You receive the "Msohelp caused error in Msohelp.exe" error message when you try to start or remove an Office 2000 program (299660)


The information in this article applies to:

  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 95
  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98
  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Office 2000 Premium
  • Microsoft Office 2000 Professoinal
  • Microsoft Office 2000 Standard
  • Microsoft Office 2000 Small Business
  • Microsoft Office 2000 Developer
  • Microsoft Access 2000
  • Microsoft Excel 2000
  • Microsoft FrontPage 2000
  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2000
  • Microsoft Word 2000
This article was previously published under Q299660
WARNING:This information is preliminary and has not been confirmed or tested by Microsoft. Use only with discretion.

SYMPTOMS

When you try to start or remove a Microsoft Office program, you may receive an error message that is similar to the following error message:
This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down. If the problem persists, contact the program vendor.
If you click Details, the data includes one of the following error messages:
  • Error Message 1
    msohelp caused error in msohelp.exe
  • Error Message 2
    msohtmed caused error in msohtmed.exe

The Office program does not start or is not removed as expected.

CAUSE

This behavior may occur if the computer has the PE_CIH virus or the PE_CIH.1003 virus.

RESOLUTION

Use either of the following methods to scan for the PE_CIH virus or the PE_CIH.1003 virus.

Method 1: Visit the Trend Micro Antivirus HouseCall Web site

Visit the Trend Micro Antivirus HouseCall Web site to scan for the PE_CIH virus or the PE_CIH.1003 virus. You can download an antivirus program that scans the computer at the following Trend Micro Web site:

http://housecall.antivirus.com

Method 2: Use a McAfee or Norton antivirus program

Create a boot disk from a non-infected computer by using an antivirus programs from McAfee or from Norton. Then, scan for viruses on the infected computer by starting the computer from the floppy disk.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the PE_CIH virus or the PE_CIH.1003 virus, visit the following Trend Micro Web site:

http://www.antivirus.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=PE_CIH

For additional information about viruses, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

217688 You receive an "MSIEXEC caused an invalid page fault in MSIEXEC.EXE at ####:00400288" error message when you install Office 2000 programs

Note An antivirus program is designed to help protect your computer from viruses. You must not download or open files from sources that you do not trust, visit Web sites that you do not trust, or open e-mail attachments when your antivirus program is disabled. For additional information about computer viruses, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

129972 Computer viruses: description, prevention, and recovery

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/13/2006
Keywords:kbtshoot kberrmsg kbpending kbprb KB299660 kbAudEndUser
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