RE: Help defaulting to a random server, although help.nsf exists on loca Martha Geppert 26.Jul.12 11:00 AM a Web browser Domino Designer All ReleasesAll Platforms
You could use the workspace icon for the local replica to open Help rather than going through the menu.
Or if you open via the menu, if you see the Looking for HELP message in your status bar, press Ctrl+Break and it should open it on Local.
I get this behavior sometimes for no apparent reason and Ctrl+Break is what I always use.