Outllok 2007 - Data file not closed properly!!!!

[Stan Kay]

I have Office 2007 Ultimate running under my Vista Ultimate operating
system. Ever since Office 2007 was installed, whenever I open Outlook 2007
up pops an error message telling me that:_

"A data file did not close properly the last it was used and is being
checked for problems. Performance might be affected while the check is in
progress"

Since I always close down Outlook correctly and have run Scanpst.exe to
correct any errors (in fact every time I run scanpst.exe it finds and
corrects errors!) then cannot understand why there should be a problem with
data files.

Can anyone please offer any assistance?

 

[Tom]

I also have Outlook 2007 as part of Office 2007 Business, and get the same
error message. Only difference with me is I'm running XP Pro. I also would
like to find a solution to this problem. Being that you are running Vista
and I'm running XP it appears to be a problem with Outlook 2007 and not the
OS.

 

[Stan Kay]

Tom,

It is nice to know that I am not alone with this problem. I agree with your
logical conclusion that on the basis of our joint experience the problem
lies with Outlook 2007 not with the operating system.

Hopefully someone will be able to suggest a solution.

Regards,

Stan

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

The mostly likely explanation is that some add-in or external application is holding Outlook open so that it can't close completely or simply that the user tried to restart Outlook too soon after shutting it down. You can check Task Manager to see if Outlook.exe is still running and try waiting longer.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Stan Kay]

Sue,

Many thanks for the suggestion. Since it is over an hour since I last
opened Outlook then I thought it should now be safe to try. However, before
doing so I checked Task Manager and found that Outlook was not running. So,
I stared Outlook again and ...................up popped the usual error box!
I waited until the box disappeared and closed down Outlook. Then I quickly
checked Task Manager again and Outlook was not running. Another try with
Outlook still produced the usual error box. In the light of these tests I
conclude that the problem is not Outlook being shut down and started again
with too little delay between the two actions.

I have examined the Event Viewer and it explains that the problem is known
as EventID 32 "Outlook.pst has detected a catalogue checkpoint".
Unfortunately the online help for this event is not helpful. I then used
scanpst.exe again on outlook.pst and once again was told that it had found
and corrected errors. However, upon running Outlook again I get the usual
errors and the same entry in the Event Viewer.

Are there any other tests I can perform to identify the cause of the
problem?



The mostly likely explanation is that some add-in or external application is
holding Outlook open so that it can't close completely or simply that the
user tried to restart Outlook too soon after shutting it down. You can check
Task Manager to see if Outlook.exe is still running and try waiting longer.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

I would suggest running Outlook with the /safe command-line switch to make sure all add-ins are disabled. Also turn off any anti-virus email checker and any PDA sync utility, so you can troubleshoot this.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Stan Kay]

Many thanks for the suggestions Sue.

Outlook 2007 ran without a hitch with the /safe command line switch
therefore it follows that one of the add-ins was causing the problem. I
then set about replacing the add-ins one by one to find the culprit.
Eventually I discovered that Microsoft's Windows Live OneCare was causing
the problem so I have uninstalled it and all is well again. I shall now
begin the search for an antivirus product that works without causing
problems.

Many thanks for your help.

Stan


I would suggest running Outlook with the /safe command-line switch to make
sure all add-ins are disabled. Also turn off any anti-virus email checker
and any PDA sync utility, so you can troubleshoot this.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

Many times it is Adobe PDF Maker that is the problem in Outlook, as well as other add-ins.

--
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, Stan Kay asked:

| I have Office 2007 Ultimate running under my Vista Ultimate operating
| system. Ever since Office 2007 was installed, whenever I open
| Outlook 2007 up pops an error message telling me that:_
|
| "A data file did not close properly the last it was used and is being
| checked for problems. Performance might be affected while the check
| is in progress"
|
| Since I always close down Outlook correctly and have run Scanpst.exe
| to correct any errors (in fact every time I run scanpst.exe it finds
| and corrects errors!) then cannot understand why there should be a
| problem with data files.
|
| Can anyone please offer any assistance?

 

[Stan Kay]

Milly,

I don't have Adobe PDF Maker so it cannot be causing the problem. However,
following Sue Mosher's recommendations I have established that Microsoft's
Windows Live OneCare was causing the problem. That product has been removed
and everything is now OK.

Many thanks for trying to help.


"Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]"
Many times it is Adobe PDF Maker that is the problem in Outlook, as well as
other add-ins.

--
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, Stan Kay asked:

| I have Office 2007 Ultimate running under my Vista Ultimate operating
| system. Ever since Office 2007 was installed, whenever I open
| Outlook 2007 up pops an error message telling me that:_
|
| "A data file did not close properly the last it was used and is being
| checked for problems. Performance might be affected while the check
| is in progress"
|
| Since I always close down Outlook correctly and have run Scanpst.exe
| to correct any errors (in fact every time I run scanpst.exe it finds
| and corrects errors!) then cannot understand why there should be a
| problem with data files.
|
| Can anyone please offer any assistance?

 

[Tom]

I also had Live OneCare running and unistalled it, so far so good!
Tom

 

[Guest]

Early adopters of Office 2007 at my company are having the same problem.

We're just now testing the newly release "update" for Outlook to see if it
resolves the issue, so more on that as we get the test results.

Some of our internal technical gurus are suggesting lately that Office
Communicator may be the culprit, and may be holding certain Outlook program
files open, even though you exit Outlook.

Does that ring a familiar bell for any of you?

 

[Guest]

Stan/Tom/Sue et al

I imported the Pst from Outlook 2003 - XPpro Dell using Zone alarm 7 to my
new Dell Vista Business with full version of Office 2007 but being protected
by Norton Security Online: the import went well; but after 3 days the same
error was seen as described above - Scanpst repaired and has done
successfully for another 3 sessions: There's no obvious manual close down on
my part that would cause the issue ( don't use Windows defender or Off Comm)
so wonder like SM suggests whether the "online" virus checkers are checking
files whilst outlook is closing down?

Its pleasing to hear other users are having the same experience - over to
the Techs to resolve?

 

[Brian Tillman]

I imported the Pst from Outlook 2003 -

Never import from a PST. You lose data and could corrupt your mail profile.
Moreover, it's unnecessary. Just open the PST in Outlook.
FIle>Open>Outlook Data File. Then make it your delivery location if you
want, or copy the data it contains to your default folders.

XPpro Dell using Zone alarm 7
to my new Dell Vista Business with full version of Office 2007 but
being protected by Norton Security Online:

There are so many issues with Symantec products interfering with Outlook
that it's almost obscene, although that doesn't say that the problem hee is
with Norton. Nonetheless, turn it off while you diagnose.

the import went well; but
after 3 days the same error was seen as described above - Scanpst
repaired and has done successfully for another 3 sessions: There's no
obvious manual close down on my part that would cause the issue (
don't use Windows defender or Off Comm) so wonder like SM suggests
whether the "online" virus checkers are checking files whilst outlook
is closing down?

In addition to trying to eliminate the Norton tools as the culprit, also
disable any seach add-in like Google Desktop Search, if you have one.
Disable any Outlook add-in as well.

If any of this advice is a repeat, forgive me. I didn't have the
opportunity to read the entire thread to see what others have suggested.

 

[gastwirt]

I was having the same problem. It appeared that none of my add-ins
were active yet when I checked HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft
\Office\Outlook\Addins the load value was either 2 or 3, I can't
remember. I changed all of these to "0" and haven't had the problem
since - Outlook 2007 flies and no error messages.

 

[Guest]

Stan/Sue,

I have the same problem, but for the more basic user (like me), how do you
launch outlook in safe mode and then search the addins?

Many thanks

John

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

I usually do it by making a shortcut to the Outlook.exe program, then adding the /safe switch to the shortcut command line. If that works, then start Outlook normally, but use the Tools | Trust Center dialog to disable addins, then turn them back on one at a time.

There is more information on command-line switches in Outlook Help.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Guest]

I too have been having the same problem and have been collecting data about
this issue for the past three days.

The most common answer is "The mostly likely explanation is that some add-in
or external application is holding Outlook open so that it can't close
completely."

Several of these add-in's are Microsoft products, which should NOT be
causing this problem. Also, I never had this problem with Outlook 2003 nor
has anyone else from what I've read.

Opening and closing an application is a fundamental task that should be no
more complicated than that. We should not have to consider anything else
beyond that except opening Outlook immedietly after closing it.

Bottom line. This is a flaw or a bug within Outlook 2007 itself. Microsoft,
as usual, throws out every explanation BUT that.

I hope they are working on a fix. I still think 2007 is a great product and
a major improvement over pervious versions.

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

Not always Microsoft's problem.

Some common reasons why Outlook will not shut down completely when you click either the X or Exit:

1. PDA synchronization software with your PDA in the cradle.
2. WinFax Pro (especially 10.02 in Outlook 2003) - contact their support for an alleged fix.
3. Franklin-Covey Plan Plus!
4. COM Add-ins.
5. Mail reminder add-ins that keep a stub of Outlook open in the background to check for new mail and fire reminders.
6. Anti-virus/firewall programs that are set to scan incoming and outgoing mail.
7. The latest Skype update.

--
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, Flatch U. Lance asked:

| I too have been having the same problem and have been collecting data
| about this issue for the past three days.
|
| The most common answer is "The mostly likely explanation is that some
| add-in or external application is holding Outlook open so that it
| can't close completely."
|
| Several of these add-in's are Microsoft products, which should NOT be
| causing this problem. Also, I never had this problem with Outlook
| 2003 nor has anyone else from what I've read.
|
| Opening and closing an application is a fundamental task that should
| be no more complicated than that. We should not have to consider
| anything else beyond that except opening Outlook immedietly after
| closing it.
|
| Bottom line. This is a flaw or a bug within Outlook 2007 itself.
| Microsoft, as usual, throws out every explanation BUT that.
|
| I hope they are working on a fix. I still think 2007 is a great
| product and a major improvement over pervious versions.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Bottom line. This is a flaw or a bug within Outlook 2007 itself.
Microsoft, as usual, throws out every explanation BUT that.

Where have you seen Microsoft "throw out" any explanation? Certainly not in
these newsgroups, which are not official support channels for MS products.

 

[Guest]

If it's any help, I've had the problem ever since I installed Office 2007 and
was beginning to think I'd be better reverting to Office 2003 until some kind
of fix is published but after reading through all the threads in these
discussion groups pertaining to the problem I thought I'd try a few minor
alterations myself and I believe I may have sorted my particular problem at
least!
With Reference to Milly's point 6. below; I use Kaspersky Internet Security
6 and under Settings / Mail Anti-Virus I found the heading Connectivity where
there are two check boxes, both of which are checked by default. One says
'Scan POP3/SMTP/IMAP/NNTP Traffic' and the other says 'Enable Microsoft
Outlook and The Bat! support'.
Guess what happened when I unchecked the Outlook option?...The data file
warning and check stopped!
It would appear there is definitely a problem with Outlook 2007 that causes
it to disagree with so many different programs. Hopefully it's only a matter
of time before a fix is published but until then my interim fix will remain
in place until I see the update that addresses the issue.

Alan Foster.

Not always Microsoft's problem.

Some common reasons why Outlook will not shut down completely when you click either the X or Exit:

1. PDA synchronization software with your PDA in the cradle.
2. WinFax Pro (especially 10.02 in Outlook 2003) - contact their support for an alleged fix.
3. Franklin-Covey Plan Plus!
4. COM Add-ins.
5. Mail reminder add-ins that keep a stub of Outlook open in the background to check for new mail and fire reminders.
6. Anti-virus/firewall programs that are set to scan incoming and outgoing mail.
7. The latest Skype update.

--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, Flatch U. Lance asked:

| I too have been having the same problem and have been collecting data
| about this issue for the past three days.
|
| The most common answer is "The mostly likely explanation is that some
| add-in or external application is holding Outlook open so that it
| can't close completely."
|
| Several of these add-in's are Microsoft products, which should NOT be
| causing this problem. Also, I never had this problem with Outlook
| 2003 nor has anyone else from what I've read.
|
| Opening and closing an application is a fundamental task that should
| be no more complicated than that. We should not have to consider
| anything else beyond that except opening Outlook immedietly after
| closing it.
|
| Bottom line. This is a flaw or a bug within Outlook 2007 itself.
| Microsoft, as usual, throws out every explanation BUT that.
|
| I hope they are working on a fix. I still think 2007 is a great
| product and a major improvement over pervious versions.