OL2000: Outlook Does Not Start When You Send Mail from Another Mail-Aware Program (212903)

SYMPTOMS

If you attempt to send mail from within any Office program, browser, or any other e-mail aware program, instead of Outlook sending the message you may receive any of the following unexpected results:

The Internet Configuration Wizard may start.
Outlook Express or another installed mail program may start.
You may receive the following error message:

You must log on to Microsoft Exchange to access your address book.
Error Code: "unspecified error"

CAUSE

These unexpected results can occur if you have not allowed Outlook to completely start for the first time. When Outlook starts for the first time, it completes First Run tasks.

During the first run on a new computer you are prompted to set up your Internet connection, e-mail account information, and to set Outlook as your default manager for Mail, News, and Contacts. If these tasks are interrupted for any reason, Outlook will not send mail from within other mail-aware programs. If another mail-aware program is started prior to Outlook completing its first run tasks, you must restart that program after the first run, to recognize Outlook as the default e-mail program.

RESOLUTION

Method 1

Make sure Outlook is registered as the default mail program within Internet Explorer:

Start Internet Explorer
On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
On the Programs tab, select Microsoft Outlook in the E-mail list.
Click OK.

Method 2

Start Outlook once to completely configure the program. When you receive the following message:

Outlook is not currently your default manager for Mail, News and contacts. Would you like to register Outlook as the default manager?

click Yes.