Outlook won't start

[Rob Parker]

I'm trying to run Outlook, but when I open it (either from a shortcut on the
quickstart toolbar, or from the Start - Programs menu), it fails to start.
It opens with an hourglass cursor, which remains for about 15 seconds, then
closes completely (not present in Task Manager applications or processes).
No error messages, it just closes :-(

I've repaired the installation - problem still exists. Control Panel - Mail
shows me that the account parameters are correct, and the Test Settings
button there sends me a test email from Outlook. I've tried starting in
safe mode (with /safe switch on shortcut command line); all that appeared to
do was another re-install/repair.

I've set up a new profile and used that, rather than the previous default -
problem still exists (and the new profile sends a message via the Test
Settings button).

I found a suggestion that disabling alternative user inputs (under Office
Shared Features) could cure this problem, but that also fails.

I normally use Outlook Express as my email/newsreader client, but I'm trying
to use Outlook now to test some VBA code in Access, which requires Outlook
(configured in Corporate or Workgroup mode, to provide CDO 1.2x support).
Note: Outlook fails to start even if Outlook Express is not running.

How do I get Outlook to run; even in IMO (Internet Mail Only) mode - then I
can (hopefully) change it (ref. KB article 195507)?

TIA,

Rob

Version details: Outlook 2002 (as part of Office 2002), running under Win
XP Pro, SP2. I can't check SP details for Outloook, since it won't open.
Other Office applications are SP3.

 

[Brian Tillman]

I'm trying to run Outlook, but when I open it (either from a shortcut
on the quickstart toolbar, or from the Start - Programs menu), it
fails to start. It opens with an hourglass cursor, which remains for
about 15 seconds, then closes completely (not present in Task Manager
applications or processes). No error messages, it just closes :-(

See if this helps: http://www.howto-outlook.com/faq/outlookdoesntstart.htm

 

[Rob Parker]

Thanks for the link Brian.

This is what happened when I tried the steps there:

1. Scanpst.exe found a problem with one of two .pst file; repaired it and
then reported it as OK. Outlook still fails to start.

2. Renamed outcmd.dat to outcmd.dat.old. Outlook still fails to start.

3. Tried opening Outlook in safe mode. This opens a Windows Installer
dialog, and reconfigures Office 2002 and Publisher 2002, prompting for
original CDs during the process. After the install/configuration, Outlook
tries to start, but fails as I reviously reported. I therefore cannot
access Help - Detect and Repair within Outlook.

4. Can't open Outlook, even in safe mode, so can't attempt this step.

5. New profile created (from scratch, not copying any existing profile).
Outlook still fails to start.

Problem still not solved. Any further suggestions? Also, is it normal that
opening Outlook with the /safe switch will cause the Windows Installer to
run, re-configuring all Office 2002 (including Publisher) - that seems a bit
odd to me?

Rob

 

[Brian Tillman]

3. Tried opening Outlook in safe mode. This opens a Windows Installer
dialog, and reconfigures Office 2002 and Publisher 2002, prompting for
original CDs during the process. After the install/configuration,
Outlook tries to start, but fails as I reviously reported. I
therefore cannot access Help - Detect and Repair within Outlook.

You can, however, do a repair install from Add or Remove Programs.

Problem still not solved. Any further suggestions? Also, is it
normal that opening Outlook with the /safe switch will cause the
Windows Installer to run, re-configuring all Office 2002 (including
Publisher) - that seems a bit odd to me?

Seems a bit odd to me as well. It's indicative of missing pieces. If the
repair install doesn't help, uninstall Office completely, remove its
registry key, delete the files in
%AppData%\Microsoft\Outlook and in %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook (except for your PST, of course), and reinstall.

 

[Rob Parker]

Hi again Brian,

The Repair install from Add/Remove programs (in Control Panel) was my first
step, before I starting posting my problem. Sorry, but I didn't mention
that in my earlier posts.

I'm loath to uninstall all of Office completely (not least because of the
abominable MS activation process which I suspect will be triggered if I do
so), but if that's what it takes, then maybe that's where I'll be forced to
go. Also, most of my Office apps have appreciable customisation from the
original installation (for menus, toolbars, templates, etc), so that's
another pain to save/restore.

I'm about to head off for a week-long break, so I think I'll postpone a
final decision on that until I get back.. Perhaps by then there might be
some other suggestion that will save the agony ;-)

And I'm not fussed about losing the .pst file - there's nothing in it. As
I said in my original post, I use OE as my regular email client.

Thanks again,

Rob

 

[Rob Parker]

Follow-up:

I've managed to get Outlook to work without removing and re-installing
Office completely. I chose the Change option for Office (from Control Panel
| Add or Remove Programs); selected Add or Remove Features, then chose "Not
Available" for Outlook, then clicked the Update button. Exited from Control
Panel | Add/Remove, and Outlook was gone. Repeated the process, but
selected "Run from my computer", to re-install Outlook. And now it works.
I didn't even need to create a new profile; previous profiles were still
available, and email account details were correct.

Maybe this will help someone else sometime. It was certainly a frustrating
experience for me.

Rob