Outlook 2002 stuck in offline mode

[WD4DUG]

Well, since it has been nearly a week without any meaningful reply to my
question (Well, one lackluster MVP *did* ask if I had restarted Windows, but
this is hardly a meaningful reply, and then NEVER bothered to respond to the
thread again, nor my backchannel email), I will repost my problem in hopes
that someone can offer me some better assistance than before.

My problem remains, and I am about ready to scrap all MS has to sell for
Linux and Open Source software, unless someone here can help me. I've
reached my tolerance limit for bugs, Gatesian errors, Patch Tuesday, and
software with more holes than Swiss cheese.

My present problem is but one of many; it is simply the one that I cannot
tolerate and will fix, even if it requires ripping the whole of Windows out
by the roots and starting over, never again to purchase another scrap of
Microsoft software for either me or my company.

So here is my problem, AGAIN, and *please* do NOT ask if I restarted
Windows!!! I am at the limit of my civility now, and frustrated beyond
belief with the ineffectual support infrastructure and patronizing attitude
of that MVP.

------------

Outlook 2002, SP3 (Office XP)
WinXP pro, SP2

The other day, while my cable ISP was down for service, I switched Outlook
to offline, so as to not be annoyed with failure notices every time it polled
the POP server.

When the ISP came back online, I tried to uncheck "Work Off Line, and
received the message "The messaging interface has returned an unknown error."

So I did the following, in order: Complete disk check (no errors), Outlook
detect and repair (no effect), and System Restore to three days previous (no
effect).

However, I can manually click send/receive, and download/upload mail! I
just cannot get Outlook back into online status.

What's going on? And does anyone know how to remedy this?

Best regards, Mike Best

 

[WD4DUG]

Well, after much research in the KB, I had a thought- maybe a HTTP email
account of mine was causing this problem.

So I deleted all HTTP email accounts from my Outlook configuration, leaving
*only* the POP server accounts.

BINGO!! My Ouchlook went back online just as soon as I unticked "Work
Offline" in the File menu!

So, it would appear that there is a difficulty in handling webmail accounts
in Outlook XP/2002.

My problem is solved, _*WITHOUT*_ the assistance of the supposed MVP's here!
It took awhile, but I found and corrected the problem. Those MVP's would
diddn't even have the cortesy to reply to my direct emails!

Well, since I did what they were both unable and unwilling to do, perhaps I
should be an MVP?

So here is the solution to intractable "stuck offline" problems- delete and
recreate all email accounts, and untick 'Work Offline" while you have no
email accounts configured. Then recreate your email accounts, in this order:
Exchange server, POP server, HTTP. Check for proper operation of Outlook
between the addition of each account.

I hope my experience here can help someone else.

Best regards,
Mike Best
WD4DUG

 

[Brian Tillman]

My problem is solved, _*WITHOUT*_ the assistance of the supposed
MVP's here! It took awhile, but I found and corrected the problem.
Those MVP's would diddn't even have the cortesy to reply to my direct
emails!

MVPs are volunteers that answer questions on their own time as they are
able. They do not get any recompense for the assistance and many do not
read the newsgroups every day. Sometimes, a message doesn't appear on the
newsserver the MVP is using and so they don't see it. Other times, they may
not be sure of the answer and so skip the question.

Well, since I did what they were both unable and unwilling to do,
perhaps I should be an MVP?

If you contribute enough and are correct enough in your responses, you stand
a chance of ebing invited to be an MVP.

 

[WD4DUG]

This issue was originally posted to the group on May 25, in a seperate
thread. I received one response, where the "MVP" asked if I had rebooted
Windows!

An average fouth grade student today could have provided that answer.

Yet it only took you twenty four hours to jump me for expressing my lack of
satisfaction with their responsiveness!

If you were only one-tenth as quick to HELP as you are to defend lackluster
support on this forum, all the Outllook problems in the world would be solved
by now.

As for being unpaid volunteers, they still have a responsibility if they
accept the invitation to become MVP's I volunteer to several orginizations
without pay, but that makes me no less responsible to discharge my duties.

Now please quit acting out, and help someone who needs it.

-WD4DUG

 

[Brian Tillman]

Yet it only took you twenty four hours to jump me for expressing my
lack of satisfaction with their responsiveness!

Yet it's been over four days since I've last visited this group.

If you were only one-tenth as quick to HELP as you are to defend
lackluster support on this forum, all the Outllook problems in the
world would be solved by now.

I never saw your original post.

As for being unpaid volunteers, they still have a responsibility if
they accept the invitation to become MVP's I volunteer to several
orginizations without pay, but that makes me no less responsible to
discharge my duties.

Perhaps you have an unrealistic idea of what the MVP designation demands.

Now please quit acting out, and help someone who needs it.

I'm not the one ranting and raving. I merely stated facts. If you think
that's "jumping youi", you need to get a life.

 

[WD4DUG]

What a lovely way to win friends and influsence people!

Take your ad hominem attacks back to the alt. Usenet, where they belong.

I came here for help, and received only garbage.

Now if you don't like this, then please print it out, roll it up, stand it
on end...

AND SIT!

 

[Brian Tillman]

What a lovely way to win friends and influsence people!

Take your ad hominem attacks back to the alt. Usenet, where they
belong.

I came here for help, and received only garbage.

Now if you don't like this, then please print it out, roll it up,
stand it on end...

AND SIT!

Good dog!

 

[WD4DUG]

Meow!

Good dog!