"The object could not be found" error message or Outlook 2003 stops responding when you open a custom form by using the Favorites folder in Outlook 2003 (835215)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Outlook 2003

SYMPTOMS

When you access a public folder that uses a custom Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 form by using the Favorites folder, you may experience one of the following problems:
  • Every time that you open an item in the Favorites folder, a message briefly appears. The message states that a custom form is being installed.
  • When you open a new instance of the custom Outlook 2003 form, you receive the following error message:
    The object could not be found.
  • When you open multiple items in a folder, Outlook 2003 stops responding.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when you access a form that is in a public folder by using the Favorites folder. When the form loads, it is treated as a new instance of the form, instead of the same form. Subsequently, the form is added to the cache every time that an item is opened or when a new instance of the form is opened.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, do not use the Favorites folder to access the public folder. Instead, use the Folder List option in the Outlook 2003 navigation pane, and then access the public folder.

MORE INFORMATION

If you experience this problem, clear the forms cache to avoid additional problems. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  2. Click the Other tab, and then click Advanced Options.
  3. Click Custom Forms.
  4. Click Manage Forms.
  5. Click Clear Cache.
  6. Close all the windows that are open, and then restart Outlook 2003.

RESOLUTION

This problem was first fixed in a hotfix that is now contained in a service pack. If you installed the latest Office 2003 service pack, you do not have to install the hotfix.

Service pack information

This problem is corrected in Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 1.

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Office 2003. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

870924 How to obtain the latest service pack for Office 2003

How to obtain the hotfix

This issue is fixed in the May 20, 2004 Outlook 2003 Hotfix Package that is dated May 20, 2004. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

834716 Description of the Outlook 2003 hotfix package: May 20, 2004

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:11/17/2004
Keywords:kbOffice2003preSP1fix kbStore kberrmsg kbfix kbbug kbQFE KB835215 kbAudITPRO kbAudEndUser
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