Outlook crashes on startup since imorting Contacts folder

[Guest]

I'm using Outlook 2000 (yes, I know it's way old!) on a Dell laptop running
WinXP, all latest OS upgrades (I do try to keep my OS and all security
critical software up-to-date at least ). Everything was working fine until
importing my Contacts from a different machine running Outlook 2003. Now
Outlook 2000 crashes as soon as it opens with the message "Outlook has
encountered an error and needs to close...".

I'm not sure if the importing of the Contacts folder from the other machine
has anything to do with the problem, but that's what I suspect. I'll describe
why I think so and the various fixes I've tried, to no avail.

In order to import the Contacts folder from the other machine, I first
exported from the source machine and then copied the resulting *.pst file
onto a thumb drive. Then I installed the thumb drive on the computer I wanted
to import to, opened Outlook and used the import function to import directly
from the flash drive. Everything seemed to work fine, and when I opened the
Contacts folder, I had the contacts I expected, and Outlook seemed to be
working fine (although I didn't really use it, just checked to see that the
contacts had been imported).

However, when I tried to eject the flash drive, its utility said a program
was using it. OK, I thought, I need to close Outlook, so I did. However, the
flash drive still wouldn't eject. I then restarted Outlook, but it crashed
right after coming up. So I rebooted, same results (Outlook crashes, flash
drive won't eject). Shut down, took the flash drive out, restarted, same
results. Checked flash drive on other computer, looked OK, reinstalled on
problem computer, Outlook still crashes. Flash drive now ejects properly, at
least.

I've removed and re-installed Outlook 2000, I've reverted to a system
restore point prior to the time I imported the Contacts folder, and I've set
up a new profile as the default, but none of these fixes work. Outlook 2000
still won't finish loading. It loads to the point I can see its window and
all the folders and e-mails in my Inbox preview pane, but before it gives me
control I get the "Outlook has encountered an error and needs to close.
We're sorry for the inconvenience..." dialog box. Sending the report to
Microsoft just results in a sending me to their website telling me the only
support for Outlook 2000 is critical security updates.

At this point, I'm looking for any suggestions on what I can do to
troubleshoot this issue and get Outlook to work properly again.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[DL]

What size is the pst?
Try scanpst.exe, the repair tool on the pst

 

[Brian Tillman]

I'm using Outlook 2000 (yes, I know it's way old!) on a Dell laptop
running WinXP, all latest OS upgrades (I do try to keep my OS and all
security critical software up-to-date at least ).

Are you using it in Internet Mail Only mode or Corporate/Workgroup mode?
Help>About will tell you.

Everything was
working fine until importing my Contacts from a different machine
running Outlook 2003. Now Outlook 2000 crashes as soon as it opens
with the message "Outlook has encountered an error and needs to
close...".

I'm not sure if the importing of the Contacts folder from the other
machine has anything to do with the problem, but that's what I
suspect. I'll describe why I think so and the various fixes I've
tried, to no avail.

Exporting and importing nearly always cause trouble when moving data from
one Outlook to another and you should never do it. There's no need anyway,
since you can move data between Outlooks without it.

In order to import the Contacts folder from the other machine, I first
exported from the source machine and then copied the resulting *.pst
file onto a thumb drive.

Exporting from Outlook 2003 without pre-creating the PST in ANSI (i.e., OL
97-2002) format will ALWAYS create a Unicode PST which Outlook 2000 CANNOT
read. Describe exactly how you created the PST and preformed the export.

Then I installed the thumb drive on the
computer I wanted to import to, opened Outlook and used the import
function to import directly from the flash drive. Everything seemed
to work fine, and when I opened the Contacts folder, I had the
contacts I expected, and Outlook seemed to be working fine (although
I didn't really use it, just checked to see that the contacts had
been imported).

However, when I tried to eject the flash drive, its utility said a
program was using it. OK, I thought, I need to close Outlook, so I
did. However, the flash drive still wouldn't eject. I then restarted
Outlook, but it crashed right after coming up. So I rebooted, same
results (Outlook crashes, flash drive won't eject). Shut down, took
the flash drive out, restarted, same results. Checked flash drive on
other computer, looked OK, reinstalled on problem computer, Outlook
still crashes. Flash drive now ejects properly, at least.

Importing from a PST affects the mail profile and often leaves a permanent
link in the profile to the PST from which you import. That's what I think
may be happening here.

I've removed and re-installed Outlook 2000, I've reverted to a system
restore point prior to the time I imported the Contacts folder, and
I've set up a new profile as the default, but none of these fixes
work.

Since the PST references are in the mail profile, neither system restore
points nor reinstallations will affect it. A new mail profile, however,
should. How did you create this profile? If you're using Outlook 2000 in
IMO mode, you don't have direct access to the mail profile and must
manipulate the registry.