OL98: (CW) Error Message "The MAPI Spooler Could Not Be Started" (216796)

NOTE: The procedures in this article only apply if you have installed Outlook with the Corporate or Workgroup option. With this option, you can use Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) services. To determine your installation type, click About Microsoft Outlook on the Help menu. If you have the Corporate or Workgroup installation, you see "Corporate or Workgroup".
WARNING:This information is preliminary and has not been confirmed or tested by Microsoft. Use only with discretion.

SYMPTOMS

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

The MAPI Spooler could not be started. Close and then restart all mail-enabled applications MAPI 1.0 (000004c7)

followed by the message:

Unable to open the Outlook window.

CAUSE

There are two possible causes for this problem:

Missing or Damaged File

A missing Mapisp32.exe file can cause this problem. The Mapisp32.exe file may have been removed or renamed by your anti-virus program. This problem has been reported when using ThunderByte Anti-Virus software, manufactured by TCT-ThunderByte Corp, but may also be caused by other anti-virus programs.

You Quit the MAPI Spooler

You quit the Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) Spooler (Mapisp32.exe) by pressing CTRL+ALT+DELETE, and clicking End Task in the Task Manager, but have other MAPI-enabled programs open when you try to restart Outlook.

RESOLUTION

If you have a missing or damaged file

Click Start, point to Find, and click Files or Folders.
In the Named box, type Mapisp32.exe, in the Look in list, click My Computer. Click to select the Include subfolders check box and click Find Now.
In the search results window, right-click Mapisp32.exe and click Rename on the shortcut menu. Rename the file, Mapisp32.old.

If you do not find the file, copy the Mapisp32.exe file from your setup compact disc and set your anti-virus program to ignore the file.

If Mapisp32.exe is in the\Windows\System folder, uninstall Outlook, including Windows Messaging and reinstall Outlook.

If you quit the MAPI Spooler

Quit all MAPI-enabled programs before starting Outlook.

MORE INFORMATION

If you turn off your anti-virus software during installation, Outlook may run immediately after installation but display the error messages in the "Symptoms" section after a restart of the computer. This is because restarting the computer starts the anti-virus software. The ThunderByte anti-virus software defaults to "Rename" for any new program file found on the system. You must instruct it to ignore the Mapisp32.exe program. For information on how to do this, see your program documentation.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.