Member Avatar for mickeybr

Everytime I open Outlook 2007, I get a message that says the following:

Internet Security Warning
The server you are connected to is using a security certificate that cannot be verified. The target principal name is incorrect. Do you want to continue using this server?

Here's the info on the certificate...
Issued to:
Issued by: AOL Member CA
Valid from 3/19/2009 to 3/19/2011

It says that All the intended purposes of this certificate could not be verified.

In addition I also get this message in the system tray when I bring up Outlook:
A data file did not close properly the last time it was used and is being checked for problems. Performance might be affected while the check is in progress.

When I click to continue from the certificate problem, this message goes away.

This just started happening a little over a month ago (looks around the same start date this certificate was issued for.

Thanks,
John

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by vmanes

Dani AI

Generated

Two separate problems are being reported here: a certificate/name-validation prompt at Outlook start and the “data file did not close properly” check. They often have different causes but can be triggered by the same upstream change (server/certificate changes, Outlook crashes, or an add‑in). The checklist below is ordered from quick, low‑risk checks to deeper repairs.

  1. Certificate/name warnings — quick checks and fixes
  • When the warning appears, click “View Certificate” and compare the certificate’s name(s) with the server name used in your account settings.
  • Verify the PC clock is correct; an incorrect date/time commonly breaks certificate validation.
  • Test the account via the provider’s webmail to confirm account/host behavior.
  • If the name really doesn’t match, correct the account’s server name or ask the provider to reissue a certificate for the server you connect to. Only import a CA into Trusted Roots if you absolutely trust it — do not install unknown root certificates.
  1. “Data file did not close properly” — diagnosing the file/OST/PST issue
  • Make a backup copy of your PST/OST before any repair attempt.
  • Run the Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe) against the affected file (search your hard drive for scanpst.exe).
  • Start Outlook in safe mode to see whether add‑ins are the culprit: 
    outlook.exe /safe

    If safe mode removes the problem, disable COM add‑ins one at a time to find the offender.

  • If you use an OST, try creating a new Outlook profile so Windows rebuilds the offline file. For large PSTs, move older mail to a new archive PST and compact the file.

Practical notes: try the safe‑mode/add‑in test first (as suggested) and keep the data‑file repair/profile steps in mind (related to ’s observation about file issues). Always keep a backup of mail files before repairing or importing certificates, and contact the mail provider if the server certificate still looks incorrect.

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Member Avatar for Suspishio

Have a look at your IE security settings level and see if there's a custom setting that might cause the alert you are receiving. As I'm sure you know, Outlook is closely aligned to Internet Explorer.

On the Data Files business, I have the same problem which I can't solve. I suspect it's an add-in that is mis-behaving but can't prove it without wasting a lot of time.

Maybe you have an AOL add-in. You can examine this in Outlook's Trust Centre; you can turn it off and see if the proble(s) go away.

Let us know.

Member Avatar for vmanes

Suspishio - Outlook is not tied to IE, Outlook Express is.

Mickeybr - have you accepted the optional update in Windows for Root Certificate updates? Maybe something's changed in AOL's certificate signer?

As to the Outlook data file - do you have a large store of messages? It might be possible that one of the data files is so large it's gotten corrupted. (I had similar problem in Outlook express when files get over 1GB)

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