Thanks for the tips Diane, which leads to new questions:

1) Now, when I delete or rename "outcmd.dat" and then launch Outlook,
another "outcmd" is created but when I delete "outlprnt", a new "outlprnt"
is not created when Outlook is launched or printing is attempted? So what
is the function of "outlprnt" anyway?

2) How do I create a new profile and pst and transfer my Address Book from
"supposedly" bad pst file?

Thanks for your help.


Basharat.


"Diane Poremsky [MVP]" wrote in message
...
Did you try a new profile and a new pst? Delete outlprnt and outcmd.dat?

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]
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"Basharat A. Javaid" wrote in message
...
System: Windows XP Pro, SP2, Intel 2 CPUs @ 2.66 GHz each, 2 GB Ram and
hard drive partitioned into 2 drives with over 36 GBs on each sub-drives.

Using Outlook 2000 (MS Office 2000 Pro). The problem started out with
corrupted pst file (see my earlier posts). That problem was resolved
with a great deal of trouble - reducing the pst file size by 2/3rd,
compacting it and scanning with Scanpst.exe etc...

On Friday, Outlook took forever to start (initialize) even with a much
smaller pst file. After exiting/restarting Outlook numerous times and
restarting the computer a few times in between when it eventually did
start, the "hourglass" won't go away - Outlook would lock up. After
exiting/restarting Outlook/restarting the computer a few more times, the
outlook eventually started and email folders displayed with new emails in
the In Box. But when I clicked on any of the "read or unread" emails,
Outlook would lock up!

After more exiting/restarting, I was able to open an email (read/unread)
but when I went to print the email, the usual Print dialog box would not
show and Outlook would lock up!

I thought it may be something to do with my Internet and or LAN and/or
Network printer at work so I brought the computer home and connected to a
modem directly (no router in between) and a printer to it directly.
Outlook would still lock up at the printing stage without showing Print
dialog box!?

Finally, I took the computer to the Geek Squad at Best Buy and when they
tested it, Outlook locked up at the printing stage! They told me it will
be 5 to 7 days before they can have it fixed - which is far too long to
be without a business computer!

So that's where things stand right now - Outlook locking up at the
printing stage. But who knows when it may start locking up at the launch
stage?

Thanks for your help.


Basharat Javaid.