Outlook 2003 starts, then immediately closes. What's going on?

[StMadoc]

Outlook was fine up until about a week ago when suddenly it would run for a
few seconds, enough to load up, and then close down with the following error
message:

Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. Unable to open the Outlook window.
The set of folders could not be opened. The server is not available. Contact
your administrator if this condition persists.

Any ideas what caused it? Or how to return Outlook to normal?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

What kind of account are you working with in Outlook? (e.g. POP3, IMAP, or
Exchange)

At this point, it could mean that the .OST (Exchange) or .PST (POP3/IMAP)
files are corrupt, missing, or you just lost rights to them somehow.

Does the same issue happen if you create a new outlook mail profile? (e.g.
don't copy the existing mail profile. create a new one to see hit the same
issue.)

 

[StMadoc]

The email account is a POP/SMTP, whatever that means...

Would corrupt files mean I need a new install? Or is there a way to fix the
affected files?

Again, any help is appreciated.

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

No, you shouldn't have to reinstall. Do you know how to create a new mail
profile via mail applet in the control panel?


If you don't, this should be helpful in understanding the process.
http://www.outlook-tips.net/howto/profile.htm