Internet headers in some messages in Outlook 2003

[bruce2u2]

I get internet headers at the start of some messages in Outlook 2003. These
are the same headers that you get if you right click on a message in the
message list and then select Options. But the header is inserted as text at
the start of the message. This only happens with certain messages (always
from the same senders). I'm guessing that it only happens with messages in
html format or in rich text, but whatever format was intended, it seems to
have been lost somewhere in transit. Sometimes the message text has embedded
codes such as =20. Often there is more gibberish code at the end.

This problem started at the same time that I upgraded from a Windows XP
computer to a new Vista computer, but I don't see how this would be the cause
since I was using Outlook 2003 before and after. I have gone over the Outlook
options over and over trying to find some relevant option that I might have
accidentally changed, but I can't find anything.

I hope someone can explain this and tell me the solution. Thanks.

Bruce

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

Check the encoding on the message to see if indicates "User Defined".

 

[bruce2u2]

I'm not sure what you mean by encoding or how to check it. I can't find any
property specific to the message that indicates encoding. In the Options
dialog, Mail Format Tab, International Options there is a way to set outgoing
encoding, but this is an incoming message.

The Type in the properties screen for the message indicates Plain Text. I
don't think that plain text is the type intended by the sender. Somehow when
certain types of messages come in, they aren't recognized as coded and just
get read as plain text. That's what I need to fix.

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

What I am saying is that when you receive a messages that has everything
(internet header, to/from, subject, .etc) dumped into the body, look for a
line that reads:

charset="x-user-defined"




If you do see it, ask the sender to change their encoding type to something
else. If you don't see this, then I would need to see a sample of what you
are looking at.

 

[lmstuter]

I get internet headers at the start of some messages in Outlook 2003. These
are the same headers that you get if you right click on a message in the
message list and then select Options. But the header is inserted as text at
the start of the message. This only happens with certain messages (always
from the same senders). I'm guessing that it only happens with messages in
html format or in rich text, but whatever format was intended, it seems to
have been lost somewhere in transit. Sometimes the message text has embedded
codes such as =20. Often there is more gibberish code at the end.

This problem started at the same time that I upgraded from a Windows XP
computer to a new Vista computer, but I don't see how this would be the cause
since I was using Outlook 2003 before and after. I have gone over the Outlook
options over and over trying to find some relevant option that I might have
accidentally changed, but I can't find anything.

I hope someone can explain this and tell me the solution. Thanks.

Bruce

You are encountering a problem that several of us who have installed
Microsoft 2003 Office Suite on the Vista OS are experiencing. See January
21, 2008 threat titled "MIME Format". If this is the same problem you are
encountering, you need to get hold of Microsoft.

There are several of us who are encountering this problem and Microsoft
doesn't seem real interested in finding a solution. They tried to tell me
the problem was unique to my computer (it isn't) then stated that Norton or
MacAfee Anti-Virus (neither of which I use) was the problem.

What you describe is the same problem I'm having. E-mails coming in in raw
format instead of rendered format. The one commonality I find in all of them
is that my e-mail address appears in the "bcc" field. If these same
individuals send me an e-mail in which my e-mail address appears in the "to"
field, the e-mail comes in in rendered format instead of raw format.

And to answer bruce2u2's question regarding the charset; the e-mails I've
received do not have a "user defined" charset.

I also used Office 2003 Suite on XP Pro; there was no problem as is now.
This has got to be a conflict between Office 2003 Outlook and Vista.
Microsoft needs to address it.

 

[Brian Tillman]

There are several of us who are encountering this problem and
Microsoft doesn't seem real interested in finding a solution.

What evidence do you have this is true? I have reported the problem to
Microsoft and they are working on it.

If you wish me to include some of your examples in my communications with
Microsoft, send them to the address I used on this message, including them
as .MSG files in a zipped attachment.

 

[lmstuter]

What evidence do you have this is true? I have reported the problem to
Microsoft and they are working on it.

If you wish me to include some of your examples in my communications with
Microsoft, send them to the address I used on this message, including them
as .MSG files in a zipped attachment.

You ask what evidence do I have that Microsoft is doing nothing about this
problem.

Because I contacted Microsoft, as I stated to you in two different e-mails
sent to you at '(e-mail address removed)' yesterday, and they have yet to
address the issue. All I'm getting is a run-around. First they claimed it
was my computer (it isn't); then they claimed it was a conflict between
Outlook and Norton or McAfee anti-virus, neither of which I use. As they
requested, and against my better judgment, I uninstalled my anti-virus,
restarted my computer, and checked e-mail. The problem was STILL RIGHT THERE.

The facts of this situation are these: This problem was not a problem when
running Office 2003 Outlook on the XP Pro OS; this ONLY BECAME A PROBLEM when
Office 2003 Outlook was installed on the Vista OS.

Between the two OS systems, a new hard drive was installed so there is no
question of remnants of the XP PRO in the system before Vista was installed.
And the problem ONLY occurs when certain individuals send e-mails to me in
which my e-mail address appears in the 'bcc' field. I've stated this
repeatedly.

As you requested in your response, posted on 1/24/2008 under "MIME Format"
(first opened on 1/21/2008), I sent you yesterday, to
'(e-mail address removed)', several e-mails with the problem, and I sent those
e-mails in the manner you instructed. Now you want those e-mails sent to you
in a Zip file. You keep changing the requirements. Why? Is this just some
more of the run-around?

If you want to correspond with me privately, I've sent several e-mails to
the e-mail address you gave me — '(e-mail address removed)'. My e-mail address
is on those e-mails. You've never responded, never even acknowledged you got
them.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Because I contacted Microsoft, as I stated to you in two different
e-mails sent to you at '(e-mail address removed)' yesterday, and they
have yet to address the issue.

DO you really think that Microsoft can address an issue like this in just
two days?

The facts of this situation are these:

I know what the facts are. You must be using Vista. You must be using
Outlook 2003. You must receive the message via Bcc.

As you requested in your response, posted on 1/24/2008 under "MIME
Format" (first opened on 1/21/2008), I sent you yesterday, to
'(e-mail address removed)', several e-mails with the problem, and I sent
those e-mails in the manner you instructed. Now you want those
e-mails sent to you in a Zip file. You keep changing the
requirements. Why? Is this just some more of the run-around?

I don't recall receiving any messages from a username of "Imstuter". If you
sent them, then I passed them on to Microsoft. I don't work for Microsoft.
I have a contact there. That person has passed the samples on to the
Outlook team nd they're trying to reporduce the problem. So far, they've
not succeeded.

If you want to correspond with me privately, I've sent several
e-mails to
the e-mail address you gave me — '(e-mail address removed)'. My e-mail
address is on those e-mails. You've never responded, never even
acknowledged you got them.

I've responded privately to each message I've received privately.

 

[lmstuter]

DO you really think that Microsoft can address an issue like this in just
two days?


I know what the facts are. You must be using Vista. You must be using
Outlook 2003. You must receive the message via Bcc.


I don't recall receiving any messages from a username of "Imstuter". If you
sent them, then I passed them on to Microsoft. I don't work for Microsoft.
I have a contact there. That person has passed the samples on to the
Outlook team nd they're trying to reporduce the problem. So far, they've
not succeeded.


I've responded privately to each message I've received privately.

It has not been two days, Mr Tillman. My first posting on this, under MIME
format, was made on January 21, 2008; that is exactly 22 days or 3 weeks and
1 day ago.

You claim you've responded privately to each message you've received
privately. How interesting. I've sent a total of seven e-mails to
'(e-mail address removed)' and you've not responded to one of them, privately or
otherwise. And as I stated, my private e-mail address was on each of those
e-mails sent to '(e-mail address removed)'.

Microsoft can't replicate the problem? That sounds more like an excuse than
a reason. Maybe Microsoft needs to contact people who are having problems
with their software personally instead of this round-about method of
third-party contact.

 

[Brian Tillman]

You claim you've responded privately to each message you've received
privately. How interesting. I've sent a total of seven e-mails to
'(e-mail address removed)' and you've not responded to one of them,
privately or otherwise. And as I stated, my private e-mail address
was on each of those e-mails sent to '(e-mail address removed)'.

So, you're calling me a liar. Believe what you will. I couldn't care less.

Microsoft can't replicate the problem? That sounds more like an
excuse than a reason. Maybe Microsoft needs to contact people who
are having problems with their software personally instead of this
round-about method of third-party contact.

Microsoft will NEVER contact anyone. It is up to you to pursue the issue
with them. You don't expect your auto mechanic to call you and inquire if
you're having any issues, you don't expect your doctor's office to call you
and ask if you're healthy. Why do you expect Microsoft to contact you to
see if everything's OK? Microsoft employees don't read these newsgroups,
except rarely, and they are not official support channels. Reporting a
problem here doesn't constitute informing Microsoft about it.

 

[lmstuter]

So, you're calling me a liar. Believe what you will. I couldn't care less.


Microsoft will NEVER contact anyone. It is up to you to pursue the issue
with them. You don't expect your auto mechanic to call you and inquire if
you're having any issues, you don't expect your doctor's office to call you
and ask if you're healthy. Why do you expect Microsoft to contact you to
see if everything's OK? Microsoft employees don't read these newsgroups,
except rarely, and they are not official support channels. Reporting a
problem here doesn't constitute informing Microsoft about it.

I didn't say that you responded personally to every e-mail you've received
personally at (e-mail address removed), you did. Now, quite obviously, if you
had responded to each e-mail you have received personally at
(e-mail address removed), I would have received 7 responses to the 7 e-mails
I've sent to (e-mail address removed). Since I have received 0 responses to my
7 e-mails sent to (e-mail address removed), it is obvious you didn't respond to
my 7 e-mails even though you claim you did.

And your analogy about a mechanic leaves out one very important element.
When I take my vehicle to an auto mechanic because it has a problem, I don't
send deal with the mechanic through a third party; which, in this case,
happens to be you. When my vehicle needs to be fixed, I take it to the shop,
I talk to the mechanic, I tell him what is wrong with it, how it is acting,
and what the symptoms are.

Now, provide me with a contact inside Microsoft and I will gladly deal with
them directly. That's the way it should be anyway. BTW, I'm also sending
this response to (e-mail address removed). That will be #8 e-mail sent to that
address.

A company is only as good as its customer service.

 

[Tom [Pepper] Willett]

Man, you are a piece of work!!!
If you want to talk with someone at Microsoft, *this* is how you do it:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=mscom
:
: Now, provide me with a contact inside Microsoft and I will gladly deal
with
: them directly. That's the way it should be anyway. BTW, I'm also sending
: this response to (e-mail address removed). That will be #8 e-mail sent to
that
: address.
:
: A company is only as good as its customer service.

 

[lmstuter]

Man, you are a piece of work!!!
If you want to talk with someone at Microsoft, *this* is how you do it:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=mscom
:
: Now, provide me with a contact inside Microsoft and I will gladly deal
with
: them directly. That's the way it should be anyway. BTW, I'm also sending
: this response to (e-mail address removed). That will be #8 e-mail sent to
that
: address.
:
: A company is only as good as its customer service.

Dear Mr Willett,

The link you so graciously supplied provides no e-mail address to contact
anyone at Microsoft. I've already been through the Microsoft website looking
for direct e-mail contact info. I want an e-mail address so I can correspond
directly and individually with an American tech (who speaks and understands
English) from Microsoft. No third parties. Direct e-mail contact; them and
me.

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

So why are you not dealing directly with Microsoft's customer service? This is NOT Microsoft nor is anyone here in any way employed by Microsoft.

Oh, and you never answered Brian's post about what OS you are using and how you are receiving the emails. Vista and BCC in Outlook 2003, right?

"A company is only as good as its customer service." Only if the customer actually *contacts* Customer Service.

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, lmstuter asked:

<major snippage>

 

[lmstuter]

So why are you not dealing directly with Microsoft's customer service? This is NOT Microsoft nor is anyone here in any way employed by Microsoft.

Oh, and you never answered Brian's post about what OS you are using and how you are receiving the emails. Vista and BCC in Outlook 2003, right?

"A company is only as good as its customer service." Only if the customer actually *contacts* Customer Service.

--Â
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, lmstuter asked:

<major snippage>

Actually, Milly, Brian has been provided with my OS system information; he's
been provided e-mail samples; three times; he's been provided with everything
he's asked for. You know what happens, Milly, when you assume things instead
of knowing what you are talking about? Now, Milly, if you had read all the
posts with some measure of understanding about what was said, you would know
that I have contacted Microsoft support which happens to be in INDIA. The
techies who have called my home, from INDIA, do not have a grasp of the
English language; they are not English literate either in speaking it or
writing it. Microsoft needs to get their tech support BACK on American soil
and keep it there. Secondly, if you read my response to bruce2u2, I
encouraged him to contact Microsoft as he is having the same problem with the
conflict between Vista (yes, Milly, that is an OS) and Microsoft 2003 Outlook.

Maybe you and Tom and Brian would be far more helpful if you actually tried
to help rather than protect the fact that a wall has been put up between
Microsoft and people using Microsoft to discourage those people from trying
to get the issues involving Microsoft software resolved.

Oh, BTW, if this website isn't a Microsoft website, why is the URL for this
site http://www.microsoft.com/officie/community/en-us/... and why is their
logo in the upper left corner of my screen? Quite obviously, Milly,
Microsoft owns and operatives this forum.

Now, I've requested a one on one with a microsoft tech who speaks English.
That's all I require and unless Microsoft doesn't provide service after the
sale, that's what will be provided to me. Brian Tillman has received no less
than 8 e-mails from me. My e-mail address is on each of those e-mails. That
e-mail address can be forwarded to Microsoft. Since no e-mail address is
provided for me to contact them, they are going to have to contact me
(there's that stupid logic again). It is quicker, faster, and judging from
this whole charade on the part of those of you calling yourselves MVP's for
Outlook, a lot more efficient.

 

[Brian Tillman]

I didn't say that you responded personally to every e-mail you've
received personally at (e-mail address removed), you did. Now, quite
obviously, if you had responded to each e-mail you have received
personally at (e-mail address removed), I would have received 7
responses to the 7 e-mails I've sent to (e-mail address removed). Since
I have received 0 responses to my 7 e-mails sent to
(e-mail address removed), it is obvious you didn't respond to my 7
e-mails even though you claim you did.

No, what I claimed was that I never received anything from any address
containing "Imstuter".

And your analogy about a mechanic leaves out one very important
element. When I take my vehicle to an auto mechanic because it has a
problem, I don't send deal with the mechanic through a third party;
which, in this case, happens to be you. When my vehicle needs to be
fixed, I take it to the shop, I talk to the mechanic, I tell him what
is wrong with it, how it is acting, and what the symptoms are.

Then open a support incident with Microsoft and deal directly with them.
Stop whining about lack of free support or about the fact that I offered to
do something out of the goodness of my heart when I don't have to.

Now, provide me with a contact inside Microsoft and I will gladly
deal with them directly.

See http://support.microsoft.com/contactussupport/?ws=support

That's the way it should be anyway. BTW,
I'm also sending this response to (e-mail address removed). That will
be #8 e-mail sent to that address.

You did not send anything to my address. You posted in a newsgroup. You
need to use a MAIL client of some kind to send mail to my address. Clearly
you don't know how computers work.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Actually, Milly, Brian has been provided with my OS system
information; he's been provided e-mail samples; three times; he's
been provided with everything he's asked for.

Except you don't seem to understand that I DON'T WORK FOR MICROSOFT. And
you NEVER SENT ME ANY EXAMPLES BY EMAIL (that I've received at any rate).

You know what happens,
Milly, when you assume things instead of knowing what you are talking
about? Now, Milly, if you had read all the posts with some measure
of understanding about what was said, you would know that I have
contacted Microsoft support which happens to be in INDIA. The
techies who have called my home, from INDIA, do not have a grasp of
the English language; they are not English literate either in
speaking it or writing it.

That's a fact we all must live with.

Microsoft needs to get their tech support
BACK on American soil and keep it there.

They you'll have to pay for it.

 

[lmstuter]

Well, Brian, if your e-mail address is (e-mail address removed), and, as you
claim, you haven't received my e-mails, then either your e-mail address isn't
(e-mail address removed) or you've got an e-mail problem. None of the e-mails
I've sent to you, and I have all eight, have come back as not deliverable.

Like I said, I want direct contact with Microsoft, not this round-about
third party mobo-jumbo. And I've never said any of you worked for Microsoft.
Again that's an assumption you made. You said this wasn't a Microsoft
website. It is or their logo and their URL wouldn't be on the site.

 

[lmstuter]

Quite obviously, Mr Tillman, if I were not using a MAIL client, I wouldn't
have OUTLOOK in the first place, nor would I have been able to follow your
instructions to drag and drop the affected e-mails from the "in-box" to a new
message in such manner that they would be attached to that e-mail as .msg
files.

Do you people stop and think before you respond or do you just shoot from
the hip with whatever comes to hand?

 

[Brian Tillman]

Well, Brian, if your e-mail address is (e-mail address removed), and, as
you claim, you haven't received my e-mails, then either your e-mail
address isn't (e-mail address removed) or you've got an e-mail problem.
None of the e-mails I've sent to you, and I have all eight, have come
back as not deliverable.

It works for everyone else. Why would you be an exception.

Like I said, I want direct contact with Microsoft, not this
round-about third party mobo-jumbo. And I've never said any of you
worked for Microsoft. Again that's an assumption you made. You said
this wasn't a Microsoft website. It is or their logo and their URL
wouldn't be on the site.

OK, then, you and I are finished.