OL97: ErrMsg "Cannot start Microsoft Outlook"

ID: Q189532

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Outlook 97

SYMPTOMS

After installing Microsoft Office 97, you may get the following error message when attempting to open Microsoft Outlook 97:

   Cannot start Microsoft Outlook

When you double-click the Mail (or Mail and Fax) icon in the Control Panel, you may get the following error message:

   Not enough system memory or resources,
   close some windows, and try again.

CAUSE

The Mapi32.dll file may be corrupt or the wrong version.

RESOLUTION

Rename the Mapi32.dll, and replace it with a copy from your Office 97 compact disc.

MORE INFORMATION

Rename the Mapi32.dll File

1. Click Start on the Windows Taskbar.

2. Point to Find and click Files or Folders.

3. In the Named window, type "Mapi32.dll" (without the quotation marks)

   and click Find Now.

4. Right-click the file in Search Results and on the shortcut menu click

   Rename.

5. Type a new name for the file such as "Mapi32.old" (without the quotation

   marks) and press ENTER.

6. Close Find.

NOTE: If you are unable to rename the Mapi32.dll file using the steps above, make a note of the drive and path to the file from step 4 above, and rename the file from MS-DOS, as follows:

To Rename the Mapi32.dll File in MS-DOS mode

1. Close all open application programs.

2. On the Windows Start menu, click Shut Down.

3. Click to select "Restart in MS-DOS mode" and click OK.

3. At the DOS prompt, type:

      ren <drive:>\<path>\mapi32.dll mapi32.old

   and press Enter.

4. Type "Win" without the quotation marks to return to Windows.

Copy a New Mapi32.dll File

1. Find the appropriate Mapi32.dll file on your Microsoft Office 97 compact

   disc in the following location:

      <CD drive>:\Office\WMS\Win95 (for Windows 95)

      <CD drive>:\Office\WMS\Win95 (for Windows 98)

      <CD drive>:\Office\WMS\WinNT (for Windows NT)

2. Copy the Mapi32.dll file to:

      C:\Window\System (for Windows 95)

      C:\Window\System (for Windows 98)

      C:\Winnt\System32 (for Windows NT)

3. Right-click the Mapi32.dll file on your computer and click Properties.

4. Click to clear the Read-Only check box, click to select the Archive

   check box, and click OK.

Additional query words: crash hang freeze launch

Keywords          : kbinterop GnlCrpt 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto kbprb

Last Reviewed: December 31, 1998