Autocomplete in 2003 no longer works

[MarkLampson]

I've read a couple threads on this, but don't quite see the answer or
resolution.
Autocomplete on an XP operating system was working fine. This morning it
seems to have lost all names in the list.
Changes: Over the weekend I did two things that were new. 1) I did an
AutoArchive, which I had never run before. and 2) I downloaded and set up
that Back-up program that allows periodic backup of the pst files...I ran
this too.
Note: that for both of the above, I set the archive directory to be to the
hard drive of another networked computer, not the local PC where the
application is running and the PST file is run from.
Did one or both of the above actions delete the information in the nk2
file...any idea how to restore all the lost autocomplete names? Also
suggestions on what NOT to do so I don't repeat this....greatly appreciated

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Autocompletion is not a robust or reliable feature. It frequently stops
working usually because Outlook loses its connection to its autocompletion
cache. This can happen for a number of reasons, most often because Outlook
is not exiting completely and thus not writing to the cache. Make sure you
run no add-ins or sync software that might hold Outlook open after you exit.
After you find and resolve the problem that is preventing Outlook from
exiting properly, you may need to create a new Outlook profile to get
autocompletion to work again. If you're lucky you'll be able to migrate your
old cache to the new profile following directions here:
http://www.ingressor.com/autocompletetips.htm

 

[MarkLampson]

Thank you. Unfortunatly, I probably created a new cache file as soon as I
reopened Outlook (and so the old stuff is gone). My guess is that it was
that "back-up" add-on that I downloaded from the MS web site which may have
caused the issue (maybe it holds Outlook open).

I have to tell you that the autocomplete feature is tons more valuable than
you realize until, all of a sudden, you have to start building it from
scratch. Going back to look up email addresses is a royal PIA. If you have
any pull...please ask them to make it a more robust feature. Thank you for
your help.

Autocompletion is not a robust or reliable feature. It frequently stops
working usually because Outlook loses its connection to its autocompletion
cache. This can happen for a number of reasons, most often because Outlook
is not exiting completely and thus not writing to the cache. Make sure you
run no add-ins or sync software that might hold Outlook open after you exit.
After you find and resolve the problem that is preventing Outlook from
exiting properly, you may need to create a new Outlook profile to get
autocompletion to work again. If you're lucky you'll be able to migrate your
old cache to the new profile following directions here:
http://www.ingressor.com/autocompletetips.htm
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I've read a couple threads on this, but don't quite see the answer or
resolution.
Autocomplete on an XP operating system was working fine. This morning it
seems to have lost all names in the list.
Changes: Over the weekend I did two things that were new. 1) I did an
AutoArchive, which I had never run before. and 2) I downloaded and set up
that Back-up program that allows periodic backup of the pst files...I ran
this too.
Note: that for both of the above, I set the archive directory to be to the
hard drive of another networked computer, not the local PC where the
application is running and the PST file is run from.
Did one or both of the above actions delete the information in the nk2
file...any idea how to restore all the lost autocomplete names? Also
suggestions on what NOT to do so I don't repeat this....greatly
appreciated

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

It is highly unlikely that your old autocompletion cache is lost even though
you may have started another. Have you looked for it and tried the
instructions I posted for restoring it?
If autocompletion is so valuable to you, you should start making a habit of
backing up your cache.
I've never understood why people install Microsoft's backup utility when
backing up Outlook data is so simple to do on your own. The backup utility
won't do anything to preserve your autocompletion cache and like any utility
that attempts to automate transfer of Outlook data, stands as much chance of
corrupting that data than preserving it. Personally, I'd never touch it.
As it is, your autocompletion cache will repopulate on its own fairly
quickly.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thank you. Unfortunatly, I probably created a new cache file as soon as I
reopened Outlook (and so the old stuff is gone). My guess is that it was
that "back-up" add-on that I downloaded from the MS web site which may
have
caused the issue (maybe it holds Outlook open).

I have to tell you that the autocomplete feature is tons more valuable
than
you realize until, all of a sudden, you have to start building it from
scratch. Going back to look up email addresses is a royal PIA. If you
have
any pull...please ask them to make it a more robust feature. Thank you
for
your help.

Autocompletion is not a robust or reliable feature. It frequently stops
working usually because Outlook loses its connection to its
autocompletion
cache. This can happen for a number of reasons, most often because
Outlook
is not exiting completely and thus not writing to the cache. Make sure
you
run no add-ins or sync software that might hold Outlook open after you
exit.
After you find and resolve the problem that is preventing Outlook from
exiting properly, you may need to create a new Outlook profile to get
autocompletion to work again. If you're lucky you'll be able to migrate
your
old cache to the new profile following directions here:
http://www.ingressor.com/autocompletetips.htm
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I've read a couple threads on this, but don't quite see the answer or
resolution.
Autocomplete on an XP operating system was working fine. This morning
it
seems to have lost all names in the list.
Changes: Over the weekend I did two things that were new. 1) I did an
AutoArchive, which I had never run before. and 2) I downloaded and set
up
that Back-up program that allows periodic backup of the pst files...I
ran
this too.
Note: that for both of the above, I set the archive directory to be to
the
hard drive of another networked computer, not the local PC where the
application is running and the PST file is run from.
Did one or both of the above actions delete the information in the nk2
file...any idea how to restore all the lost autocomplete names? Also
suggestions on what NOT to do so I don't repeat this....greatly
appreciated

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Thank you. Unfortunatly, I probably created a new cache file as soon as I
reopened Outlook (and so the old stuff is gone). My guess is that it was
that "back-up" add-on that I downloaded from the MS web site which may have
caused the issue (maybe it holds Outlook open).

It is unlikely that the PFBACKUP program is the cause. It cannot operate
unless Outlook does close correctly and it doesn't touch the autocompletion
cache. AutoArchive doesn't affect autocompletion, either.