outlook 2007 error: Contacts: Folder cannot be displayed

[trek2010]

Can't seem to find an answer to this one:

In Outllook 2007, one of our computers gets the message: "Folder cannot be
displayed" when clicking on Contacts in the lower left corner of the screen.
But when sending mail, and clicking on the TO button, it easily brings up
the list of contacts.

Anyone have a clue how to bring up the list of contacts with the lower left
contacts button. ????

Our other computers bring up the contacts list fine.

Help!!

Thanks !!!

Dave

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Some background would be nice. Just some simple things, like the information
store, how the profile was created and what makes it different from all the
other profiles that work correctly.

 

[Diane Poremsky]

Do you get it with any other folders? Did you try opening outlook with the
resetnavpane switch?

 

[Karl Timmermans]

If you are referring to a contact folder in a PST file (either default or
other), it's an issue that we've encountered on more than one occasion under
completely different circumstances in terms of activity immediately
preceding the problem so there doesn't appear to be any rhyme or reason as
to actual cause (in fact, last occurrence encountered was as recent as a few
days ago when all that was done was to click on a contact view column header
on a mid-sized contact folder - Outlook choked and folder could no longer be
displayed) . Other than rare exceptions, once Outlook shows that message,
have never found a solution that corrects the problem directly. This is
purely a display issue, the underlying data is not impacted. There may be an
answer to this but if 1) closing/starting Outlook, 2) running ScanPST, 3)
repairing Outlook, and 4) clearing forms cache doesn't fix the problem - the
problem is there to stay. (creating new profiles etc also has no impact)

A solution that works depending on where your contact folder is located is
as follows:

#1 - If folder contained in a PST file <OTHER> than your default infostore
(where your mail gets delivered and which contains all your default folders)

Option 1 - if you have a current backup
- delete the contact folder and restore from your backup

Option 2 - if no current backup exists
- create a new contact folder
- copy or move contacts to new folder (ignore the Cannot Display message
when accessing the old folder)
- publish any custom forms to the new folder/personal forms lib or create
any user-defined fields for the contact folder as may be required
- old contact folder is no longer of any use at this point

#2 - If this is your <default> contact folder

- create a new PST file
- make it your new default for delivery of mail etc (Outlook closed - via
Control Panel - Mail process)
- open Outlook
- move/copy data from all folders from your original default folder to newly
assigned default folder (i.e. inbox, sent items, drafts, contacts and
anything else that you may have of interest)
- publish any custom forms to the new folder or create any user-defined
fields for the contact folder as may be required
- once done - your old default PST is no longer required so just close it

* reason for doing this is because you cannot delete the old or create a new
default contact folder within the original PST so just simpler to copy all
the data from the old default folders to the new ones.
** if you have a backup - could be used but likely to lose any current email
since the last backup was done

Downside to this approach

#1 - Any contact links pointing to the contacts in the original folder will
be broken
#2 - If you have a database using the EntryID to as the key to connect to
the Outlook contacts - you'll be out of luck since the EntryIDs will be
different once the contacts are moved/copied to the new folder and therefore
will no longer be able to match records

May not be the most elegant solution but is one that works and at the end of
it all, will result in a lot less time spent getting back to a working
state. This is one of those cases where "life is too short to worry about
the <whys/wherefores> anymore" when a reasonably quick and painless
work-around is available. Mind you, if any one does have an answer to this -
would most certainly be interested in it. As an aside - not a O'2007
specific issue, something that we've encountered since O'2002.

Karl
___________________________________________________
Karl Timmermans - The Claxton Group
ContactGenie - Importer 1.3 / DataPorter 2.0 / Exporter
"Power contact importers/exporters for MS Outlook '2000/2007"
http://www.contactgenie.com

 

[trek2010]

Do you get it with any other folders? Did you try opening outlook with the

resetnavpane switch?

No other folders ... only Contacts.



Not familiar enough with the resetnavpane switch.

Won't it remove all shortcuts and favorite Folders.?



Thanks for your response.



Dave

 

[trek2010]

Some background would be nice. Just some simple things, like the
information store, how the profile was created and what makes it different
from all the other profiles that work correctly.

It was imported as a .pst file, along with emails and calendar. The
contacts are there, and can be seen when sending an email, but the contacts
file cannot be seen, and therefore cannot be modified through the usual way.
The calendar and emails work fine.

Thanks

Dave

 

[trek2010]

lots of suggestions ... I'll go through them.

Seems like it should be so simple to solve, yet it doesn't appear to be.

Thanks

Dave

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

There's your problem. You never import Outlook data to transfer it because
it loses data and disrupts connections, as you are demonstrating. I'd reset
your Nav pane first. If that doesn't work, create a new profile and transfer
data correctly this time.

 

[trek2010]

There's your problem. You never import Outlook data to transfer it because

it loses data and disrupts connections, as you are demonstrating. I'd
reset your Nav pane first. If that doesn't work, create a new profile and
transfer data correctly this time.

Thanks for your reply and your time.

The fellow (the CEO) had his emails and contacts on another computer. He
created .pst files. He got a new laptop with Office 2007 already installed,
and imported the .pst files to his laptop.

If this is not the proper procedure, what is? Or do you know somewhere
where I could find out?

Does resetting the Nap pane wipe out his existing emails and contacts?

We're a small company. I'm just a Materials Manager, trying to do the IT
work without proper training, and with limited time, along with all of my
other responsibilities.
I appreciate your advice.

Thanks

Dave

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

The proper way to transfer data is simply to open the PST file and copy the
data you need from it. That information is posted here every day:
http://www.slipstick.com/config/backup.htm
http://www.howto-outlook.com/Howto/backupandrestore.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx

Resetting the Nav pane will only repair the connections importing broke. It
won't eliminate any other settings.

 

[trek2010]

Thanks for your help.
I'll try what you've suggested.

Dave

The proper way to transfer data is simply to open the PST file and copy
the data you need from it. That information is posted here every day:
http://www.slipstick.com/config/backup.htm
http://www.howto-outlook.com/Howto/backupandrestore.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx

Resetting the Nav pane will only repair the connections importing broke.
It won't eliminate any other settings.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks for your reply and your time.

The fellow (the CEO) had his emails and contacts on another computer.
He created .pst files. He got a new laptop with Office 2007 already
installed, and imported the .pst files to his laptop.

If this is not the proper procedure, what is? Or do you know somewhere
where I could find out?

Does resetting the Nap pane wipe out his existing emails and contacts?

We're a small company. I'm just a Materials Manager, trying to do the IT
work without proper training, and with limited time, along with all of my
other responsibilities.
I appreciate your advice.

Thanks

Dave