OL98: (CW) ErrMsg: Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook

When you start Microsoft Outlook 98 after installing Fax.exe from the Windows 98 compact disc, you will get the following error message: Running Outlook Setup to Add New Components does not fix the problem and generates the following error message: If you attempt to start the Fax program you get the following error message:

You have installed Awfax.exe from the Windows 98 compact disc, which installed older versions of MAPI and its associated .dll files.

Reinstall Outlook 98.

When you install Awfax.exe from the Windows 98 compact disc, you are not prompted that you are installing older versions of MAPI. Upon starting Outlook the error message appears. To correct the problem you will need to install Outlook again. Running Outlook Setup and clicking Add New Components, will generate the second error after you have clicked Yes to have the system check for installed components. The only solution is to run the setup program and click Rerun Outlook Setup.

Run Outlook Setup

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
2. Double click Add/Remove programs.
3. Click to select Microsoft Outlook 98, and then click Add/Remove.
4. Click Rerun Outlook 98 Setup.
5. Select the same options you did when you installed Outlook for the first time.

Outlook will now start without the above error message. For information on how to install Fax.exe from the Windows 98 compact disc, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: