WinWord Error Message: Word Is Unable to Start Help

• 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.