Finder won't run Mac help! I need help!

[jcsajulan]

I am a rookie Mac user and I utilize Mac help a lot. Now all of a sudden every time I try to open Mac help, the help box flashes on the screen for a couple seconds and then disappears. I cannot ask Mac help a question because it does not stay on the screen long enough. Also I do not have anti virus, anti spyware/adware etc.. software for my Mac, should I? the guy at the Mac store says it is unnecessary as many viruses are not written for Macs and nobody has ever cracked the Mac firewall. Is this all true?



oh yeah I have an iMac G5 with OS X 10.3.9

 

[rpphoto]

Hi, it sounds like launch errors; I would try running the routines with freeware MainMenu, which will show up in your menubar after you launch it. All of the features of MainMenu are safe to use. Deleting the caches and resetting the launch database, and allowing it to delete corrupt preferences might help. http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/17111
Another free solution is Onyx, which includes an option to reset the help system:
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/11582
It's possible there are errors caused by other system errors, which you can check by starting up your computer with the system installer disc by holding down the c key or option key during startup. When the disc is fully started, look for Disk Utility in the menus, select your hard-drive on the left, and select repair.
Hope something here helps...
By the way, viruses for Mac are next to non-existent, and the few there have been have been very short-lived...

 

[Kyomii]

Download ONY X, and under the "maintenance" tab of this program there is a setting to tick that says "reset Mac Help" tick that and run it and your help files will be restored.

http://www.titanium.free.fr/pgs2/english/onyx.html

You can download it from the above page, and if you scroll down the page you can actually see image of the program tab with the reset mac help ticked.

 

[jcsajulan]

Very helpful info from all. Fixed my problem right away. Thanks!