Help and Support issue Vista Bugs and Problems Discuss Help and Support issue in the Windows Vista forums; Does anyone know how to stop Vista's help from trying to search online. I keep getting this notice that internet explorer cannot access the page and that seems to ...

[feverpitch]

Does anyone know how to stop Vista's help from trying to search online. I keep getting this notice that internet explorer cannot access the page and that seems to be preventing me from seeing even the offline help topics?

Thanks

[Znod]

Welcome feverpitch:

Sorry though; I don't use IE. I solved all of my IE problems long ago by switching to Firefox. You might consider doing the same. I have never had a help related problem using Firefox--especially Vista trying to search online help. I'll look around and see if I can duplicate your problem.

[feverpitch]

Hi Znod

Thanks for the response. I have alas already tried setting Firefox(which I prefer as well) as my default browser but whenever i try to access any Microsoft products help, or the help and support button on the start menu, the help and support box opens up, quickly followed by a download box and a popup message that says:

"Internet Explorer cannot download / from help.

Internet Explorer was not able to open this internet site. The rquested site is either unavailable or cannot be found. Please try again later."

I can't seem to find any options to set vista to use local information by default.

[crabby]

In the help and support page (in the start menu). Go to, options -> settings and untick the box which says 'include online help' . Hope that helps, sorry it can't be in more detail but I am at work again

crabby

[Znod]

Originally Posted by feverpitch

Hi Znod

Thanks for the response.
I can't seem to find any options to set vista to use local information by default.

My inclination is to try to disable IE and then see what happens. You can try either of two approaches--or both.

(1) Control Panel > Default Programs > Then use the options to disable IE.

(2) Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows Features On or Off > Then use the resulting screen to "remove" IE from the system.

Let us know what happens--especially if the news is good. But, note that the use of either approach may interfere with your ability to use IE when required by some online service.

[feverpitch]

Originally Posted by Znod

My inclination is to try to disable IE and then see what happens. You can try either of two approaches--or both.

(1) Control Panel > Default Programs > Then use the options to disable IE.

(2) Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows Features On or Off > Then use the resulting screen to "remove" IE from the system.

Let us know what happens--especially if the news is good. But, note that the use of either approach may interfere with your ability to use IE when required by some online service.

I tried both of the above suggestions but unfortunately with no luck. Thanks for the thoughts.

[feverpitch]

Originally Posted by crabby

In the help and support page (in the start menu). Go to, options -> settings and untick the box which says 'include online help' . Hope that helps, sorry it can't be in more detail but I am at work again

crabby

Hi crabby

Unfortunately I cannot even get into the Help and Support page to adjust the options. If I click on any windows help link (including the one in the start menu) I get the error message as initially mentioned. When I close the error box i simply get left with a blank box, no menus, and that pretty little swirling blue "working" symbol. I've even tried leaving it for a bit thinking it might miraculously work after a little bit of "quiet time" http://www.vistababble.com/forums/im...es/lolsign.gif
. I guess i should of worked out by now that windows "just don't work like that".

Will keep hoping a solution is on the horizon.

[JoshW02@hotmail.co.uk]

Fever can you post a screenshot of the error plz it might help.

[Znod]

You are very welcome. Sorry no luck.

[Znod]

Originally Posted by feverpitch

Hi crabby

Unfortunately I cannot even get into the Help and Support page to adjust the options. If I click on any windows help link (including the one in the start menu) I get the error message as initially mentioned. When I close the error box i simply get left with a blank box, no menus, and that pretty little swirling blue "working" symbol. I've even tried leaving it for a bit thinking it might miraculously work after a little bit of "quiet time" http://www.vistababble.com/forums/im...es/lolsign.gif
. I guess i should of worked out by now that windows "just don't work like that".

Will keep hoping a solution is on the horizon.

When I get desperate, I reinstall Vista from within Vista. Sometimes my problem gets fixed and sometimes it doesn't, but the procedure appears to be a very safe one--at least I have never had a problem using it.