OL97: ErrMsg "Cannot start Microsoft Outlook"

After installing Microsoft Office 97, you may get the following error message when attempting to open Microsoft Outlook 97: When you double-click the Mail (or Mail and Fax) icon in the Control Panel, you may get the following error message:

The Mapi32.dll file may be corrupt or the wrong version. Or, another program is set as your default mail program.

Check that Microsoft Outlook is set as your default mail program. You can do this by right-clicking the Internet Explorer icon from the Desktop and then clicking Properties. On the Programs tab, Microsoft Outlook should be listed as the default e-mail program.

If Microsoft Outlook is set as your default e-mail client, rename the Mapi32.dll, and replace it with a copy from your Office 97 compact disc.

If you are running Microsoft Windows 98, the Mapi32.dll file should be extracted from the Windows 98 CD. This can easily be done using the System File Checker in Windows 98 as follows:

1. On the Windows Start menu, point to Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and click System Information.
2. On the Tools menu, click System File Checker.

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 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 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.
4. At the DOS prompt, type:
   ren <drive:>\<path>\mapi32.dll mapi32.old
   and press Enter.
5. Type Win 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.