[coffeedrinker]

Don't know what I did, this time, but it's bugging the heck out of me.

Everything is working fine on the computer, Win XP SP2. Except this.

I wanted to check my startups so I went to the run box and typed "msconfig", to my surprize I got a box saying

"Windows cannot find 'msconfig'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search."

Tried Support Help and after I clicked that, got the same box. With this in it

"Windows cannot find 'helpctr.exe'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search."

Downloaded a copy of msconfig and open it that way. Everything good. Except now I have ctfmon.exe on my start up list, which will not go away. Found out this is part of Microsoft Office, which I do not have.

Ran Adaware, Spybot and a HJT...nothing found.

I did a sfc /scannow, used my disk and then restarted. Still no msconfig at the run box.

I did try Advanced Windows Care from http://www.iobit.com/. Thought that was the problem. Just dunno

Ran AVG Anti Spyware in safe mode, it found betterinternet, which I deleted.

Out of ideas to try

Thanks for any help.

[Advertisements]

You said you downloaded msconfig.exe, so just copy and paste that file to C:\Windows\System32. After you do that, try going to START-->RUN and typing msconfig again.

Fenor

[Fenor]

You said you downloaded msconfig.exe, so just copy and paste that file to C:\Windows\System32. After you do that, try going to START-->RUN and typing msconfig again.

Fenor

[coffeedrinker]

DUH!!! Sometimes you just have to ask. Just did that and it's working fine.

Thanks Fenor.

Any idea what to do about the Help and Support problem???

[Fenor]

Check and see if you have that file in the C:\Windows\System32\dllcache folder. If you do, then just COPY and paste that file into the C:\Windows\System32 folder.

Fenor

[coffeedrinker]

Thanks again Fenor

I do not have the dllcache folder at all.

Did find the file in several locations. Should I copy and paste it to system32 folder?? It's in

windows\$NtServicePackUnistall$
windows\$NTUninstallKB83732$
windows\servicepackfiles\i386
windows\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries

Another question.

Since I do not have a folder dllcache, should I have one?? Could this be the problem?? I could have deleted it somehow. How would I replace it, if I need it?

Thanks again

[Fenor]

Copy and paste it from c:\windows\servicepackfiles\i386 folder.

It seems like you don't have the dllcache folder because it is a hidden folder and hidden folders are set to not be visible by default, so don't worry about it.

Fenor

Edited by Fenor, 28 October 2006 - 08:16 PM.

[coffeedrinker]

Thanks again

I copied and pasted helpctr to systerm32, still nothing.

I have view all hidden folders selected.

Gonna restart and see if that helps.

[Fenor]

My bad, copy and paste it from windows\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries.

Fenor

[coffeedrinker]

Don't get the message anymore, but now I get a hour glass for a few seconds and then nothing.

Went to i386 folder and double clicked helpctr. Got the same thing.

[Fenor]

This feature is pretty much useless, since the help it gives you helps about as much as not helping at all. Google is a much better utility to use when having problems. Fixing the msconfig issue was important and since that is solved there really is nothing else ot worry about.

Fenor

[Fenor]

But I guess if you want to fix it, do the following:

------------------------

Go to Windows registry. (START-->RUN and type regedit)
Navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/App Paths

Double-click HELPCTR.EXE.
Right-Click (Default) in the right window pane, and click Modify.

Type the following:

C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe

Click OK.
Exit the Registry Editor, and restart Windows XP.

Once rebooted, go to START-->RUN and type helpctr and see if Help now opens.

Fenor

[coffeedrinker]

just replaced the file no more message, just a hour glass for a few seconds.

Now, I click the one in PCHealth and a box opened saying that Help and Support was turned off. Is there something I over looked????

Checked my services in msconfig and everything is turned on.

Thanks for the help.

[Fenor]

To enable Help & Support:

Go to START-->RUN and type services.msc and click OK. In the new window that appears, scroll down the list until you find the one labeled Help and Support. Double-click on this entry to bring up its properties. Make sure the STARTUP TYPE is set to Automatic and if the START button isn't grayed out, click on it to start the service. Then click APPLY and OK.

Fenor

Edited by Fenor, 28 October 2006 - 08:39 PM.

[coffeedrinker]

You're right

Just didn't understand where it went.

I just did the regedit and guess what?? It's not listed. Checked my names twice.

Guess that's the trouble.

Thanks for all your help and I agree with you. It doesn't do much anyway. As long as I got msconfig to work, I'm happy.

Have a great weekend and Happy Halloween

You can close this topic.

[Fenor]

If it's not listed, then add it.

Fenor

*EDIT* -- If you are uncomfortable with adding it yourself, then download the attached file, extract the helpctr.reg file, and just double click on it and click YES to the warning it gives about are you sure you want to add the contents of the file to the registry. Then reboot your computer and try typing helpctr in the run box again.

Attached Files

•  helpctr.zip   337bytes   109 downloads

Edited by Fenor, 28 October 2006 - 08:47 PM.