XP Help and Support not working.

[Call4ComputerHelp]

Copy and paste the following in the Run command line text box. (go to Start > Run)

C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs

After you do that press F1.

Malware usually disables this and a number of other services.

Hope it Helps.

G @ Call4ComputerHelp

[jwfilion]

Broni, below is a screen shot of the search window. The first three are hidden files, the last word of the last listing is 'backup'.

Call4ComputerHelp, I tried this but got the same error message as before, need to start the service, but service not listed. Have several anti malware programs that I use often, at least once a week.

[patio]

Have you tried opening Explorer and under folder settings check "show hidden and system files"  ? ?

[Call4ComputerHelp]

Based upon your screen shot and the post, your registry key is missing or corrupted.

I have cleaned many a machine that had many malware, spyware and anti-virus on it and was infected (one machine had almost 10,000 trojans on it!!  ). No one solution protects 100 percent.

This type of corruption can come from a power surge or spike.

Here is where you can get a fix:

You cannot open Help and Support Center in Windows XP  Article ID: 888018

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

[jwfilion]

patio, yes I did this to find 'Helpctr.exe' and make sure it wasn't playing hide and seek with me.

Call4ComputerHelp, I did this a few days ago and I believe that is why I no longer get the 'can't find Helpctr.exe ' error message. Windows knows where it is, it just can't seem to find Help and Support in the Services folder.

I did find a page about Help and Support not being in Services.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/937055/en-us

When I cut and pasted the text string, I got this response " ...is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file." I'm stumped. Below is a screenshot.

[Call4ComputerHelp]

Then the help files are corrupt.

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rebuildhelp.htm

[jwfilion]

Thanks Call4ComputerHelp, I got the same link from an XP newsgroup last night. I followed the instructions and was so happy when Help and Support finally showed up in the Services area, however when I tried to start the service, I got the following error message...



I have no idea what this means. Spirit crushing crap. I think Bill Gates has it in for me!

[Broni]

below is a screen shot of the search window

Where is it?

[jwfilion]

Broni, sorry, I don't understand your question. Where is what? Did the screen shot not load, or do you not see it in the screen shot? If so, I can try another, but I really don't think the quality will be any better.

I found the following site:

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/helpsvcfix.htm

It claims to fix the "1083 Error " with the file "helpsvcfix.zip", but the link to it does not work. My luck, the file probably no longer exists.

[Broni]

I simply can't see any screenshot of search window. Can you?

[JJ 3000]

I cant see it either.

[patio]

Calum took it home to work on....

 

[Broni]

LOOOOOL

[jwfilion]

I see it, and every time I post a reply with scans or photos, I always preview it to make sure it will load. Obviously, I can't trust that anymore. I subscribe to an art forum and often see this situation. People praising someone elses' work and I can't see a thing. Maybe it's the "insert image" tag. I'll try just the web page link.
I use VilliagePhotos as an image hosting site. I'm open to alternatives.
If I can find the culprit, I will try posting it again.

[jwfilion]

Let's try this again. Here is the link to the scan:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-8/1209601/Scan.jpg

Can you hear me now?