Outlook 2003 Contacts Folder doesn't work

[Guest]

MS XP Pro OS, MS Office 2003

I have had the same problem as many people out there... and noone has yet
fully answered my question. I went to the article
(http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;287563&Product=ol2002) recommended by others and found that it didn't fully answer my question.

I cannot view contacts folders. My contacts are there but I just cannot view
the folder. I tried to add a new contacts folder but it wouldn't view that
one either. When I click on the contacts button (quick link), both folders
appear and all my contacts, however I cannot view the folder in my folder
view... AND I cannot access them when sending emails (from the To field)...

What can I possibly do?

I have a feeling this has something to do with unicode compatibility??

 

[Pat Garard]

G'Day Rob,

I am very confused because Outlook 2003 works perfectly for
me AND you are using terms of whose meaning I am unclear.

...When I click on the contacts button (quick link), both folders
appear and all my contacts, however I cannot view the folder in...

Do you mean the "Contacts" button on the Navigation Pane - the
left hand 'slice' of the Outlook Window?

If you do, and after you have clicked on it, -
What appears in the upper half of the Navigation Pane?
(It should be "Contacts", followed by a list of Views)
What appears in the Main Window (the big 'slice' at the right)?
(It should be your Contacts shown according to the selected View)

cannot view the folder in my folder view...

If you click on the "Folder View" button in the Navigation Pane
What appears in the upper half of the Navigation Pane?
(It should show ALL folders - Calendar, Contacts, Deleted Items,
Drafts, Inbox, Journal, Junk E-mail, Notes, Outbox, Sent Items,
Tasks AND Search Folders.)
Do you see a Contacts Folder?
(You should)
If you click on it, what appears in the Main Window?
(There should be a list of Contacts in some View.)

IF any of the above is SUSPICIOUS THEN
Please close Outlook. In Windows Explorer, navigate to:
C:\Documents and Settings
\<UserName>
\Application Data
\Microsoft
\Outlook\
Locate and DELETE the file named: "Outlook.xml"
This will NOT cause harm - it will 'reset' the Navigation Pane.

Start Outlook (it will recreate Outlook.xml) and work through
the above issues again.
ELSE
Continue below
END IF

I tried to add a new contacts folder ...

Where? How? Why? Delete it!

AND I cannot access them when sending emails (from the To field)...

View the Folder List
Right-Click on "Contacts"
Click "Properties"
Select the "Outlook Address Book" tab
Check "Show this folder as an e-mail Address Book"

If I have missed the point, then please explain your issue again -
Clearly and Carefully.