AIP missing Outlook Address Book

[Alex]

I setup an administrative installation point for Microsoft Office 2003 Pro.
Everything works fine until I realized that Outlook Address Book is not
installed by default. When a user logs on, he will have to manually add the
OAB. Is there a way I can configure the AIP to add the OAB?

Thanks.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

One solution is to use the CIW or CMW to create another .prf file and just export it; don't include it in the .mst or cmw file. In this one, you'll want to set it to modify the existing profile, not create an Exchange account, and add the Outlook Address Book. You can deploy that ..prf file as an additional file with the CIW installation, post in on your intranet, etc. and tell users to run it if they have problems getting their Contacts to show up in the Outlook Address Book.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Alex]

Do you have any reference links that can show me how to do this?

Thanks. I've been stuck on this problem for months.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Check out the excellent white paper "Configuring Outlook Profiles by Using a PRF File" at http://office.microsoft.com/search/redir.aspx?assetid=HA011403051033&QueryID=pHm7c_60I&respos=3
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Alex]

So once I created a PRF and run it, will it apply to all the user's profile
or only that profile that is run by the user?

I'm hoping to configure it as part of the default profile, and image the
computer. When deploying it to all the users, and when they launch Outlook,
Outlook will automatically connect them to the email and Outlook Address Book
will be available as well.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

As that article explains, it depends on how you run the .prf file. Deploying it with the Custom Maintenance Wizard is probably to easiest way to deploy it for everyone, but that wouldn't work on a freshly imaged machine. The technique would work only *after* the user has run Outlook once. In other words, after the initial .prf deployed with the machine has been invoked and failed to install the OAB, a second .prf would have to be invoked to add the OAB.

If you need to be able to take care of this with an imaged machine, you might want to look into other mail profile tools; see http://www.slipstick.com/exs/olroam.htm

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Alex]

Hmm... I followed the instruction you asked me to. Use the CIW to create a
..prf file with Outlook Address Book included.

I tried running the .prf file, and I still don't see the Outlook Address
Book listed. I went into Control Panel, Mail, Email Account, View or change
existing directories or address book. I still don't see it listed there.

Am I doing something wrong? Please advice.

Thanks.