helpctr.exe fills task manager-HELP

[bbb]

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I am using Windows XP Home with service pack 2. when I reboot my computer the hard drive keeps running, and running, and running. when I
open the task manager by right clicking on the task bar or doing control/alt/delete it shows the file helpctr.exe many, many times. Then boxes come on the screen. one says:
helpctr.exe application error-
-the application failed to initialize properly(0x000012d) or ((oxc000017, or 0xc000012d142)) Click on OK to terminate the application.

another box reads: Microsoft Visual C++ runtime library
runtime error!
Program :C:\Windows\PC HEALTH\ HELPCTR\Binaries\helpctr.exe
This application has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way. Please contact the applications support team for more information.

if I use my mouse to move either of the above boxes there is another box under it. if I move that box, there is another box under IT. if I click OK on each of these boxes, each one disappears. when they are all clicked, the screen seems to be normal and all of the helpctr.exe entries in Task Manager
are gone.

It used to be that the computer would then work ok until rebooted. Now, however, when I open an application such as Solitaire or my web browser,
the HELP menu for that application also opens at the same time. if I push the X in the upper right corner of the help menu the help window closes but then reopens again by itself. if it doesn't reopen by itself it reopens when I click anywhere on the application

I went to SEARCH and entered helpctr.* and found this folder in about 5 locations. I changed the name to helpctrold. of each folder and rebooted.
helpctr.exe reappeared at each location and I had the same problem as above. Since one location for helpctr was in Service Pack 2, I re -downloaded service pack 2 thinking possibly that file was corrupted, but the new service pack 2 does the same thing.

What should I do next.

[dlh6213]

You shouldn't try to remove it, but you should be able to stop it from running all the time. Here's a little info on it:
http://www.auditmypc.com/process/helpctr.asp

[bbb]

UPDATE:
I have been fighting this problem for over a year. Antivirus and Antispy did not help. This week I finally broke down and completely reinstalled windows xp after formating the hard drive. I used windows all day without any problems. I restarted the computer at least 20 times with no problem.
(this problem often occurs when the computer is rebooted). I then installed service pack 2 and helpctr.exe began filling the task master (control-alt-del) within 10 minutes. Possibly a coincidence, but it started as soon as I opened a CD from the main CD player. No other programs had been installed. I hadn't even installed my internet server, so I don't see how I could have got a virus. A virus COULD have been downloaded with the service pack 2 but the service pack 2 was not the same download as I had installed years ago. It was a fresh download done to CD on a different computer. It would be very strange if I happened to download the same virus two times years apart when the problem doesn't seem to be that common. I am out of ideas WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW???

[satish sonavane]

i am facing the same problem
please give the solution.

Regards
satish.
[e-mail]

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I am using Windows XP Home with service pack 2. when I reboot my computer the hard drive keeps running, and running, and running. when I
open the task manager by right clicking on the task bar or doing control/alt/delete it shows the file helpctr.exe many, many times. Then boxes come on the screen. one says:
helpctr.exe application error-
-the application failed to initialize properly(0x000012d) or ((oxc000017, or 0xc000012d142)) Click on OK to terminate the application.

another box reads: Microsoft Visual C++ runtime library
runtime error!
Program :C:\Windows\PC HEALTH\ HELPCTR\Binaries\helpctr.exe
This application has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way. Please contact the applications support team for more information.

if I use my mouse to move either of the above boxes there is another box under it. if I move that box, there is another box under IT. if I click OK on each of these boxes, each one disappears. when they are all clicked, the screen seems to be normal and all of the helpctr.exe entries in Task Manager
are gone.

It used to be that the computer would then work ok until rebooted. Now, however, when I open an application such as Solitaire or my web browser,
the HELP menu for that application also opens at the same time. if I push the X in the upper right corner of the help menu the help window closes but then reopens again by itself. if it doesn't reopen by itself it reopens when I click anywhere on the application

I went to SEARCH and entered helpctr.* and found this folder in about 5 locations. I changed the name to helpctrold. of each folder and rebooted.
helpctr.exe reappeared at each location and I had the same problem as above. Since one location for helpctr was in Service Pack 2, I re -downloaded service pack 2 thinking possibly that file was corrupted, but the new service pack 2 does the same thing.

What should I do next.