Solved Error Launching Marketing Campaign in Outlook 7

I am operating Vista on Dell Studio XPS with Office 2007 Small Business. Not even 1 1/2 years old - I use Contact Manager for our small business and launched Marketing Campaigns successfully 1-2 times a month during this time. Several days ago it decided it no longer wanted to LAUNCH. I am at my wits end (as many of you are) for several reasons: most of the links pertaining to the software are no longer valid at Microsoft :sa:; I found only 1 post at Microsoft pertaining to this issue posted about 3 weeks ago and no valid responses to it. The typical re-install which I tried and there was also an error in the re-install (pre-installed by Dell :sa::sa - location not found!! I have SP2 and am concerned about a full re-install as Microsoft no longer supports this if SP2 is not installed. I even used my product key at MS to locate the info and it tells me my input of the key was an invalid format and try again - how stupid can I be on inputting #'s in the format that is listed!!

There are three users in total (including the administrator) on this computer and the error is only on one user (of course, the one used for our business). The error occurs when trying to Launch a Marketing Campaign (all other functions seem to be fine). It will not work in any form, that is, withing Outlook or launching from Publisher. Now when I pull up a previous publisher mailing and try to launch it uses the original data (the number of contacts from way back when) and will not allow be to change it. I also tried creating a New Publisher without any data and it does the same.

I've spent three days searching (in circles) - like trying to conduct business these days isn't hard enough! Help, Help & Help!

It would help to know the exact errors you are getting (word-for-word) when you attempt to launch the campaign (using any method or every method you've tried). For example, I don't know if the following applies or will help, but it might: Error message when you launch an e-mail marketing campaign in Outlook 2007 with Business Contact Manager: "Too many parameters were provided in this RPC request" (though I suspect this won't help with the Publisher issue and I also suspect is doesn't apply here as I imagine you would have noted that error in your post - but I use is more as an example of how many different problems can cause this and the more information you provide about the problem, the more likely we will be able to assist you).

If it has only been a few days, perhaps a System Restore can resolve the problem (whatever it is). Do you know when this problem began? Try a System Restore to a point in time BEFORE the problem began (and give it a few extra days if you can since you don't really know when the problem began - just when you noticed it - if you can reasonably go back to when you last did a successful launch that would probably have the best chances of success). Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html. Be sure to check the box to show more than 5 days of restore points. If the first attempt fails, then try an earlier point or two (back to the point where a launch was last successfully done). NOTE: You will have to re-install any software and updates you installed between now and the restore point, but you can use Windows Update for the updates. This often works in such situations where the reason is not known but "something" changed so system or program problems started.

If that doesn't work, then please post any error messages from the Event Viewer concerning outlook (Start / Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Event Viewer). Here's how to use Event Viewer: http://www.petri.co.il/vista-event-viewer.htm. Look in the Application section. Hopefully there will be some errors concerning the failed launch. Click on them for more details, copy those details, and post them here in your next reply.

I hope this helps. If not, more information about the errors you are getting will be very helpful.

Good luck.

P.S. By any chance have you installed any Microsoft Office updates since the last successful launch? If so, it is possible that might be the cause. Try uninstalling any such Office updates and then reboot and see if that helps. If so, then re-install them manually one-by-one, rebooting after each one, until you find the one causing the problem. Then uninstall that one again and make sure you don't let it re-install again (so set it to manual so you can de-select it). Please post the KB number of that update. If not, then Windows update will detect they are missing and re-download and re-install them when it next checks.

Lorien -

Thank you so much for your input and assistance. The error reads as follows "BCM for outlook could not complete your last action or actions." This occurs when trying to launch a campaign. I select my group from the reports. I have also tried to approach from Publisher - choosing a previously made file and launch campaign. In this circumstance, it brings up the Campaign form but will not allow me to change the recipients (it has locked in on an early list - probably 8 months to 1 year ago). I also tried creating a new document (choosing not to include data - so I could select a new group) and the error is then "cannot open this form because an error occurred".

I've thought about a restore - my last successful launch was early August and truthfully concerned about loosing business data that could be hard to replicate (I do backup weekly). I have been searching and did find some info about the event viewer and looked at that last night, but quite frankly did not know what I was really looking at. I will put your input into action this evening and get back to you.

Thank you again,
Sally

Sally, System Restore does not affect data - so your business data is perfectly safe. If you still feel uncomfortable, then do a backup first and then I suggest you try it (even if it means re-installing a lot of updates and any software you installed since that date). But the decision is yours. We can try to find another way to a solution, but it will be much harder, much more involved, probably take quite a bit longer, and I'm frankly not familiar enough with the product (I've never used it) to be of as much help there as I'd like to be (I have Office 2007 Enterprise which did not come with that option included).

Please keep me informed of your progress and anything new you learn and whether or not System Restore works if you decide to give it a try.

Good luck!

Thank you for that input. I was just reading the link to Event Viewer as you shared and was going to send that over - as mentioned I looked last evening but truth is I don't really know what I am looking for or at. There was a recent Windows update - cannot quite remember how long ago (our business travel season has begun and the days are blending together).

The last successfull launch was August 21st. I looked at the Windows Update log and there were quite a few updates - all showed 'Successful' - successful for who??

At this point I think I will try the restore tonight particularly if I can restore data (I'm not real sure how to do that either). Although the backup occurred yesterday, I will do another this evening. I guess the other thing I need to address is turning off the updates - I never know what updates are important - like when I had to choose on my old laptop - so, of course, it seemed a wonderful thing to have them done automatically.

Sally

System restore does not affect data - it will not delete data added or modified since the restore point and it will not restore data deleted since the restore point. It has no effect on data at all. Of course, there are always exceptions so doing the backup puts you on the safe side and you can restore from that if the unexpected happens (but that's so rare it's hardly worth mentioning - but it can happen so that's why I suggested the backup to be on the safe side).

As far as updates go, I'd be primarily concerned with those involving Office - while there may be a lot of updates since late August, I doubt that too many have been for Office. Of course, the problem could have been caused by a Vista update as well - so doing only the Office ones may be more of a first step. But the System Restore will remove them all up to the restore point. Yes, re-installing them one at a time to find the one that caused the problem (if that's even the case - they may not be involved at all) is time-consuming but if System Restore does fix the problem (there's no guarantee - it's good and often works but not always and I'm just hoping it works here) you don't want it returning again. You could re-install all the updates and see if the launch still works - if so, you're done. If not, do another System Restore (create a restore point just before the re-installation) to undo the re-installed updates and then you'll be pretty sure one of them is the cause and the hard way is the only way to find out which one it is.

If you need help with making the updates manual or restoring the data (God forbid), just post and I'll be happy to assist you.

I hope this helps and I sincerely hope System Restore works for you.

Good luck!

You are correct on the updates - most were Defender, some Vista, some Outlook 2007. One surprised me - it was a Security Update for MS Outlook 2003? Does that surprise you? This was a brand new computer loaded from Dell with 2007.

I will review the link on System Restore (we only did it once on another new computer right out of the box - Dell did the restore, but there was still a problem and sent the computer back) - Stuff happens, but I think that was a sign on that one.

Thank you again, (although the 'God forbid' part didn't give me a cozy feeling) - I will keep you posted on the progress and reach out if needed.

Sally

Lorien -

Well, just returned from business trip and back to my 'issue'. Since these last posts, I found 'outlookforums.com' - found a post there that had promise and posted the issue (they seemed to be having some problems with their site, however). The administrator did actually respond to my post with the theory that restore would likely not correct the problem since it is only occurring on one user (out of three) and choose restore as last resort. They suggested creating a new 'profile' first. I did this - problem still occuring. I did a system restore - still a problem (& some newly created 'strange little things'.

I am looking at the Event Viewer and not quite sure what to post - of course, the info may now be clouded by the Restore. The computer also wants me to do a backup and I have the drive disconnected - not sure it is smart to do a backup at this point. To add to this mess - I mean mix - Another 'confirmed' fix posted and responded to (that it worked) was to delete the 'user key' as it regenerates upon restarting. NG on that also.

I am at my wits end as I cannot find anyone having similiar trouble. Our biggest opportunities of the year start now and this is just crippling my ability to maximize on business. ouch.

BTW - I did the update back to Sept 1st - (although my last successful launch was August 21) - the Update Log showed an update to Outlook 2003 and that was odd to me so I picked a date that would cover that. The Restore points also did not go back as far as August 21st anyway. After the Restore, I am looking at the Update Log and all those updates are still listed (along with many new ones today). Should they be there with a restore?

We should post here instead of PMs - so here we go.

I was on the Office Site at Microsoft browsing about trials and different product offerings for a little while and the chat feature just showed up and asked me if I wanted to talk to someone about getting Office. Perhaps it's programmed to appear if you go to enough different sites or stay there long enough - I'm not sure. I have no link as I didn't actually go there and the chat box showed no URL - they came to me.

I wish you luck with the new approach - perhaps that will be a viable workaround. You should still hound them with the old approach as well.

I have the info they sent on getting the Office 2010 trial with Outlook BCM and what you need to send in and the email address and phone number of the person I spoke to is at the bottom. It's attached to this post as a Word document. Remember they expect you to want (if you decide to buy after trying the trial) a minimum of 5 licensed copies as this product is only available under a volume license agreement through a Microsoft Partner.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

Sure their anxious to help if you're buying!! I hope I get some help in moving the data and other outlook info - I hope soon. Big travel season in two weeks - not much time to dedicate (of, course it couldn't wait till say 6 months from now). I will attempt to call regarding the upgrade - I did see some info, but I got the impression if you already had BCM you could upgrade - not so cheap for an upgrade - but at least at that point they really have to answer how the info will import and if I should be concerned - I really must be tired - they are going to say 'everything will be fine' - we know how that can go.

Thanks again for so much assistance and brainstorming. I'll keep everyone informed, if I ever find out what is going on with this.

BTW - Weather OK by you? From NJ and know how these storms can dump the rain - hope all is well.

LOL! Yeah, they do very, very well on the selling and marketing end, don't they. Support is a little bit different - the fact is, if they did support right, places like this forum wouldn't even exist because they wouldn't be necessary. But, as we all know, MANY places like this forum exist precisely because support after the purchase isn't nearly as good as the marketing efforts - and where it actually does exist, the problem has to occur very quickly after the sale and then only with specific products to get free support or if you've ever tried, you'll find out that it can be costly indeed (and quite often not any better than these forums - especially this one :D). Your situation is further complicated by the fact that your problem involves a product that is not one of their common ones (BCM). They have very little information available about it and even the support that does exist (through them or elsewhere) isn't as good as it should be because the people providing that support generally don't use the product and so they must do everything by research (what little is available) and educated guessing). I imagine Microsoft Support has more available than we do, but I'll bet it's nowhere near as complete as for say Outlook on its own.

Frankly, until I researched it and chatted with them, I wasn't aware it was only available with a volume license. Somehow that just doesn't seem fair to the very small businesses (let's say the 2-4 person offices like maybe a private real estate agent or an independent lawyer or contractor, or, as in my case, a one-person on-site computer repair and maintenance business) who simply don't need 5 licenses but could very much use the features of the product (I just did without). I guess for them, it's the other options like ACT! and CRM and other non-Microsoft products (or using Microsoft Office to do it, but doing it the hard way by building your own with an Access database tied to the regular version of Outlook - if you have both the time and the skills) or bypassing that methodology. I honestly don't know why they don't offer BCM as a single-purchase product or add-on as it seems they would do well in the market, but I guess they need something to give their Microsoft Partners some business and that was one of the things they selected. I guess they must be right as they are one of the most successful companies in the world while my company certainly can't say that - LOL!

And yes, they are almost certainly going to tell you upgrading will be smooth as silk and the database will convert without problems. Be sure you also find out if you decide not to upgrade how you get the new database back into the 2007 product and how that is all done and if that is just as easy (since I don't think you'll be able to run both at the same time on the same machine though that's possible as I did it when I tested out Office Professional 2010 myself and personally decided that the changes weren't worth the expense in my case - but I didn't install Outlook 2010 as that specific one required replacing Outlook 2007 and I didn't trust I'd be able to return to 2007 without having troubles I didn't want). You don't want to lose everything you do during the trial or find out that the database can't be restored back AFTER you've used it for however long they allow the trial to run, so make sure you fully understand how to get back the way you are after the trial without losing anything you had or that was added or done during the trial.

Remember when you contact them to indicate that if you are pleased with the trial, you will be considering purchasing at least 5 volume licenses (or more) when done or they won't consider you a viable sales candidate and probably won't provide the trial download. You will be under no obligation to actually purchase anything if you don't think 2010 is worth the expense of upgrading from 2007. Also keep in mind that you can't just get Outlook 2010 with BCM as a separate product - it only comes as part of one of two volume license Office Suites (and I'm not quite sure which you need - I know you need the more expensive one to get Access though I'm not sure if you use that and it also includes some additional features which I'm not sure apply to you). I have no idea if upgrades are cheaper than fresh purchases (I didn't specifically ask that question - sorry), but that is generally the case and may also apply here - but as I've never dealt with Microsoft Partners or volume licensing (the businesses I service are almost all much too small for that), I don't know how that works in such situations or with these versions of Office - but I'm sure they'll be happy to discuss it with you. The thing to remember is that contact I provided will not discuss pricing or distribution or downloads or anything like that specifically with you (just as she wouldn't with me) - her job is just to match you up with a Microsoft Partner and that's who you'd be dealing with on those issues. But you have to go through her to get to the Microsoft Partner. I found it frustrating, but that's how it works. I could go no further than I did - the rest is up to you.

I am truly sorry I haven't been of more help with your current 2007 BCM problem but I searched everywhere I could find and researched it as hard as I could and found nothing that helped. I honestly don't know why you can't launch. It may be a corrupt database or it may be something entirely different - I simply don't know and I could not find anything to help (and since I don't have the product, I couldn't test it out on my own system). I also looked for acceptable file corruption repair products for BCM and found nothing - plenty for most of the other Office products but not a thing (nothing I would trust anyway) for that one. If what comes with the product doesn't work (and I know you said you tried), I don't know if it is possible. It seems the product is too specialized for anyone to have spend the time and effort developing a program for that one in particular. Then again, we don't really know that's the issue because the program appears to otherwise work fine (you can get to the information and run reports and do other things) - it's just this one feature that's a problem and database file corruption typically has a somewhat more profound effect than just one single feature - but even if unlikely it is still possible. If you end up with a 2010 trial version, then seeing if it works with that will be a much better test.

Oh, and it's been pouring here. I was supposed to have my front door fixed today but it's so wet they had to reschedule it for next week (but at least I got the grass cut before the downpour began so that's something).

Keep at it and let me know if you learn anything or get any other references or related articles so I can stay on the same page with you - and they may give me some ideas (but no guarantees there). I also want to be sure any corruption products you might be considering are safe to try before you try, buy, or use them - I did see others like the one you sent me that are also inadvisable.

I hope one of the many ways you are attempting to resolve this problem works out for you - though at the moment I'm not sure which one to put my money on.

Good luck!

P.S. I've made other inquiries myself in various other places to see if I can find any answers or suggestions or hints on the original problem and will also keep you advised as that proceeds (so far, no hits). We'll see if I have any better luck - but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Someone suggested trying to create a new database for the user where it doesn't work (a small one just for testing purposes sent internally only) so you can test if the launch function works with this other database. If that works, it would pretty much confirm it is an issue with the file. If not, it would suggest a different problem - but at least we'd know more than we did before. It seems worth a try.

He also suggested trying to launch it from Word and see if that made any difference. I'm fairly certain it won't, but I suppose it can't hurt to check it out.

I hope this helps us to at least get closer to identifying the problem. Let me know so I can let him know and get some further suggestions.

Good luck!

An early bird (like me) - the joys of being self employed! Yes, I'm not sure where you saw that (could be part of posts I've placed at MS). I replied and hoped I would here from them by this morning - but no.

I was planning on posting yesterday (the day -and night- really got past me, however). I did all types of tests between other users and the affected database and realized I did not try the affected user with one of the 'good' databases - and that worked fine.

I did create the new database and everything appears fine with the infected user on the new database. So, yes, it has been narrowed down - I'm thrilled and feeling 'closer'. NOW, I need to get the Accounts & Contacts into the new database. Yeah!!

My husband tried to do an import / export to a new user that we created the other day and that failed. So this is my task today. I won't fully understand the errors until I try again myself. There are apparently several choices; using BCM file format and a csv file format. We did try both and similiar errors dealing with the 'Assigned to User field' preveted the import. My thoughts are if this continues (while importing to the same user), I should be able edit the csv file (this is all too new for me, and have only learned how to (limited) work with these files when I was building the website and then again uploading a product list to another website. (Picked up a 'huge' book from the library yester - huge!)

Are you familiar with these data files? Just a few years away from really working with our computers and truly the world has changed. Dave introduced me to Access (years ago - ATT retiree), but I was already using a Contact Manager program for my real estate business) - I currently don't have Access (thought it would not be necessary with BCM).

Anyway, the problem clearly lies with this database and it is hard for me to comprehend that if it is converted into csv and then imported (aside from a field being incorrect), that any other file corruption would be imported?? Sound logical?

Thanks,

I'm glad to hear the user can use a new database. It really begins to sound like a problem with the original database file now. The issue is how to fix that and unfortunately, I don't have that knowledge as I've never used BCM and don't know how to do a transfer, what formats are possible, how converting to .csv and back will affect the data (or if it will resolve the problem or even permit the conversion if the file is corrupt) and I don't know what the "Assigned to User Field" problem is, what is causing that error, or how to get past it. I simply don't have access to that information. Perhaps if there's a Help button in BCM it will provide some information (but that usually is for very general and common issues and nothing this specific). While I am somewhat familiar with Access, I'm afraid that doesn't help me with BCM as I suspect it is not an Access database - and even if it was, without Access you could do nothing to open or modify it even if it allowed you to do so.

You're thinking of the corruption as if it is a simple record or field that is bad and converting to .csv and back will resolve the problem by just having that record or field be bad and everything else will be fine. It's not that simple. There's more to a database than just the records and fields - there are macros and other programs involved. Still, it might work and I guess it's worth a try (if you can get it to work).

I found the following site: Outlook - Business Contact Manager which contains a lot of info about BCM. I couldn't find anything specific about the issues you're having as I'm not sure what to search for (I tried Assigned to user but came up with nothing helpful but that it is a field in the records) but perhaps it might help you. I also found several posts about importing and exporting BCM files to Excel that may or may not help (by searching for export from BCM to Excel) - but nothing about this error. If the field is not in the records because it is not on the form and is somehow required, you may need to edit the form - I found this on how to do that (but it's somewhat advanced): To change a default Outlook form.

The suggestions came from one MY posts in several places - I decided to try myself to see if I could get anything more than you were getting. I couldn't even find yours - but I didn't look very hard as I merely wanted to post myself.

I hope this helps - I suspect it won't very much but it does seem like we are making some progress - we know quite a bit more than we did a day or two ago and have a pretty good idea of the source of the problem (even if we're still struggling with how to solve that). Now if only we could figure out this error message. I'll keep at it.

Good luck!

My head is really exploding. In addition to that big fat book which I haven't been able to locate anything about the databases - I also picked up a DVD about MS SQL databases. I received a response on the Outlook forum as follows:

"BCM database is stored in SQL - ldf and mdf are the files on the hard drive. if everyone is getting the same error it could be the database.

If you have outlook 2007 installed you should have the Sept 14 security update for office 2007 too. The security update is full of "issues" so it could be the cause - no one has mentioned this specific problem though and linked it to the update. It's one of those things where not enough people reported it to have figured out a solution.

Or its possible you need to update sql. Go to windows update and see if it offers any sql updates. "

I'm still investigating that but so far no luck with any SQL updates. In reviewing Update History (for the one mentioned above) - I noticed the following "2 important updates available" and normally there are only optional updates - Of course, I choose for MS to auto update because I never know how to choose what is necessary or not - naive, silly me. Should I be doing these. Went through the chain of links (for MS help on the updates - said it would scan my PC and there was also a link in MS security for help & questions and then it just brought me back to my windows update screen.

(first)
Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems (KB2416473)
Download size: 1.5 MB
You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.
Update type: Important
A security issue has been identified that could allow an attacker to compromise your Windows-based system that is running the Microsoft .NET Framework and gain access to information. You can help protect your computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
More information:
MS10-070: Description of the security update for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008
Help and Support:
Microsoft Support

(Second)
Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, Windows Vista SP2, and Windows Server 2008 SP2 for x64-based Systems (KB2416470)
Download size: 4.1 MB
You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.
Update type: Important
A security issue has been identified that could allow an attacker to compromise your Windows-based system that is running the Microsoft .NET Framework and gain access to information. You can help protect your computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
More information:
MS10-070: Description of the security update for the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 on Windows Vista Service Pack 2 and on Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
Help and Support:
Microsoft Support

Why isn't MS just installing what the PC needs - I don't believe I have changed any of those settings. Sadly, when I look at most of these pages, it might as well be written in Greek.

Wearing me down...

Update is offering no SQL updates - so that isn't the issue.

I'm not sure why these two updates didn't automatically install, but I see no reason why you can't install them provided you have Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 and Vista SP2 already installed. I don't think they will solve your problem, but I see no harm in installing them (and they are security updates so they are important).

If you can find that Sept 14 Office update, I suggest you uninstall it. If it is the cause of the problem, then uninstalling it may resolve everything (except getting the update installed - but we can worry about that later). You will need to switch to manual or that Office update will be detected as missing and install again and you'll be back where you are. When in manual and after you've uninstalled it and when it eventually appears again (it could be the next check or possibly a bit longer), just right click on it and click on hide and it won't bother you again. When checking for what to install, just install the important and critical updates and ignore the optional ones (that's pretty much what the automatic process does anyway). Once it is uninstalled, reboot and check to see if the problem is resolved.

If the database is SQL, you really aren't equipped to fix it yourself - that's a whole separate program with special coding and requiring special skills and months or years of training. You're apt to do more harm than good trying. Stick with what BCM offers for working with the database - and if that doesn't help and the above doesn't help, then post back saying what you did and so it seems to be the database and what can you do about it (if anything).

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

I don't know if I have .NET framework - I know I have Vista SP2. Is there a place to locate that info on my system? If so, should I be installing both? I do realize this is not a resolution to this issue but didn't want to neglect other issues.

Check Start / Control Panel / Programs and Features and, if not there, go to Installed Updates and check there as well for .NET Framework 3.5 SP1. If you don't have it, don't worry about the updates (it probably would explain why they didn't install in the first place). If you do have the program installed, you should then install the updates as well.

I do have it - am I supposed to download both or just the second one. So sorry to be asking so many questions - I followed the links and it just doesn't seem to answer the questions.

Yes, download and install both - they should install in the proper order automatically.

No problem, these things sometimes just aren't explained clearly. As a general rule, unless you have two downloads that are exactly the same, you should install any important or critical system, program, or security updates that come up when you scan for new updates (or that are included in the automatic download). The optional ones are up to you (I usually do most of them) but I recommend you stay away from any device drivers they may include. Instead, if you see a device driver download, hide it so it goes away (right click on it and select hide) and go to the computer and/or device manufacturer's web site and get updated drivers directly from them. I've seen too many cases where the drivers from Microsoft Update cause problems.

Sorry it took so long to reply - I was otherwise occupied.

Good luck!