Why can't I insert a file or add an attachment to Outlook email?

[pjp1532]

When I attempt to insert a file or make an attachment to Outlook 2003 email,
the program locks up and stops responding. If I then close Outlook I am
unable to restart the program, I get an error meassage "Operation Failed". I
have run detect and repair which was successful. Everything work except
attachments

 

[Bret Campbell]

Kinda weird that I ran into the same problem on the same day. However, I was
able to correct it.

Open your Outlook (or Word or Excel or whatever) and click on Help. You
will see "Detect and Repair". Click on this and it will prompt you to close
Outlook. Do so and let the Detect and Repair finish. When it finished, I
rebooted, just to be safe, and ran Outlook again. In my case, it re-ran part
of the Outlook install, started Outlook and everything was fine!!

One thing to be aware of though, you do not mention if your Outlook is
attaching to an Exchange server or your are getting POP mail. In my case, I
was attaching to Exchange so I did not have to worry about losing my e-mail.
HOWEVER, if you are getting POP mail, be sure to BACKUP your mailbox before
proceeding!!! If not, you will lose everything. For help with backing up
Outlook, click on the link below:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010875321033.aspx