Outlook running but not on screen

[Andrew Zenz]

Hi all,

The sales reps of a client of mine all have Windows XP and Outlook 2002 (SP2
and SP3) and we are experiencing instances where they cannot send/receive
messages.

Checking the Task Manager shows that Outlook is running more than once.

Terminating all instances of Outlook.exe and starting it again resolves the
issue.

Also, when they close Outlook, Task Manager shows that it is still running.
Sometimes several instances are still running.

Does anyone have an idea what causes Outlook to behave this way and what can
I do to stop it? I can't expect the reps to go searching through the task
list. Some of them have enough trouble with email.

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

Hi all,

The sales reps of a client of mine all have Windows XP and Outlook
2002 (SP2 and SP3) and we are experiencing instances where they
cannot send/receive messages.

Checking the Task Manager shows that Outlook is running more than
once.

Terminating all instances of Outlook.exe and starting it again
resolves the issue.

Also, when they close Outlook, Task Manager shows that it is still
running. Sometimes several instances are still running.

Does anyone have an idea what causes Outlook to behave this way and
what can I do to stop it? I can't expect the reps to go searching
through the task list. Some of them have enough trouble with email.

Thanks,

Andrew

Sounds like an add-in isn't releasing Outlook when you try to close it. PDA
software, fax software, antivirus software, antispam software....something
is keeping the executable running. Check & see.

 

[Andrew Zenz]

Oh, they use Symantec AV Corporate Edition.

I have long suspected the AV software causes trouble. I have stopped it
from scanning email but the problem still exists.

How do you suggest I determine what is keeping it open?

Cheers,

Andrew


"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

Oh, they use Symantec AV Corporate Edition.

I have long suspected the AV software causes trouble. I have stopped
it from scanning email but the problem still exists.

How do you suggest I determine what is keeping it open?

Look in the addins section(s) in this profile - see what's enabled.

You can run OL with the /safe switch to disable all addins and see if an
addin is the cause -

start | run

"full path to outlook.exe" /safe

.....antispam or handheld sync software may be a more likely culprit than the
NAV stuff.

Cheers,

Andrew


"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

In

Sounds like an add-in isn't releasing Outlook when you try to close
it. PDA software, fax software, antivirus software, antispam
software....something is keeping the executable running. Check & see.