WinHlp32.exe in Vista

[Noreen]

I want to be able to view the Help files for some old programs now installed on my new Vista laptop but MS says WinHlp32.exe is not part of Vista. These programs work well otherwise. MS suggest that a certain file is downloaded and installed as shown on the attachment, this will solve the problem. However they don't describe the differences between the files so how do I choose the one suitable for me?


[attachment deleted by admin]

[Rik]

I'm guessing you'll want the x86, 32-bit version, Noreen.

[Noreen]

Your guess is confirmed here, Rik, thanks. http://www.techtalkz.com/windows-vista-all/22256-winhlp32-download-do-i-want.html

[Rik]

I'm good at guessing.

[Noreen]

File now installed and it appears to work.

[Rik]

Great.   

[Malc]

Riks the man 

[Lance]

I don't understand why x86 refers to 32 bit, whilst x64 refers to 64 bit??? I'm guessing its something from before my time, as I remember using the 386 and 486 machines!

[Rik]

x86 is the underlying 32-bit architecture, Lance, from the 8086 through the 80486 chips - before Intel moved to names.

[Noreen]

I don't understand why x86 refers to 32 bit, whilst x64 refers to 64 bit??? I'm guessing its something from before my time, as I remember using the 386 and 486 machines!

That's what confused me. As Rik explained, also as in the above link.

Starting in the 1980s, Intel named their CPUs 8086, 80186 (rare, but I had
one), 80286, then 386 and 486 - then they called the next one a Pentium.
But by then we had already started referring to the whole family as "x86"
chips. When Microsoft introduced the 64-bit version of Windows XP, they
called it Windows XP x64. And then things got a little confusing.

Instead of calling the 32-bit WinXP "x32", Microsoft started referring to it
as "x86". So, if you don't have 64-bit hardware running Vista x64, then the
x86 version is the one you need. So, get: Windows6.0-KB917607-x86.msu

[Inactive]

Geeks have one goal in life Noreen, to confuse normal people.