Outlook 2003 will not start

[Blog Dog]

Hello,

I returned to my computer yesterday and went to open my Outlook 2003. It will not open and run as usual.

I receive this message:

The data file 'Personal Folders' was not closed properly. This file is being checked for problems.

The it starts checking the file(s) says may take a few minutes; quickly goes to 60 seconds then 55 seconds then 5 seconds remaining. At 5 seconds remaining it hangs up and makes my entire computer freeze up!

The only way for me to unfreeze the computer is to shut it off manually by pressing the power button.

I've done some Google searches and tried a few solutions with no positive response. I have since changed the OUTCMD.DAT file name and tried again... No luck!

Can anyone here provide me with a solution? I so NEED to get into my Outlook 2003 to check e mail and have access to the e mails within that program!

Thanking you in advance for your help/cooperation!
Blog Dog

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

[Suspishio]

Did your PST file reach the 2GB limit? If it did, SCANPST.EXE might save what it can, but some will be lost. Read up on SCANPST carefully as it sometimes doesn't produce the expected result (not so in my case, I'm happy to say).

Outlook 2007 lets you set up a 20GB PST space, btw. I hoe that 2GB issue is what happened to you because it's well understood.

In the meantime, can you not get e-mails via some form of web-mail? Like with MSN & Hotmail?

[Blog Dog]

I am not finding any success with the above...

I thought I was more computer literate then I guess I am. I read a few things on the web but have not been able to compress the file...

Might you be able to point me in the right direction as for instructions?

Thank you!!!

[Suspishio]

In Windows Explorer search for *.pst.

If such a file is found (which it ought to be) and it is 2GB size, then that's your problem.

Another possibility is that yoou've got one or more add-ins associated with Outlook and one of them was actively working when you thought you had closed Outlook and then switched off the PC. That would corrupt the PST file.

[Blog Dog]

Not sure what it is...

I do have an iPhone that ever since I've started using it I have been having trouble with my Outlook calendar. I have also been having to ctrl alt del and then shut Outlook down manually for some time. Otherwise I will not receive e mails to my phone because it is running in the background on my home computer. I've been doing this for nearly a year, maybe longer, never a problem until now.

I will be VERY happy to send someone that can "walk me through this" and resolve the problem a $20.00 Amazon gift certificate!

I am at the end of my rope and hope I am not doing more damage then help with the things I am trying!

[tiger86]

I have researched your issue and found a tool that will do its best to retrieve what it can from the corrupted pst file. If you did go over your 2 gig limit (which is what it sounds like from what you described and what I just read) than this program is your only hope and than after running this you mayhave to run another repair program which I will post after you post how this works for you http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=B33B1DFF-6F50-411D-BBDF-82019DDA602E&displaylang=en&displaylang=en

You can also use this tool that microsoft made to try to recover your info here is the link to download it http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=B33B1DFF-6F50-411D-BBDF-82019DDA602E&displaylang=en oh and here is the microsoft guide for this issue which has step by step instructions http://support.microsoft.com/kb/296088 I really hope this helps you! Please use my advice at your own risk! I am not liable for anything that may happen from the links or info I have provided.

[Suspishio]

[QUOTE=Blog Dog;765555]......I will be VERY happy to send someone that can "walk me through this" and resolve the problem a $20.00 Amazon gift certificate! .....QUOTE]

You can keep your $20 certificate - we do this for free 'cos one day it'll be my turn to need help.

But, you're ignoring what you've been recommended to do. There's nothing simpler than using Windows Explorer and via the Search menu item, supply te detail *.pst.

Then Windows will find the PST file(s) and report the size which you can then tell us. We can proceed from there.

So, please get on with it!

[Blog Dog]

Hello and thank you all,

I apologize I have not been home to try the above solutions. I will try them now (very soon) and report back the results!

Let's hope this works!

Thanks again!

[Blog Dog]

I've attached a screen shot of the files that are in my Outlook folder.

The top file named "oldone" is a dat file that I renamed. It was originally "outcmd.dat" I believe.

Thought you may find this helpful before I try the suggestions above.

Thanks,
BD

[Suspishio]

Nah - no use at all! The PST file is what matters at the moment.

[tiger86]

I wouldn't be changing .dat files the PST is what matters (I know that was already said) but I really want to enforce not to play around with the .dat files since the pst is the true problem. And yeah we do this for free we are just geeks who like to help each other cause we don't know everything (who does?) and we need help sometimes to. This is just a free help area by IT who are usually real friendly.

[Blog Dog]

Hello,

I did a search of pst on my hard drive and did not find any files of that type. Please see attached and the second screen shot.

Maybe this is my problem?

Should I create a pst file? If yes, what should I name it and where should I put it?

This has made me remember that recently when I started Outlook it did ask if I wanted to compress to free up space. Sounded like a simple suggestion and I always clicked no. Had I known there was a 2G limit I would have clicked to compress!

If there is a way you would like me to sort the search results and send another screen shot I will be happy to if you think it would be helpful to see...

THANKS!
BD

[tiger86]

Do not create a PST file what you need to do is go to search and type in *.pst that will show all the PST files on your computer. Then use the advice given above at your own discression.

[Blog Dog]

I have done that and no pst files are found.

pst is a file type, yes?

[tiger86]

use this support page by microsoft about this issue http://support.microsoft.com/kb/296088

[Blog Dog]

Attached is a screen shot of the results from *.pst search results.

Unfortunately before when I searched I only typed in pst and omitted the star and dot.

Three files were found, none are named pst and they are all office data files. Are one of these what I am looking for?

Again, I thank you for your patience and help!

BD

[tiger86]

just a guess so take the following with a grain of salt but the file named out look thats over 800,000 kilobytes probably is the file. just go to the link that I keep posting the microsoft support page they lead you through step by step on how to fix this issue.

[Blog Dog]

That solution will not work. The file size I am trying to truncate is too small. Please see error message attached.

:(

I am losing my mind over this...

[tiger86]

Use my suggestions at your own risk! I can't think of what to do so I would save the file somewhere like another drive or something and delete outlook and reinstall it and then put the file back in the exact area. I have no clue if this will work or cause any problems it is just one of my crazy ideas so use it at your own discression and I am not liable for anything that may happen.

[Blog Dog]

Of course, I would never hold you or anyone on here liable; I am just trying to find a solution. I guess you write that because in today's litigious society it's necessary.

I may try your last suggestion tomorrow morning when I have a little more energy and patience.

Thanks again!

If you or someone else may have a suggestion please post and I will check first thing in the morning.

THANK YOU ALL!
BD