OL97: Error Messages Appear When You Try to Send a Message or Check for New Messages (296412)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 97, when used with:
    • Microsoft Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q296412

SYMPTOMS

When you try to check for new messages or send messages from Outlook 97, you may receive the following error message:
Mapisp32 has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
When you click Close, you receive the following error message:
Messaging interface has returned an unknown error. If problem persists, start Outlook again.
Although you quit and then restart Outlook multiple times, you are still not able to send or receive messages.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, rename the Mapisp32.dll file and other Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) files, and then reinstall Outlook from the original Microsoft Office 97 or Outlook 97 CD-ROM:
  1. In Outlook, on the File menu, click Exit and Log Off.
  2. Click Start, point to Shut Down, click Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode, and then click Yes.
  3. After your computer restarts, start the command prompt, type cd\Windows\System, and then press ENTER.
  4. Use the MS-DOS rename command to change the existing name of each of the following nine files:

    Mapi.dll
    Mapi32.dll
    Mapisp32.exe
    Mapisrvr.exe
    Mapiu.dll
    Mapiu32.dll
    Mapix.dll
    Mapix32.dll
    Mspst32.dll

    For example, to rename the Mapi.dll file, type ren mapi.dll mapi.old, and then press ENTER. Use the same syntax to rename each of the other files.NOTE: Depending on your computer's particular configuration and on what programs are installed, you might not find all of these files on the system. Rename the ones that you find.

  5. Type cd.., and then press ENTER.
  6. Type win, and then press ENTER to start Windows and any programs that are in your Startup folder.
  7. In Windows, close any programs that are running, click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  8. Double-click Add/Remove Programs, click Microsoft Office or Outlook 97, and then click Add/Remove.
  9. Insert the Office or Outlook CD into the CD-ROM drive, and then click OK.
  10. Click Reinstall in the Setup maintenance program.
  11. When the Setup program finishes, restart Windows, and then start Outlook.

MORE INFORMATION

The files you might not find on your system are the Mapisp32.dll, Mapiu32.dll, and Mapix32.dll files.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/11/2001
Keywords:kbprb kbsetup KB296412
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.