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Help with Help

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by JSS3rd, 2016/03/19.

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  1. 2016/03/19
    JSS3rd Lifetime Subscription

    JSS3rd Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Not trying to be funny but, for several months, Windows Help hasn't worked in any program. Help windows will open, with choices listed in the left pane, but nothing, repeat NOTHING, appears in the right pane. See my screenshot for an example.

    Unfortunately, I don't have a backup or a System Restore point made prior to when this problem first occurred. Unless someone has a solution, I'm afraid the only recourse is a complete system reinstall, which I'm REALLY reluctant to do as, otherwise, my system works pretty well.
     

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    JSS3rd,
    #1
  2. 2016/03/19
    BobbyScot

    BobbyScot Geek Member

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    I had the very same error a few months ago and could only solve this by a Clean install of Windows 7.
     
    BobbyScot,
    #2


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  4. 2016/03/20
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    Use Win Explorer and search for *.chm

    Right click on a few and go to Properties. If on the General tab you see an UNBLOCK button - click it.
     
    Steve R Jones,
    #3
  5. 2016/03/20
    JSS3rd Lifetime Subscription

    JSS3rd Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Searching for *.chm, I found 694 instances. None of the Properties > General tabs of the two dozen or more I looked at had an UNBLOCK button, so I think it's safe to assume that none of them did.
     
    JSS3rd,
    #4
  6. 2016/03/20
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Try this Jim.
    1. Click Start, type:
      cmd​
      right-click cmd.exe and select Run as administrator.

    2. At the cmd prompt, type:
      regsvr32 hhctrl.ocx​
      and press [Enter].

    3. After getting the success message "DllRegisterServer in hhctrl.ocx succeeded ", try to open your CHM file again.
     
    SpywareDr,
    #5
  7. 2016/03/20
    JSS3rd Lifetime Subscription

    JSS3rd Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Doc ...

    I followed your instructions, but got the error message shown in the screenshot. Following the instructions in the error message, I did an online search for 0x8002801c and got all kinds of suggestions, none of which worked.
     

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    JSS3rd,
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  8. 2016/03/21
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    Did you do this part-> right-click cmd.exe and select Run as administrator
     
    Steve R Jones,
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  9. 2016/03/21
    JSS3rd Lifetime Subscription

    JSS3rd Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Steve ...

    Yes.
     
    JSS3rd,
    #8
  10. 2016/03/21
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Okay, then let's try hhactivex.dll:
    1. Click Start, type:
      cmd​
      right-click cmd.exe and select Run as administrator.

    2. At the cmd prompt, type:
      regsvr32 c:\windows\syswow64\hhactivex.dll​
      and press [Enter].

    3. After getting the success message "DllRegisterServer in c:\windows\syswow64\hhactivex.dll succeeded ", try to open your CHM file again.
     
    SpywareDr,
    #9
  11. 2016/03/21
    JSS3rd Lifetime Subscription

    JSS3rd Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Doc ...

    That's one of the things I tried yesterday. I get the "success" message OK, but it doesn't solve the problem ... the right pane of help windows remain blank.
     
    JSS3rd,
    #10
  12. 2016/03/21
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Hmmm, fresh out of ideas then. (Other than a restore point or backup, [or reinstall]).

    I'll keep your problem in mind but, hopefully someone with some other ideas to try will be along soon.
     
    SpywareDr,
    #11
  13. 2016/03/21
    JSS3rd Lifetime Subscription

    JSS3rd Geek Member Thread Starter

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    To quote from my OP,
    "Unfortunately, I don't have a backup or a System Restore point made prior to when this problem first occurred. Unless someone has a solution, I'm afraid the only recourse is a complete system reinstall, which I'm REALLY reluctant to do as, otherwise, my system works pretty well. "​
     
    JSS3rd,
    #12
  14. 2016/03/21
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Yes, I remember reading that. As you can see, when you don't have any suitable restore points or backup, kick yourself -- you missed the easy solution. Now you're left with digging through Windows' many settings. :(
     
    SpywareDr,
    #13
  15. 2016/03/21
    JSS3rd Lifetime Subscription

    JSS3rd Geek Member Thread Starter

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    I *always* have current backups and restore points, but this has been going on for months.

    I really don't have any idea when it started, but even if I had posted my OP on the BBS when I first became aware of it, it could have been going on for weeks without my knowledge. By that time, in all likelihood, the backups and restore points available would have done me no good.
     
    JSS3rd,
    #14
  16. 2016/03/21
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Yep, so now you're left with digging through Windows' gadzillions of settings. Been there, done that, way too many times. Now, Macrium Reflect Free runs every weekend.
     
    SpywareDr,
    #15
  17. 2016/03/21
    JSS3rd Lifetime Subscription

    JSS3rd Geek Member Thread Starter

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    :eek:
     
    JSS3rd,
    #16
  18. 2016/03/21
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi Jim. Try restoring the .chm file association using this link and then reboot the computer and see if Compiled HTML Help files now open properly.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #17
  19. 2016/03/22
    JSS3rd Lifetime Subscription

    JSS3rd Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Evan ...

    I wish I could tell you that your suggestion solved the problem, but I can't ... the right pane in any help window remains blank.
     
    JSS3rd,
    #18
  20. 2016/03/22
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Well the only other suggestion that I have is to run through my guide to repair Windows 7 and hope that your issue gets resolved.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #19
  21. 2016/04/16
    JSS3rd Lifetime Subscription

    JSS3rd Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Evan ...

    I simply haven't had the time to complete your guide, but I certainly intend to. I'll report back after I've done it.
     
    JSS3rd,
    #20
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