I cannot access Help and Support in XP

Currently when I click Start > Help and Support, all that
happens is that the '?Help and Support' link vanishes
along with the Start screen. Previously I have gotten a
message: "Windows can't open Help and Support as a system
service is not running. To fix, Start the service called
Help and Support." I did that. It did not help.

Another time when I clicked on Start > Help and Support
the message was: "Could not start on local computer.
Error 1083. The executable program that this service is
configured to run in does not implement the service."

I tried a previous restore point. That did not help
either.

Now, on May 8 I formatted my HD and reinstalled Windows.
Everything went smoothly and I downloaded and installed a
bunch of XP KB files and also Service Pack 1. I made
sure my XP firewall was activated and Norton AV running
before I went on line. Service Pack 1 took forever (like
1-1.5 hours) but nothing appeared amiss. I don't use
Help and Support much and I did not realize it was not
accessible until May 26.

Kellyskorner site did not provide me with a solution.
Nor has MS Knowledge Base (unless I missed the relevant
article) nor have 2 online user-help sites.

I am wondering if, at this point, I should delete SP 1
and those KB files and reinstall them. If that makes
sense, how do I do that?

Or has push come to shove and the only practical option
is to format again and reinstall all my programs (yikes!)