Outlook 2003 mailbox data file error

[Guest]

I am using outlook 2003 with a microsoft exchange server account. When Ishut
down and restart Outlook I get an error message "The data file "Mailbox" (my
acct name) was not closed properly. The file is being checked for problems".
After about 3 minutes my email account will open and all works fine until I
shut down and start up again.
Any ideas on what is causing this problem and what I can do to fix?

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

The symptoms indicate there is corruption in your offline folders .oft file that Outlook must repair. You might want to scan your hard drive for problems. ALso make sure you shut down Outlook completely before shutting down Windows.

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

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

 

[Guest]

Hi,

I'm seeing the same kind of problem with three of my users. I have tried
running "repair and detect". The problem goes away for a few days but then
returns. I re-created the .ost file and the problem came back after that
also. I thought that perhaps BAckup Exec 11d's new "GRT" feature could be
corrupting the files so I turned that off and it doesn;t fix the problem
either. Found something on Google RE this problem and PDAs. But none of the
users involved are using PDAs, so that can't be the problem. Is there
anything else that can be done to determine what is causing this problem?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Leon Hao [MSFT]]

Hi,

If I understood properly, your issue is: when starting Outlook 2003, you
receive an error message "The file is being checked for problems".

Is that correct?

Based on my experience, this scenario can be caused by various situations.
Please try the following suggestions to narrow down this issue:

* Suggestion 1: Temporarily disable all anti-virus software and firewall
===================
This issue may be related to some types of firewalls, such as freedom
firewall or Norton internet security firewall. Therefore, if you have
installed any Anti-Virus programs or firewalls, please temporarily disable
all the firewalls and Anti-Virus programs to see if it is helpful in
resolving this problem.

* Suggestion 2: Start Outlook in Safe Mode
====================
Outlook Safe Mode can narrow down issues which are caused by any
extensions, corrupted resources, files, registries, or templates.

1. Click Start | Run.
2. In the Open box, type: "Outlook /safe" (without the quotation marks)
Notes: There is a space character between Outlook and the forward slash (/).
3. Click OK.

* Suggestion 3: Rename the Cache Files
====================
Search for the following four files and rename them by changing the file
extension from ".dat" to ".old". These four files are temporary cache files
that Outlook loads on startup. (Be sure to check the "Search hidden files
and folders" box under "More advanced options" if you are using Windows XP)

outcmd.dat
extend.dat
frmcache.dat
views.dat

Generally the files can be located in the folder C:\Documents and
Settings\user name\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\

If they are not there, please perform a whole system search for them. The
folder is hidden by default. Please use the following method to show it:

1. From the Start menu, go to Settings>Control Panel>Folder Options.
2. Go to View tab and select "Show hidden files and folders". The hidden
folder will be shown then.
3. Start Outlook to see if the problem is resolved.

If all fail, then please help to collect the following information for
further research:

* Information Collection
=================
Please take a screenshot on the exact error message and send it to me:

1. When this error message appears, press PrScrn key on your keyboard.
2. Type "mspaint" (without the quotation marks) in Start>Run box and click
OK.
3. Click Edit>Paste to paste the screenshot.
4. Save it as JPEG file type and send it as Email attachment.

Please send it directly to this newsgroup.

Hope the suggestions help!


Regards,

Leon Hao

Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
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