# Outlook Express Error **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 31, 2007, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-error/413873 "2007-07-31T20:54:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lilflower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecccb3/32.png) [@lilflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilflower)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-error/413873/1 "2007-07-31T20:54:45Z")
I can open Outlook Express and download new messages. However, when I try to open any email messages, I get the following: Outlook Express has encountered a problem and needs to close. When I get the details of the error, I see this: EventType: InPageError P1: c0000009c P2: 00000003. I am running Windows XP Pro. Any suggestions? I could not find anything on the Microsoft web site. This is a new laptop and my email was working fine until yesterday (Monday) morning. As far as I know, I have not downloaded anything malicious but since I am also having problems opening Norton, I am unable to run a scan at this time. (My Norton issues would be a completely different topic!). Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-error/413873/2 "2007-07-31T21:41:27Z")
Are you running a spyware checker as well as Norton (or does Norton include a spyware checker these days)? I wonder whether Norton got borked somehow and damaged the rest of your system? ---
**Author:** ![lilflower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecccb3/32.png) [@lilflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilflower)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-error/413873/3 "2007-07-31T21:50:00Z")
Norton is definitely causing a problem. I tried to re-install it using the disk that my IT guy sent me (this is a company computer) and it still isn’t working. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-error/413873/4 "2007-07-31T22:02:55Z")
Sounds like you may have a corrupted data file. I’d start with the [Inbox repair tool](http://support.microsoft.com/kb/272227). If that doesn’t clear things up there’s some more [MS advice](http://www.microsoft.com/windows/IE/community/columns/filecorruption.mspx) ---
**Author:** ![lilflower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecccb3/32.png) [@lilflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilflower)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-error/413873/5 "2007-08-01T00:10:25Z")
**Projammer** , I followed the directions in the first link and my question is, is it bad if Ido not even have a .pst file? ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-error/413873/6 "2007-08-01T15:27:55Z")
I’m not an expert at OE, but I think that the .pst is required. It may be that it’s buried several folders deep in your profile. Try doing a find files for .pst and see what turns up. I’m not at home right now so I can’t get into OE to tell you were to look to see where it is looking for the file. I’ll check tonight after work. ---
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-error/413873/7 "2007-08-01T22:31:31Z")
[QUOTE=lilflower] **Projammer** , I followed the directions in the first link and my question is, is it bad if Ido not even have a .pst file? [/QUOTE] No, because you said you’re using Outlook Express. OE stores its files in the .dbx format. Outlook (and only Outlook) uses a .pst file. From a brief scan of the web, it doesn’t look like this error is specific to OE; it seems to crop up with a corrupted DLL file. One suggestion I can make is to go to Start, and then to Run, and enter sfc /scannow which will start the Windows System File Checker, and identify any corrupted files. You’ll get a progress bar saying something like “Checking protected Windows files” and if a corrupted file is identified, you’ll be given the chance to restore it from your install CD or other location. [More about SFC](http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310747). ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-error/413873/8 "2007-08-02T05:04:51Z")
What **Dervorin** said. .pst files are for full versions of outlook only. My mistake. Apologies. The System File Checker and several other suggestions are covered in the second link I had supplied. ---
**Author:** ![lilflower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecccb3/32.png) [@lilflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilflower)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-error/413873/9 "2007-08-02T13:13:09Z")
When I try to execute sfc /scannow, I get a message that I need the Windows Service Pack 2 CD. This doesn’t make sense to me because you can download SP2 from the microsoft website so why requrie a CD here. I tried to use my original XP CD but my computer didn’t want it. Oh well - I think I’m going to have to take it to Geeks To Go. Thanks anyway! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-error/413873/10 "2007-08-02T13:29:35Z")
This might be a stupid question, but have you tried scanning the disk for errors (in the Tools section of the drive properties dialog)? - it could just be something as simple as a corrupted File Allocation Table (or equivalent) - errors such as crosslinked files, which might not even result in any data loss, can still cause applications to crash. Try scanning the hard drive - check the box that says ‘automatically fix errors’ - it will tell you that it can’t do it right away, but you can choose to have it run the scan after a restart. ---
**Author:** ![lilflower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecccb3/32.png) [@lilflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilflower)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-error/413873/11 "2007-08-02T18:50:45Z")
**Mangetout** , you are my hero! I spent two hours on the phone with the Geek Squad this morning and they could not fix my problem. (Luckily, they gave me a refund.) Thank you!!