Outlook 2003 CPU Usage

[markrobw]

I have a new Dell Inspiron 6400 notebook with a core2duo cpu. When
first received from Dell, I setup Outlook using the "Save My Settings
Wizard" from my old notebook. It never worked properly. No matter what
I did, Outlook would go to 50% cpu usage (100% of one core) and become
unresponsive within seconds. I decided to start from a totally clean
environment and reinstalled the operating system (XP MSE 2005) and
applications from scratch. Outlook and Office had worked perfectly for
over a week. Unfortunately, this morning Outlook crashed. Since that
point, it has been using 50% cpu (100% one core) and becomes totally
unresponsive. I am very frustrated. I have tried disabling
GoogleDesktop and Avast virus protection with no success. Safe mode
exhibits the same problem. I don't think I have any add-ins installed
except Outlook to OneNote and Adobe Acrobat PDF toolbar. If anyone has
any suggestions on how to fix or even diagnose the cause of this, it
would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Laura]

I think the first thing I would do is a Scan f the .pst file.

"scanpst.exe" is located in:

"C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MSMAPI\1033\SCANPST.EXE"

double click on Scanpst.exe and it will ask you to select your Outlook.pst
file



To find Outlook.pst file...................................

from OUTLOOK , click on File, Data File Management

Then click on Personal Folders (I have 2, one is the Outlook backup file) -
it should say 'Mail Delivery' in the Comments column.

Now click on Settings

On this next screen it will show you the Filename of your Outlook.pst file -
use the forward arrow to see the complete file name.



for example, my file is called

C:\Documents and Settings\Laura\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Microsoft\Outlook\Outlook.pst

 

[markrobw]

I neglected to mention that was the first thing I did. Also, same PST
file works fine on another computer also running Outlook 2003. Thanks
for the suggestion though. Any others?

Thanks for your time.

 

[Peter Marchert]

Really only an idea, because I have no experience with dual core CPU`s.

Have a look in your BIOS if there are some CPU settings you can try.
Please be carefully with this settings, change always only 1 parameter,
try it and if there is no change undo this setting and try another.

Best Regards
Peter

 

[markrobw]

I think I have solved the problem. Apparently there as an Outlook
add-in that gets installed with Dell's MediaDirect, a multimedia
application that allows you to view media files without booting into
windows. It also allows you to view contact and calender info. It looks
like this was causing the problem, because uninstalling it has brought
Outlook back to life.

 

[Laura]

I'm glad you found it and thanks for letting us all know.