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David Hurlston
Inspiring
January 22, 2009
Answered

Microsoft download of the WinHelp engine fails

  • January 22, 2009
  • 6 replies
  • 1990 views
I notice that the download of the x86 winhelp engine no longer works. It is needed to run WinHelp under Vista.

I have been using the link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=6EBCFAD9-D3F5-4365-8070-334CD175D4BB&displaylang=en

It was fine a couple of weeks ago.

I get the message "The update does not apply to your system"

I have been looking for winhelp.exe on my system, hoping I would be able to copy it, but it is not to be found.

Has anyone raised this issue with Microsoft yet?
This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer David Hurlston
Now it works....


After attempting to install the winhelp engine and getting the message "The update does not apply to your system", go back to the KB link. There is a button there marked "Fix It"

Click on that and the install is completed. Moreover the additional registry tweaks previously required for user-defined macros to run is taken care of.

I do like that Fix It button. I wish it were everywhere!

Rick, I don't know if the fix was a result of your efforts, but I am assuming it was - so here's to you.



6 replies

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David HurlstonAuthorCorrect answer
Inspiring
February 4, 2009
Now it works....


After attempting to install the winhelp engine and getting the message "The update does not apply to your system", go back to the KB link. There is a button there marked "Fix It"

Click on that and the install is completed. Moreover the additional registry tweaks previously required for user-defined macros to run is taken care of.

I do like that Fix It button. I wish it were everywhere!

Rick, I don't know if the fix was a result of your efforts, but I am assuming it was - so here's to you.



RoboWizard
RoboWizard
Inspiring
February 4, 2009
Hi David

I really wish I could say it was. I did follow through with sending my contact a request for help, but I never heard back. I'm aware that Microsoft announced layoffs, so I'm hopeful my plea was simply overlooked as opposed to him being laid off!

At any rate, I'm glad you got it sorted! Rick
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David HurlstonAuthor
Inspiring
January 25, 2009
32 bit, same as me
Captiv8r
Captiv8r
Legend
January 25, 2009
Hi David

I have sent a message to a contact at Microsoft. Crossing my fingers and hoping we will hear a reply soon.

Cheers... Rick
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David HurlstonAuthor
Inspiring
January 24, 2009
The client tried both the 32 bit and the 64 bit downloads..

I watched him try the 32 bit download (using GoToMeeting)

I did notice that Microsoft has made changes to that page within the past few weeks,
Peter Grainge
Community Expert
Peter GraingeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 24, 2009
OK but which system does your customer have, 32 or 64 bit? Then I am sure Rick will be happy to make enquiries.

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David HurlstonAuthor
Inspiring
January 23, 2009
Thanks Rick and Peter,

I am running 32-bit Vista. Home basic, SP1

I had no trouble installing the patches when I bought the machine a few weeks ago. The problem came to my attention a few days ago when a client complained.

It would be very helpful if you could check with your Microsoft contact.

Peter, I am not sure what you mean by the viewer. Do you mean the WinHelp engine- winhelp.exe as it used to be named?

The client had just bought a new Vista machine and this must have been his first attempt at the download. I had already done the download of course.



Peter Grainge
Community Expert
Peter GraingeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 24, 2009
I just followed your link from a Vista machine that has the viewer (winhelp32.exe) installed and it started the Genuine Advantage script rather than telling me the update was not applicable. Maybe that comes later in the script after it has checked that you have a genuine copy of Vista.

Has your client tried again as that link is the correct one on a 32 bit system? Could your client have got the 64 bit system as suggested by Rick? I would have thought that if they attempted to run the HLP file they would have got the same message I did when I ran such a file and the link would go to the correct version of winhelp engine.

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Peter Grainge
Community Expert
Peter GraingeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 22, 2009
I believe you can only install from that link to a PC that does not have the viewer installed. Also you cannot copy it from machine to machine.

Have you found otherwise until now?

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Captiv8r
Captiv8r
Legend
January 22, 2009
Hi David

I'll be happy to raise the issue and ask my MVP connections to Microsoft. But before I do, I'd like to know the following:

* What version of Vista are you using? (I'm asking because I'm pondering whether you are on 64 bit and if this is 32 bit WinHelp, perhaps that explains why you are seeing this "it's incompatible" message".

Cheers... Rick
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