Re: Help and Support Won't Open

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

From: prince1142003 (prince1142003_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 11/08/04 

Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 20:58:02 -0800

O, I was able to fix the Start Menu link, but when I try to start the Help
and Support service, I get an error saying "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 this service."

In the properties screen for the service, the Service Name is helpsvc, but
the path to executable is C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs

For some reason, I think that's the problem. Please let me know if I'm
right, or if there's something else wrong with my computer.

"Ramesh [MVP]" wrote:

> First, start the Help and Support service and set it to "Automatic" via Services.msc applet. As for the "cannot find helpctr.exe" fix your App Paths using the REG fix here:
>
> "Help and Support" link from Start Menu does not work:
> http://windowsxp.mvps.org/startmenuhelp.htm
>
> --
> Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
> Windows XP Shell/User
> http://windowsxp.mvps.org
> --------------------------------------------
> Using ToolbarCop to remove the unwanted Toolband, Toolbar Icons and BHO:
> http://windowsxp.mvps.org/toolbarcop.htm
> --------------------------------------------
> The Parasite Fight - Quick Fix Protocol:
> http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.php
> --------------------------------------------
> "prince1142003" <prince1142003@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:A7631F1C-89CB-4BAE-85F6-DD7F64DF415E@microsoft.com...
> I'm having the same problem, except when I installed SP2 and clicked on Help
> and Support, instead of showing the hourglass, like it did for Bill, it gave
> me an error saying that Windows cannot find helpctr.exe. I checked in the
> folder and tried running it from there, but I get an error saying that
> "Windows cannot start Help and Support because a system service is not
> running. To fix this problem, start the service named Help and Support."
>
> I'm using Windows XP Professional on a Compaq computer. My download of SP2
> is over a month old, and i've had this problem from the day I downloaded it.
> Also, the process HELPCTR, started by SYSTEM, is no longer showing up on the
> processes tab of Tasl Manager.
>
> I exported the registry key, and here it is:
>
> REGEDIT4
>
> [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}]
> @="Help and Support"
> "LocalizedString"="@explorer.exe,-7021"
> "InfoTip"="@explorer.exe,-7001"
>
> [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\DefaultIcon]
> @=hex(2):25,53,79,73,74,65,6d,52,6f,6f,74,25,5c,73,79,73,74,65,6d,33,32,\
> 5c,73,68,65,6c,6c,33,32,2e,64,6c,6c,2c,2d,32,34,00
>
> [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\InProcServer32]
> @=hex(2):25,53,79,73,74,65,6d,52,6f,6f,74,25,5c,73,79,73,74,65,6d,33,32,\
> 5c,73,68,64,6f,63,76,77,2e,64,6c,6c,00
> "ThreadingModel"="Apartment"
>
> [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\Instance]
> "CLSID"="{3f454f0e-42ae-4d7c-8ea3-328250d6e272}"
>
> [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\Instance\InitPropertyBag]
> "CLSID"="{13709620-C279-11CE-A49E-444553540000}"
> "command"="@shell32.dll,-12709"
> "method"="Help"
>
> [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\shellex]
>
> [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]
>
> [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}]
> @=""
>
> [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\shellex\MayChangeDefaultMenu]
> @=""
>
> [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\ShellFolder]
> "Attributes"=dword:00000000
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Let me know if you can suggest anything for me. The fact that HELPCTR is not
> opening is preventing me from using Application Compatiblity and the SysInfo
> tool.
>
> "Ramesh [MVP]" wrote:
>
> > Bill,
> >
> > Can you export and post this registry key:
> >
> > [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}]
> >
> > Also verify if HelpCtr.exe is available in X:\Windows\PCHealth\helpctr\binaries\ folder.
> >
> > --
> > Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
> > Windows XP Shell/User
> > http://windowsxp.mvps.org
> > --------------------------------------------
> > Using ToolbarCop to remove the unwanted Toolband, Toolbar Icons and BHO:
> > http://windowsxp.mvps.org/toolbarcop.htm
> > --------------------------------------------
> > The Parasite Fight - Quick Fix Protocol:
> > http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.php
> > --------------------------------------------
> > "Bill B" <BillB@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:EFE35E69-93CC-489F-A7A3-FD854425181C@microsoft.com...
> > Hi Ramesh,
> >
> > I had a travel day yesterday so I couldn't work on this problem. I did try
> > it this morning. It still comes up with the same error after doing as you
> > suggested. I do have a second hardrive that is a copy of the working C: drive
> > which I used CasperXP to duplicate. But C: has the active OS.
> >
> > Any more suggestions?
> >
> > "Ramesh [MVP]" wrote:
> > <snip>
> >
>

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