I'm having a problem with Outlook 2003 crashing frequently and
unpredictably and with Outlook sometimes hanging while starting up. In
the latter case, I need to use Task Manager to stop the Outlook.pst
process and then restart. I run SCANPST very frequently, several
times a day, because of all the crashes.

Sometimes Outlook stalls on startup right after I've run SCANPST.
Other times, Outlook crashes after only a few minutes of usage, right
after a SCANPST. So I'm wondering if one of the expensive commercial
Outlook repair utilities can fix my problem(s). I would have to pay
for this out of my own pocket, but I'm willing to do so. Any
comments?

Are there any alternative ways to address this problem?

I use multiple PST files, even though I'm using a Unicode-based PST
file, to make it easier for backups and shuttling the files between
desktop and laptop. These PST files range between 400 and 800 MB
each, with say 20-30 thousand emails each.

I'm running OL 2003 with Win XP, with all the service packs applied on
both desktop and laptops.