Msinfo32 will not open dammit!

[Tim.T]

I've had this issue for a while: MSInfo32.exe just will not open when I
click on it directly in the folder, or the shortcut in the
Accessories>System Tools group. It's like it's dead! Two things happen:
either nothing at all, or Help & Support suddenly loads in its place! I've
checked the Environment Variables - the path is correctly set to C:\Program
Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\MSInfo. The file is there. How the hell
is Help & Support involved???

I have tried every VBS, BAT file, command line switch available to fix this
and still nothing. I am NOT reinstalling XP for this, that would be a
headache and no guarantee of success. I use Microsoft Antispyware, Ad-Adware
SE, Spybot, Norton AV 2004, and on all counts I cannot find any spyware or
virus that may have damaged the file. My system is clean. Are there any
Services I may have disabled which control or allow MSinfo to run? I would
try extracting a new copy from the XP CD but I'm not sure where the file is,
what folder, etc. Or is that even possible with XP? It was under win98se.

Any input on this annoying little issue would be appreciated! I miss using
MSinfo, it's handy for system checks.

Tim

[Patti MacLeod]

Hi Tim,

The problem that you're experiencing can be caused by the index.dat file in
the C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache folder having been deleted.
Following these instructions, provided by Pearson Peng, to rebuild the
original Help and Support Center will re-create the needed index.dat file:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/899525641805b8f4

Regards,

--
Patti MacLeod
Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User

"Tim.T" <jblack 2001 at btopenworld dot com> wrote in message
news:%23aSOTT7...@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

[Tim.T]

Amazing! Thankyou, it works.

Cheers!

Tim

"Wesley Vogel" <123WVo...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:%232Vs777...@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> The index.dat file may be missing from >>

> C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache
>

> First. Set Hidden files and folders to display.
>
> Start | Settings | Control Panel | Folder Options | View tab
> Check:
> Ť Display the contents of system folders
> Ť Show hidden files and folders
> UNCheck:
> Ť Hide protected operating system files
> Apply | OK
>
> [[Hidden files and folders will appear dimmed to indicate they are not
> typical items.]]
>
> Second. Paste this in the Start | Run box...

>
> C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache
>

> Click OK.
>
> Look for a file called index.dat. Is one there?
>
> If not, save the attached zip file and unzip it to ...

>
> C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache
>

> The zip file contains the appropriate index.dat file.
>
>
> --
> Hope this helps. Let us know.
>
> Wes
> MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
>
> In news:%23aSOTT7...@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl,
> Tim.T <jblack 2001 at btopenworld dot com> hunted and pecked:

[Wesley Vogel]

Keep having fun. :-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In news:uxQ$zX9XFH...@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl,

Tim.T <jblack 2001 at btopenworld dot com> hunted and pecked:

> Amazing! Thankyou, it works.
>
> Cheers!
>
> Tim
>
> "Wesley Vogel" <123WVo...@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:%232Vs777...@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>> The index.dat file may be missing from >>
>> C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache
>>
>> First. Set Hidden files and folders to display.
>>
>> Start | Settings | Control Panel | Folder Options | View tab
>> Check:

>> Display the contents of system folders

>> Show hidden files and folders
>> UNCheck: