"Help and Support" repair guide.

Original contents provided by Robert McGregor (aka Koldbear) <Died 22nd Feb 2004>

Revised by Noel Paton  - April 2004


First do a search for "Windows Update Setup Files" and if you find more than one folder with that name, then download "Belarc Advisor" http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html, look for "Microsoft Hotfixes", and under "Internet Explorer", check and see if you have "IE6 SP1" installed.


If you do not have "IE6 SP1" installed, but you do have more than one "Windows Update Setup Files" folder, then hold down a shift key and delete all such folders except the one at "C:\Windows\Windows Update Setup Files", and follow the instructions below.


If you do not have IE6 installed, then follow the instructions below


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Preparatory work


First: If possible, backup all your important data as a precaution.

Second: Update your virus program and do a scan.

Third: Download a copy of Ad-Aware from Lavasoft (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/)
Once downloaded, run the installer, then the program itself - use the included updater to get the latest files, and then run the scanner. Remove ALL items found. Reboot the machine, and run Ad-Aware again. Repeat the reboot/re-run until there are no items found. If you can't get the machine clean with Ad-Aware and your AV, then go to the spyware help forums for assistance - let them know that your IE is broken, so that they can work around the breaks!

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The fixes


Make sure the files below are in the "C:\Windows\PCHealth\Helpctr\Binaries" folder.
1. BRPINFO.DLL
2. HCAPPRES.DLL
3. HCUPDATE.EXE
4. HELPCTR.EXE
5. MARSCORE.DLL
6. MSINFO32.DLL
If any of the files are missing, then download EXF.zip.
Be sure to read the Readme file (included in the zip) before using.


Re-register the Help Center.
Click START and Run... helpctr   -regserver
Note the <space> between r & -.


Unable to Start Windows Me Help After Using the EasyCleaner "Clean Registry".
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=274264
Download the easy vbs fix from Doug Knox's web site.
http://www.dougknox.com/winme/scripts_desc/fixwinmehelp.htm


Cannot View the Windows Me Help and Support Page:
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=276995
Note: If you have IE6 extract msxml3.dll, msxml3a.dll, and msxml3r.dll rather then msxml.dll.
You must extract msxml3.dll, msxml3a.dll, and msxml3r.dll from the "C:\Windows\Windows Update Setup Files" folder that was created when you installed IE6. They are located in the IEMIL_3.CAB file. Extract copies to C:\Windows\System.


"Error Message: The Initialization of the Help Center Failed"
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=274736


Error Message When You Quit the Help and Support Tool
Helpctr has caused an error in MSHTML.DLL.
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=269244


Blank pages have been associated with the loss of certain registry keys.
See MS KB Q275651 - "Blank Pages in Windows Me Help and Support"
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=275651


Control Panel, Help, and System Restore Are Empty or Partially Empty
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=309663


For error number 21473678)
Install the PCHealth hotfix, from here (you'll have to go to the Windows Update Center and search for fix number 812709, download it, and install it)
MS03-006: Security Vulnerability in Windows Millennium Edition Help and Support Center May Permit Malicious Code to Run
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=812709


(For error numbers 2147143679, 2147467259 or 2147024891)
Install latest version of MDAC (Microsoft Data Access Components) - currently 2.8 sp1.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=78CAC895-EFC2-4F8E-A9E0-3A1AFBD5922E&displaylang=en


(Another possible fix for error 2147024891 appearing after uninstalling/reinstalling PCHealth)
Install the latest JET Package for ME)
Or
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=8DACED57-34B6-407C-B773-1E67C2C6B8C9&displaylang=en


Download the Microsoft JVM v.3810 from  the Windows Update Catalog (use Advanced Search in the ME section - keyword 816093)


"Helpctr has caused an error in OLE32.DLL. Helpctr will
now close."
1. Try a System Restore.
2. If #1 doesn't work, then try:
START/Run...  SCANREG   /RESTORE
Note the <space> between G & /.
Choose a Restore point before the error occurred (but please, no more than a week or so old!!).
 

Copyright © 2003, Robert McGregor, © 2004-2009, Noel Paton

This page was last updated 15/03/2009

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