How to troubleshoot Invalid Page Faults (IPF) in the Outllib.dll file in Outlook 2000

This article describes troubleshooting tips that you can use if you receive the following error message:

This article discusses how to troubleshoot Invalid Page Faults (IPF) in Outllib.dll. The methods described below start with the easiest and most likely fixes, and progress to the more difficult fixes.

The troubleshooting methods listed and described below are:

1. Ensure Microsoft Outlook Express is installed and functioning correctly
2. Rename the Outcmd.dat File
3. Disable Extensions
4. Start in Safe Mode
5. Run the Inbox Repair Tool on your Personal Folder.
6. Create a New Profile and Personal Folders File
7. Reinstall Outlook
8. Check your version of WinFax Pro
9. Do not use Microsoft Word 97 as your e-mail editor

Method 1: Ensure Microsoft Outlook Express Is Installed and Functioning Correctly

If Outlook Express is not installed or functioning correctly, components of Outlook may not function correctly. Ensure that Outlook Express is installed and working without error. For additional information, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Method 2: Rename the Outcmd.dat File

If the IPF occurs when you start Outlook, locate the file Outcmd.dat, rename it to Outcmd.old, and then restart Outlook.

1. Quit Outlook.
2. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
3. In the Named box, type outcmd.dat.
4. Click to select Include Subfolders, click My Computer, and then click Find Now.
5. Click the file name in the results pane, click Rename on the File menu, type old in place of dat in the file name, and press ENTER.
6. Click Close on the File menu to close the Find window.
7. Start Outlook.

Outcmd.dat stores any custom changes you make to your toolbar options. If renaming this file solves the problem, you must recreate any toolbar customizations.

Method 3: Disable Extensions

Outlook may have problems with incompatible or invalid extension information. Extensions may cause Outlook to not start or create IPFs while running. To troubleshoot extension problems, follow these steps.

If Outlook Does Not Start

If Outlook does not start, try replacing the Extend.dat file. This file caches extension information gathered from the Windows registry. To replace the Extend.dat file, follow these steps:

1. Quit all programs.
2. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.
3. In the Named box, type extend.dat.
4. In the Look In list, click to select your hard drive.
5. Click to select Include Subfolders, and then click Find Now.
6. In the Name list, right-click the file Extend.dat, and on the shortcut menu, click Rename; change the file extension from dat to old, and then press ENTER.
7. On the File menu, click Close to quit Find File.
8. Restart Outlook. Restarting Outlook creates a new Extend.dat file.

If Outlook Does Start

If you can start Outlook and you suspect an extension problem, follow these steps to disable extensions: >

1. Start Outlook.
2. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Other tab.
3. Click Advanced Options, and then click Add-In Manager.
4. In the Add-in list, click to clear the check box for the add-in you suspect.
5. Click OK three times to close all dialog boxes.

For more information on Outlook extension issues, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Method 4: Start in Safe Mode

Start Outlook with the /safe command-line switch. This causes Outlook to load without COM Add-ins, and extensions. For additional information, click the article number about command-line switches below to view the article about command-line switches in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: If the /safe command-line switch does not help, restart your computer in Safe Mode. Safe Mode disables programs that start automatically. For additional information about Safe Mode, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: If starting in Safe Mode resolves the issue then you may want to examine how Safe Mode starts your computer. For additional information about Safe Mode, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Method 5: Run the Inbox Repair Tool on your Personal Folder

For additional information on how to use the Inbox Repair Tool, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Method 6: Create a New Profile and Personal Folders File

NOTE: If you are using the Internet Mail Only (IMO) version of Outlook, skip to the section titled "Create a New Internet Mail Only (IMO) Profile."

If you are using the Corporate Workgroup version (CW) of Outlook, create a new Profile, and then create a new Personal Folders (.pst) file.

Create a New Profile and PST file (CW)

To create a new profile, follow these steps:

1. In Windows Control Panel, double-click the Mail And Fax icon. (The icon is a Mail icon if you did not install fax services.)
2. On the Services tab, click Show Profiles to list your profiles.
3. Click Add to start the Inbox Setup Wizard.
4. Check that the default is set to "Use the following information services."
5. Click to clear all services except the one you are troubleshooting. For troubleshooting purposes, add only one service at a time.
6. Click Next and in the Profile Name box, type a name for the new profile.
7. Follow the Inbox Setup Wizard prompts, answering the questions for your service. Ensure you specify a new Personal Folders file (*.pst) and do not use the existing file when prompted by the wizard.
   
   NOTE: Because you are not using the old .pst file while troubleshooting, you may not see any of your old .pst folders or files.

Create a New Internet Mail Only (IMO) Profile

If you installed the Internet Mail Only version of Outlook, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Mail icon.
3. Select and remove each Internet mail account from the Internet Accounts Manager. Ensure you know all the Properties for each account before removing.
   
   NOTE: Do not remove Fax accounts.
4. Add the Accounts back one at a time.

For more information on creating a new set of Personal Folders, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Create a New Personal Folders File (IMO)

1. Start Outlook.
2. On the File menu, point to New, and then click Personal Folders File (.pst).
3. Select a location, type a name, and then click Create. Select any options you wish to use, and then click OK.
   
   NOTE: Do not use the name "mailbox.pst."
4. On the View menu, click Folder List if it is not already displayed.
5. Right-click the new Personal Folders File, and then click Properties.
6. On the General tab, click to select Deliver POP mail to this personal folders file, and then click OK.

Method 7: Reinstall Outlook

Rename the Outllib.dll file and reinstall to repair the Outlook installation.

Rename the Outllib.dll file

1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.
2. In the Name box, type outllib.dll and in the Look In list, click to select the hard drive that contains Outlook. Click to select Include Subfolders.
3. In the Name list, right-click Outllib.dll and on the shortcut menu, click Rename. Rename the file to Outllib.old, and then press ENTER.

To Reinstall Outlook

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
3. On the Install/Uninstall tab, click to select Office 2000 Premium and click Add/Remove.
4. In the Maintenance Wizard, click Repair Office.
5. Click Repair errors in my Office 2000 Premium installation, and then click Finish.
6. Click OK, and then restart Outlook.

Method 8: Check your version of WinFax Pro

If you have WinFax Pro installed and are using Outlook in the Internet Mail Only (IMO) setup configuration, check that your version of WinFax Pro is at least version 9.03. Information about the latest version of WinFax Pro is available at the following Web site:

Method 9: Turn off Word as the E-mail Editor

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
2. On the Mail Format tab, click to clear the Use Microsoft Word to edit e-mail messages checkbox
3. Click OK to save and close the Options.

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