Someone with XP! (msinfo32.exe)

[jabarnutcase]

OK- This has been one of the strangest days ever (Computer wise).
I won't go in to all the details because I don't want to relive it. :(

ANYWAY....Will someone please go to Start/All programs/Accessories/System Tools/System information and see what you come up with????

(You could get to the same place by typing: "Run" /msinfo32.exe.

For some reason, instead of the usual detailed Computer info coming up, I'm getting The Windows Help and Support page.

Now, ordinarily, I'd say..."Well, something weird is going on here".

But I get the same thing on THREE DIFFERENT COMPUTERS! :confused:

I thought this was a locally stored page......(Or) is your computer "looked at" on-line and then displays the info? (Can't be)

I'm totally baffled by this one.

[Mark Miller]

I just checked for you and mine came up with the system info page.
Weird????
Mark:eek:
Checked again still came up the way it was suppossed to.
So tell me already what happened to you today?

[jabarnutcase]

Weird is right Mark! This one makes no sense at all.
Well, it all started with one computer not booting this morning and went down hill from there. Like I said, I'd rather not relive it. :p

I have it running again after hours of diagnostics, but now this.

I'll have to do some research. Something all three XP computers have in common or that I changed recently on all of them. Beats me. :confused:

[Mark Miller]

Let me know what happened after you figure it out.
By the way there is a critical update for ie6
Mark
Good luck:eek:

[Paul Komski]

Try going to Start/Run and typing in:-
msinfo32  /categories  +all  -loadedmodules (exactly as written)

refs:-

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/WinXP/Q_20640497.html

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_m.htm#msinfo32

[jabarnutcase]

Thanks guys-
Would have replied sooner but I've been in Computer wonderland since I posted.

Funny Paul- My searching brought me to the exact same link you provided.

Typing that command "exactly as written" did in fact bring up my system info screen. ( But from within the Help Window...just like the person in the forum from your link stated.)

The "fix" seems a bit more complicated and I'm still reading up on the many crazy suggestions, registry changes, batch files etc. to correct it.

I already fixed it on one Computer by restoring from a backup image.
The fact that I have the same problem on three Computers blows my mind.

It's been a long time since I even looked at "System Information" so I don't know how long they've been like this.
The ONLY common denominator I can think of with the three Computers is that I've probably been playing around with my registries too much!

I would like to find a simple fix for the other two as I'm afraid I haven't been as good about a backup as with the one I fixed. :(

Tried a system restore on one of them to no avail.
This is no biggie really since I can get there with the run command we found.....But you know me. (If it ain't exactly right, I can't stand it!)
Thanks for the replies...I'll keep reading.

(I was surprised to see in my searching that a lot of people have had the same problem. A lot of them fixed it by reinstalling Windows. I am NOT going there for this!)

BTW- Ever done a "repair" with the XP cd? What a joke....You still have to sit there as long as you would doing a complete format and clean install....Some "repair".
Yikes! I delerious....Sure typed a lot about nothing.
Time for bed. :rolleyes:

[Paul Komski]

Can you get there via hcp://system/sysinfo/sysConfigLaunch.htm (note that it is hcp: and is not http:) typed into the address bar.

If so, Health and Support may lie at the root of the problem and this can give rise to all manner of problems if somehow corrupted. Have a look through all the Health and Support at Kellys Corner H Page (http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_h.htm) and another area to consider researching on the web elsewhere.

It does seem strange that it has hit all 3 computers - but as you say you don't know when the "problem" started.

Good Luck.

Yes - have done very many repairs; "in effect" a full reinstall over but retaining all of your own data and programs.

[malcore]

jabar , have you tried the old .inf trick?

Find msinfo32.inf in the INF folder in your Windows directory and right click and select install. Have your XP disc ready. Should replace all the correct registry entries that you've mucked up with all your reg cleaners.:D ;)

Or open the msinfo32.inf file with Notepad and check the registry entries outlined in there and see if they match your registry.

[mjc]

Do any of these machines have MSupdates set to automatically run?

Been seeing som oddball happenings from the latest Critical UPdate for IE6.....like not being able to connect with MSNMessenger afterward, and other things too....

[jabarnutcase]

Interesting Paul- The "Address" you gave me brings up an empty Help and support center with a link to the "System Configuration Utility"! (msconfig) Which, when clicked on, does in fact bring you there.

Concerning the "repair" we discussed. Yes, it's basically nothing new. Just a reinstall over itself saving all your original Data. The thing that makes me laugh-(Or cry), is they make it seem like some cool new "feature" with XP. As if you could pop that thing in, select repair, and it would magically search out and fix only corrupted files in record time. (Hehe-Yea, right) :rolleyes:

malcore- Tried the ol' install trick.....Inserted the XP CD as instructed, (and it did ask for it), found the file and it appeared to be copying. No other windows popped up afterward to indicate anything had been installed or changed. But, alas...."System Information" still brings up the Help and Support Center. :rolleyes:

Looking into the actual registry comparison...But yikes...A lot of "stuff" in there! :p

And mjc...I do have auto updates to automatically download, but NOT install. I always look them over before installing.
(I do however usually install the "Critical" updates. Could be a common denominator with these computers- Ya Got me). :confused:

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll keep looking into this.....Or maybe I'll just forget about it. (Hehe- Yea, right) :rolleyes:

(Edit) BTW Paul...Wow! A lot of info in that link of yours.

[jabarnutcase]

Here's an interesting little tidbit malcore

When I right click on the "system information" shortcut in the start menu, select properties/find target, I find that the properties of the actual application says: "Created" TODAY (and "modified" Aug 23 2001 ) Geesh, have I had XP on this computer that long? (Weird- How could I have modified something that wasn't even created yet?) :D

Anyway, the fact that it says "created today" seems to say that I did in fact reinstall it via your method. (BTW- I've obviously moved on to Computer#2 now) :rolleyes:

But, alas, still brings up Help and Support Center rather than System Info.
Think I'll take up knitting....Bet it's more relaxing. :p:

(Edit) Hey- What if I copy the appliation from the "working computer" and replace this one with the copied one? (The shortcut would still point to that application)
Bad idea since they're different computers???

Back to my knitting now.

[malcore]

You could try that, or, if Paul's thinking is correct that msinfo and Help Center are closely tied (which they obviously are), you could try the .inf route for helpcenter. I believe instructions for doing so are on that Kelly'sKorner page.

I also had a problem with msinfo, but it was related to WMI, which I cured in a similar manner. Your problem is definitely tied in with help and support though. Maybe re-installing that will get you there.

Good luck buddy.;)

[Paul Komski]

I actually posted the wrong hcp the last time - the one I had meant to post is hcp://system/sysinfo/sysInfoLaunch.htm

... it and others are referenced on the KCorner page.

[jabarnutcase]

Thanks- I'll keep plugging away.
Yes, definitely tied in with the Help center. (Which works fine on it's own via Help and Support in the main Program menu- And through System Information for that matter). :D
You know whats funny, if I click on "View advanced system information" within Help and support, it brings up another instance of help and support....One of those vicious cycles. :p

One last note for a while. Thought I would try the "delete and replace method" for the heck of it. The thing is instantly recreated within seconds after you delete it!

Hmmmmmm....I was just thinking. If I were to sell all my Computers and buy knitting Needles and Yarn, I could supply HUNDREDS of homeless people with Blankets using the time I used to spend "Computing".

Imagine how rewarding that would be? :p

(Edit) Yes, thanks Paul...I kind of figured that's what you meant after exploring your link. Tried that too and it also came up with an empty Help and Support Page with a note saying "cannot display the page" error.
Your link is a wealth of info though that I'll continue to explore.(If I can find the time with all of this knitting I'll be doing. ;)

[ErnieK]

Like you Jabber I was getting the help & support page when I clicked on the sys info link. (I didn't know unitl you posted about it)
I have just tried PAULS run command.

From there I clicked on the the DETAILED sysinfo link and went straight back tho the Help & Support page.

So my conclusion is that the help & support page is the advanced/detailed info page as well. ?

[jabarnutcase]

If I'm reading you right Ernie- You have the same problem I do. (Misery loves company) ;)

When you click on the Detailed System Link it SHOULD bring you to your System Info Page and not open another instance of Help and Support.

I suspect if you go to start/all programs/accessories/system tools/system information it will open up help and support like mine :(

Whereas is should give you the page you get with Paul's command:
msinfo32 /categories +all -loadedmodules
(When the direct link to System Information is operating properly, it will be in its own page with extra "tools", as with the above command, and not within support.)


Since there are other ways to retrieve the information. (Like Paul's command, and there is also a Batch file you could place right on your desktop..Or elsewhere-[found in his links], It's not a complete disaster. But irritating none the less!

(Edit) Whoops- I forgot I am presently back at the Computer that's running properly. The command msinfo32 /categories +all -loadedmodules will bring you to the page within Help and Support if things are not right, and not to it's own page.
(On this Computer, that command brings me to the proper page now- As does the direct link in system tools)

[ErnieK]

Yep
that's correct Jabber.

Reason I have never used before is that when I want any sys info I use third party prog like Aida32 (which is a good alround tool) or similar. Just thought I would see what would happen after you had posted. I will keep acopy of the paths posted for future reference though.

MS updates NOT set for auto. All updates are done manually so as \I know exactly what is going onto my computer. (not that I am any the wiser :rolleyes:

[jabarnutcase]

Shame on me- I just woke up from a long Winters nap. (And it was only 3:00pm when I "sat" on the couch!) :rolleyes:

Anyway, funny you should mention it Ernie- I use both Aida32 and Belarc on various Computers, plus have access to this System info via the command, and yet this minor flaw doesn't bother me any less!

Sometimes I wish I weren't me. (My wife would agree). :D

BTW-In case anyone was thinking it.... NOT a common denominator....I have neither Aida or Belarc on one of my "problem" Computers. :p

[Whyzman]

jabar, have you used EasyCleaner on any of the mentioned installs??

When I used it on my WinMe it screwed up my Help & Support...they have a patch to restore on their site...

Just a shot in the dark...

(edit) I just did a search on the Toniarts site and you might want to have a look here regarding this: "There is a known problem in Windows ME & XP

http://www.toniarts.com/faq.htm

[FrankSG]

I have XP Home edition and mine brings up the Windows Help and Support Page when it's supposed to give me the system information. When I first got my computer it brought up the system information the way it was supposed to, but for the last few months it doesn't. I've been scratching my head about it ever since it started. I took Paul's suggestion and type in msinfo32 /categories +all -loadedmodules and it brought up the System Information page. I didn't read all of the above yet, but I will when I have time and see if I can fix it.

[jabarnutcase]

Hi WYZMN!
No, I haven't used Easycleaner on any of my installations. (I actually stumbled across a link about that too)....Been doing a lot of searching!
(I have however used other registry cleaners like jvPower tools and Regseeker) :eek:

I found one forum- (In a search), where someone mentioned that "Spider" may cause the problem. (They were speculating that removing a certain index.dat file may corrupt Help and Support and/or msinfo32.exe).
Whether it's true or not I don't know...But I HAVE used Spider on all three Computers. :rolleyes:

I've about exhausted all the options short of a reinstall, and I'm not going there just for this.
Even tried re-installing Help and Support as mentioned in one of the "Kelly's links" to no avail. (Although My Help and Support works just fine, and most of the fixes were for other error messages etc. dealing directly with help and support)

Anyway, guess I'll just use "The Command" (Hehe..Sounds powerful doesn't it? "THE COMMAND" :D
Or, just stick to Belarc or Aida32 if I want any "info".

Interesting Frank - I'm starting to wonder how many other people have the same problem out there and don't know it because they rarely click on System Information?
So far, two more have surfaced here, and many in forums during my searching.
Sadly, most of them that couldn't stand it anymore did a reinstall.
Not this guy! No....Really. I mean it. Honest, I'm not kidding. What? You don't believe me? :p

All kidding aside, I won't until I feel it's time for a nice fresh install anyway. ;)

Right now, I'm about "System Informationed" to death. :eek: ;)

[FrankSG]

Originally posted by jabarnutcase
Hi [b]WYZMN!

I found one forum- (In a search), where someone mentioned that "Spider" may cause the problem. (They were speculating that removing a certain index.dat file may corrupt Help and Support and/or msinfo32.exe).
Whether it's true or not I don't know...But I HAVE used Spider on all three Computers. :rolleyes:



I use Spider too. But the problem started long before I had it. So, I doubt that the problem is with Spider. But I'm like you, Jabar,--even though this problem isn't a big one, especially since we can use it by using Paul's idea, it still bugs the crap out of me knowing that it's supposed to work but doesn't! I got to thinking of what you said--maybe it would be a good idea to buy some knitting needles and get started with that. But knowing me, I'd probable run on if the needles into my hand--or maybe someplace worse.:D

[jabarnutcase]

Hi Frank-
Yes- The knitting is kind of fun...So far I've only poked myself once. (I won't say where)

Anyway, I've about given up on this. Talked to another Forum Member that has used Spider in the past and doesn't have the problem, so at least that's probably not it- (As you mentioned).

I also found these registry tweaks at the links below in Kellys Korner.

You can download the exe. files to your desktop and add the entries to the registry when prompted to do so. (After double clicking on the file)
(You can also check out the contents in notepad)


#221 (on right side of page) is MSINFO tweak.
#235 (On left side of page) is Help and Support tweak

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Tried them both!!! And guess what????? They didn't work. :(

Think I'll give up on this for a while. Like I said, most people that I ran across in my searching, finally got frustrated enough to do a "repair" which fixed the problem.

Fagetaboutit.....By the time I did a repair on two computers I could have at least six Blankets knitted. :p

[shanmuga]

@ jabarnutcase, :cool:

Exactly what you describe happened to me a few months back(it's still in the same state),in xp pro. Then I have tried everything suggested (incl kellys & Knoxs fix) in various other forums and usenet groups to no avail.Mine is slightly more acute, even if i run 'msinfo32 /categories +all -loadedmodules' or 'msinfo32 /showcatagories' it will open a help and support page allright, but a empty one ie only the window with border will appear.Yes i strogly suspect that it's a result of tinkering with one's registry too much.

I left the issue as it is, because the suggested sure shot fix is a repair install, which i didn't want to do for such a trivial issue.Your post made me to look for a simpler fix again, but i believe the issue still remains unresolved.During my earlier quest for a fix i have saved a few results,two of them i reproduce below ( all others have already been mentioned in this post).

winguides (http://www.winguides.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=genwinxp&Number=100198&page=0&view=&sb=&vc=1) Note the solution as given by the original poster.

The following is reproduced from a usenet message, purported to be from a microsoft online professional.I don't have the full original message as i have saved (months back) only the portion involving the MS guy.

"Hi Steven,

Thank you for your post!

I suggest you may try to run msinfo32 in Safe mode first to see if the
problem persists.

If the problem disappear, try to run a clean boot using MSCONFIG to find
out the culprit.

1. Run the System Configuration Utility (msconfig.exe at Start -> Run).
2. Click on the "Startup" tab and remove the checks from each item in the
Startup Items column.
3. Click on the "Services" tab and check "Hide all Microsoft Services".
4. Uncheck all the rest non-Microsoft Services.
5. Click the Apply button.
6. Reboot your computer.
7. Try again.

If this issue is resolved at this point, repeat the process. However, add
one check back each time to the list of Startup Item column until the issue
reappears.

If the problem persists, do a SFC to check for file corruption.

Use the System File Checker tool to check the integrity of the system files:
1. Click on Start
2. Click on Run
3. Type "cmd" (without the quotation marks)
4. Press Enter
5. Type "sfc /scannow" (without the quotation marks)
Note: There is a space between sfc and /
6. Press Enter


Sincerely,

Jeff Qiu
jefffqiu@online.microsoft.com
Online Support Professional
Microsoft Corporation

This posting is provided ¡°AS IS¡± with no warranties, and confers no
rights.

--------------------
>From: "**{Steven}**" <none>
>Subject: System info trouble
>Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 23:18:52 -0400
>microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
>
>Whenever I use system info, for some reason, it brings up help center
>instead. This wasn't always so, it started recently and I do not know what
>was changed to cause it. I have tried going right to the icon by right
>clicking on the link under accessories/system tools and then properties but
>the same thing happens. How do I fix this?
>
>Thanks In Advance
>
>Steven
>
>
>

Message 5 in thread
From: **{Steven}** (none)
Subject: Re: System info trouble


View this article only
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Date: 2003-06-16 06:01:59 PST


I tried it in safemode and the problem is still there. I also ran
sfc/scannow and that did not help. Any other suggestions?

Steven Connor

"Jeff Qiu" <jefffqiu@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:mA#9jt#MDHA.2064@cpmsftngxa06.phx.gbl...
> Hi Steven,
>
> Thank you for your post!
>
> I suggest you may try to run msinfo32 in Safe mode first to see if the
> problem persists.
>
> If the problem disappear, try to run a clean boot using MSCONFIG to find
> out the culprit.
>
> 1. Run the System Configuration Utility (msconfig.exe at Start -> Run).
> 2. Click on the "Startup" tab and remove the checks from each item in the
> Startup Items column.
> 3. Click on the "Services" tab and check "Hide all Microsoft Services".
> 4. Uncheck all the rest non-Microsoft Services.
> 5. Click the Apply button.
> 6. Reboot your computer.
> 7. Try again.
>
> If this issue is resolved at this point, repeat the process. However, add
> one check back each time to the list of Startup Item column until the issue
> reappears.
>
> If the problem persists, do a SFC to check for file corruption.
>
> Use the System File Checker tool to check the integrity of the system files:
> 1. Click on Start
> 2. Click on Run
> 3. Type "cmd" (without the quotation marks)
> 4. Press Enter
> 5. Type "sfc /scannow" (without the quotation marks)
> Note: There is a space between sfc and /
> 6. Press Enter
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Jeff Qiu
> jefffqiu@online.microsoft.com
> Online Support Professional

Read the rest of this message... (28 more lines)

Message 6 in thread
From: Jeff Qiu (jefffqiu@online.microsoft.com)
Subject: Re: System info trouble


View this article only
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Date: 2003-06-16 20:03:38 PST



Hi Steven,

Thank you for your update.

If the problem persists, I suggest you repair the Windows XP by the steps
below:

STEP 1:

If your Windows XP is preinstalled by OEM (Original Equipment
Manufacturers), please make sure the following file is deleted:

delete %windir%\system32\undo_guimode.txt

For more information, please read the article below:

<http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q312/3/69.asp>

STEP 2:

1. First disable any Anti-Virus program and BIOS-level Anti-Virus
protection.

2. Make sure you have set your CD-ROM as the first priority boot device.
You may refer to your computer manual for information on how to do this.

3. Insert the Windows XP CD into your CD-ROM and reboot your computer.

4. When you see "Press any key to boot from CD" on the screen, press a key
to let your computer boot from the Windows XP CD.

5. When the computer boots from the CD-ROM, it check your hardware and
then prompt you the following options.
*To set up Windows XP now, press ENTER
*To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.
*To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

6. Please press ENTER.

7. Press the F8 key to agree the Licensing Agreement.

8. You will see your current Windows XP installation is listed in a box
and get the following options:
*To repair the selected Windows XP installation, press R.
*To continue installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without repairing, press
ESC.

9. Please press "R"

End of message.

Hope this helps.//

[FrankSG]

Yes i strogly suspect that it's a result of tinkering with one's registry too much.
Now that brings up a good question. I clean my registry on a regular basis. I use RegClean, EasyCleaner, and RegCleaner. Since I'm having the same problem using System Information, maybe I messed things up during one of my registry cleans. So the question is: Is it a mistake using any of the registry cleaners??? Or would it be a better idea to just leave the registry alone? How much of a problem would it cause if we just let the registry get "bloated" with out ever cleaning it? I'd like to see some comments on those questions.

[jabarnutcase]

Hi shunmuga -
I left the issue as it is, because the suggested sure shot fix is a repair install, which i didn't want to do for such a trivial issue
Exactly how I feel! (As I stated earlier).

Thank you for the information...I will look into these options, but I suspect that a repair install is the only way around this. (In which case, see above quote again) ;)

Again, it seems people are coming out of the woodwork all over the place with this problem so at least I'm not alone in my "suffering". :p

Thanks again for the reply! ;)

(Edit) Hi Frank
You snuck in there just before me! Personally, I think after a while a bloated registry can cause some problems and slow things down. And, sometimes, some registry changes are necessary.
On the other hand, going nuts with many different registry cleaners can certainly cause problems. (Notice every single one of them has a disclaimer like "use at your own risk"!) :D

I still like cleaning out my registry now and then, but I will keep a very close eye on any possible affected programs, and keep my backups a bit longer.
(I will also be a lot better about creating an image back-up on the two Computers I haven't been able to fix this problem on!) :)

You pose a good question though...I would like peoples opinions about registry cleaners too! ;)

From TechTV:
Using RegEdit is a lot like brain surgery. Sure, you can go in and clean out some of the bad stuff (if you can find it), but one wrong move and the patient's history. Changes you make in the Registry are instantaneous, so if you don't know what you're doing, you could cause some serious damage to your system.
So why bother? A clean Registry makes Windows run faster and more efficiently. Some tweaks just require you to alter the Registry. Today's free file is a more user-friendly way to access, clean, and make changes to your Registry.
http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/freefile/story/0,24330,3560824,00.html
Well, there's one opinion. :rolleyes:

(Edit #2) Hmmmm- It just occurred to me that on one of my Computers- (The cool 'freebie" I got from CT), I did a format and clean install when I was setting it up. I haven't used a registry cleaner on that one!
For all I know, that particular Computer may have had the problem since I installed XP. (Like I mentioned earlier, I didn't even check the others until I saw I had the problem on the one I'm using now-(The only one I was able to "fix" from an Image backup)

Makes me wonder if one of M$ updates caused this problem. :confused:
It would seem though, that there would be more about this via M$ if that were the case.

* I Wonder if "opinions on using registry cleaners" should have been a new thread? This is a good subject, but people may get sick of reading about my problems to get here. :p

[Paul Komski]

I say, forget about registry cleaners, system restore, backing-up the registry and so on. Use a partitioned drive and keep a couple of image files of your system partition. Start off with an image of a clean install and another one with:- all the drivers installed, with your "must-have" programs and with the system setup the way you like it (and after XP has been activated if that is your OS).

Keep all your data and as many programs as you can installed off the system parttion. That includes things like MyDocuments, the Start Menu, Address Book, OE Store Folders, the Desktop Folder and so on. They can all be moved if done correctly.

Thereafter you can scrub the system partition at any time and restore it with a good image and with all or most of your programs up and running. Dead Quick and Easy once you get yourself setup. Its also a panacea for most malware, corrupt upgrades, etc, etc and without the need for cracking passwords to get back in or running repair installations, etc, etc.

Every now and again after a "successful" upgrade (say to SP1) just create another image. Since you are running with a pretty slimmed down partition anyways the images are unlikely to be huge and with the large sizes of modern HDDs available at very reasonable cost you can keep these, preferably on a separate HDD, or on removable media.

;)

[FrankSG]

* I Wonder if "opinions on using registry cleaners" should have been a new thread? This is a good subject, but people may get sick of reading about my problems to get here.
Good idea! I think I'll start a new thread on that a little later on today.

[jabarnutcase]

Hehe...Believe it or not Paul, your comments in the past on this subject did NOT go un-noticed. ;)

The Computer I was able to fix the problem on (my "Primary Computer"), was set up in a similar fashion, and I restored it from an image on a separate internal hard drive. :)

Unfortunately, I don't get my "Good Housekeeping seal of approval" on the other two computers. :D :rolleyes:

[ErnieK]

I have not used a registry cleaner on this computer since last re-install. The only thing I use is SpybotSD. Could this be presenting something that I (we) delte?

How many of those with the problem use Spybot and no reg cleaner?

[Mark Miller]

Hi Ernie,
I use both though my reg cleaner is Norton utilities and I have no problems. I don't think it's spybot, but if you want to check go to your excludes and see what's checked and what's not checked. Could be something in there about ie and the help files. I really had things screwed at first when I used Spybot without really looking at what to exclude.
Again I don't think this has anything to do with system info, but I guess you never know.
Mark

[jabarnutcase]

I suppose anything is possible Ernie- The Computer I mentioned above that I have NOT used a Registry Cleaner on (and that has the problem), I DID and DO use Spybot S&D.

I use Both Spybot and Adaware on all my Computers.

I'm afraid we'll never know the true cause of this unless more and more people discover they have the problem, and someone at M$ gets bored and is looking for something to do besides design another new OS. :rolleyes:

[FrankSG]

Originally posted by ErnieK
I have not used a registry cleaner on this computer since last re-install. The only thing I use is SpybotSD. Could this be presenting something that I (we) delte?

How many of those with the problem use Spybot and no reg cleaner?
I use them both, but I'm pretty sure the problem existed before I ever used SpyBot. I'm not 100% sure of that but 95% sure.

[PrntRhd]

Jabarnutcase,
I have a XP Home notebook that I just checked. It showed System information in normal window but has not had update KB824145 and KB828035 downloaded yet.
I have Spybot and Adaware on all my PCs.
I am about to download those Updates one at a time to see if it changes anything.

[PrntRhd]

Downloaded the first one and rebooted, no change.

[PrntRhd]

Downloaded KB828035, rebooted.

The System Info window remained the same.
FYI it is a Toshiba Satellite 1115, NAV 2004, ZA Free.

Never used registry cleaner on this one.

[Mark Miller]

Hi Prntrd,
I, or I should say my wife has a new notebook [x1000 compaq 2 months old] that she refuses to let me play with at all, except for antivirus and window updates.
No utility programs, nothing.
You know what her notebook runs as well as my desktop if not better:D :D :D
Mark:D

[jabarnutcase]

Thanks PrntRhd -
Like I said though, I have no idea how long I've had this problem. (Most likely way before those particular updates)

I think Spybot and Adaware can probably be ruled out, along with a registry cleaner, Spider etc. (At least on one of my Computers), but it could still be one of the other 3 Million M$ updates or "patches" I've installed in the past.....Again, I fear we'll never know. :(

Now, I'm going to try to work on not caring what caused it anymore.
(Which will be next to impossible for me, but I'll try). :p

[shanmuga]

Originally posted by PrntRhd
Jabarnutcase,
I have a XP Home notebook that I just checked. It showed System information in normal window but has not had update KB824145 and KB828035 downloaded yet.
I have Spybot and Adaware on all my PCs.
I am about to download those Updates one at a time to see if it changes anything.

This problem is from way before the updates you mention. The earliest mention I have seen in usenet groups about this is sometime during Nov'01, hardly within a month of XP's launch.:confused:

[jabarnutcase]

Well so far, I've knitted 36 blankets. I don't think I like this knitting anymore. :rolleyes:
So, I decided to let this problem irritate me some more.

I think I found out what caused the problem (at least for me).
I found this in a forum....If you use Spider a program to clean the index.dat files off your computer.You erased the index.dat file that System Information needs to function properly.The index.dat file should be located in this folder: C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\OfflineCache
I decided to experiment, and I was able to re-create the problem on the computer I fixed by running Spider. Sure enough, the index.dat file in WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\OfflineCache was removed.
Before I removed it, System information worked. After running Spider, Help and Support came up again instead.

Again, I was able to restore this Computer, but I don't believe there is a cure for the other two short of a "repair".

I know some of you with the problem have never used Spider, or had the problem BEFORE using Spider, so I guess more than one thing can cause this problem.
However, in this case I watched it happen by running the program. :(

I think instead of these stupid knitting needles, I'll try using the sewing machine for a while and make shirts.....Blankets take too long and my fingers hurt. :p

[Whyzman]

Nice pick-up on the common thread there jabar...did you download this Spider program from the web??

It appears that you've found justification for aracnophobia and it also appears dat there is not an easy fix for all affected...

Here's help: http://www.phobiascured.com/arachnophobia.htm

[jabarnutcase]

Thanks for the concern WYZMN
I've taken your advice and ordered the Phobia Self-Help Book.
What a Web we weave for ourselves with these dang Computers. (Wow! there's a thought...How hard is Weaving?) :confused:

Anyway, I think I know how Little miss Muffett felt. (Just so happens I spider just the other day sitting on her Tuffett again).

You would think she would have learned by now.
(I've ordered her a book too, and will be sending her one of my blankets).

All I know is that if can't overcome this problem people will start calling me "Spiderman".
This thread is way too long as it is.

So couldn't we just try to forget about "Spider" man??? Thanks. :rolleyes:

[FrankSG]

Hey, Jabar--I found the solution to your problem! Did you know that hand-knitted blankets are pretty expensive?? Well--what you should do is sell all of those blankets that you knitted. Next, on the computers that you are having the problem with, take them out and have target practice with. Then, take the money that you made from the blankets and buy new computers! Isn't this forum great--getting good answers to your problems?:D :D
Well--to get serious about it, I did a search to find out where the INDEX.DAT file was on my system. It was scattered all over the place, located in about 8 different folders. I looked in C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\OFFLINECACHE and discovered that there was none in that folder. So I did a copy/paste and put one in. But, it didn't work. Oh well--a hundred years from now, we'll all be laughing at this.:)

[jabarnutcase]

Thanks Frank!
Excellent idea. I am cleaning my pistol as we speak. Will be heading out to the local flea market to sell my Blankets today.

Rather that buy new Computers, I think I'll just buy the parts and build them.

I'll be looking into some system information to choose my parts.

(Oh no.....Never mind. There is NO System Information to be had. :(

[Paul Komski]

Jabar - knitting aside - that was a NICE bit of detective work - though what it all means is not so clear.

If I rename the index.dat to index.datold (the one inside C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\OFFLINECACHE) then Info>>Help&Support. Rename it back to index.dat and Info>>Info!!

FrankSG - the numerous index.dat files are all different and only relevant to the folder they "live in". One would need an original from the offlinecache folder to replace the one deleted by spider or otherwise deleted/corrupted (or even renamed - he he). :D

[ErnieK]

Is it possible to rename an index.dat file?

You cannot delete, or as far as I know, change it in the normal way.

I have an image of default installation so I will (over the next couple of days install it and copy the index file from there and paste it into here once this is put back. Will let you know if it makes any difference.

What would happen if say someone used the file from my computer onto thiers?

[jabarnutcase]

If I rename the index.dat to index.datold (the one inside C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\OFFLINECACHE) then Info>>Help&Support. Rename it back to index.dat and Info>>Info!!

Wow Paul ! I see you've been doing some experimenting too!
VERY interesting. I'm really not sure what it all means yet either, but you're on to something there!

It seems, one would have to recreate that index.dat exactly as it was before it was deleted. How all this relates to a particular Computer as compared to another is still a mystery to me. (The one in C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\OFFLINECACHE that is).
And whether that is even possible is also a mystery to me.

(Then again, a lot of things are a mystery to me). :p

(Edit) Was toying with the idea of inserting this one into my other Computer (as Ernie mentioned), although I would think that the information in the file would have to be Computer specific in some ways.

Beats me....But if you want to know about knitting, you've come to the right place. :D

[Paul Komski]

ErnieK I think the accessibility (even the visibility) of these index.dat files depends on the OS. In WinXP most of them are not either hidden or super-hidden - so accessing and playing with them is easy - but then the help and support is a different system in Win9X too.

In other OSes you may only see them from DOS or by first deleting any desktop.ini file in the same folder (the desktop.ini file {which itself maybe hidden!!!} is the file that makes the index.dat file super-hidden) and then by changing the attributes of the index.dat files.

Many apps have their own index.dat files (they are all text files) but the cookies one and the temporary internet files one contain "backups" of all the sites visited and which is why they become so very large if not "spidered".

The one in my PCHealth, viewed with Notepad, begins:-

QC2
 P r o f e s s i o n a l _ 3 2   W i n d o w s X P P r o f e s s i o n a l
W i n d o w s _ X P  1 . 0 . 0 . 0


 P r o f e s s i o n a l _ 3 2   W i n d o w s X P P r o f e s s i o n a l
W i n d o w s _ X P  1 . 0 . 0 . 0

z*pb~â@ % W I N D I R % \ P C H e a l t h \ H e l p C t r \
% W I N D I R % \ H e l p % C : \ W I N D O W S \ P C H e a l t h \ H e l p C t r \ D a t a b a s e \ ..........

and the only thing of special note is that the text, spaced as it is, is in Unicode format.

There's obviously one way to see if copying it to another PC would correct the problem - we await with baited breath. ;)

[malcore]

This is interesting. My index.dat file starts exactly like Paul's.
Checking the properties, it is 78.1KB (80,007 bytes) in size, was created the day I installed XP and not modified since that day.

May just be possible to replace from a system known to display info>info.

Would try myself, but both systems are fine. Maybe if I change one to index.datold and replace with the other.

It's possible this file is not only removed by programs like spider, but also some reg cleaners that look for duplicate files, as there are many files named index.dat.

Edit- actually mine is a bit different than Paul's. I have n•¥Äjâ@ instead of z*pb~â@. :confused: Will check at work if my other machine is different in this respect also. Possibly a hardware tag? Or an indicator that mine is an OEM version of XP?

[Paul Komski]

78.1KB (80,007 bytes).

[FrankSG]

Is it possible to rename an index.dat file?
I tried it, Ernie, and it wouldn't let me rename it.
What would happen if say someone used the file from my computer onto thiers?
If my understanding is correct Ernie, if this would work, you probable wouldn't want to do it because the person who you gave the file to could view it and see all of the web-sites that you visited. It would be nice if Micro$oft would let you download a fresh one from their site.
I wonder if there is one on the original installation disk where one could do a copy/paste and put where it's supposed to be.

[jabarnutcase]

Hi Frank- As Paul mentioned, we're talking many different index.dat files here.
The one we're interested in for our "System information" is a whole lot different than your ie history for example with visited web sites etc.

I was about to try my "experiment" (which looks like it has a possibility of working, now that Paul and malcore have compared files and sizes on different machines), but I've been sidetracked for a while by my wife. :rolleyes:

Will keep you posted....But maybe not for a while. (Or longer than a while) :mad: ;)

[jabarnutcase]

I couldn't stand it anymore....Put my wife on hold...And guess what?????

IT WORKED!!!!! :D :D :D

And my P4 is not showing info about my Athlon either!!!!! :p

Cool! We found a fix that apparently nobody else could! And believe me, I did a LOT of searching! ;)


Thanks to everyone for their input, and putting up with this ridiculously long thread. (I think we learned a lot....(I May even stop knitting for a while)
:rolleyes:

(Edit) I'm still fooling around with this....One more computer to go. Also, all my Computers effected were XP Pro. Whether the INDEX.DAT is different for "Home" or not, I'm not sure.
Anyway, just popped it in the WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\OFFLINECACHE folder, (Where it now resides happily with a "Professional_32#0409" Folder), and BINGO!

(Edit#2) Worked with the last Computer too...(Another AMD) All are back to "normal" now! :)

Life is great!!! (Until I find something else to complain about tomorrow) ;)

[Paul Komski]

He He - That is simply :cool:

[jabarnutcase]

Thanks Paul (and others) for pursuing this...Amazing what all of our twisted minds can achieve together!

(OK...Sorry, maybe I'm the only one that's really twisted). :p

[FrankSG]

Hey, Jabar--I gota tell you what I did a short while ago. I was reading all of the stuff on this thread when I decided that I needed to go out in the kitchen and make a loaf of bread in our bread machine. I had all of this stuff on my mind when I mixed all of the ingredients in the bread machine. Well--that was a little over three hours ago. Just a few minutes ago I heard the bell ring on the bread machine telling me that the bread was done. I took the bread out and discovered that I forgot to put the yeast in! :o Anybody want to buy a hockey puck??

[jabarnutcase]

Sorry Frank- But that loaf of Bread isn't even worth one Blanket. :D

On a side note, I have a feeling with all the references to "Professional" within my Index.Dat, the file probably wouldn't work on your Home addition.

The beauty of this though, is that if you know someone with a Home addition, they could probably email it to you and it may work.

It MUST come from the location we discussed- (And be put in exactly the location we discussed)
Where you had a problem with Help and Support not working at all, I'm not sure. And people with specific error messages may have a different problem too if I remember correctly from some of my searching.

BTW- People with XP Pro that have the same problem, and want to try my file, email me and I'll send it along when I can.

Right now, time for sleep. Ahhhhhh... Sweet sleep. ;)

[PrntRhd]

I am just glad I stopped using Spider before I obtained my XP notebook.

:rolleyes:

[FrankSG]

The beauty of this though, is that if you know someone with a Home addition, they could probably email it to you and it may work. A good idea, Jabar! I'm sure I know someone who might have it. I'll tell you what I'm gona do since you're giving me this good advice. If this works, I'll mail you that loaf of bread. Now--ain't I a nice guy or what??:D :D

[shanmuga]

Greetings,

Congratulations to all

I am one of the affected as mentioned earlier in this thread.My index.dat at that location is 1kb in size and this is what it contains "QC2
", may be because i have set my browser to clean all records when it is shutdown.

@jabarnutcase, can you send me a copy of the file to my e-mail (PM ing you) Thank You.

[malcore]

I doubt clearing internet caches/records would have any effect upon the index.dat file in PCHEALTH. Something along the way altered your file. It being only 1KB in size is probably the reason msinfo32 doesn't open properly.

Well done jabar. The obsessive-compulsive disorder finally pays off!!!:D ;)

Can you tell us if your working index.dat files are the same size as Paul's and mine, 78.1KB (80,007 bytes)?

Pretty nice to see this unfold like this.:)

[jabarnutcase]

Thanks malcore- And thanks for the help to! :)

Interestingly, my file is close but not exactly the same size...(80.4kb)-82,367b.
Why this is, I'm not sure. Just know it's working! (I've checked all the various bits of info in my (now working) System Information and everything seems to be functioning properly with all correct info etc).

Have received a couple private messages....Will be sending you guys the file some time this morning. (My Wife is bugging me again at the moment to get a couple things done before her "Lady friends" visit- And it's only 6:14am here!) :rolleyes: (Just woke up)


(edit) OK- Sent the file out to you guys. (Figured once my wife gets hold of me, I may NEVER get back to this keyboard!)
Let us know how it goes! ;)
If you still have an old index.dat in there, make sure you dump it before adding mine, or it may cause some problems (sorry, I'm sure you knew that!)

[FrankSG]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jabarnutcase
[B]Hi Frank- As Paul mentioned, we're talking many different index.dat files here.
The one we're interested in for our "System information" is a whole lot different than your ie history for example with visited web sites etc.

OK--Thanks for the info. I thought they were all the same. I want to make sure I understand this right. In other words, the index.dat that is in the Windows/PCHealth/HelpCtr/ OfflineCache does not have a history of the web-sites that a person has visited?
The other question is this: Since we know that the folder mentioned above is where the index.dat lives in the XP Pro edition, does any one who has XP Home edition know if that's where the index.dat is it that particular edition of XP?

[jabarnutcase]

OK--Thanks for the info. I thought they were all the same. I want to make sure I understand this right. In other words, the index.dat that is in the Windows/PCHealth/HelpCtr/ OfflineCache does not have a history of the web-sites that a person has visited?

That's correct frank. And my guess is that is EXACTLY where it resides for Home addition too. I just have doubt's that the "Pro" file would work as there are several references to Pro within mine.

My guess is if you go to that exact folder, you will see another Folder in the OfflineCache folder called "Home_(INSERT NUMBER)" but either NO index.dat or one that is considerably smaller than 80kb.

Take a look and see. ;)

[FrankSG]

My guess is if you go to that exact folder, you will see another Folder in the OfflineCache folder called "Home_(INSERT NUMBER)" but either NO index.dat or one that is considerably smaller than 80kb.
You are right, there is one folder there called PERSONAL_ with a number after it. It is 1.06MB. It has 508 files in it. The files all start with a series of numbers with the file extension QUERY. They are all 1 to 18K. And there is no index.dat.

[jabarnutcase]

Frank- Be careful! The index.dat will NOT be within that "Personal (insert number)" folder.
It will instead be sitting along side that folder inside the OfflineCache folder.

In other words, when everything is ok, you will have two items inside the OfflineCache Folder:
(1)...The "personal(insert number)" Folder
and
(2)...The Index.dat file


Putting the index.dat inside the "personal folder" could be a big mistake.

[FrankSG]

Originally posted by jabarnutcase
Frank- Be careful! The index.dat will NOT be within that "Personal (insert number)" folder.
It will instead be sitting along side that folder inside the OfflineCache folder.

In other words, when everything is ok, you will have two items inside the OfflineCache Folder:
(1)...The "personal(insert number)" Folder
and
(2)...The Index.dat file


Putting the index.dat inside the "personal folder" could be a big
mistake.
Right--I understand it now.

[FrankSG]

Mine is fixed!! You guys are the ones who discovered what the problem was--I had no idea. But here's what I did: I went to see my brother today because he just bought a new computer and it has WinXP Home on it.
I brought a floppy disk with me to see if he had that file. Sure enough, he has it and it is exactly where you said it would be, Jabar.
We put it on my floppy disk and I just got home and copied the file to the folder that we talked about. I then clicked on System Information and it worked! I can now tell you for 100% certain that the thing that cause the problem is Spider. Since I have a copy of index.dat on a floppy, after I got it fixed I ran Spider. Guess what happened--it deleted the index.dat from the folder. I tried System Information again and it brought up the Help and Support page. I then put the index.dat back and everything is working OK now. So the culprit is definitely the Spider utility. I'm certainly going to save the floppy disk with that has the file in case I want to run Spider again. Glad you started this thread.

[Steve]

Seeing that I use both home and pro, I've been following the thread since the beginning. I don't have the problem on either computer and I use Spider on both. As a matter of fact, yesterday I ran Spider, 5 times, seeing if I could create the problem. I couldn't. I wonder if I have Spider set up different than you guys or if something else is different...:confused:

[FrankSG]

Originally posted by Steve
Seeing that I use both home and pro, I've been following the thread since the beginning. I don't have the problem on either computer and I use Spider on both. As a matter of fact, yesterday I ran Spider, 5 times, seeing if I could create the problem. I couldn't. I wonder if I have Spider set up different than you guys or if something else is different...:confused:
That is strange, Steve because when I ran mine, it deleted the file we talked about. When I run Spider, the first thing I do is click on Options and then choose to Scan Complete Hard Drive. I'm going to start playing around with the different options to see if there's a way to run it where it won't deleted the file. Since I have the file on a floppy, I don't care if it gets deleted--I can always put it back.
If I find out anything new, I'll let you know.

[Steve]

Thanks Frank,

I'm at work right now so I can't check my machines but when I get home I'll check the options and see how it's configured.

[ErnieK]

Jabber
This Mutt did not succeed.

Pasted your file in, then edited it to read for D:\ partition. Same as before.

Have also tried using the index file from a default installation that is sitting on a disk, plus I ran "SFC/ scannow"
(checks and replaces all protected system files, and where needed replaces with the original - I do not know if this will afect the SP1 installation and updates did since then, but will look oout a specific update that requires SP! before it will install just to check)
This was all to no avail.

For the past hour I have been sitting trying to find the section that allows you to replace one file (same as in SFC in Win98) but cannot find the location of it. I have used it in the past so I know that the facillity to replace an individual file is there somewhere.

[FrankSG]

Steve--I'm wondering if you have yours setup in such a way that it is ignoring the windows directory when it is searching. I looked at mine and the the two different options that I see are (1) Scan Windows directory only, (2) Scan complete hard drive. Either on of those options will scan the windows directory--unless of course the Windows directory is on a different drive than C: The way I see it, the only way it wouldn't delete the index.dat file is if Spider can be set up to ignore the Windows directory when you do your scan. After you do a scan, at the top of the page it will show the folders that it scanned. See if yours scans that sub folder where the file resides. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me that if it scans that folder, it's going to delete the file. Maybe you found a way to set it up that way.

[FrankSG]

Steve--I discovered something else about Spider. There are 2 different versions that you can download: Version 1.16 which is the newer beta version and is the one that I have. And there is the original version 1.04. Why don't you check and see which one you have. I'm wondering if you might have the older version, and if that's the reason yours is not causing a problem.

[ErnieK]

I am running ver 1.6

[shanmuga]

Thanks for the file jabarnutcase, It did work but partly. see the attachment.It brings up the window with nothing in it.So mine is screwed properly. :confused:

Originally posted by ErnieK Pasted your file in, then edited it to read for D:\ partition. Same as before. I don't get you, where did you edit and why?For the past hour I have been sitting trying to find the section that allows you to replace one file (same as in SFC in Win98) but cannot find the location of it. I have used it in the past so I know that the facillity to replace an individual file is there somewhere.
If you mean extraction of individual file from Windows cab file, it's available in msconfig.

[jabarnutcase]

Sorry to hear it didn't work for some of you guys-
I did talk to some people not involved with this thread-(There were a lot more out there than I thought), and the fix worked great as it did with mine and Franks.

Hi Shanmuga-
As you mentioned earlier in the thread:Mine is slightly more acute, even if i run 'msinfo32 /categories +all -loadedmodules' or 'msinfo32 /showcatagories' it will open a help and support page alright, but a empty one ie only the window with border will appear......
I was afraid it might not work for you. In cases where this particular index.dat is responsible, I think Help and Support has to be reasonably in tact.
In your case, it appears something else is amiss (In addition to your index.dat being corrupted). Hopefully, now that you have that file, it's possible you can pursue some of the fixes strictly for Help and Support and have some success.

Sorry Ernie, not sure what to tell you.

As far as Spider....I had the beta version 1.16, with all boxes being checked when I weaved this web of msinfo32.death. (The key word here being had )! :D
Anyway, good luck to all. Hopefully, this thread may help some people down the road. If they can suffer through the whole thing that is!(I never dreamed it would be so darn long though! Yikes!)

At the very least, we found out something about an index.dat file most of us never knew existed.
(At the very best, I was able to get all three of my computers back to normal- And I use the term "normal" losely...Nothing normal in this household! :p ) ;)

[FrankSG]

Originally posted by shanmuga
Thanks for the file jabarnutcase, It did work but partly. see the attachment.It brings up the window with nothing in it.So mine is screwed properly. :confused:


Do you use ZoneAlarm as your firewall? If you do, try shutting down ZA and then try it and see what happens. ZA has been a problem for me sometimes when a blank page opens up--even in one case where the contents of the page comes from information on my computer and not from a page that has to be downloaded. I know it sounds screwy, but it has happened. Whenever I have a problem with a page coming down blank or when there is no page at all when there is supposed to be one, I shut down ZA. Many times this corrects the problem. Well, actually it's not really corrected since ZA has to be enabled for security reasons.
~Frank~

[ErnieK]

Shanamuga
XP is on the D:\ partition on a dual boot.

The file from Jabber was from hi s C:\ drive.

When I tried to run Sytem info I recieved and error saying that it could not find xxxxx on in C:\. So I opened the file with notepad and looked for all references for C:\ and changed them to D:\.

After that I was able to click link for System information and still ended up back at help and support as before.

Thanks for telling me where to go for the individual file replacement. I will see if I can replace msinfo32.exe from there with the one from the CD or from SP1 update (if it is in there)

[Steve]

Well, I finally got Spider (v1.16) to delete the file, but it took three more tries. After putting the file back, now Spider deletes it each time. Funny it was so stubborn to start.

Well now I can follow along with some experience of what's going on.

Carry on...;)

[FrankSG]

Originally posted by Steve
Well, I finally got Spider (v1.16) to delete the file, but it took three more tries. After putting the file back, now Spider deletes it each time. Funny it was so stubborn to start.

Then that means that anyone who uses Spider who hasn't had this problem yet may have it in the future. So, it would be a good idea to copy the index.dat file someplace for a backup in case Spider decides to delete it sometime in the future.

[jabarnutcase]

Hehe- Yes Frank.
A copy of that file somewhere is definitely a good idea. I have one on my other drives, in "My documents", on a floppy, on a CD-R, I even have a copy taped to my refrigerator! :p
(And of course, now I know I can grab one off another Computer)

The key here though, is I talked to some people that had the problem and never even used Spider. So, it's possible for that file to become removed or corrupted in other ways too.
Maybe certain registry cleaners that delete duplicate files like malcore mentioned.

The other thing, is that it appears this fix will only work if clicking on System Information brings up Help and Support. If Help and support is messed up too, there are other problems in addition to the index.dat.

Just knowing that index.dat file exists however, and the effect it can have, is a good thing to know. And (hopefully), may be the start to a fix for people who have Help and Support messed up too.

And finally......I got rid of Spider. I hadn't had it that long so maybe I missed something, but it seems to me it didn't create a back-up that would allow you to replace anything.(At least not easily) That's not good.

I'm starting to think more like Mark .
I'm going to ease off a bit on a lot of this freeware. While there is certainly some great stuff out there. (Spybot, and Adaware are a couple of good examples that come to mind), there is also a whole bunch of stuff that probably hasn't been tested to the point where I can feel comfortable using it anymore.
(Especially some "beta" versions).

That's why they're out there. "Well, lets give it a shot- If it messes anything up, we'll fix it before the final release."

Hmmmm- I think Windows has been a Beta version for years now hasn't it? :D

[shanmuga]

@jabarnutcase,(shanmuga in tears) Had some hope :(

@FrankSG, At present i am not using ZA.

@ErnieK, got it,thanks for the clarification,no joy for me.

@Steve,Well now I can follow along with some experience of what's going on.
Carry on...
You are a sadist :D

edit:jabarnutcase,I'm going to ease off a bit on a lot of this freeware.
Where is the fun then? :eek:

[jabarnutcase]

Don't cry shanmuga
There is always hope! :D

With an index.dat intact in that folder where it belongs, perhaps some of the other fixes for Help and Support will now work? (Perhaps not) :(
Where is the fun then?

Thank you, but I've had enough fun for a while.
Hang in there! ;)

[GeekGoddess]

Find the Index.dat file in folder C:\Windows\Pchealth\Helpctr\Offlinecache on the computer that is working and copy it to the computers that aren't working. If you have to email it to yourself to copy, then do so. Place the file in C:\Windows\Pchealth\Helpctr\Offlinecache and the system information should come up instead of help.

Let us know if it works.
GG

[ErnieK]

Geek
WELCOME to the forums.

But before posting an answer could you please check the date of the thread. This thread is about two years old