Address book problem
BAZ
displayed is: There are no contacts to display. Click on Contacts to
create a new contact. There is no Contacts button - only Addresses ...
and when I clicked on that, I get nothing. I.e., there seems to be no
address list.
I tried to re-import the address book and got an OK but nothing had
changed.
I decided to go to some old saved email and right-clicked and selected
"Add sender to address book." The response I got was: The contact is
already in your address book.
What gives?
I can send mail to anyone using their name (i.e., David) - but I just
can't see the address list.
I did a System Restore to yesterday (when all was well), but nothing
changed.
It's almost as though my address book is not readable by Outlook
Express. Believe me, it is THERE!
Thanks for any help. I really hope it is not necessary to reinstall
Internet Explorer!
BAZ
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE
news:1153407849....@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
If you open the Address Book are the contacts there?
If the Address Book has more than 999 contacts the contact pane will be
blank.
--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM
Reply in newsgroup
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve
neither liberty or security"
BAZ
As I said, when I click on Addresses (part of the tool bar) to open the
address book, nothing is displayed.
Besides, I would guess that I have only about 20 contacts.
If you read my mail carefully, the address book does exist because I
can use it; i.e., send someone an email using their nickname.
BAZ
Ken
Desktop | Start | Programs | Accessories | Address Book.
Does the address book display?
Ken
"BAZ" <bonnie...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1153407849....@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
Jim Pickering
updates for your system that are marked as Critical? Since you post via
Google, we have no way to determine the version number of Outlook Express
you are using nor how badly outdated it may be. Care to help us with that,
along with the operating system you are using?
--
Jim Pickering
MVP-Outlook Express/Windows Mail
Please reply to newsgroup only so that others may be helped with your
feedback.
"BAZ" <bonnie...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1153420203....@p79g2000cwp.googlegroups.com...
BAZ
circle and a white X within and an OK button.
So - no, there is no way I can look at the address book.
BAZ
Jim Pickering ... I get automatic updates. I just did the very latest
and even pulled the plug on my computer before re-booting.
No change!
HEY - the thing I did notice this morning was that I was not able to
boot my computer without going through about a half hour of disk and
free space checking. There were some corrections made. This is rare for
me.
So - something must have gotten royally messed up!
If I must re-install something, I would like it to be a minimal effort.
Currently, I think a re-install would be difficult because I have the
latest updates.
BAZ
BAZ
I now notice that each time I shut down Outlook Express and then bring
it back up I get that message that Outlook did not shut down correctly
last time.
I am not sure when this started... probably after I did the latest
Microsoft update.
My computer is screwed (excuse the French).
But - you'd think there would be a way to repair Outlook Express
without messing up anything else!
Thanks so much for your suggestions.
BAZ (Bonnie)
Jim Pickering
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917288/
The not shut down correctly is usually the result of not compacting the
message store. When did you last compact all folders in Outlook Express?
--
Jim Pickering
MVP-Outlook Express/Windows Mail
Please reply to newsgroup only so that others may be helped with your
feedback.
"BAZ" <bonnie...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1153433276....@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
BAZ
It is amazing. I recently compacted my Outlook Express folders for the
first time (I got a message and they said it would help to save space).
So... maybe Outlook is not able to read the stuff that it previously
compacted. Who knows?
Perhaps I should uncompact! Is there a way to do this?
I truly believe that something was corrupted on my computer - or else I
wouldn't have had to go through all I went through this morning during
reboot.
I just got out an old XP disc and reinstalled Outlook Express - which
did nothing.
BTW, I then tried to reinstall Microsoft WIndows and all kinds of weird
things happened - like I got Outlook 2000!?!?!?
I decided to remove those files by removing Office 2000 Premium via
Control Panel/ Add or Remove Programs (a big mistake I now realize) and
therefore lost Excel!
So I just now did another System Restore to about a week ago and all is
well except that I have just the one problem that I began with... the
inability to view my address book - even though it is there (i.e., I
can use it by identifying names of friends).
What a miserable day this has been!
Bonnie
Jim Pickering
article:
How to Reinstall or Repair Outlook Express in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q318378
Before doing a compact operation, try in Outlook Express, clicking on the
Menu, File/Work Offline (so that the compacting is not interuppted by
polling for messages) and then select File/Folders/Compact All Folders and
wait for it to complete before doing anything else. Outlook Express'
message stores are extremely fragile and prone to corruption, particularly
if you are using email scanning for viruses or spam. For more info on that,
see this article:
The Other E-Mail Threat: File Corruption in Outlook Express:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/IE/community/columns/filecorruption.mspx
And lastly, there is no ability to "uncompact" since compacting only
reclaims the wasted space that has been taken up by messages you've deleted.
All databases need to be compacted on a regular basis to ensure they
function correctly and quickly. And I hope you read the info at the link I
earlier posted:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917288/
--
Jim Pickering
MVP-Outlook Express/Windows Mail
Please reply to newsgroup only so that others may be helped with your
feedback.
"BAZ" <bonnie...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1153435445.1...@s13g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
BAZ
In the link you earlier supplied, I tried to follow all of the
instructions (copying the address book and .wab file to the desktop,
etc.) When I tried the step:
4. At the command prompt, type the following:
Del "C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application
Data\Microsoft\Address Book\<user>.*"
I get a message the Windows can't find Del.
I've just about given up. I've tried to delete those files and then
import the saved address book and I still have the original problem.
I've also tried uninstalling and then reinstalling Outlook Express -
with no improvement.
Again, the addess book is there because I can use it. I just can't view
it. When I right-click on an email that has been sent by someone who is
in the address book and select "Add Sender to Address Book" it knows
that the contact is already in the book. I can't seem to add a new
contact to the book in this manner.
BAZ
BAZ
I would be happy to lose my address book.
You would think that I could save the address book and .wab file,
uninstall and then re-install Outlook Express and have a valid empty
address book.
I can easily re-enter contacts using old email that I have saved.
Is there any way to do that?
BAZ
Ken
With address book closed and I go to where the WAB file is stored on my
computer, remove it, then start address book a new blank WAB file is
created.
Ken.
PS: the address book can be accessed two ways, one via Outlook Express, the
other by choosing Start on the desktop, then select Programs, on it's
expanding menu select Accessories, on it's expanding menu choose Address
Book.
"BAZ" <bonnie...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1153585444.7...@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Jim Pickering
To open the registry editor, click Start/Run and type: regedit
\HKEY_CURRENT_USER
\Software
\Microsoft
\WAB
\WAB4
\Wab File Name
Is the file shown at that location the one you are having difficulty using?
Do you have multiple identities created in Outlook Express? Do you have
Outlook (which is a component of Microsoft Office) installed on this
computer?
What happens if you click Start/Run and type: wab /a
Can you then read the contacts in the Address Book?
--
Jim Pickering
MVP-Outlook Express/Windows Mail
Please reply to newsgroup only so that others may be helped with your
feedback.
"BAZ" <bonnie...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1153573702.9...@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
Ken
Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book
Application Data folder is hidden on Windows XP, to view hidden files and
folders, Open My Documents | choose Tools | on it's menu choose Folder
Options. In the Folder Options dialog window select the View tab, tick
"Show hidden files and folders", click OK.
Folder Options can also be found in the Control Panel.
Hope this helps,
Ken
"Ken" <Pleas...@NewsGroup.Thanks> wrote in message
news:%23FOjf3a...@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
BAZ
As I mentioned before, I know where the address book and .wab files are
and I know how to access the addess book. Unfortunately, when I do any
of the things you suggest (and I am sure this was already discussed on
this thread), I cannot access the address book.
I also was easily able to find my messages and stored them on CD-ROM
for safe keeping while I am mucking around with stuff.
Thanks!
Ken
With the address book closed, did you go to the .wab location and remove it?
then open address book, a new .wab should be created.
Ken
"BAZ" <bonnie...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1153666918.1...@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
BAZ
When I check the registry, the file path is looks correct: C:\Documents
and Settings\BONNIE.USER-blahblah\Application Data\Microsoft\Address
Book
I assume that this is the address book that is being used by Outlook
Express (correct?) - and so it is the one I am having difficulty using.
Funny when I go to Outlook Express and prepare to import the address
book I notice that that address book is stored in a different location:
C:\Documents and Settings\Bonnie\Application Data\Micrsoft\Address Book
They appear to be the same... same size. Ditto with the .wab file.
I don't know what you mean about having multiple identities created in
Outlook Express so I can't answer that question.
There is currently an Outlook shortcut on my desktop. Don't know when
this arrived! It appears something else is now amiss because when I try
to click on Word, I am told to insert a Microsost Office 2000 Premium
disk - which I do not have (and never had).
I actually think I may have screwed things up when I was trying to
uninstall and re-install Outlook Express.
When I look at Add/Remove I see that Microsoft Office 2000 Premium is
installed.
But, I was only dealing with Add/Remove Windows Components ... so I
don't know how Outlook showed up - and how I can no longer use Word!
When I click Start/Run and type: wab /a I get that same tiny pop-up
which has a red circle and a white X within and an OK on the bottom.
I've seen this before. No - I sure can't read the address book this
way.
Would you suggest that I remove the Address Book folder (the one
specified in the registry) and then uninstall and re-install Outlook
Express? I think that what I tried to do previously was remove the
wrong address book (i.e., the one under Bonnie and not
BONNIE.USER-blahblah).
I'm ready to lug this computer back to PC Warehouse. I was there
recently (to have a CD-ROM burner/ DVD reader installed and have had
several problems ever since - the major one being that if I removed
power and later started up the computer, I would get a message saying
that there were CMOS problems and I had the choice of either hitting F1
to accept default settings and continue or else hitting F2 to change
the settings. I, of course, hit F1 to continue and lo and behold, my
date and time were back to June, 2002 when I first bought the computer.
I was able to change the date without a problem - but then had other
weird side effects - like a message that my software was illegal!
PC Warehouse re-installed Windows XP from scratch - but then it took me
the rest of the day to reinstall all of the programs I needed -
starting with my Verizon DSL software and ending with Adobe Acrobat
Reader.
The problem is that now the same thing is happening - and that is when
I believe Outlook Express went nuts - although I am not getting the
illegal software version message.
Anyway, can I easily remove the address book and uninstall then
reinstall Outlook Express?
BAZ
--
Jim Pickering
MVP-Outlook Express/Windows Mail
Please reply to newsgroup only so that others may be helped with your
feedback.
Ken
Your troubles are beyond my capabilities, will monitor to see how they are
resolved.
Thanks for your reply.
Ken
"BAZ" <bonnie...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1153669483....@s13g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
BAZ
I hope I see that I sent you a message... but it is buried above ...
with all of the previous messages beng displayed!
BAZ
Jim Pickering
Do a file search for any file ending with [ WA* ] w/o the brackets. If you
find several, double click on each one until you find one that has the
contacts you need and write down it's file location. Then open Windows
Explorer (WinKey+E) and navigate to that location and right click on the WAB
file and select Copy [to copy it to the clipboard]. Now navigate in Windows
Explorer to your root drive [ C:\ ] and right click on a blank spot in the
right hand pane of the Explorer window and select Paste. This will place a
copy of the desired address book on the root drive.
Now, still with Outlook Express closed, open the registry editor to the WAB
file path:
\HKEY_CURRENT_USER
\Software
\Microsoft
\WAB
\WAB4
\Wab File Name
and in the right hand pane, clear the existing entry and insert in its place
"C:\nameoffile.WAB" [substituting in place of nameoffile for the actual name
of the file you moved]. Exit the registry editor and reboot. Now open
Outlook Express and see if the address book is working correctly.
As for your problem with Word/Office/Outlook, if you have never installed
Microsoft Office, how did you get a copy of Word? Was it installed from
some other application program? If so, you may have to find that older CD
and run a repair installation, but to get advice concerning that, I'd
suggest posting to whatever newsgroup is appropriate for the program you
installed that gave you Word.
Good luck and let us know the results.
--
Jim Pickering
MVP-Outlook Express/Windows Mail
Please reply to newsgroup only so that others may be helped with your
feedback.
"BAZ" <bonnie...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1153674331.1...@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
BAZ
I will try your suggestion after I return home from dinner.
The only way I had word and excel was that it was installed when I
purchased my very first computer. I don't think I ever received a CD
for that. Actually, those two programs may have been installed again by
PC Warehouse when I got my second computer... I did not have to pay a
bundle for the CD. Sure wish I had one now!
I don't recall copying either executable and moving them myself (when I
got the second computer). But I may have.
Anyway, I don't recall seeing the Outlook shortcut on my desktop until
recently - and I can tell you that I used Word several times last week.
So ... who knows what happened there!
The one thing I did notice was that when I use Add/Remove programs it
is kind of a useless operation if the Outlook Express version you have
is corrupted. I went offline and was able to remove Outlook Express and
then re-install it - so the re-installed version must just be the
original version stored on my hard drive.
What I did try to do was uninstall Outlook Express and then go on-line
and reinstall Internet Explorer, SP2 - but that seemed to cause worse
problems.
At that point I was not even able to create and send messages! But that
might have been because I removed the appropriate addess book before
doing the uninstall.
I had to do a System Restore to yesterday to get back to where I now
am. I can now use Excel, but not Word. I can send/receive messages -
but I cannot access the addess book. Back to ground zero.
But still - the major problem is what happens when I shut down the
computer and remove power. All of that weird CMOS stuff comes up when I
reboot and my date is set back to 2002!
I didn't realize they still used batteries to save critical information
and I am shocked that I've had two such incidents so soon after they
installed the new CD-ROM burner, etc.
I mean - what can kill a battery so quickly?
Thanks for all of your time and suggestions.
BAZ
Jim Pickering
indicative of a failed or failing battery. If you feel comfortable opening
the computer case, it's not that difficult to find and replace the battery
which in most cases resembles a large hearing aid type battery, i.e., flat
and about the size of a dime.
--
Jim Pickering
MVP-Outlook Express/Windows Mail
Please reply to newsgroup only so that others may be helped with your
feedback.
"BAZ" <bonnie...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1153680705.2...@75g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
BAZ
.wab file. Copied it to C:\.
BTW, when I double clicked on the found .wab file I had to specify that
I wanted to use notepad to open the file ... and I could see my
contacts therein.
I then opened the registry and made the modification. I had to specify
modify - then I modified only the data... which now looks like
C:\BONNIE.wab (not .wab~). I then exited the registry editor and
rebooted.
Before opening Outlook Expess, I actually did another regedit and
confirmed that the right address was there.
I finally opened Outlook Express and nothing had changed.
Surprise - I then went back and did another regedit and the entry had
reverted to what was there originally: C:\Documents and
Settings\BONNIE.USER-blahblah\Application Data\Microsoft\Address
Book\BONNIE.wab.
MAGIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You haven't commented about the fact that my Outlook Express Import
file (the address where another .wab file is located were I to execute
the import - which I DID NOT) is another location... the same as the
above .wab address but with Bonnie instead of BONNIE.USER-blahblah
after Documents and Settings.
I am pretty sure my computer guy was trying to save stuff - like my
address book when reloading XP from scratch (to fix the previous
problem).
But - it is the Registry that dictates which address book is used,
right?
I am pretty convinced that it is Outlook Express that is corrupted, not
the address file.
As I said in a previous mail, the Add/Remove program under Control
Panel seems useless because I can uninstall and then re-install Outlook
Express while working off-line. That seems to me that I am just
re-installing the same corrupted version of Outlook Express?!?!?
It seems that the best idea is to uninstall Outlook Express (and
Internet Explorer) and then re-install from the microsoft site.
When I read this article you sent:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q318378
and then clicked on the XP SP2 install:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/default.mspx
all it seemed to do is check for any updates which I didn't already
have... and these were two updates that I seem to have downloaded
previously. There is no attempt to download Internet Explorer (and
therefore Outlook Express).
When I am trying to do is to simply download Internet Explorer after
removing it (using Add/Remove Programs).
Nothing seems easy.
BAZ
BAZ
I'm not comfortable doing this - (and yes, the computer is 4 years
old... remember it keeps reverting back to 2002 if I remove power?)...
but the important question to me is why the battery went ka-pooey twice
shortly after this guy installed a new CD-ROM burner and DVD reader
combo?
Is there something that can stress the battery?
Dumb question.
Apparently, I have to return to him for the battery replacement - but
you'd think I could get Outlook Express to work!
Thanks again,
BAZ
BAZ
I just went back to look at some of my old Sysem Restore points and I
see activity I don't understand. Starting in June, I have been having
periodic (at all hours) Software Distribution Service 2.0.
installations?!?!? On July 20, it happened twice, once at 1:12 AM and
once again at 4:21 AM. Believe me, I am an early to bed person - but
not quite so early to rise. Apparently, it also happened twice on
Friday and twice on Saturday and twice today ... mostly at hours when I
would be sound asleep.
I then googled and found this article:
>>>I woke up yesterday morning and was unable to access either my Hotmail or Yahoo Mail accounts. I'm able to get to the login page for both, but when I enter my login/pass I get the "Page Cannot Be Displayed" message. Otherwise, I seem to be able to access all other sites.
I checked system restore and noticed that a "Software Distribution
Service 2.0" had been installed at 3:00 am the previous night. I did a
SR to before its installation and everything seemed to work fine. I was
able to login to Hotmail and Yahoo Mail perfectly.
However, it is happening every night at 3:00 am. The same update is
being installed and the same problem occurs the next morning. I'd like
to find a fix for this that doesn't involve doing a SR every
morning.<<<
I don't know what I will lose, but I may try to go back and to another
system restore - before the first June Software Distribution Service
2.0.
I also see that on July 16th, it was PC Warehouse that installed
Microsoft Office 2000 Premium - the last thing I needed!
Wish me luck with my latest SR.
And someone suggested to turn off the automatic updates if this Sotware
Distribution Service 2.0 is indeed causing me problems!
BAZ
Jim Pickering
computer serviced. CMOS batteries can wear out in a very short period of
time for some users and can last for years for others. Since there is no
way of knowing how long the battery may have been sitting on a shelf
somewhere before it found its way to your computer, you can't predict how
long it will last.
Some computer shops install software that may/may not be completely legal.
They often do this for diagnosis and then fail to properly remove the
"rogue" software they've installed. I really think I'd either try to find a
reputable computer shop that has a good rating with your local Better
Business Bureau or else consider investing in a new computer from any
outlet. Best Buy, Circuit City, Staples and other office supply changes
have pretty capable machines for approximately $300 so depending on what
your "repair" tech charges, a new computer may pay for itself. And at 4
years of age, it's probably earned a retirement since newer processors and
increased RAM can make any new machine seem like a speed demon. It's your
choice, but I think I know which side of the camp I'd go for. Good luck.
--
Jim Pickering
MVP-Outlook Express/Windows Mail
Please reply to newsgroup only so that others may be helped with your
feedback.
"BAZ" <bonnie...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1153692959.5...@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
BAZ
Pentium IV) with 256 MB of Ram and a 40 GB Hard Drive. I've also
invested in a graphic card (since their on board card wasn't fast
enough for me). I figured the computer had another good year in it!
The owner of PC Warehouse also felt the same way. She could easily have
pushed a new faster PC on me.
I found the article about the 3 AM automatic updates that I sent to you
to be very interesting - and may indeed have caused the problem I
experienced with Outlook Express. It sounds like too much of a
coincidence to me!
Again - I don't know why the computer repairman at PC Warehouse
installed Office 2000 when I don't have a disc. But he is good and will
fix the problem at no charge.
Jim Pickering
Office 2000 to make the computer "legal" again since you've not paid for a
copy, but I don't know that for certain. Post back if you continue to have
problems after the repair is complete.
--
Jim Pickering
MVP-Outlook Express/Windows Mail
"BAZ" <bonnie...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1153742161....@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM
> Hey Jim!
>
> I just went back to look at some of my old Sysem Restore points and I
> see activity I don't understand. Starting in June, I have been having
> periodic (at all hours) Software Distribution Service 2.0.
> installations?!?!? On July 20, it happened twice, once at 1:12 AM and
> once again at 4:21 AM. Believe me, I am an early to bed person - but
> not quite so early to rise. Apparently, it also happened twice on
> Friday and twice on Saturday and twice today ... mostly at hours when I
> would be sound asleep.
Sounds like Windows Defender beta is installed.
--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Please reply in newsgroup. Do NOT send email.
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM
It sounds like you are running a security program that prevents changes to
the Registry. What firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware programs are you
using.
--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM
BAZ
I decided to report back that I returned my computer to PC Warehouse.
It took the guy about 4 days to fix all of the problems.
The battery problem (he said) was due to a voltage "problem" on the
mother board ... something that caused the battery to drain almost
immediately.
How on earth this happened, I do not know. As I said from the
beginning, I had a perfectly good computer (with authentic software)
when I took it in to have the new ROM burner/ CD reader installed.
Anyway, he had to start from scratch (again) and reformat my hard drive
and then re-install Windows XP.
In the mean time, I had found my XP "certificate of authenticity" which
had been given to me when I had the computer built (by a place called
PC City) ... instead of putting the thing onto my computer tower case
as they shoud have.
I don't know what the PC Warehouse guy had done originally to make my
computer look as though the software was not authentic... Maybe this
all had to do with losing all of the CMOS data because of the failed
batteries (2) ...?
I also found the Windows Office 1997 (aha!) CD-ROM which I had
purchased with my first computer from Micron. I recall now that instead
of buying new office software, I was able to load Word and Excel (all I
needed) from this CD. I told him that if he wanted to install Office
software to use my CD ... otherwise I would do it.
It seems as though this "repairman" had screwed a few things up along
the way in order to fix problems he had caused. And, he was doing
everything he could (e.g., reformat my hard drive and reinstall Windows
XP) in a slapdash fashion in order to get my computer out the door. He
should have investigated the battery problem FIRST ... and then the
rest of the work would not have been necessary.
All is now well - I haven't had a problem (CMOS) for a few weeks.
Of course, once I got the computer back, I had to reinstall all of my
own software (like TurboTax) ... an exercise I had just gone through a
week or so earlier. That took a good part of the afternoon.
Thanks again.
Bonnie
antioch
got fixed.
Antioch
"BAZ" <bonnie...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1155329801.4...@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
PA Bear
Thread in archive (all 33 posts, sp far):
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress/browse_frm/thread/ee2440ebf09ddd81/ce35a262e673ff22?lnk=gst&q=baz&rnum=1#ce35a262e673ff22
--
~PA Bear
BAZ wrote:
> Thanks all.
>
> I decided to report back that I returned my computer to PC Warehouse.
> It took the guy about 4 days to fix all of the problems.
<snip>