Outlook 2003 hosed ("Unable to open the Outlook window")

[Peter K]

Hi,

Outlook 2003 on W2K Server SP4 +rollup.

I had a number of profiles opening either Exchange 2000 accounts
located on the same server or PST files. Had some problems and deleted
the profile named "Outlook". Later tried to recreate it, but can't -
error is "profile already exists".

Now I cannot open Outlook regardless of any profile I choose in MAIL,
even if set to prompt for a profile. As soon as it starts to open, it
crashes with "Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook". Unable to open
the Outlook window. Set of folders could not be opened. The server is
not available." OWA works okay.

Any suggestions appreciated,

Peter

 

[Roady [MVP]]

Just to be sure; You are not saying that you are using Outlook and Exchange
on the same server, right?

Does the profile still show up here?
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
Messaging Subsystem\Profiles
If so your profile hasn't been deleted. Could it still be in use by a remote
user/admin? Logging off all users or even a reboot should tell.

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
www.howto-outlook.com

Tips of the month:
-FREE tool; QuickMail. Create new Outlook items anywhere from within Windows
-Properly back-up and restore your Outlook data

 

[Peter K]

Hi Roady,

Yes, they are on the same server - it is just more convenient that way
right now.

After a reboot, Outlook is working okay, but it always opens the same
profile no matter if I select another one or select to prompt for
one.

I have not tried to recreate the 'Outlook' profile which is gone from
the registry now.

Thanks,

Peter

 

[Roady [MVP]]

OUCH! Never EVER run Outlook and Exchange on the same machine. Since they
both can process mail there is a whole mix up of dll files and such. If you
need to read mail on the Exchange server use OWA instead.

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
www.howto-outlook.com

Tips of the month:
-FREE tool; QuickMail. Create new Outlook items anywhere from within Windows
-Properly back-up and restore your Outlook data

-----
"Peter K" <pmkdatabase_at_yahoo_dot_ca> wrote in message
Hi Roady,

Yes, they are on the same server - it is just more convenient that way
right now.

After a reboot, Outlook is working okay, but it always opens the same
profile no matter if I select another one or select to prompt for
one.

I have not tried to recreate the 'Outlook' profile which is gone from
the registry now.

Thanks,

Peter

 

[Peter Kaufman]

Roady,

I am not trying to argue with you, but I really have to do this.

I have to constantly search through a lot of email thru a terminal
service remote admin session and OWA really sucks for this. In fact,
many times I cannot open an email at all with OWA, possibly due to
Thai fonst. I need the search facilities and other features of
Outlook. We cannot afford another server especially the Windows and
Exchange software simply to use for Outlook sessions.

I've been doing it for 5 years without any problems except this one,
which seems related to the user (not mail) profile.. Is it really that
dangerous?

Thanks,

Peter