Unable to start processing services. Could not open items. Try again.

[James]

Error encountered when I installed Microsoft professional
XP 2002. The word works fine and so does the Powerpoint
and Access. The outlook 2002 is just not happening. I
can read messages from my hotmail accounts but I can not
add any more accounts that will download messages ie
school server.

This is my situation:
1. New HP ze4805us
2. Laptop came with a packaged Trial 2003 Office Software
which I uninstalled
3. Laptop came with microsoft works which I promptly also
uninstalled.
4. Installed SP2 and other upgrades.
5. After those steps I installed 2002 Professional
complete and Activated it and Upgraded it.
6. After setting up email accounts (done correctly--how
can I mess up hotmail accounts), I loaded up outlook with
the result "Unable to start processing services. Could
not open items. Try again."
7. I uninstalled the whole professional package and then
reinstalled it and upgraded it.
8. Loaded up outlook with the same greco-tragic
result "Unable to start processing services. Could not
open items. Try again."

Any help out there? Sorry about the long post but I just
wanted someone to know what I was in. Thanks

James