Runtime Error When Opening Outlook 2003

Question

Whenever I try to open MS Outlook 2003, I receive the following error:

Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library

Runtime Error!

Program: C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE

This application has requested the Runtime to terminate in an unusual way. Please contact the application’s support team for more information.

It hasn't always been this way. I used to actually be able to use my Outlook. Now, I'm stuck with Outlook Express. I need my calendar back!

Anyway, this started quite awhile ago. I did a lot of research and posted the problem on some boards (including this one which yielded no response). I have tried many different things to no avail.

I have searched Microsoft's website... nothing there.

I have uninstalled my Norton Internet Security and Anti-Virus because I had been told there might be a conflict there. Outlook still did not work.

I did discover that Outlook works when I'm logged in as my husband, but not as myself. So, Outlook CAN work. However, I need it to work for ME. I work from home and run a small business as a Virtual Assistant. I need my calendar desperately.

If anyone can help me, I would greatly appreciate it. Please! Please! Please!

Thank you in advance for your help.

E~

abach · Answer

If you're using the Google toolbar,you may want to uninstall it. I've found this message in Internet Explorer and it helped. You can reinstall the Google toolbar later, even if it solves the problem

erinscobee · Answer

Thanks, but those are some other things I have tried. I have uninstalled all of those annoying toolbars.   Any other ideas? :smileyhappy:   Thanks in advance, E~

abach · Answer

Have you tried deleting the Options key for Outlook in the registry?   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Options   Make sure you backup this key before deleting it. If you need more info let me know.

erinscobee · Answer

I'm not sure I know how to do exactly what you're recommending. I've never meddled with anything in the registry (well, at least I don't think I have :smileywink:).   Can you ellaborate?   Thanks so much!   E~

abach · Answer

Try renaming C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Antispam\MSOUPLUG.DLL to MSOUPLUG.OLD   (If you have Norton)

erinscobee · Answer

Thanks for the help. I tried that. Deleting the options didn't change the problem, so I just put them back.   If you happen to think of anything else, just let me know!   I truly appreciate everything you've come up with so far! TRULY!   Have a great day.   E~

abach · Answer

Start, Run, type regedit and press Enter   In the left hand column look for HKEY_CURRENT_USER and click the plus sign. Look in the list for Software and click the plus sign to the left. Look for Microsoft, click the plus sign. Look for Office, click the plus sign. Look for Outlook click the plus sign. Look for Options, and right click. Choose Export,  Name this something like OutlookReg and save it to your desktop.   Back in the registry editor, right click the Options and select Delete, answering Yes to the question.   Start Outlook. If this does not solve the problem and you have to go back to your previous settings, close Outlook and double-click the file OutlookReg, answering Yes to the question.   Message Edited by abach on 01-09-200705:04 PM

abach · Answer

OK, let's try a command line switch   Start, Run, type the following (or just copy and paste this) there is a space before /   outlook /safe   Then press Enter.   Does Outlook start?

erinscobee · Answer

I had actually tried that one, too. I am unable to rename that file for some reason. It says Access Denied. I also think I went in another way (maybe in DOS mode? I can't remember... it was awhile ago.) I don't think that worked. If you can tell me another way to try to change the extension, I can try again and see.   I really appreciate your help. I desperately need my Outlook to work so that I can organize myself. I'm trying to ramp up my business this year and absolutely MUST be organized.   Again, thank you!   Erin

erinscobee · Answer

No. I still receive the same error message when I try opening it in safe mode.   I apologize. I know you must be frustrated. If you're not, I know I am! :smileymad:   I have searched and searched and searched and cannot seem to find a solution.   If you do happen to think of anything else, I apprecite it. If not, I honestly understand.   Thanks so much!   Erin

abach · Answer

It's all part of the software game. I do this for a living, so I've come to accept this kind of problem.   Try the /cleanpst switch. This loads the program with a clean pst file.   Start, Run, outlook /cleanpst   Let me know. Allan

erinscobee · Answer

I tried that and it allowed me to choose a profile and I received the same error. I chose different profiles and even created a new profile just to see if anything worked and I still received the same error.   You actually do this for a living? And it doesn't stress you out? You must have some incredible coping mechanism! :smileyvery-happy:   Erin

abach · Answer

Have you disabled your Notron Office plug in?

erinscobee · Answer

Yes. I turned off the Office plug in and it still doesn't work.   Erin

abach · Answer

Erin

May have found a solution (got this from another board)

Upon start up of your computer hit F8 key, select
safe mode command prompt. When command prompt comes up type CD C:\ then tap
enter, then type CD progra~1 then tap enter, then type CD common files and
tap enter, then cd syantec shared and tap enter, then cd antispam then tap
enter, then attrib -s -h -r MSOUPLUG.DLL. then tap enter, then type ren
MSOUPLUG.DLL. MSOUPLUG.OLD. then tap enter. That should change the file
name. After you get out of that and reboot you should not get that error
message anymore. I did have trouble opening anything in outlook aftter that
so I did the repair in outlook under file, open, outlook data file and just
set it back to default and renamed it and it worked perfectly after that. I
wanted to make sure I let everyone know because it has been such a hassle to
fix. You have to change the name of the file in safe mode where norton isnt
running. I

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Runtime Error When Opening Outlook 2003

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