How to Start, Turn on, and Fix "Help and Support" on Windows XP
Help and Support allows you to troubleshoot problems in Windows XP by pressing F1, and it provides added functionality wherein trusted online tech support technicians can provide assistance to resolve Windows XP issues on your PC from a remote location.
Microsoft Windows has a useful tool called Help and Support Center that users can utilize to troubleshoot relatively simple issues on their Windows PC.
The PC support area has links to information about your computer such as networking, printing, faxing, Windows basics, and other help on specific programs that are installed and running on your computer.
Windows help center also has tips on using Windows XP utilities and these are updated every time you install updates for your operating system.
Here is how you can start Help and Support on your Windows PC: On Windows 7 PC, you can locate it from Start, either by directly entering 'help and support' directly into the search bar or by going into 'Maintenance' in the programs list.
If you wish to find an answer to your Windows issues quickly, click on the '?' icon and then select 'Browse Help Topics'.
You can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key+F1.
Now you can choose to browse topics or simply enter them in the dialog box that appears for tech support help.
For example, entering the words 'startup' in Windows Help and Support gives you 30 results that include changing the default operating system for startup, starting or stopping a program automatically when Windows, Startup Repair, etc.
Now if Help and Support refuses to open up or the application seems to be missing from your computer's Start menu, here is what you can do for "Restoring Help and Support" on XP and Windows 7.
First figure out whether you still have the Windows XP installation CD that came with the computer.
If your operating system files are on your computer, then you should be able to find them in C: drive.
If they're not there, then you need to get technical support for Microsoft to restore program files.
But before calling online tech support right away, try this first.
Click on Run from the Start menu.
Enter "%windir%INF" in the 'open' box that appears.
Click 'OK'.
You are now in the folder C:WindowsINF.
Here you need to locate the file that is labeled 'pchealth.
inf'.
Most likely you will find two files by this name.
Right click on the icon that resembles a gear, and click 'Install'.
Now you will be prompted for your Windows installation disk.
Insert it.
Then browse to the 'i386' directory and click 'OK'.
All your missing Help and Support files will reinstall.
Help and Support may be installed correctly but is not working because it has not been enabled.
To make sure if the Microsoft technical support service is enabled, again Run the 'services.
msc' keyword and scroll down to Help and Support in the window that appears.
Right click Help and Support and choose Properties.
Here you will need to make sure that Startup Type is turned to 'Automatic' and Service Status displays 'Started'.
It's important to remember that Help and Support contains a library of topics that can help you troubleshoot many aspects of the computer by a step-by-step process.
What happens when the Help and Support is missing from the Start menu? Or the program fails to respond and throws up an error message saying the program could not open.
Now is a good time to get some online PC tech support handy because this means that you're going to be editing the registry to make this program work.
Most online computer support technicians would advise you not to do this unless you are comfortable under the hood of your PC.
This is because deleting registries can have serious consequences.
Besides, you don't have your personal computer help support when 'Help & Support' doesn't seem to be working.
Microsoft Windows has a useful tool called Help and Support Center that users can utilize to troubleshoot relatively simple issues on their Windows PC.
The PC support area has links to information about your computer such as networking, printing, faxing, Windows basics, and other help on specific programs that are installed and running on your computer.
Windows help center also has tips on using Windows XP utilities and these are updated every time you install updates for your operating system.
Here is how you can start Help and Support on your Windows PC: On Windows 7 PC, you can locate it from Start, either by directly entering 'help and support' directly into the search bar or by going into 'Maintenance' in the programs list.
If you wish to find an answer to your Windows issues quickly, click on the '?' icon and then select 'Browse Help Topics'.
You can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key+F1.
Now you can choose to browse topics or simply enter them in the dialog box that appears for tech support help.
For example, entering the words 'startup' in Windows Help and Support gives you 30 results that include changing the default operating system for startup, starting or stopping a program automatically when Windows, Startup Repair, etc.
Now if Help and Support refuses to open up or the application seems to be missing from your computer's Start menu, here is what you can do for "Restoring Help and Support" on XP and Windows 7.
First figure out whether you still have the Windows XP installation CD that came with the computer.
If your operating system files are on your computer, then you should be able to find them in C: drive.
If they're not there, then you need to get technical support for Microsoft to restore program files.
But before calling online tech support right away, try this first.
Click on Run from the Start menu.
Enter "%windir%INF" in the 'open' box that appears.
Click 'OK'.
You are now in the folder C:WindowsINF.
Here you need to locate the file that is labeled 'pchealth.
inf'.
Most likely you will find two files by this name.
Right click on the icon that resembles a gear, and click 'Install'.
Now you will be prompted for your Windows installation disk.
Insert it.
Then browse to the 'i386' directory and click 'OK'.
All your missing Help and Support files will reinstall.
Help and Support may be installed correctly but is not working because it has not been enabled.
To make sure if the Microsoft technical support service is enabled, again Run the 'services.
msc' keyword and scroll down to Help and Support in the window that appears.
Right click Help and Support and choose Properties.
Here you will need to make sure that Startup Type is turned to 'Automatic' and Service Status displays 'Started'.
It's important to remember that Help and Support contains a library of topics that can help you troubleshoot many aspects of the computer by a step-by-step process.
What happens when the Help and Support is missing from the Start menu? Or the program fails to respond and throws up an error message saying the program could not open.
Now is a good time to get some online PC tech support handy because this means that you're going to be editing the registry to make this program work.
Most online computer support technicians would advise you not to do this unless you are comfortable under the hood of your PC.
This is because deleting registries can have serious consequences.
Besides, you don't have your personal computer help support when 'Help & Support' doesn't seem to be working.
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