Outlook 2000 has lost its brain!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Caren
  • Start date Start date
C

Caren

Hi. I've been having some odd problems with my computer
(Win ME / PIII-800 / 256M), especially with the system
tray and the registry. I've fixed (I think) most of the
registry problems thanks to Registry Mechanic. But now my
Outlook 2000 behaves as if it's just been installed in my
computer: the inbox and all the folders/messages are in
there, but when I try to start Outlook I get an error
message saying that I have to choose a workgroup or
internet only service. Any attempt to reconfigure the
services leads no where and although all my
profiles/accounts are still there I can't get to their
properties as I get an error message saying "Outlook
couldn't complete the operation. Outlook couldn't complete
the operation." (Yes twice!). Additionally, when I try to
open the help files Outlook starts attempting to reinstall
it. When I click on Cancel, it opens the help files
alright. I've tried repairing Outlook but I get the
following error message: Error 1919 - Error configuring
ODBC data source... Couldn't write to the registry."
Any ideas? I'm really desperate.
 
Hi Roady,

Thanks for replying. Will I lose any of my costumizations
and add-ons if I repair Office. I have loads of add-ons
and customized menues and templates and forms in Outlook
and a few things in Word.
 
Hi Caren,

You're welcome! :-)

No you shouldn't loose it but when you do something "drastic" like this it
is always a good practise to back things up before proceeding. Especially
backing up your pst-file which holds your mail/calender/contacts/etc data
and custom views and forms.

--
Roady
www.sparnaaij.net
Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office related News
Also Outlook FAQ, How To's, Downloads and more...

-----
 
Hi Roady

So, I tried it but after a few minutes of what looks like
installation I get the Error 1919 again ("Error 1919.
Error configuring ODBC data source: MS Access Database,
ODBC error 19: Could not write to registry. Verify that MS
Access Database exist and that you have access to it.").
If I click Retry, I get the message again. If I click
Ignore, I get an installation successful message but the
problem stays. What is the next step? Would I lose
anyhting if I Reinstall Office from that same Repair menu?

Caren

-----Original Message-----
Hi Caren,

You're welcome! :-)

No you shouldn't loose it but when you do
Click to expand...
something "drastic" like this it
is always a good practise to back things up before proceeding. Especially
backing up your pst-file which holds your
Click to expand...
mail/calender/contacts/etc data
 
Hmmm. The file you mention is still in the System folder
and it has registry entries too. And I don't remember
having come across its name in Registry Mechanic when I
run it.
This is so frustrating. OK, one thing that only just
crossed my mind: I uninstalled a couple of little programs
that check to see if there is any mail on the server (so
you don't have to open the main mail client unless you
know there is mail waiting for you) and... Pegasus Mail,
because I didn't use it. I did this after all the registry
probelms and Registry Mechanic. Could this be a problem?
If so, would it help if I download and reinstall it?
 
Alright. Have you tried to reinstall MDAC already?
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...e3-c795-4b7d-b037-185d0506396c&DisplayLang=en

Also reinstall Microsoft JET
WinXP:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...c0-3f8f-4650-b6ad-11badf3f4dab&DisplayLang=en
W2k:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...57-806a-4536-a3ec-3166f06b1cb6&DisplayLang=en
W9x:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...57-806a-4536-a3ec-3166f06b1cb6&DisplayLang=en

I hope this will end your missery
--
Roady
www.sparnaaij.net
Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office related News
Also Outlook FAQ, How To's, Downloads and more...

-----
 
I think that your best bet Roady is to uninstall
totally...reboot machine. And then reinstall office with
a fresh clean slate. You most likely will lose your
addins etc but I guess it is a matter of weighing up what
will piss you off more.

PS. Be careful of the registry. You can totally stuff
things up good and proper. Make sure you back it up
before fooling around.

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Phil
 
No, starting all over isn't really necessary if the problem is just limited
to this.

The error is just limited to ODBC so reinstalling the ODBC and JET should
work as it will add the registry keys again she deleted.
--
Roady
www.sparnaaij.net
Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office related News
Also Outlook FAQ, How To's, Downloads and more...

-----
 
Hey guys,

Actually I've tried reinstalling both, but it didn't
change a thing. I'm also getting flawed behavior from
other Office components. For instance, if I try to call a
new document from the START menu, Office attempts to
install the quick launch. I also get odd behavior in other
software, like SAM SPADE that used to work fine, but now
crashes everytime I start it. And I get RUNTIME errors
whenever I use a program that opens a new IE window, but
only if the computer has been up and running for a while.

OK. I've decided to reinstall WIN ME over itself. Do you
think that would help? And how much of my settings will I
lose if I do that? I've heard very little, but am still
wary.

Caren
 
And the (harsh) lesson you learned; always make a back-up of you registry
before you modify it :-S

Since you ran into more errors it is better indeed to start all over again.
Doing a repair/upgrade of ME shoud help and keep settings loss to a minimun.
I'm not sure ho many settings will go lost. You might want to ask that in a
Windows ME forum. I suggest you start from scratch with a format but perhaps
the the people in the Windows ME forum can advise you in that as well.

Whatever you do; make a back-up of your pst-files first or you will loose a
lot more than just some settings!

Good Luck!
--
Roady
www.sparnaaij.net
Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office related News
Also Outlook FAQ, How To's, Downloads and more...

-----
 
Thanks Roady for all the help. I think I'll go the
reinstall way with a full backup beforehand. And if that
doesn't work, then I'm moving on to XP Pro.

I'll add a post here if something miraculously goes right
here tonight :)
 
Alright. XP PRO is the better choise indeed (I actually skipped WinME on my
own system)

--
Roady
www.sparnaaij.net
Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office related News
Also Outlook FAQ, How To's, Downloads and more...

-----
 
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