4AC3-AAC2-9F24C1457BCE}\1.0\0]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{833E4000-AFF7-4AC3-AAC2-9F24C1457BCE}\1.0\0\win32]
@="C:\\WINDOWS\\PCHealth\\HelpCtr\\Binaries\\HelpSvc.exe"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{833E4000-AFF7-4AC3-AAC2-9F24C1457BCE}\1.0\FLAGS]
@="0"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{833E4000-AFF7-4AC3-AAC2-9F24C1457BCE}\1.0\HELPDIR]
@="C:\\WINDOWS\\PCHealth\\HelpCtr\\Binaries\\"

*******************************************************
save as helpfix.reg  - do not save as a text file.  When you do a save from notepad select "save as" and  enclose the file name in quotations  "helpfix.reg"

Then reboot your computer and test help & support.

woops doubleclick on the file to add it to your registry.

Okay, when I click on the helpfix.reg file I get the following message:

http://www.webclickz.com/snap.jpg

Download the reg fix from my site:
http://www.tech4uservices.com/download/helprepair.reg

Okay, the file was added to the registry successfully but I still get the error message "Cannot display page."

Are you guys ready to give up yet? :-)

did you reboot?

Yes I did reboot.

Yes I did reboot.

Yes I did reboot.

Check your event viewer?

Have you been helped here or is more needed?  Since time has passed since your last comment, an update is appreciated (in case things have changed).  If you've been helped, convert the expert's comment to the Accepted Answer to grade and close it.  If more than one helped you, ask for a point split by posting a zero point question in the Community Support topic area, include this link and details with your request (expert name and point values to each).

This is the Community Support link:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/qList.jsp?ta=commspt

Thanks,
":0)
Asta

question, if you get the cannot display page and click on refresh, does this show the help files?
if that does it may be something with your internet explorer 6...

Hopefully you've already been helped by these great experts, but thought this to be of value, if you've not already checked WindowsUpdate.

WindowsUpdate just delivered IE 6 Service Patch 1 which also includes fixes to Outlook Express
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q326489
The following link shows you the list of fixes included in IE 6 SP1
http://support.microsoft.com/common/canned.aspx?R=d&H=List%20of%20Fixes%20in%20Microsoft%20Internet%20Explorer%206%20SP1&LL=support&Sz=kbIE600sp1fix&Fr=&DU=&SD=GN&LN=EN-US&CND=1&VR=&CAT=&VRL=&SG=&MaxResults=150

WindowsUpdate just delivered Windows XP Service Patch 1
This shows you the items/problems fixed in this release.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q324722

":0) Asta

No comment has been added lately, so it's time to clean up this TA.
I will leave a recommendation in the Cleanup topic area that this question is:

Very good info here - Place in PAQ
refund points.

Please leave any comments here within the
next seven days.

PLEASE DO NOT ACCEPT THIS COMMENT AS AN ANSWER!
Thank you,
FYI POPUP ADS BYTE...
SB