32-bit Help Fails to Start When 16-bit Help Is Running

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This article was previously published under Q169020

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SYMPTOMS

Windows NT cannot open a 32-bit help file if a 16-bit help file is already open. You get the following error message:

This file is not a Windows Help file.

When you click OK, you receive the following error message:

A newer version of Help is needed to view this Help file.

Windows NT supports both 16-bit and 32-bit Help files. Windows NT uses Winhelp.exe for 16-bit Help files and Winhlp32.exe for 32-bit Help file.

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This problem occurs when a user tries to open a 32-bit Help file but already has a 16-bit version of Help running. Windows NT, instead of starting the 32-bit Help engine, will pass the 32-bit Help file to the 16-bit Help engine. As a result, the user will get the error message.

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

152734 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/152734/EN-US/ ) How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 4.

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