DOCUMENT:Q58258 05-OCT-1999 [win95x] TITLE :Windows Err Msg: This is Not a Valid Help File PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product PROD/VER:WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you are attempting to receive help from a Windows application, such as Microsoft Excel, running under Microsoft Windows, one of the following error messages is displayed: This is not a valid helpfile -or- This is not a Windows help file CAUSE ===== These errors occur because your WIN.INI file [extensions] section contains the following entry: [extensions] hlp=winhelp.exe ^.hlp This entry allows help files to be opened in Windows Help by running them in File Manager. However, Windows applications that use a help module with the extension .HLP (such as EXCELHLP.HLP) do not function correctly with this entry present. Additional query words: 3.00 win30 3.00a 3.10 3.11 winhelp ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin300 kbWin300a kbWin310 kbWin311 Version : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11 ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1999.