Create a new profile

[Christine]

I started with one problem and now I think I have several. First, I had a
message hung up in the outbox in outlook. I added a new profile (I've done
this before) and then the trouble started. I was able to delete the outbox
mail in the original profile but still couldn't send a mail without the
attachment glueing it to the outbox. Somewhere along the line, I lost the
ability to view some folders in Windows Explorer. In this path:
C:\Documents and Settings\User\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Outlook1.pst
....which is where my email files are supposed to be, everything from Local
Settings on is not viewable in the folders in the folder list. However, if I
paste the path into the address bar, these folders show up.
I've created several profiles - and deleted some - trying to make one that
will work. I had one that brought the mail into Personal Folders, Inbox,
Inbox. I don't know why the extra inbox level. Then I've had 2 profiles that
did not import my mail as I believe they're supposed to.

I expect there are a number of things to fix here. One thing at a time would
be so helpful if there's anyone that can help me out of this mess.

 

[DL]

You dont usually create a new Profile when a msg is stuck, there are other
methods. Often by setting OL offline (File menu) you are then able to delete
the offending mail

Explorer has to have 'view hidden files' enabled to view Docs & Settings
grouping.

With OL closed, in Control Panel > Mail applet, create a new profile, add
the data file, create accounts and test. Do not copy the profile or import
any data files into OL

 

[Christine]

Thanks, DL. I've found all the hidden files following your directions - no
idea why they became hidden in the first place because they were always
viewable. I also deleted mails that were held in Outbox as you directed -
that worked beautifully. Now that I can do this, I don't need the new profile
(making the new profile was a solution given at the MS website - why so
difficult, I don't know). But I'm back to the original problem that led to
all of this. That is, I have mail that keeps sticking in the outbox. I've
always been able to send large mails and this just changed without
provocation. If you could provide some direction here, I would sure
appreciate it. In the meantime, I'll check the forums for solutions to this
as I'm sure it's not an uncommon problem and I'll post here if I solve it.
Thanks again!!
Christine

 

[DL]

In the OL Help menu, run a Detect/Repair
With OL closed, locate scanpst.exe, the repair tool & run it on your data
file, if it finds an error run it several more times.
PS It helps if you post your version of OL

 

[Christine]

Thanks again, DL. I ran the Detect/Repair. There was no visible indication
that anything was happening. Is this normal?
Next, I found scanpst.exe and ran it on my archive.pst file. There were some
errors that required fixing and this was completed after one more scan.
However, when you say 'run it on your data file' I'm not sure exactly what to
look for or where. Can you please point me in a direction? Oh, yes....I'm
using OL 2003.
Thank you,
Christine

 

[Christine]

Hi, DL.
It now seems that nothing is leaving the outbox now. Originally, it was
messages with attachments, but now, even an empty mail - just a subject line
- hangs in the outbox.
Christine

 

[DL]

You run scanpst.exe on all the data files. If it repairs an error run it
again
The default data file names are archive.pst & outlook.pst
Detect/Repair doesnt usually give any indication that it has done anything

 

[Christine]

Hi, again, DL.
I've been running scanpst on the data files for hours. Some of them were
not a problem. Only 3 are, including outlook.pst. There are errors and when I
run the scan the initializing and checking consistency and checking files and
folder functions seem to be working although the task manager indicated that
the scanner is off and on responding. When all is done and it prints an
outcome - so many files, so many folders, errors exist - I ask it to repair,
and at this point it goes into 'not responding' mode, time and time again. It
sounds like something is happening but I don't know how that can be give the
consistent not responding message. I tried a some point in the evening to
send mails again and was able to send both empty messages and a picture -
both after a delay of 15 to 30 seconds. I haven't tried it since (a couple of
hours ago) because I've been trying to run the repair function without much
success. Do you know of a way to force it to respond? Or make adjustments
that would allow it to respond?

Once again, thanks for your help. Progress is steady. Just a few bumps along
the way here.
Christine

 

[Christine]

I just tried sending mail again. First and empty mail, then a picture, then a
song. All actually left the outbox, each taking a longer time than the
previous one, with the song taking about 2.5 minutes. This is good news
although I wish I knew what was making the difference exactly. Since the scan
file doesn't seem to be responding...or is it? Should I continue to try to
scan?
It's good to have some progress!!