Outlook 2003 won't create a nickname (NK2) file correctly.

[JMM]

I have installed Outlook 2003 on a new machine, but imported my .pst file
from my old machine. I have run the repair tool on the .pst file.

After I create a profile, send some messages, and exit Outlook, either

(a) no NK2 file is created (so nicknames for autocompletion weren't stored),
or

(b) a zero byte NK2 file is created (so nicknames weren't stored). (I then
delete it, and try again, and the same thing happens).

I've used (and rely heavily on) nicknames/autocompletion with this copy of
Outlook 2003 before, I've run Detect and Repair on Outlook, I've scoured the
knowledgebase and online through Google, and all I find is "delete the NK2
file and let Outlook recreate it", but that is not working.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

You have a corrupt Outlook profile. Importing a PST file is a very good way
to corrupt a profile. There is never any reason to import a PST file. You
should have simply configured your new Outlook profile to use your previous
PST file.
You now need to create a new Outlook profile from scratch. Make sure it has
a different name.
You could easily have used your NK2 file from your previous installation by
simply renaming it to match your new Outlook profile.

 

[olsenj]

Hi JMM -
I have the same problem running. See my thread, original date 1/17/06.
J

 

[JMM]

Russ, thanks, but actually I don't think that's it. Let me give more
details, and be more precise.

1) This problem actually started about 2 months ago on my old machine.
Since I knew I was getting a new machine and doing a new install of Outlook,
I ignored the problem. But that means just copying over my old .NK2 file
wasn't the solution (an .NK2 file existed, but no nicknames were actually
added to it after some date -- no, I don't remember what changed about my
configuration around that date, wish I did!).

2) I *did* create a brand new profile (first making clear all files were
gone from my <user>/Application Data/Microsoft/Outlook folder).

3) Then I didn't "import" my old .pst (despite typing that); I just copied
it over from the old machine, directed Outlook to use it as my default file,
and disconnected Outlook from the new ,pst it had created, and then deleted
the new (unused) .pst.

4) Thinking there might be corruption in my old .pst, I ran "Detect and
Repair" on it.

So, I think I have as clean an install as possible, except that I am using
my old .pst (after Detect and Repair).

I do have a couple of add-ins: no email virus scanning, but I have NEO
(Nelson Email Organizer), which uses its own files, but accesses the .pst. I
also have Google Desktop add-in and Onfolio add in and Cloudmark's Spamnet
add-in. However, I have turned all these off, shut down Outlook, deleted
..nk2 and related config files, restarted Outlook, and still have the same
problem.

You have a corrupt Outlook profile. Importing a PST file is a very good way
to corrupt a profile. There is never any reason to import a PST file. You
should have simply configured your new Outlook profile to use your previous
PST file.
You now need to create a new Outlook profile from scratch. Make sure it has
a different name.
You could easily have used your NK2 file from your previous installation by
simply renaming it to match your new Outlook profile.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I have installed Outlook 2003 on a new machine, but imported my .pst file
from my old machine. I have run the repair tool on the .pst file.

After I create a profile, send some messages, and exit Outlook, either

(a) no NK2 file is created (so nicknames for autocompletion weren't
stored),
or

(b) a zero byte NK2 file is created (so nicknames weren't stored). (I
then
delete it, and try again, and the same thing happens).

I've used (and rely heavily on) nicknames/autocompletion with this copy of
Outlook 2003 before, I've run Detect and Repair on Outlook, I've scoured
the
knowledgebase and online through Google, and all I find is "delete the NK2
file and let Outlook recreate it", but that is not working.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Creating a new profile works for everyone else. I have no explanation why
you're the sole exception.
Does autocompletion work within the same session? When you Crete a new
profile, do you use a new unique name for the profile?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Russ, thanks, but actually I don't think that's it. Let me give more
details, and be more precise.

1) This problem actually started about 2 months ago on my old machine.
Since I knew I was getting a new machine and doing a new install of
Outlook,
I ignored the problem. But that means just copying over my old .NK2 file
wasn't the solution (an .NK2 file existed, but no nicknames were actually
added to it after some date -- no, I don't remember what changed about my
configuration around that date, wish I did!).

2) I *did* create a brand new profile (first making clear all files were
gone from my <user>/Application Data/Microsoft/Outlook folder).

3) Then I didn't "import" my old .pst (despite typing that); I just copied
it over from the old machine, directed Outlook to use it as my default
file,
and disconnected Outlook from the new ,pst it had created, and then
deleted
the new (unused) .pst.

4) Thinking there might be corruption in my old .pst, I ran "Detect and
Repair" on it.

So, I think I have as clean an install as possible, except that I am using
my old .pst (after Detect and Repair).

I do have a couple of add-ins: no email virus scanning, but I have NEO
(Nelson Email Organizer), which uses its own files, but accesses the .pst.
I
also have Google Desktop add-in and Onfolio add in and Cloudmark's Spamnet
add-in. However, I have turned all these off, shut down Outlook, deleted
.nk2 and related config files, restarted Outlook, and still have the same
problem.

You have a corrupt Outlook profile. Importing a PST file is a very good
way
to corrupt a profile. There is never any reason to import a PST file. You
should have simply configured your new Outlook profile to use your
previous
PST file.
You now need to create a new Outlook profile from scratch. Make sure it
has
a different name.
You could easily have used your NK2 file from your previous installation
by
simply renaming it to match your new Outlook profile.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I have installed Outlook 2003 on a new machine, but imported my .pst
file
from my old machine. I have run the repair tool on the .pst file.

After I create a profile, send some messages, and exit Outlook, either

(a) no NK2 file is created (so nicknames for autocompletion weren't
stored),
or

(b) a zero byte NK2 file is created (so nicknames weren't stored). (I
then
delete it, and try again, and the same thing happens).

I've used (and rely heavily on) nicknames/autocompletion with this copy
of
Outlook 2003 before, I've run Detect and Repair on Outlook, I've
scoured
the
knowledgebase and online through Google, and all I find is "delete the
NK2
file and let Outlook recreate it", but that is not working.