Missing Windows 98 Help Files Troubleshooters

[Laney]

Whenever I try to use the Help Files Troubleshooters after I answer the first round of questions as to what the problem may be and then hit "next" all I get is a blank page. All the other help information is available. Is there a way to reinstall the Windows help files off the cd?

Thanks.

Laney

[Rad24]

This problem is caused by the latest Windows Security Updates.
Microsoft are aware of the problem but as yet no solution has been given.
If you need help with your computer why not ask here ?
There are many people on this forum who will be only too happy to offer assistance.

[GretaP]

Hi Laney,

You could give reinstalling Troubleshooter a try. First, in Windows Explorer or My Computer, set your View>Folder Options>View to Show All Files. Navigate to C:\windows\inf folder and locate the file named Tshoot.inf When located, right-click on the Tshoot.inf file and select Install. You might want to have your Windows 98 install CD handy, as you may be asked to insert it to complete the install.

[Laney]

Hi GretaP

I will give this a try and let you know how to succeed. Do you know why the link to the troubleshooters dissapeared? This is the second time it's happend.

Thanks

Laney

[GretaP]

You're welcome. Please do let me know whether you are successful at using Troubleshooter after reinstalling it.

As Rad24 said, there is a security update that causes this to happen (Q824145 Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer). There may be more than one critical update that cause this "bug", and that may be why it's happened to you on a couple of occasions.

[Laney]

Hi GretaP - tried what you said, still not working. I didn't reboot after installing. Is it necessary? Also is there a way to uninstall the patch on my system?

Laney

[GretaP]

I don't know if that particular patch is removable or not. If it is, it should be listed in Add/Remove Programs as Internet Explorer Q824145

A couple of things you might want to try before resorting to uninstalling that critical update patch.........there is a workaround available for d/load from here (http://mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/SoftFixes.htm) called Win98_TS_Fix.zip. The readme text in the zipped archive has instructions for using the fix.

A small paragraph in the Technical Details regarding that patch (information about the critical update patch is here (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=824145)) states:
As with the previous Internet Explorer cumulative updates that were released with bulletins MS03-004, MS03-015, MS03-020, MS03-032, and MS03-040, this cumulative update causes the window.showHelp( ) control to no longer work if you have not applied the HTML Help update. If you have installed the updated HTML Help control from Knowledge Base article 811630, you will still be able to use HTML Help functionality after you apply this update.
The updated HTML Help control is available for d/load from here (http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/contents/WUCritical/q811630/default.asp)

[Laney]

Downloaded and installed the fix - will reboot later and let you know tomorrow. Thanks again.

Laney :)

[GretaP]

You're welcome! :D

Please do let me know if it works now or not.

[Laney]

Hi GretaP

Just wanted to let you know I download the TShoot.exe file and these seems to be just what I needed. There is no way to remove the update. Thanks again for the help.

P.S. The website that you gave me to find TShoot.exe has a lot of great programs. Will keep it in my Favorites.

Laney

[GretaP]

You're welcome for the help, and I'm glad that the Tshoot file is working out for you.

Good to hear, also, that you were able to find other useful programs at the site that I recommended

:D

[Theoldun]

Hello, I too am experiencing this problem. Before joining I thought it was a deliberate ploy by Compaq to make us use the expensive premium rate telephone help line! I have now checked everything that has been suggested here but still no improvement. All my security patches are up to date and I have now applied the Microsoft Security Patch fix. Any further help would be greatly appreciated.
Theoldun

[Laney]

Hi Theoldun

I also tried the patch but it didn't work - I had to download and install the program that was suggested in a previous reply to my questions. The program is called TSHOOT.exe - when you use it, it will bring up the Windows Troubleshooters - you can get it at http://mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/SoftFixes.htm , the first file Win98_TS_fix.zip.
I haven't found any other way to get the troubleshooters back short or reinstalling Windows - don't blame Compaq - blame Microsoft. Hope this works for you - let me know.

Laney:wave:

[Theoldun]

Hi Laney,
I have installed TShoot Exe and that does'nt work either! I am not deseperate to use a troubleshooter but would like to get them working again just in case.
Anyway thanks for your note.
Theoldun

[hdreifke]

I don't know if that particular patch is removable or not. If it is, it should be listed in Add/Remove Programs as Internet Explorer Q824145

A couple of things you might want to try before resorting to uninstalling that critical update patch.........there is a workaround available for d/load from here (http://mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/SoftFixes.htm) called Win98_TS_Fix.zip. The readme text in the zipped archive has instructions for using the fix.

A small paragraph in the Technical Details regarding that patch (information about the critical update patch is here (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=824145)) states:

The updated HTML Help control is available for d/load from here (http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/contents/WUCritical/q811630/default.asp)
I hope this posting isn't too old to use. I also have the subject problem. I have tried all the fixes you recommend, most recently, Win98_TS_Fix.zip. That doesn't work either. Any other recommendations?

[hdreifke]

On March 30 of this year, I tried to get assistance from Cyber Tech Help Support Forums with the Windows Help Troubleshooters problem that has existed for about four years. I haven't received any response. Did I use the wrong procedure? I've tried all of the suggestions that have been posted and none of them work for me.

[kaitykaity]

When you kick an old thread like this, people think
your problem has been resolved.

Best to start a new thread, copy and paste a link
to the old one if you feel it necessary.

[hdreifke]

I don't know how to start a new thread. When I try to run the tutorial "How do I post a question?", I get a blank screen and a prompt to download a Macromedia flashplayer. I downloaded and installed it last week, so I am reluctant to repeat that process. Do I have to do something else? If we shouldn't be communicating from this thread, can you get me pointed in the right direction for starting a new one?

[kaitykaity]

Icon says "Post New Topic" on the top left.
Click on that.

Then post your system information -- memory,
et ecetera -- and then what you were doing
when the problem first started.

The more information you include, the more
likely somebody will have an answer.

[hdreifke]

Which page is the "Post New Topic" icon on? The icon in the upper left corner of every page I open says "Post Reply" and I don't think that starts a new thread. I am not finding "Post New Topic" anywhere that I've looked.

[kaitykaity]

If you can't see the "New Topic" button on the left hand side
of the forum screen, right under "My Control Panel" and right
above "Topics in Forum," I don't know what to tell you.