Outgoing file attachments in Outlook arrive unopenable

[Stew202]

File attachments (e.g., .ppt, .doc) sent via Outlook 2003 are unopenable when
arriving at their destination. For example, error message comes up saying MS
Office cannot recognize file type. Or, file arrives in an AOL mail box
converted to .mim format and can't be opened by recipient.

Have tried shutting down firewall and antivirus software when sending, and
also updated Outlook via MicroSoft Update site -- all have made no
difference. I can receive and open file attachments from others without any
problems.

Same problem occurs if using Outlook Express.

HOWEVER, if the same problem files are sent via AOL (using AOL program
software) as attachments they go through and open without any problem. So,
the fault does not seem to lie with MS Office corrupting files, and it
appears to be in the sending, but not receiving, end of Outlook 2003.

Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Digital Dan]

Try zipping the file first?

 

[Stew202]

Thanks for the response.

Same problem happened with using zip folders, contents couldn't be read.
Someone suggested that I send attachments via Outlook only using plain text
format in the e-mail. I was using HTML (avoiding RTF, as is proper). Using
plain ol' text format seems to help and the problem occurs only rarely. Odd,
since I had been using HTML exclusively for a long time and never had a
problem until recently.