Outlook 2003 fails to start in W7/64 after reinstall

skygodtj · 14 Apr 2010

I had to replace my mobo and reinstall Win7/64bit.. it worked with the previous mobo w/64bit install, but reloading it now, Outlook wont start.. Access, Excel, PowerPoint and Word load and work fine.. just cant get Outlook to start up. I did get to the email setup point, and tests server settings, but it utterly refuses to get past loading to retrieve mail(or even import my old .pst file).

Uninstalling/reinstalling didnt get it working.. Compatability mode for XP or Vista wont fix it either.. Strange.. it worked for one install, but not the reinstall..

Hardware change is the only thing I can think of.. changed from an ECS PM900-T board, 2.5GB RAM to an MSI G31TM-P21 board, 4GB RAM, both had 64bit 7 HomePrem loaded.

Anyone else had this problem, tho I guess everyone else is running Office2007..

TJ

z3r010 · 14 Apr 2010

Have you tried running it in outlook safemode - Using Outlook's Safe mode

skygodtj · 14 Apr 2010

Wont start in SafeMode either..

alphanumeric · 17 Apr 2010

I'm using office 2003 on my 7x64 system and haven't had that problem. One option would be to un-install office and then download and run the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility. Then try installing one more time. There is a detect and repair option in the help menu but you have to actually get outlook to run to use it.
Also have a look at this: Using Command lines
I'd try the /cleanprofile or /cleanpst. you might get lucky

tw33k · 17 Apr 2010

try this: Start-> type: outlook.exe /resetnavpane

skygodtj · 18 Apr 2010

Thanks guys, I actually got it going today.. AN, I did a version of your fix.. I did run Office Installer Cleanup, then (re)ran MSUpdate.. It found a KB patch that fixed it.. Office starts up, runs fine now..

I had a second problem appear, but with an easy fix.. I tried to import my old Outlook.pst file to get everything back but it kept telling me "unknown error, restart Office"... raats..., I thot it might be because the old .pst file was created under a 32bit file system and I was trying to import it into a 64bit FS.. wouldnt take it.... so I tried just copying the old .pst into the new Outlook folder, replacing the new .pst with the old one, and it worked perfectly.. got my old folders and email back.. so I'm all fixed up.. thanks again for your help..

One interesting note.. Outlook wont keep the preview in Over/Under format.. I set it over/under, exit and when I go back into Outlook, the preview pane is side-by-side.. happens every time..

TJ

alphanumeric · 18 Apr 2010

I've imported my PST file into outlook 2003 on my 7x64 PC from my XP Pro x86 office 2003 install with no problems. The only glitch I've ever had is importing rules setup on office 2007 into office 2003. I couldn't edit any of them in outlook 2003 and ended up having to use the /cleanrules switch to start over. Now that you can get into outlook try the detect and repair option in the help menu.