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When MS Outlook Opens, It Always Indicates Improperly Closed Files

Whenever I open Outlook 2007 with all patches applied, it indicated that it was incorrectly closed and needs to check the integrity of its files. I recently migrated from a ThinkPad T61p to an X200T, the former with XP Pro SP3 and the latter with XP Tablet SP3. The X300T was a clean install. The problem must therefore lie with the .pst files and not the software or environment. I have run Office diagnostics with no errors found. I have also run fixpst with no effect. Outlook is noticeably slow but is stable once the file check is completed.

All ideas greatly appreciated.

John

I think you say that this problem exists on both the T61p and the X200T, but please clarify. How much memory do these systems have? Outlook 2007 needs to have a 2Gb machine. And is this Outlook running on Exchange? on as a POP system? I take All Patches as including SP2.

I am running Outlook 2007 on a T61p with Vista Business 64-bit and lots of memory. I am not having any significant issues with Outlook. .... Thinkpads_User

jd987

ASKER

3GB on both machines. All patches and SP2. Runs as POP system.

John

Thank you. Outlook 2007 is still pretty new and the error is fairly major. I would be inclined to call Microsoft support and open a case (I do myself call them and ask them to support their products, and they do).

Pete_Zed

Try uninstalling Microsoft Live OneCare (if it is installed). Also try running outlook from the command line in safe mode - outlook.exe /safe - and see if the same problem persists. If it solves the problem, check for any add ins you may have installed.

Pete_Zed

Also, the system requirements for Outlook 2007 is 256MB of RAM and 1.5GB of hard disk space or 512MB of RAM and 2GB of hard disk space for Outlook 2007 with Business Contact Manager.

John

We wen through the memory issue earlier and jd987 hsa 3Gb of RAM, and more than likely ample disk space. .... Thinkpads_User

jd987

ASKER

Upon further research I found the following MS KB article: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q197315 which indicates the the maximum limit for a .pst file is 2GB. Mine weighs 6.45GB. I infer that this may be part of the problem....? It seems surprising that Outlook would establish such a low limit. Any thoughts other that archiving or deleting mails?

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John

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jd987

ASKER

I have implemented the archiving but without any noticeable effect. Any thoughts on commercially available .pst repair utilities (there are many but I have no way of knowing if they are effective or indeed malware)? Thanks.

Pete_Zed

Did you try to uninstalling Microsoft Live OneCare?

jd987

ASKER

As far as I can see, it is not installed. Should it be? I couldn't find it in any Task Mgr processes of on "Add or Remove Programs" on Control Panel. Thx.

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Pete_Zed

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jd987

ASKER

Thanks again. I ran the Live Care removal tool but to no evident avail. Upon closer analysis, I realized that it is the Personal Folder file that is causing the problem and when I run scanpst on this file it returns, "The Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 Inbox Repair Tool does not recognize the file [path]. No information can be recovered". Outlook does ultimately open and works stably but slowly. I think I need another utility to fix the damaged file.

jd987

ASKER

I found a copy of the Personal Folder File and pasted it in place of the original one. Outlook still indicates that it wasn't closed correctly but only takes 15 or 20 seconds to start. I will continue to look for a reliable repair utility but in the meanwhile I think I have a workable temporary solution. Tks v much for the advice.

jd987

ASKER

Thanks for the advice! I'll find a permanent solution eventually.