Keywords Outlook, startup, slow, hang, delay

Problem
When launching Outlook (or as soon as a profile is selected), the app
"hangs" and the splash screen is shown for exactly 3 minutes 30 seconds

(every time). Once up and running, the app behaves normally. I only
connect to a single POP3 mailbox.

If Outlook is closed within the 3:30 timeframe, a "Not Responding"
window is displayed.

CPU is within normal limits during this time

Additionally, creating a new .pst file (as part of profile creation)
takes 7 minutes.


System Info
- Windows XP Home SP2, fully patched
- Outlook 2003 (11.8010.6568) Sp2

Troubleshooting
Unfortunately I cannot remember installing any software or patches
around the time when this starting happening and I have no system
restore points to go back to.

I have attempted all of the following troubleshooting steps, none of
which solved the problem:

- created a new profile with no email accounts (confirming it is
neither a profile nor network issue)
- ran outlook on same PC with different user account
- ran scanpst.exe on all .pst files, no errors detected
- Verified all add-ins were disabled
- ran Outlook in safe mode "Outlook /safe"
- ran Outlook in /cleanviews mode (switch was not recognized)
- deleted "C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook" folder
- Uninstalled and Reinstalled entire office suite, tested before
applying office updates
- Ensured that "MSN Messenger" integration is disabled feature does not

seem to exist in this version)

Diagnosis
The problem seems to be related to the initial accessing/creating of
Outlook data (.pst) files.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as my only options at this

point seem to be to "live with it" or reinstall Windows.

- Cambio