Outlook won't start up.

[David Pilditch]

It displays the following error "Unable to open your default e-mail folders.
The file C:\Documents and Settings\David Pilditch\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\outlook.ost is not an offline folder file".

And then closes straight away. I've uninstalled Office and reinstalled it,
but I'm still getting the same error. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Vince Averello [MVP-Outlook]]

Try running ScanOST.EXE on that file and see if it helps

 

[David Pilditch]

Where can I find the file? I've tried the Microsoft website, however it just
tells me that it isn't Outlook 2000.

 

[Vince Averello [MVP-Outlook]]

Hmmm, I think ScanOST.EXE was added in OL2002 or OL2003.

Can you reconnect to your Exchange Server mailbox to recreate the OST?

 

[David Pilditch]

No, I can't. I no longer have access to the Exchange Server mailbox.

 

[Vince Averello [MVP-Outlook]]

I think you're out of luck without a third-party utility. I think there are
some utilities for sale that might help.

 

[David Pilditch]

Would it work if I reactivated the Exchange Server at that end?

 

[Vince Averello [MVP-Outlook]]

Possibly but you'd probably still have to resync the mailbox. From the
sounds of things you broke the link between the mailbox & OST so you can't
open the current OST.

 

[David Pilditch]

I'm just trying to set the Exchange Server again with the company.

If that didn't work; would I be able to use a blank *.ost file to get
Outlook working again? I don't mind if I lose all of the current information.

 

[Vince Averello [MVP-Outlook]]

In that case, you can create an empty PST file just to get Outlook running
again. Look in the Control Panel's mail applet for that stuff.

 

[David Pilditch]

How do I do that; or is there a blank template one that I can download?

 

[Vince Averello [MVP-Outlook]]

Control Panel > Mail applet > Click Email accounts > View/Change existing
accounts > Click Next > Click New Outlook Data File