PC Freezing when using Outlook

[Johann Swart]

Win2k SP4
O2k Pro SP3

I cannot say for sure that Outlook is the origin of this problem, although
Outlook is mostly involved.

I experience frequent "freezing" of my entire PC, often while using Outlook
(which is normally the first program I use after having swithed on), or just
after having used Outlook.

To define "freezing": While working, without warning, there would be no
mouse cursor on the screen and no key or key combinations (even Ctrl+Alt+Del)
have any effect. My only option is to switch the PC off and on again to
restart. The current image on screen stays there frozen until the PC is
switched off.

My PC technician is of the opinion that it is not a hardware problem, even
though my PC suffers from chronic "RAM deficiency". But, I do not have any
problems when running memory-intensive software such as Corel Draw or
PhotoPaint. And I have worked with 100-page Word documents full of graphics
without any problem. My 10GB primary drive is only 50% full and my 40GB
secondary drive is only 25% full.

I will welcome any suggestion.

 

[DL]

What is the size of the Outlook data file? (Possibly named outlook.pst)
Does Event Viewer reveal any relevant err's?

 

[Johann Swart]

The outlook.pst currently stands at around 170 MB. I have heard that the
recommendation is not to let it grow beyond 2GB. I follow a strict monthly
back-up regime as I have lost data in the past for this very reason.
Event Viewer?
This is something new for me. How do I access it? Is this something one
should 'activate' manually?

 

[DL]

Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Event Viewer

The outlook.pst currently stands at around 170 MB. I have heard that the
recommendation is not to let it grow beyond 2GB. I follow a strict monthly
back-up regime as I have lost data in the past for this very reason.
Event Viewer?
This is something new for me. How do I access it? Is this something one
should 'activate' manually?

 

[Johann Swart]

If you'll bear with me, I'll describe what I see there. (I have no clue as to
what this means.)
Under Application Log, there are Errors, Warnings, and Information (4720
events).
The source of the Errors are mostly "Perflib" (say 90%), and "Userenv"
(about 10%).
The Warnings mostly have "PerfDisk" as source, but there are also
"EventSystem"s and WinMgmt.
The Information events have a variety of sources, mostly Nero BackItUp
Scheduler 3, NMIndexingService, WMDM PMSP Service, and MsiInstaller.
The System Log has 606 events, also Warnings, Errors, and Information.
For the Warnings, the source seems to mostly Dhcp.
For Errors, the source is primarily Service Control Manager.
For Information, the source is usually Eventlog, Tcpip, or Removable Storage
Service.
I hope this means something to you; to me it's all Greek

 

[DL]

Primarily its application log, err's that are relevant
If your PC is a large OEM, eg Dell / HP or Laptop visit that makers site,
specific to your model, and see what driver updates are available.
If your PC is generic, then you need to visit the individual hardware
makers, ie motherboard & Graphics and obtain updated drivers from there.
Do NOT use msupdate for drivers

 

[Johann Swart]

DL, thank you very much for your input.
My PC is an old Y2K vintage Fujitsu Siemens.
It is slow (664 MHz processor); it has small hard drives (10 & 40); I cannot
fit more than 1/2 GB RAM, I cannot even run Win XP, and above all, and now it
is unreliable.
I think I have enough justification to convince myself at last that it
really needs to be replaced now.
Thanks again for your input.

 

[DL]

Remember Outlook 2k is not compatible with either Vista or Win7
Only 2003 or higher is fully compatible.
If buying a new PC, miss Vista and go with a Win 7 one