NK2 File not created/not recognised

[Privateersman]

Hi
Since rebuilding my OS a few weeks ago (WinXP Home SP2) I have no
autocomplete on OL2k3. I have searched a number of sites, most of which
agree that the way to get the NK2 file back is to create a new profile. But
this does not work for me. Even on uninstalling and reinstalling OL2k3, I
get no NK2 file.

I have copied an NK2 file from the backup of my system before rebuild and
renamed it to be the same as the new profile name (outlook.nk2). OL can see
this and I get autocomplete entries working OK, BUT any new email addresses
are not saved and the file date remains unchanged. So OL can read the file
but cannot write to it.

Just to clarify I am using C:\Documents and Settings\&username&\Application
data\Microsoft\Outlook\ - and I store my PST file on a separate disc for
safety. This is also the main data file for send/receive.

In the old version of this subdir (pre-rebuild) I had theses files:
extend.dat
outcmd.dat
outlook.xml
outlook.srs
outlook.fav
outlook.nk2
outprnt

In the new version of this subdir (post-rebuild) I have theses files:
outcmd.dat
outlook.xml
outlook.srs

Oh - and recently I have upgraded the OS to SP3.

.. . . better go now as the men in white coats are coming again!

Any help folks?

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Clarify what you mean by "I have no autocomplete." Clarify what you mean by
"I store my PST file on a separate disc."

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

Is the NK2 marked as read only? Is outlook closing completely when you close it? If not, outlook won't write the names to NK2.

If you remove the NK2 and let outlook create one, does it save the names?


Privateersman wrote on Wed, 03 December 2008 19:06

Hi
Since rebuilding my OS a few weeks ago (WinXP Home SP2) I have no
autocomplete on OL2k3. I have searched a number of sites, most of which
agree that the way to get the NK2 file back is to create a new profile. But
this does not work for me. Even on uninstalling and reinstalling OL2k3, I
get no NK2 file.

I have copied an NK2 file from the backup of my system before rebuild and
renamed it to be the same as the new profile name (outlook.nk2). OL can see
this and I get autocomplete entries working OK, BUT any new email addresses
are not saved and the file date remains unchanged. So OL can read the file
but cannot write to it.

Just to clarify I am using C:\Documents and Settings\&username&\Application
data\Microsoft\Outlook\ - and I store my PST file on a separate disc for
safety. This is also the main data file for send/receive.

In the old version of this subdir (pre-rebuild) I had theses files:
extend.dat
outcmd.dat
outlook.xml
outlook.srs
outlook.fav
outlook.nk2
outprnt

In the new version of this subdir (post-rebuild) I have theses files:
outcmd.dat
outlook.xml
outlook.srs

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



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[Privateersman]

Thanks for replying.

In reply to Russ: my meaning of autocomplete is when you type three or more
characters in the To: or CC: filed of an email and OL suggests in a small
dropdown box one or more possible addresses. As set up by checking the box
"Suggest names when completing To:, Cc; and Bcc fields"; from
TOOLS/OPTIONS/PREFERENCES/EMAIL OPTIONS/ADVANCED EMAIL OPTIONS.

My OL files are stored in C:\Documents and Settings\&username&\Application
data\Microsoft\Outlook\ - my PST is stored on D:\Documents and
Settings\Outlook\ . . . I set this up from the New data file option in
TOOLS/EMAIL ACCOUNTS/VIEW OR CHANGE. . . I also have set this up to be the
main file for email delivery.

In asnwer to Diane's questions: 1. the NK2 file is not read only. 2.
(interesting) I have noticed that there is an instance of OUTLOOK.EXE shown
as running in the process list of Windows Task Manager while I am running OL
(as you would expect) and also after I have closed OL - but not before (ie
after a reboot). So that seems to me as if OL never closes properly. 3.
This is the main point of the thread really - my OL will not/has not created
an NK2 file since the rebuild.

Thanks again folks.
--
Privateersman
Pluckley UK

Clarify what you mean by "I have no autocomplete." Clarify what you mean by
"I store my PST file on a separate disc."

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

In asnwer to Diane's questions: 1. the NK2 file is not read only. 2.
(interesting) I have noticed that there is an instance of OUTLOOK.EXE
shown
as running in the process list of Windows Task Manager while I am running
OL
(as you would expect) and also after I have closed OL - but not before (ie
after a reboot). So that seems to me as if OL never closes properly. 3.
This is the main point of the thread really - my OL will not/has not
created
an NK2 file since the rebuild.

This is why your NK2 file is not being updated. Find out what's keeping
Outlook from closing properly. See this:
http://www.howto-outlook.com/faq/outlookdoesntclose.htm

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

No. I know what autocomplete is. I asked you what you meant by your vague
term "I have no autocomplete." Exactly what isn't happening that should? Do
you get autocomplete suggestions within a session then lose them when you
close? Do you never get autocomplete suggestions even within the current
session?
Enabling autocomplete creates an NK2 file, so it is unlikely you have no NK2
file at all. You probably just haven't found it. It's a hidden file.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks for replying.

In reply to Russ: my meaning of autocomplete is when you type three or
more
characters in the To: or CC: filed of an email and OL suggests in a small
dropdown box one or more possible addresses. As set up by checking the
box
"Suggest names when completing To:, Cc; and Bcc fields"; from
TOOLS/OPTIONS/PREFERENCES/EMAIL OPTIONS/ADVANCED EMAIL OPTIONS.

My OL files are stored in C:\Documents and Settings\&username&\Application
data\Microsoft\Outlook\ - my PST is stored on D:\Documents and
Settings\Outlook\ . . . I set this up from the New data file option in
TOOLS/EMAIL ACCOUNTS/VIEW OR CHANGE. . . I also have set this up to be the
main file for email delivery.

In asnwer to Diane's questions: 1. the NK2 file is not read only. 2.
(interesting) I have noticed that there is an instance of OUTLOOK.EXE
shown
as running in the process list of Windows Task Manager while I am running
OL
(as you would expect) and also after I have closed OL - but not before (ie
after a reboot). So that seems to me as if OL never closes properly. 3.
This is the main point of the thread really - my OL will not/has not
created
an NK2 file since the rebuild.

Thanks again folks.
--
Privateersman
Pluckley UK

Clarify what you mean by "I have no autocomplete." Clarify what you mean
by
"I store my PST file on a separate disc."
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Hi
Since rebuilding my OS a few weeks ago (WinXP Home SP2) I have no
autocomplete on OL2k3. I have searched a number of sites, most of
which
agree that the way to get the NK2 file back is to create a new profile.
But
this does not work for me. Even on uninstalling and reinstalling
OL2k3, I
get no NK2 file.

I have copied an NK2 file from the backup of my system before rebuild
and
renamed it to be the same as the new profile name (outlook.nk2). OL
can
see
this and I get autocomplete entries working OK, BUT any new email
addresses
are not saved and the file date remains unchanged. So OL can read the
file
but cannot write to it.

Just to clarify I am using C:\Documents and
Settings\&username&\Application
data\Microsoft\Outlook\ - and I store my PST file on a separate disc
for
safety. This is also the main data file for send/receive.

In the old version of this subdir (pre-rebuild) I had theses files:
extend.dat
outcmd.dat
outlook.xml
outlook.srs
outlook.fav
outlook.nk2
outprnt

In the new version of this subdir (post-rebuild) I have theses files:
outcmd.dat
outlook.xml
outlook.srs

Oh - and recently I have upgraded the OS to SP3.

. . . better go now as the men in white coats are coming again!

Any help folks?

 

[Privateersman]

Thanks guys - all of you - you're amazing. The answer WAS that OL was not
closing. There are two addins keeping it open: itunes and a Dymo label
printer. Interstingly itunes syncs with outlook still works when I uncheck
the addin but then stops OL closing until I reboot - so I will have to live
with this.

Thanks again!!