Help And Support, Not Working

[Tufek100]

Hello everyone,
Im having trouble opening Windows XP Help And Support. When i press start then Help And Support i get the following error message " Could not start the Help and Support service on Local Computer. Error 126: The specified module could not be found. This happened on both of my PCs. i checked, Services the start up type is Automatic and the Patch to executable is  C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
I went to REGEDIT, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\microsoft\ but i can not find current version, app paths and Helpctr.exe ? I have been using  two Registry cleaner  tools called Smart Pc and CCleaner, i dont know if thats the cause of this. Any ideas, will be helpful, Thank you.

[CBMatt]

Do you have SP2?

As far as I know, CCleaner doesn't make any changes to Help And Support.  I can't speak for Smart PC, however, because I don't use it.  Easy Cleaner is known for doing this, so it's possible.

You could try adding the following Kelly's Korner registry keys to your registry...
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/helpsvc.reg
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/helpsvcrestore.reg

To verify that it's running, go to Start > Run and type in services.msc and scroll down to Help and Services.  Make sure it's set to Automatic and Started.  (If it's grayed-out or not listed, try this and this.)


If that doesn't work, you can reinstall it by going to C:\Windows\inf and right-clicking on pchealth.inf and choosing Install.  You will need your Windows CD for this.


Let us know how it works out for you.

[Tufek100]

Yes it's a SP2. Nothing is working stubborn PC ! 
Im going to have to re- install it from the cd. Any tips ?

[CBMatt]

You can try going to Start > Run and typing in sfc /scannow (note the space), which will also ask for your Windows CD.


However, I would first try the reinstallation method from my previous post.  Just go to the C:\Windows\inf folder (you may need to view hidden files and folders) and choose to install pchealth.inf (it looks like a Notepad file with an orange cog).  It will then ask for the appropriate CD.

[Tufek100]

Ok, I finally found Pchealth, right clicked, gave me option to install. If i put the Cd in wouldnt that load the OS and format the drive ?   

[CBMatt]

Oh no, don't worry.  Inserting the Windows CD won't do anything you don't want it to do.  Many of our instructions involve using the Windows CD and nobody has had any problems yet.  You'll be just fine.

[Tufek100]

Sorry to be a pain, I put the Home XP CD in the D: drive when i press ok " File not found Please vertify the correct file name given " comes up ?

[CBMatt]

This might be a stretch, but let's try this...

I have attached a zip file.  Inside of it is a batch file.  Extract the batch file to your desktop.

End these running processes if you have them: helpsvc.exe, helphost.exe, helpctr.exe

Delete the cab files (if they exist) in C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\PackageStore

Then run the batch file (double-click on it).  When it is complete, which may take a couple of minutes, the window will automatically close.  See if Help And Support will work after that.

[CBMatt]

If that doesn't succeed, another registry edit to try is...
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/helpandsupportmissing.reg

Just be sure to back up your registry first.


There are several methods of reinstalling Help And Support...it's just a matter of finding one that will work for you.  The Windows CD would probably be the best option, but it sounds like you don't have the correct CD needed.  You may need to contact the computer's manufacturer about getting a proper copy.

[Tufek100]

I cant find the Zip file ?

[CBMatt]

Odd, I could've sworn I attached it.  I must've forgotten.  Sorry about that!  It's attached to this post, I promise.  Ha.

[cleaning up - attachment deleted by admin]

[Tufek100]

Got it thanks, give in it a go .

[Tufek100]

Hey, Chris i finally got the Help and Support working again. I managed to install it from my Windows Cd, like you told me too. And it WORKED. Thank you for helping me out.

[CBMatt]

Awesome, I'm glad you managed to get it to work!