Problem with Outlook Express 6.0

[aspeck]

Have a machine with OE. As of 5 days ago, it can't find the address book, so if I try to email with it, it says it cannot do it, that there is an error.

Have tried to reinstall it, but I get the same error message. Any other thoughts or ideas?

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Problem with Outlook Express 6.0

Try this: http://www.tomax7.com/office/Outlook Address book missing.doc

 

[aspeck]

Re: Problem with Outlook Express 6.0

I have Outlook Express - will the fix work with it the same as Outlook?

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Problem with Outlook Express 6.0

I believe they are the same.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Problem with Outlook Express 6.0

The proposed solution may work but they are not the same. Outlook is a full MAPI client while Outlook Express is an POP3/IMAP4 client. Different animals.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Problem with Outlook Express 6.0

Nope, not the same, and the solution did not work. Neither did any I could find on Microsofts web site. I tried changing the registration value of the .WAB file, I deleted and reinstalled many times (however they asked me to rename the Outlook Express file and I could never do that because it said it was being used by another program ... not sure which program, though, as I didn't have anything open - unless it was the anti-virus program). Made sure the .WAB file was not a "Read Only" file.

I am through with it for today - tomorrow will be a better day, I hope. If I can just figure it out. The problem is it is on my mother's machine, and she is having some memory problems (personal, not computer). So changing software is not an option ...

 

[i386]

Re: Problem with Outlook Express 6.0

It would be helpful to know what you were doing and the exact error message.

Here's a few blind pokes in the dark though...

Sounds you're on the right track with the .wab file (Windows Address Book). Make sure the file isn't corrupted. When you find the file it should open the address book just by double-clicking it.

If the error says it can't find the address book, make sure the place it's looking matches the place it's actually in.

Not sure what you were doing when it said something was busy but, "msimn.exe" is Outlook Express. You might try killing off any of those you see in task manager's process list if they're there even after you close OE.


The place your OE mail folders usually live in are at:

C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}\Microsoft\Outlook Express, where XXXX.....etc is the name of the identity.

You may have more than one identity. No problem, just look in the Outlook Express folder in each identity and look at the dates on the files. That should give you a clue as to which identity is the one you want to work with.


The address book it typically located at:

C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book


IMPORTANT: You may not be able to see some of of these locations unless you set windows explorer to show hidden files. To fix that, double-click My Computer (or use Windows Explorer (Start Key + E)) and go to Tools -> Folder Options -> "View" Tab

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Problem with Outlook Express 6.0

Art......

Try the system restore and set it back a week or so first. It just might be a minor glitch.

Bob

 

[aspeck]

Re: Problem with Outlook Express 6.0

Got it working this evening - thanks all. Ended up going to the .WAB file and renaming it. Then close all applications and restart. Opened OE and imported the address book. And presto - all is working again. When I left the Microsoft website and started looking in the right direction, it became easy. Thanks all, for your input. Together it got me thinking in the right direction and we were able to solve the problem!