OL2000: Outlook Cannot Gain Access to Folders for Handling Messages, Appointments, and Addresses (299406)

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to start Outlook 2000, you may receive the following error message:

Outlook cannot open the file containing the folders used to send and receive email messages, create appointments and open addresses. Please select from the options below:

1. create new pst
2. open existing pst

If you try to create a new .pst file, you may receive the following error message:

The messaging interface has returned an unknown error. If the problem persists, restart Outlook.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, rename the Mapi*.dll, Mapi*.exe, and Pstprx32.dll files, and then run Repair Office under Office 2000 Maintenance Mode:

Click Start on the taskbar, point to Search, and then click For Files and Folders.
In the Search for files or folders named box, type the following file names, and then click Search Now:
mapi*.dll mapi*.exe pstprx32.dll
For each file in the search results list, right-click the file, click Rename, type the new file name, and then press ENTER. You can rename each file by changing its file name extension to .old.
After you rename all the appropriate files, close the search results window.
Click Start on the taskbar, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
Double-click Add/Remove Programs, click Microsoft Office 2000, and then click Add/Remove.
In the Office 2000 Maintenance Mode dialog box, click Repair Office, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
Restart the computer, and then start Outlook 2000 to recreate the .pst file.