OL2000: You Cannot Compose a New Message or Open a Received Message (277019)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
  • Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q277019
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 click the File Menu, click New, and then click Mail Message, Outlook does not respond. When you try to open a received message, Outlook does not respond and the message does not open.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because the registry keys that contain the configuration information for the Outlook e-mail editor are 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 behavior, use the following steps in this section to delete the Outlook registry keys, and then reinstall Microsoft Office.

How to Delete the Outlook Registry Keys

  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type regedit.exe, and then click OK.
  3. Locate and click the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Outlook

  4. Right-click the Outlook key, click Delete, and then click Yes.
  5. Under the Office key, use the same method to delete the remaining Outlook key.
  6. Locate and click the following registry key:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Outlook

  7. Right-click the Outlook key, click Delete, and then click Yes.
  8. Under the Office key, use the same method to delete the remaining Outlook key.
  9. On the Registry menu, click Exit.

How to Re-install Microsoft Office

  1. On Start menu, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  3. Click Microsoft Office 2000, and then click Add/Remove.
  4. When you receive the prompt, click Repair Office, click Reinstall Office, and then click Finish.

MORE INFORMATION

If you reconfigure Outlook to use Microsoft Word as your e-mail editor, you can compose a new message.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/21/2004
Keywords:kbprb KB277019
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.