Contact/Area Code Phone Properties

[Corren]

Outlook does not read the WinXP Area Code rule, which is set up
correctly. Checked with a friend to compare the Rule, they are
identical, his masking works, however. When I enter a new contact
number -2223333- it does not appear as it used to as (902) 222-3333.
When I double click on the number a Check Phone Number window pops up
and Country and City/Area Code entries are blank. I disabled all
add-ons but no change. Tried solutions offered in the forum and
Microsoft site but without success.
What else can I do to get the proper masking back?
Thank you.

Corren

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

This is not an Outlook issue.
You need to set your default dialing location correctly for your operating
system.

 

[Corren]

Thank you, you have told that to me and others before. I can assure you
that my Windows XP Area Code settings are correct. Its not Outlook, not
Phone Settings, so what could it be?
Thank you.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

No idea.
Your situation is not reproducible.
Start by stating how you set your default dialing location.

 

[Corren]

First, as you suggested before, in Outlook 2003 Contacts, by going into
a Actions/Call Contacts/New Call/Dialing Properties. Setting up a New
Location (Home), and in the new window filling the Country (Canada) and
my Area Code (902). Nothing else is selected on that page except Tone.
The second Tab (Area Code Rule) is not filled in, the Calling Card is
set to None. Clicking Apply couple of times brings me back to the New
Call window, where I click OK, which brings me back in Outlook
Contacts. Restart Windows.
Second, when the above did not work, I did the same from within Control
Panel.
I do not know for sure, but when the masking worked properly I think I
had some Initiation String in the Modem setup. It is not there anymore
and I don't remember what it was nor where did I find it. It probably
has no relevance to the issue, but that is the only change I can think
of, apart from WinXP and MS Office patches.
Thank you.
Corren

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

This setting should be made in Control Panel > Phone and modems...
When you do, does the correct Area Code setting persist?
Does your modem appear correctly there?
This is a telephony issue, not an Outlook issue.

 

[Corren]

Thank you. OK it is not Outlook issue.
Checked MS Help, did Phone & Modem settings in Control Panel, both show
Canada as the Country. No resolution so I removed the modem and did a
new installation and new Phone settings. No change. A friend has
identical settings without the problem I have. Something else must be
interfering with the Phone settings.
Thank you

Corren

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Not quite sure what you've said.
Are you saying you cannot set a default dialing location for your operating
system?

 

[Corren]

Yes I can and I did set it up in Control Panel exactly the same way
another friend did.
Thanks.

 

[Corren]

Further to the above. You (Russ Valentine) have repeatedly stressed
that Area Code problems are not Outlook problems but WinXP.
In searching other groups I came across your reply referring to this
document
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q318575
At the end I found the following:
"Note that programs that store numbers, such as Microsoft Outlook, try
to intelligently convert random strings of digits into canonical
numbers before storing them in the Contacts folder."
And that is exactly my problem, Outlook does not do this intelligently
or otherwise. What might enterfere in Outlook's reading of the Area
Code rules and the translation into the cannonical format?
When I enter a phone number (just seven digits) in the Contact and
double click on it, a small window pops up with Area Code, Country
empty, even though these are in the Windows setup.
Thank you.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Please answer my question.
Does your default area code appear correctly in Control Panel, Phone and
modems and if so, does it persist on reboot?
The only time I've ever seen an Outlook setting that will affect this is if
the line type for the modem is set incorrectly in Outlook. How that should
be set is still a telephony question, but you might look to see if it
matches the specifications from your modem manufacturer.

 

[Corren]

Yes it does on both counts.
When I enter a new Contact and fill in the local phone number as seven
consecutive numbers and double click on it a window comes up. Both
Country and City fields are empty and the number is as entered, seven
consecutive numbers.
I do not understand is "if the line type for the modem is set
incorrectly in Outlook".
Where does one set it?
thanks.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Look in Outlook's dialing options:
Contacts > Actions > Call Contact... > New call...

 

[Corren]

I have no "Line Type" option in Actions/Call Contact/New Call..

In Dialing Options there are
Dialing Properties which show Dialing Rules and
Line Properties of my AOpen FM56-SV modem, which brings up the details
of the modem settings.

Corren

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Make sure those setting match what your modem manufacturer specifies. Beyond
that, I cannot solve a telephony issue.

 

[George Galamba]

For what it is worth, I am having the EXACT same problem. In outlook 2000,
area code was automatically entered in parentheses, and a hyphen was entered
between third and fourth digits (eg, I enter 7572299, Outlook converts to
"(530) 757-2299") I have made all suggested corrections in control
panal/phone and modem. Have also done same as suggested in Outlook 2003.
Nothing works. This IS an Outlook problem. Does any generous reader have a
fix?

Make sure those setting match what your modem manufacturer specifies. Beyond
that, I cannot solve a telephony issue.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I have no "Line Type" option in Actions/Call Contact/New Call..

In Dialing Options there are
Dialing Properties which show Dialing Rules and
Line Properties of my AOpen FM56-SV modem, which brings up the details
of the modem settings.

Corren