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Outlook Express problem with ntuser.dat
I have a Windows XP Home Edition computer, with four user accounts set up.
On three accounts, Outlook Express (6) starts faultlessly.
On the fourth, on opening Outlook Express I get an error message (over the Splash screen):
"Error deleting file or folder -
Cannot delete ntuser.dat: It is being used by another person or program."
However on clicking OK, Outlook Express starts normally.
Clearly there is some permissions violation going on here.
Anyone any idea how to fix it ?
On three accounts, Outlook Express (6) starts faultlessly.
On the fourth, on opening Outlook Express I get an error message (over the Splash screen):
"Error deleting file or folder -
Cannot delete ntuser.dat: It is being used by another person or program."
However on clicking OK, Outlook Express starts normally.
Clearly there is some permissions violation going on here.
Anyone any idea how to fix it ?
Hmmm ...
Never knew Outlook -Express- was bundled with MS Office of -any- flavour.
I believe it is only -Outlook-.
That being the case (I await confirmation from the masses), MS Office shouldn't have any bearing on what happens with Outlook Express - except with respect to where the OS looks for the default email client:
<Start>
<Control Panel>
<Internet Options>
<Programs>
Under Email, ensure that it is Outlook Express and not Outlook, as MS Office -loves- to make Outlook the default email client when it installs, as it assumes you wish to use it instead of Outlook Express just by virtue of installing it with MS Office. Nasty MS.
Should this be the case, then that would suggest that MS Office was likely installed with User #4 was logged in.
Hope this (somehow) helps!
Ted, the Modem Mixer
Never knew Outlook -Express- was bundled with MS Office of -any- flavour.
I believe it is only -Outlook-.
That being the case (I await confirmation from the masses), MS Office shouldn't have any bearing on what happens with Outlook Express - except with respect to where the OS looks for the default email client:
<Start>
<Control Panel>
<Internet Options>
<Programs>
Under Email, ensure that it is Outlook Express and not Outlook, as MS Office -loves- to make Outlook the default email client when it installs, as it assumes you wish to use it instead of Outlook Express just by virtue of installing it with MS Office. Nasty MS.
Should this be the case, then that would suggest that MS Office was likely installed with User #4 was logged in.
Hope this (somehow) helps!
Ted, the Modem Mixer
Oops, Sorry tedsky, you were right. Microsoft Outlook comes packaged with MSOFFICE.
Outlook express come free, got that mixed up.
Althought I don't think it's a permission error, especially on an XP HOME EDITION.
When this failed, did you try to delete this mail account and then did it throw the error?
Do you have 4 different POP accounts that it's logging into?
Or do you have 4 people using the same computer to check their email, and when they switch profiles it gives you that error?
Could you explain a little better?
From what it sounds like, you have 4 pop accounts that you use all for your mail and it checks them one by one until it's done sending and recieving. Right?
Outlook express come free, got that mixed up.
Althought I don't think it's a permission error, especially on an XP HOME EDITION.
When this failed, did you try to delete this mail account and then did it throw the error?
Do you have 4 different POP accounts that it's logging into?
Or do you have 4 people using the same computer to check their email, and when they switch profiles it gives you that error?
Could you explain a little better?
From what it sounds like, you have 4 pop accounts that you use all for your mail and it checks them one by one until it's done sending and recieving. Right?
ASKER
No, the situation is that I have 4 Windows XP user accounts on the machine. Outlook Express 6 works fine on 3 of them, but not the fourth (mine!).
It is OE6, not Outlook.
I think I caused the problem when I had set up a fifth Windows XP user account and was playing around trying to get that user to start up Outlook Express as though he were my user account. It didn't work as I hoped, so I deleted his whole (Windows) account. Since then I've been getting this trivial but annoying error message on starting OE6 in my user account (only).
It is OE6, not Outlook.
I think I caused the problem when I had set up a fifth Windows XP user account and was playing around trying to get that user to start up Outlook Express as though he were my user account. It didn't work as I hoped, so I deleted his whole (Windows) account. Since then I've been getting this trivial but annoying error message on starting OE6 in my user account (only).
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OK, then you have to delete the mail acccount and re-add it back in manually.
On the last mail account, Delete your account.
Restart the computer
Check the mail again to see if all three accounts are still working with no errors. Remember, the 4th is deleted at this point, so you should not get any errors.
If there are no errors, then add your account again, the fourth one.
Restart the computer
Then check the accounts again to see if you get the error.
On the last mail account, Delete your account.
Restart the computer
Check the mail again to see if all three accounts are still working with no errors. Remember, the 4th is deleted at this point, so you should not get any errors.
If there are no errors, then add your account again, the fourth one.
Restart the computer
Then check the accounts again to see if you get the error.
ASKER
Kitekid -
Your suggestion was rather a sledgehammer to crack a nut, but helped me solve it in the end.
By deleting the offending user's profile, sure, Outlook Express reset itself and worked OK. But I lost all the settings for desktop, program preferences, etc. (I suggest you warn people about this in future).
Fortunately I had backed up the Documents and Settings, so I restored them. This caused the OE glitch to re-appear. (And I couldn't restore the message store - Inbox etc. - it's lying there as a hidden deleted folder and if you know a freeware UNDELETE utility I could make use of it).
However, by then tinkering with Outlook Express options to point it to a different Message Store folder, the glitch went away. So the problem is solved.
Thanks for all your suggestions and help, folks.
Your suggestion was rather a sledgehammer to crack a nut, but helped me solve it in the end.
By deleting the offending user's profile, sure, Outlook Express reset itself and worked OK. But I lost all the settings for desktop, program preferences, etc. (I suggest you warn people about this in future).
Fortunately I had backed up the Documents and Settings, so I restored them. This caused the OE glitch to re-appear. (And I couldn't restore the message store - Inbox etc. - it's lying there as a hidden deleted folder and if you know a freeware UNDELETE utility I could make use of it).
However, by then tinkering with Outlook Express options to point it to a different Message Store folder, the glitch went away. So the problem is solved.
Thanks for all your suggestions and help, folks.
I did not suggest on deleting the profile account on the XP ( if you look above)
I suggested to delete the account only in the Outlook Express. I would never suggest to ANYONE to just delete their profile out of XP or whatever OS you are on. I am well aware that if you delete the account, you will lose a lot of setting. I do this for a living and and apologize if you have not made myself more clear.
Please read what I have posted, I have made it clear to delete the "mail account" not the "Profile" or "Account"
Yes, if you deleted the Profile out of XP, it's like killing a flee with a shotgun.
<SNIP>
OK, then you have to delete the mail acccount and re-add it back in manually.
On the last mail account, Delete your account.
Restart the computer
Check the mail again to see if all three accounts are still working with no errors. Remember, the 4th is deleted at this point, so you should not get any errors.
If there are no errors, then add your account again, the fourth one.
Restart the computer
Then check the accounts again to see if you get the error.</SNIP>
Again, I apologize if I did not make myself clear enough.
I suggested to delete the account only in the Outlook Express. I would never suggest to ANYONE to just delete their profile out of XP or whatever OS you are on. I am well aware that if you delete the account, you will lose a lot of setting. I do this for a living and and apologize if you have not made myself more clear.
Please read what I have posted, I have made it clear to delete the "mail account" not the "Profile" or "Account"
Yes, if you deleted the Profile out of XP, it's like killing a flee with a shotgun.
<SNIP>
OK, then you have to delete the mail acccount and re-add it back in manually.
On the last mail account, Delete your account.
Restart the computer
Check the mail again to see if all three accounts are still working with no errors. Remember, the 4th is deleted at this point, so you should not get any errors.
If there are no errors, then add your account again, the fourth one.
Restart the computer
Then check the accounts again to see if you get the error.</SNIP>
Again, I apologize if I did not make myself clear enough.
OPPPS, my aplogies, I did not see who you were talking to. I thought you were taking my response.
Aplogies, I should be the one reading better.
:)
Aplogies, I should be the one reading better.
:)
I have exactly the same problem as that mentioned.
Can someone tell me the simplest way of solving the problem
Cheers
Can someone tell me the simplest way of solving the problem
Cheers
If so, make sure you are runnning service pack 2 for MSOFFICE. Here is a link that could help.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;325675
There is a plethora amount of fixes with Service Pack 2. Let me know.