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Posts with tag hlp

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

How to view old Help files in Windows Vista

Windows Vista is no helpEvery version of Windows from 3.0 to XP used the same type of help file format. HLP files were basically modified RTF documents that could be viewed using the WinHlp32.exe application.

But Microsoft decided to leave that application out of Windows Vista to encourage developers to use more up to date help file formats. There's just one problem. When you buy a new computer or a new operating system you don't buy all new software. So there's probably more than a few applications you run that were designed for Windows XP or earlier. And you can't read their help files using Windows Vista. Not out of the box, that is.

It turns out there are two pretty simple ways to add support for HLP files to Windows Vista. First up, you can download and install an "update" from Microsoft. It weighs in at a hefty 601KB, so I can see why the company left it out.

If you've got an XP machine lying around, or if you're running a dual boot system, you can also just copy WinHlp32.exe from the Windows directory. When putting it on your new machine, you should probably stick it in Program Files or another directory, not Windows. In order to associate HLP files with the application, you'll need to find an old one, right click it and select "open with" to select the default program.

[via CodeJacked]

Featured Time Waster

Forumwarz - a potentially offensive time waster

I pwn UAfter spending the better part of an hour on Forumwarz I still can't decide if it's just sick or if it's kind of fun. It's a bit like a car wreck on the highway. I know I shouldn't be looking but I can't quite turn away.

It's sick, it's twisted, it's the internet on it's worst level and darn it, it's kind of fun. At least for a little while.

Forumwarz is a parody role-playing game that takes place on the internet - or at least the Forumwarz version of it. Your goal is to complete missions that are given to you through a mock up of GoogleTalk called Sentrillion.

Your first "friend" is ShallowEsophagus who begins giving you missions to pwn various forums by being a troll. Depending on the character type you are assigned at start up, you have tools like drooling on the keyboard or bashing your head on the keyboard that you can use to destroy forum threads and eventually, pwn a forum.

Future missions involve buying illegal software from the Russians, pwning more difficult forums and other internet oddness.

Completing missions gives you cash, called Flezz in game, and items that you can pawn or use in other missions. The game is NOT for those easily offended. It's crass, coarse and there are frequent f-bombs in the fake chat sessions.

This is also a game for a more mature audience as it requires you to shop at the Drugs R Fun store to get various concoctions to improve your playing, engage in certain cyber activities to get more Flezz and just generally use a more adult perspective.

If you can get past that, here are the more enjoyable and time-wasting aspects.

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