MS Outlook 2002 SP3

[Guest]

I use MS Outlook 2002 SP3. Yesterday when trying to "reply" to an email, MS
WORD would try to start as my Email Editor (I have been using it this way for
years), but it appeared that WORD would hang, then causing MS Outlook not to
respond. I do not have Outlook configured to automatically check spelling
when sending. I have searched the Knowledge Base but found no references to
my specific problem. I also have not had this problem before yesterday, not
have I updated any programs that I am aware of. I would appreciate any
thoughts.

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

Does Word start okay on its own? If it doesn't, does it start okay in safe
mode?

/neo

ps - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;827706&sd=RMVP
is info on safe mode for Word.

 

[Guest]

Yes, WORD does start fine by itself. As I depress "reply" in Outlook,
Outlook has previously started WORD as my Editor, in 2-3 seconds. Now it
appears that Outlook has tried to start WORD, there is what appears to be a
2nd instance of Outlook itself that is starting, but the cursor changes to an
hourglass and never changes back to a cursor. I've tried waiting for up to
10 minutes for the cursor to change back, but it never does. I then have to
start Windows Task Manager to terminate Outlook itself, which does in fact
terminate along with the additional task, which I assume is WORD trying to
start. Thanks

 

[Guest]

Just found a Outlook error description that seems to be the problem I'm
encountering, but it does not offer a solution other than using Task Manager
to end the MS WORD process which is what I've been doing. Article is Q278214
or KB278214 in the Microsoft Knowledge Base. Any feel for a actual fix for
the problem? Thanks

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

At this time, I would suggest disabling Word as the e-mail editor.

In the mean time... does this happen on every message or just messages of a
certain type of format (e.g. Plain text vs. HTML vs. RTF)? I would also
take a peek at what 3rd party addins load with Outlook & Word and disable
them. Also take peek at an instant messaging apps you might have that could
integrate with Outlook and disable if possible.

Last but not least and since you really didn't mention it, did you try a
detect and repair (reinstall of Office XP)?

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the suggestions, current status is as follows:
- Use of MS WORD as Email editor has been discontinued,
- Problem seems to be happening on at least HTML - I don't know what RTF is,
- I checked Outlook and Word - see no 3rd party addins,
- Instant messaging is not enabled,
- I'll look into "detect and repair" which I've never experienced before.
Will update post when finished with this.

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

RTF = Rich Text Format

Thanks for the suggestions, current status is as follows:
- Use of MS WORD as Email editor has been discontinued,
- Problem seems to be happening on at least HTML - I don't know what RTF
is,
- I checked Outlook and Word - see no 3rd party addins,
- Instant messaging is not enabled,
- I'll look into "detect and repair" which I've never experienced before.
Will update post when finished with this.

 

[Guest]

Finally got some time to complete the "detect and repair" on Outlook which
was the only suggestion outstanding, that I had not completed. After the
"detect and repair" completed, I re-enabled use of MS WORD as my Editor, and
the problem was corrected. Thanks for all your help. mkc