Spelling checker does not run on message in Outlook Express 5 (224176)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 for Windows 2000
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 for Windows 2000
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 6.0 for Windows XP
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 6.0 for Windows 2000
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 6.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 6.0 for Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q224176
For information about the differences between Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook e-mail clients, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

257824 OL2000: Differences Between Outlook and Outlook Express

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you try to check the spelling in a message in Outlook Express 5, 5.01, or 5.5, you may receive the following error message:
An error occurred while the spelling was being checked.
When you click Send, and the Always check spelling before sending check box is selected in the Options dialog box, you may receive the following error message:
The spell check on this document was halted. Do you want to send anyway?

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if one of the following conditions is true:
  • The value data for the SharedFilesDir registry value does not contain a trailing backslash (\) in the following registry:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools

    Absence of this trailing backslash prevents location of the Csapi3t1.dll file and causes the spelling checker not to function correctly.
  • The Csapi3t1.dll file is missing or damaged. The Csapi3t1.dll file is located in the Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Proof folder,
  • The Mssp232.dll or Mssp2_en.lex file is missing or damaged.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this issue, use Registry Editor to verify that the value data in the SharedFilesDir registry value contains a trailing backslash:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type Regedt32, and then click OK.
  2. Double-click to expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder, expand the Software folder, and then expand the Microsoft folder.
  3. Double-click to expand the Shared Tools folder, and then click the SharedFilesDir value.
  4. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
  5. Type C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ in the Value Data box, and then click OK.
  6. Quit Registry Editor.

MORE INFORMATION

The value data for the SharedFilesDir registry value should point to the folder that contains the Proof folder. The Proof folder contains the Csapi3t1.dll file.



In order for the Spelling checker to work, the software needs a dictionary to compare words against. However, Outlook Express is offered as a downloadable product, and it does not include its own dictionary. Outlook Express does can use another programs dictionary, such as Microsoft Word, to check the spelling of text. Without another program's dictionary to access, Outlook Express cannot use the spelling checker.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/16/2006
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB224176
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