When you start Microsoft Outlook 97, the program may stop responding to the system. There are many possible causes for this behavior. This article describes the most common causes and solutions.

Damaged Profile

When you start Outlook, the program loads your selected profile. If you have a damaged profile, you should create a new profile and try to restart Outlook.

For additional information about troubleshooting profile problems and how to create a new profile, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Damaged Personal Folders

If you suspect a damaged Personal Folders file, follow these steps to remove the Personal Folders from your profile and to create a new Personal Folders file:

1. In Control Panel, click to open the Mail And Fax icon. If you did not install fax services, you may have only a Mail icon.
2. Under the Services tab, click to select your profile, and then click Properties.
3. Click to select Personal Folders, and then click Remove.
4. Click Add, and in the "Available information services" box, click Personal Folders and OK to open the "Create/Open Personal Folders File" dialog box.
5. In the File Name box, type a new personal store (*.pst) file name, and then click Open to open your new Personal Folders properties dialog box.
6. Under the General tab, click OK to return to the Profile Properties dialog box.
7. Click OK and Close to close all dialog boxes.

Damaged Outlook Bar File

For additional information about troubleshooting a damaged Outlook Bar, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Damaged Password List

Delete or rename your password list file. This file is usually located in the Windows folder with the name <Username>.pwl, where <Username> is the name you use to log on.

NOTE: If you are using a personal certificate, you should export it before renaming your .pwl file. If you do not do so, it may be unavailable when you send e-mail. For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: After you delete or rename the file, restart Windows. The file is re- created automatically when you log on and enter your password.

Display Driver

The first time Outlook starts, it tries to create the Outlook Bar. In some instances, your video driver may prevent Outlook from creating the Outlook Bar. You can usually work around this problem by doing one of the following:

• Start your computer in Safe mode.
• Reduce the resolution of your current driver to VGA, 16 colors.
• Contact the manufacturer for a more recent driver.

Once Outlook has successfully started, quit Outlook, set your video display to the desired resolution and number of colors, and then try starting Outlook again.

Missing, Damaged, or Outdated Msvcrt40.dll File

If you recently removed or installed other software on your computer, you may have a missing, damaged, or outdated Msvcrt40.dll file. Microsoft Visual C++ and all Exchange clients use this file.

For additional information about issues with the Msvcrt40.dll file, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Windows Startup Group

Remove all programs from the Windows Startup group and restart your computer. You may experience conflicts from other programs running at the same time that Outlook is starting. Once Outlook successfully starts the first time, you may be able to return to your original Startup group configuration with Outlook.