OL2000: (CW) Unable to Open Default Mail Folders (197267)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
This article was previously published under Q197267
NOTE: These procedures only apply if you have installed Outlook with the Corporate Workgroup/Other option. This option allows you to use Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) services. To determine your installation type, on the Help Menu click About Microsoft Outlook. In About Microsoft Outlook you should see "Corporate" if you have the Corporate Workgroup installation.

SYMPTOMS

When starting Microsoft Outlook, you may receive the following error message:
The file <drive>:\<path><file name>.pst could not be found.
Then, Outlook displays a "Create/Open Personal Folders File" dialog box.

CAUSE

This error may occur if Outlook is delivering mail to a personal folders (.pst) file, and any of the following conditions are true:

  • Your personal folder file where Outlook delivers your mail is located on a server that is currently unavailable.
  • Your personal folder file where Outlook delivers your mail is corrupted and Outlook can not open it.

RESOLUTION

Open a New Personal Folders File

If you want to open a new Personal Folders file, type a name for the new file in the "Create/Open Personal Folders File" dialog box and click Create.

Personal Folder File Located on a Network Server

Contact your system administrator to check the availability of the network server where your Personal Folder file is located.

Corrupted Personal Folder File

If you suspect that your personal folder file is corrupted, you may be able to recover the file using the Inbox Repair Tool.

To use the Inbox Repair tool, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, point to Find, and click Files Or Folders.
  2. Type Scanpst.exe in the Named box and click Find Now.
  3. In the list of found files, double-click the Scanpst.exe file.
  4. Specify the name of the .pst file you want to repair, or click Browse to browse for the .pst file.
  5. Click Start.
If there is an error, you have the option to make a backup of the file before attempting repairs.

The log file for the repair process has the same name as the .pst file, with a .log extension. So, if you repair a file named Mailbox.pst, the log file is named Mailbox.log.

MORE INFORMATION

Unless you are using either the Microsoft Exchange Server or the Microsoft Mail services, Outlook requires a personal folder file to store your mail messages, Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks. If Outlook is unable to find a personal folder file, the only other folders that you can open are the file system folders, by using Outlook as a document explorer.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/6/2003
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB197267
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.