Outlook 2003 custom forms frustration

[SarahTor]

My problem originally was with custom forms being lost when accessed
throug the favorites folder. I have since applied the hotfix found on
the following website:

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=831586

This seemed to fix the problem of custom forms getting lost everytime
a synchronization took place.

HOWEVER!

I am now faced with a problem that occurs in the following way:

1) I replace the existing vbaproject.OTM file in C:\Documents and
Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook with an updated
version

2) I start up outlook and open a contact from public folders (which
uses a custom form). Everything works fine.

3) I close outlook and start it up again. I open a contact again and
this time it gives me the message of "outlook cannot use the custom
form. It will use the default form instead. Please contact
administrator".

4) Upon receiving this message, I have to log in as administrator on
another computer and re-publish my custom form AND run the hotfix on
the user's machine again.

5) I reopen outlook and everything works fine.

6) If i accidentally close outlook again and restart it, steps 2-4 are
repeated.

.... I have absolutely no idea why this is happening and this is
causing me great grief. I cannot even pinpoint the action that causes
this whole cycle because the problem also occurs even if i don't
release a new OTM.

HEEELLP!!!!


Sarah

 

[Hollis D. Paul]

.... I have absolutely no idea why this is happening and this is
causing me great grief. I cannot even pinpoint the action that causes
this whole cycle because the problem also occurs even if i don't
release a new OTM.

HEEELLP!!!!

Ultimately, the cause of the problem is using a custom OTM. This has
proven to just be a bad idea. If you are going to make customizations
of Outlook, make them as COM Add-ins, for which you can create an
install package, and leave the OTM alone.

Hollis D. Paul [MVP - Outlook]
(e-mail address removed)
Using Virtual Access 4.52 build 277 (32-bit), Windows 2000 build 2195
http://search.support.microsoft.com/kb/c.asp?FR=0&SD=TECH&LN=EN-US

Mukilteo, WA USA

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

I don't think the .otm file has anything to do with this. I'd try clearing
the forms cache. Choose Tools | Options | Other | Advanced Options | Custom
Forms, then click Manage Forms, then Clear Cache.

 

[SarahTor]

Thanks for the replies. The future for this software is to become an
add-in but not just yet. As for clearing forms cache, it didn't
work...

HOWEVER! The problem was solved by actually deleting the custom form
from Tools | Options | Other | Advanced Options | Custom | Manage
Forms, and after that, re-publishing the custom form.

Worked like a charm!!!!!!

sarah