Outlook 2003 Hangs Up when starting MS Word as YOur E-mail Editor

[Renob]

Out of the blue I got this problem where Outlook locks up when either trying
to reply to or forward an e-mail message. If I do not choose to use MS Word
as the e-mail editor, Outlook seems to work OK. Also, after using Task
Manager to close a non-responding Outlook, when I go to start Outlook again,
I get a message that the PST file wasn't closed properly and is being
checked. I am clueless at this point as to what is going on with Outlook on
my machine. Anyone with a solution, I'll take it. Thanks!

 

[Bob I]

Does Word operate properly on it's own? Have you tried doing Help,
Detect and Repair. You may have to delete the NORMAL.DOT file.

 

[Renob]

Bob I - thanks for the reply. Word operates OK on its own. I have not
noticed any issues with Word. I apologize for being ignorant but I have no
idea what a NORMAL.DOT file is/does or where it is located. Any help you can
provide will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[Bob I]

I'd start with Help, Detect and Repair first, then if problems still
occur Do a Windows Find files and look in Hidden and System folders also.

 

[Renob]

Bob I - Thanks again. I will give this a try and will let you know how it
goes. I do have one more question - what is the purpose of the NORMAL.DOT
file? Thanks!

 

[Bob I]

That is the Word template that keeps all you default Word settings.

 

[Renob]

Bob I - If I delete the NORMAL.DOT file, will Word automatically create a new
one to replace the one I deleted? Thanks!

 

[Bob I]

Yes it does.

 

[Renob]

Bob I - I ran the Detect & Repair first as recommended. I got an error
message regarding "Office Source Engine" not being enabled. I fixed that and
ran the Detect & Repair. I then tried Outlook with MS Word as the editor and
it seems to be working. I never received any kind of error message or report
from running Detect & Repair so I have no idea what if anything was found to
wrong. I am jsut a bit curious as to why Outlook developed the problem
seemingly all by itself. If you have any answers/clues I would like to hear
them. If not, thank you for help in getting this issue resolved!!

 

[Bob I]

That's why they call it "soft"ware. <big grin> No idea why it broke,
something gets stuck in it's craw and it spits a couple times and then
it dies. Some days I find it amazing it works at all. Anyway, glad
you're are back in business! And have a great day.