Error Message Appears and Action Menu Is Empty When You Run Outlook 98 on Terminal Server (268748)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition
This article was previously published under Q268748

SYMPTOMS

When you are using Microsoft Outlook 98 on a Terminal Server client, you may find that when you have mail in the Inbox, the Action menu is empty. When you attempt to open the Public Folders in the Preview pane, the following error message may appear:
The custom form could not be opened.
However, the administrator's Inbox works correctly.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, install the programs for Terminal Server in a specific order, working from the command prompt.

MORE INFORMATION

By default, Terminal Server runs in Execute mode. Execute mode enables the ability to map .ini files to a user's home directory. This allows multiple users to run programs independently from the Terminal Server.

Use the change user /install command before you install an application to create .ini files for the application in the Terminal Server system directory. These files are used as master copies for the user-specific .ini files. After you install the application, use the change user /execute command to revert to normal .ini file mapping.

Using these commands, do the following to resolve the issues with running Outlook 98 on Terminal Server:
  1. Install Terminal Server 4.0 without Internet Explorer 4.0.
  2. At the command prompt, type:

    change user /install
  3. Install Office 97, run the Office 97 Compatibility Script, and then, at the command prompt, type:

    change user /execute
  4. Restart the computer.
  5. At the command prompt, type:

    change user /install
  6. Install Internet Explorer 4.0 and then restart the computer.
  7. At the command prompt, type:

    change user /install
  8. Run the Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 Compatibility Script, and then, at the command prompt, type:

    change user /execute
  9. Restart the computer.
  10. At the command prompt, type:

    change user /install
  11. Install the Outlook 98 Deployment Kit, and then run the Office 97 Compatibility Script.
  12. At the command prompt, type:

    change user /execute
  13. Restart the computer.
  14. Log on to Terminal Server as an administrator, create a new user, and then log off.
  15. Log in as the user, and then open Outlook 98.
For additional information on the change command in Terminal Server, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

186504 Terminal Server Commands: CHANGE

For additional information on troubleshooting issues with Terminal Server, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

230654 Troubleshooting Outlook 98 on Windows Terminal Server 4.0

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/12/2002
Keywords:kbprb KB268748
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.