"operation failed" message when trying to "send/receive" email

[tuuf]

Every now and then I get the "operation failed" message when I try to
retreive email. It is always when the program has been open for a while (1hr
or more).
Sometimes logging off and back on solves the problem but sometimes not.
Any idea what is causing it?

mike

 

[Klaatu]

Every now and then I get the "operationfailed" message when I try to
retreive email.  It is always when the program has been open for a while (1hr
or more).
Sometimes logging off and back on solves the problem but sometimes not.
Any idea what is causing it?

mike

I'm having the exact same problem. Typically, when I first start
OL2002 and hit "Send/Receive" I get the "The Operation Failed"
message. If I hit it a second time, it usually works, but not
always. Sometimes needs three tries. Once it works, it will continue
to work unless I don't use it for a while. Then, most times the
pattern repeats itself.

I know this is something new within the past few weeks. I've
researched solutions on the web and tried everything recommended
(create new mail profile, run Inbox repair tool, run OL in safe mode,
rename DAT files, etc.), but nothing has solved the problem. Also
tried uninstalling unnecessary applications and anything I remember
installing recently.

Only thing I have left to uninstall is "Windows Desktop Search 4.0".
I installed it not long ago as part of Windows Update and don't really
use it. I'm holding off, but it may be next to go.

Has anyone else seen this issue and found a reliable fix?

Thanks.

 

[Klaatu]

This may be a hint...

I've also recently noticed a new and strange behavior when reading
emails. If I have an email open and click to move it to a folder, I
get a message something like "The message has been altered by another
process. Do you want to save a copy in the default location?" I
always click NO and the message goes to the folder I intended, but
remains boldface as if unread.

 

[Klaatu]

Another hint...

I notice that the "Send/Receive" applet briefly flashes in my taskbar
before I get the "Operation Failed" message. On the second try,
typically there is a second or two delay before the "Send/Receive"
window opens. After that, the window appears immediately upon pushing
the button.

 

[Brian Tillman]

I notice that the "Send/Receive" applet briefly flashes in my taskbar
before I get the "Operation Failed" message. On the second try,
typically there is a second or two delay before the "Send/Receive"
window opens. After that, the window appears immediately upon pushing
the button.

Barada Nikto! (Yes, I'm old enough to have seen that movie - it came out
the year before I was born).

Do you have any add-ins? Try starting Outlook once with the /safe command
switch and see if that affects the problem.

 

[Klaatu]

@Brian-

Yes, I've deleted the iTunes COM add-in that I didn't know had been
installed and disabled the Exchange Extensions add-in. Also tried
starting OL in /safe and /cleanprofile modes. Still have the
problem. Just ran the "PublicFixProfile" application and no problems
were found. I've been using OL for years and I know this just started
in the past few weeks.

Also, there is some anecdotal evidence that the problem does not occur
if I open OL and wait a minute or so before checking for mail.
Haven't completely tested this however.

P.S. A remake of "The Day the Earth Stood Still" is coming soon; most
remakes are a poor substitute, but maybe this one will be the
exception.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Yes, I've deleted the iTunes COM add-in that I didn't know had been
installed and disabled the Exchange Extensions add-in. Also tried
starting OL in /safe and /cleanprofile modes. Still have the
problem. Just ran the "PublicFixProfile" application and no problems
were found. I've been using OL for years and I know this just started
in the past few weeks.

If you have Google Desktop Seach or Windows Desktop Search, try changing its
options to not index Outlook. If you have an antivirus scanner configured
to scan mail, uninstall it and reinstall it without the mail scanning
feature.

 

[Klaatu]

When I opened Windows Desktop Search settings to disable indexing of
Outlook, it hung for about a minute then said my Exchange Server
wasn't available. Tried it again and got the same results. This was
interesting since I don't have an Exchange account in my default
"Home" profile. Turns out, the Exchange account was in a second
profile called "Work" which was no longer used. I deleted the Work
profile and this seems to have eliminated the original problem with
"The Operation Failed".

So, something is not working as expected with WDS when there are
multiple Mail profiles even if one is designated as the "Always use
this profile" default. WDS appears to be latching onto aspects of
other profiles. I should think, if true, this would be leading to a
number of problems and unexpected results.

Thanks for your help.