Windows 7: Microsoft fix doesn't work?

I installed a desktop publishing program on both my Vista Desktop and my Win 7 laptop.



When I went to open the Help File I had to go to the Microsoft site for the WinHlp32.exe download. This was because I received an error message re a problem running the macro (1037) This a known problem.

I let MS "Fix" it on the Vista machine and it worked like a charm. But when I tried it TWICE on the Windows 7 laptop it wouldn't work. So per their documentation I attempted to fix it myself. That didn't work either.

Tried to contact their support link provided and that was useless.

Any idea why I can't get results I need?

Thanks.

Hello Vegaspat,

I haven't tried this in Windows 7 yet, but you might see if this may help.

Help and Support in Vista - Vista Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

vegaspat,

Am not sure from your post whether you have manually downloaded winhlp32.exe. This is the MS support page.

I cannot open Help files that require the Windows Help (WinHlp32.exe) program

View or Open .HLP (Help) Files with WinHlp32.exe for Windows 7 Free Download My Digital Life

edit: download either the 64 or 32 bit .msu depending on your architecture.

I just put it on my win32 and I can open .hlp files now.

I have a tendency to get confused very easily so I will explain exactly what I did.

When I first tried to open the Help file in Card Zone, I got a pop up window telling me that the legacy help files are no longer required, etc. But the window provided me with a link to the Microsoft site. I went there are followed the instructions and had to download 3 different files.(I cannot open Help files that require the Windows Help (WinHlp32.exe) program.

GenuineCheck.exe,WGAPlugin and MSFixit 50237.msi

Their instructions are very detailed and on the Vista machine I chose to let them fix it. It worked like a charm.

So then I tried the same thing on the Windows 7 machine twice and when that didn't work, I did the -Let me fix it-. So I backed up the Registry and manually followed the instructions to change the key, etc. Well, that did NOT work either even after re-booting.

Are you all saying that these instructions just might not work and I should try other things?

This is a 64 bit laptop and I'm sure I chose the correct Fix. The Vista is 32 bit and required a different download.

I just want to make sure I'm not creating another issue by doing the wrong thing.

Thanks.

I would use a restore point to back off what you did, then use the download link I provided.
The download is just a simple fix. When you run it you get a working WinHlp.exe with .hlp file association. No other complications.

Well, now what?

I did THREE System Restores. The last one from Safe Mode. Nothing was accomplished. It will not get rid of the Microsoft FixIt 50237 which is in there twice.

In fact, I went back to the 14th while in Safe Mode and nothing at all was changed. Guess that's why I've never had much faith in System Restore.

I suppose I could import the Registry key I exported before I messed with the Registry. But now it's getting a little scary.

Next?

Did you try this yet? It's slightly modified than what is in the other link you tried already.

Help and Support in Vista - Vista Forums

Shawn,

I just did your suggestion and now I'm back to square one.

Prior to doing it I was able to open the Help file but didn't know how much I was missing. Didn't get that far. I got the error message below and when I closed the window I could see the Help file. I just wanted to get rid of that darned error message first.

So, now I get no error message AND no Help file at all.

As you can see, it directs me to the Microsoft link for correcting this issue.

Why can't I get Help from this program?


The Help for this program was created in Windows Help format, which depends on a feature that isn't included in this version of Windows. However, you can download a program that will allow you to view Help created in the Windows Help format.
For more information, go to the Microsoft Help and Support website.

Note: If you're using 64-bit Windows 7,

re-install
http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...917607-x64.msu

you need to change a different key:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\WinHelp]
"AllowProgrammaticMacros"=dword:00000001