strange UI problems with Outlook 2007

[Guest]

I've recently started getting a problem where Outlook 2007 exhibits strange
UI problems and sometimes hangs. Here are the symtpoms
1. I am not allowed to right click on an email. Basically, no menu pops up
and nothing happens
2. When clicking the "Forward" button instead, a dialog box with the
following message pops up:
i. "The messaging interface has returned an unknown error. If the problem
persists, restart Outlook". When I restart Outlook, the same thing eventually
happens.
3. It also affects some other apps. A few Windows apps won't launch at all
when Outlook gets in this mode. This problem never affects my other Windows
unless I open Outlook.
4. Sometimes it completely hangs and sometimes I can even press regular
menu items.

Solutions I've tried
1. I tried uninstalling Office 2007 and reinstalling, but the problem
resurfaced after a day or so
2. I also tried deleteing my .ost cache file. Outlook started to rebuild it
as if it were being launched for the first time and the problem still
occurred after a little while
3. I tried running a virus check and also ran Ad-Aware and both came up
with nothing

It seems like some DLLs related to the UI are corrupt. Also, I connect to an
Exchange Server if that makes a difference. I have been running Outlook 2007
with the same settings and account for over a year now with no problem.

I hope someone can help because it is extemely frustrating and has affected
my productivity drastically

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

Have you tried running Office Diagnostics? What happens if you reboot Windows - does the same thing happen? When did it start happening and what did you install/uninstall just prior to it starting?

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, chirag asked:

| I've recently started getting a problem where Outlook 2007 exhibits
| strange UI problems and sometimes hangs. Here are the symtpoms
| 1. I am not allowed to right click on an email. Basically, no menu
| pops up and nothing happens
| 2. When clicking the "Forward" button instead, a dialog box with the
| following message pops up:
| i. "The messaging interface has returned an unknown error. If the
| problem persists, restart Outlook". When I restart Outlook, the same
| thing eventually happens.
| 3. It also affects some other apps. A few Windows apps won't launch
| at all when Outlook gets in this mode. This problem never affects my
| other Windows unless I open Outlook.
| 4. Sometimes it completely hangs and sometimes I can even press
| regular
| menu items.
|
| Solutions I've tried
| 1. I tried uninstalling Office 2007 and reinstalling, but the problem
| resurfaced after a day or so
| 2. I also tried deleteing my .ost cache file. Outlook started to
| rebuild it as if it were being launched for the first time and the
| problem still occurred after a little while
| 3. I tried running a virus check and also ran Ad-Aware and both came
| up with nothing
|
| It seems like some DLLs related to the UI are corrupt. Also, I
| connect to an Exchange Server if that makes a difference. I have been
| running Outlook 2007 with the same settings and account for over a
| year now with no problem.
|
| I hope someone can help because it is extemely frustrating and has
| affected my productivity drastically

 

[Guest]

Milly, I rebooted Windows multiple times and the same thing happens. I didn't
install anything around that time frame. I even checked my System Restore and
nothing shows up around the time the probelm started.

Thanks for the tip about Office Diagnostics. I ran it and it detected 1
problem (an Update Diagnostic), see below. It told me to "Download a file
periodically that helps determine system problems" and check back in a week,
so I will do that. Any other ideas in the meantime?

Thanks!,
Chirag

Update Diagnostic — Unable to access a required file

The Update Diagnostic was unable to run because it requires a file that you
have chosen not to download. To give Microsoft Office permission to download
this file, do one of the following in one of these 2007 Office release
programs:

• Access, Excel, PowerPoint, or Word
a. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click Access Options, Excel
Options, PowerPoint Options, or Word Options.
b. Click Trust Center, click Advanced Trust Center Settings, and then click
Privacy Options.
c. Select the Download a file periodically that helps determine system
problems check box.
d. Wait about a week to allow the file to be downloaded, and then run
Microsoft Office Diagnostics again.

• Visio, Outlook, Publisher, or InfoPath
a. On the Tools menu, click Trust Center, and then click Privacy Options.
b. Select the Download a file periodically that helps determine system
problems check box.
c. Wait about a week to allow the file to be downloaded, and then run
Microsoft Office Diagnostics again.