The messaging interface has returned an unknown error.

[Cookshack]

On my home PC, I’m using Windows Vista Home Premium as my O.S. and Microsoft
Office Enterprise 2007, and both are completed updated.

When I load Outlook, the main PST file is loaded, of course, but,
additionally, I have a storage PST file (i.e. Outlook Data File) where I
store all my e-mails so that my Inbox and Sent folders don’t become too
large, and also so that my main PST file does not become to large.

The problem I’m having with Outlook is that when I “close†the storage PST
file, I get the following error message “The messaging interface has returned
an unknown error. If the problem persists, please restart Outlook.†If I
restart Outlook, it will automatically load the storage PST file. If I
remove the storage PST file from the hard drive folder where it is stored,
and then restart Outlook, it will ask for the storage PST file. I
“compacted†both files, and have also used the Inbox Repair Tool on both
files, but it doesn’t help.

To make matters worse, I have other PST files I would also like to load into
Outlook, but it won’t allow me to. Further, Outlook will not allow me to
create any new PST files (i.e. Outlook Data Files).

On my office PC, I have 12 to 13 PST files loaded at one time (with no
problems), so it’s not unusual to have several open at one time.

I’ve been having this problem for several months, and I’m beginning to think
that the only solution is to completely uninstall Outlook, and perhaps the
entire Office suite, and then reinstall it.

 

[Cookshack]

BTW, I've also used Office Diagnostics several times, & it always tells me
there are no problems.

 

[Roady [MVP]]

Reinstalling Outlook will probably not help you with this. It sounds like
you have a corruption in your mail profile and you must recreate it. For
details see;
http://www.howto-outlook.com/faq/newprofile.htm

 

[Cookshack]

Roady - thanks for your response and your suggestion. I created a new
profile, as you suggested. But I have exactly the same problems with it. It
will not allow me to create a new PST file, nor will it allow me to open one
of my other PST files. When I try to create a new PST file I get the
following error message "The Requested Operation Failed," which is the same
error message I got with my prior profile.

Some of the other things that I've tried:
1. I've used the Inbox Repair Tool, Compacted the PST files, & used the
Office Diagnostics tool (not necessarily in that order).
2. I've not uninstalled Outlook 2007 yet, but I have inserted the program
disk and gone through the "Repair" routine.
3. I have a laptop that is running Outlook 2003 on top of Windows XP. I am
able to copy the PST files onto an external hard drive, and then load them
into the laptop Outlook 2003 without any problems. This indicates to me that
the PST files themselves are not corrupted. Is that a correct assumption?

I'm still leaning toward reinstallation, but if you have any other ideas,
please let me know. Some of my other PST files have some important info I
need to access, and I don't want to resort to using my laptop.

 

[Roady [MVP]]

At this point a reinstallation might do the trick indeed even though the
repair did nothing. After the reinstall, make sure you install Service Pack
2 and additional updates for Office 2007 again.

 

[Cookshack]

Thanks for your efforts.

At this point a reinstallation might do the trick indeed even though the
repair did nothing. After the reinstall, make sure you install Service Pack
2 and additional updates for Office 2007 again.

 

[Cookshack]

Roady - one last question. I completely reinstalled Microsoft Office
Enterprise 2007, but it didn't help. Same problems. My question is this --
is the next step to call Microsoft Support? Even if I have to pay them, I
have no choice......I have to get this problem solved. Do you know the best
way to contact Microsoft Support? Thanks for your help.

 

[Cookshack]

Roady - GOOD NEWS! Microsoft Support helped me, without charge, and fixed
it. It was a compatibility setting that needed changing. Most solutions are
simple once you know what they are. Thanks again for your efforts.

 

[Herb Tyson [MVP]]

I'm seeing this question in other forums, and people are being directed here
for the solution. Exactly what compatibility setting did you need to change,
and where? Thanks.

 

[john]

Yes, what was the solution? You mentuioned microsoft helped you but failed
to give the solution to your problem.