WinWord Error Message: Word Is Unable to Start Help

ID: Q79736

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c

SYMPTOMS

In Word, you may receive the following error message when you try to open Help from the menu bar or by pressing the F1 key:

   Word Is Unable To Start Help

CAUSE

The WINHELP.HLP and WINHELP.EXE files are missing from the Windows program directory.

In Word 6.0 this error message may occur if Norton's Desktop is being used as the shell.

RESOLUTION

To correct the problem:

Windows 3.0 and 3.0a

1. Copy WINHELP.HLP and WINHELP.EXE to the Windows program directory.

   In Windows versions 3.0 and 3.0a, these files are located on Disk 1.

2. Verify that the files WPHELP.DLL and WINWORD.HLP are in the Word

   for Windows program directory.

Windows 3.1

1. Verify that the file EXPAND.EXE is in your Windows directory. If

   it isn't, copy EXPAND.EXE from your Windows setup disk #3 to your
   Windows directory.

2. From the command prompt, make the Windows directory the current

   directory.

3. With Windows setup disk #3 still in your disk drive, type

      expand <source drive>:\winhelp.hl_ <destination drive>:\winhelp.hlp

   where <source drive> is either a or b and <destination drive> is the
   location of Windows.

4. Insert the Windows setup disk #1 in your disk drive and type:

      expand <drive>:\winhelp.ex_ winhelp.exe

5. Verify that the files WPHELP.DLL and WINWORD.HLP are in the Word

   for Windows program directory.

MORE INFORMATION

Word for Windows generates the aforementioned error message even if you selected the option to install Help in Word for Windows during setup.

KBCategory: kbusage KBSubcategory: kbhelp Additional query words: 2.0 2.0a 2.0a-CD 2.0b 2.0c winword 6.0c word6 winword winword2

Keywords          : kbhelp 
Version           : 2.x 6.0 6.0a 6.0c
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: February 6, 1998