Vista - OL2003/Vista/mapi32.dll fix didn't work!

OL2003 under Vista Home Premiun SP1.

(See my original post on this problem in microsoft.public.outlook.general -
4/2/09 4:32 pm)

I've cross-posted to ...windows.vista.general in a desperate reach for
additional assistance.

I originally asked for help on a known OL2003 problem, and found many fixes
by Googling mapi32.dll. None of them seemed to work. I think they all
tried to rename \windows\system32 mapi32.dll to something invalid, in the
belief that when OL2003 couldn't find the file it would generate what it
needed.)

One Outlook MVP told me how to rename the file, but I wasn't authorized to
do it, and $30 later, Geek Squad did it for me.

IT DIDN'T HELP!

What do I do next?

"BudV" <BudVitoff@(NO)att.(SPAM)net> wrote:
[snip]
If you want the folks in vista.general to help, then you're going to
have to copy your original post to that group (here) rather than hope
vista.general users will go find it in outlook.general.

"BudV" <BudVitoff@(NO)att.(SPAM)net> wrote in message
news:eWz6w2WtJHA.1492@xxxxxxThe following (between the lines) was the original thread about the problem
I have:
Can I get a little more help on this mapi32 fix/denied access problem?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"BudV" <BudVitoff@(NO)att.(SPAM)net> wrote in message
news:uru$KH%23sJHA.2532@xxxxxx--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BudV wrote:
Hi Bud,

In general terms, Outlook 2003 can run fine on Vista. I've used this
configuration in the past without problems. There are many possible
issues around different versions of MAPI; your problem might seem
"well-known" to you, but it isn't very clear to the rest of us which
specific MAPI-related error you're seeing!!

It seems that renaming MAPI32.DLL doesn't help. So, what is the actual
error that you get? What *specifically* isn't working? Does Outlook 2003
not install correctly? Does it install, but then refuse to run? Does it
start running, but refuse to receive or send email? Do you get an error
message? What is the exact text of the error message?

BTW, be aware that these newsgroups are voluntary, peer-to-peer
assistance, they aren't official Microsoft support channels. So, you
need to "help us to help you", by giving a clear description of your
issue. Otherwise everyone will just lose interest and wander away.

Thanks,

Andrew

This problem has been identified in many different forums, but I haven't seen a solution anywhere.

Vista Business 32
Outlook 2003

Problem: Unable to start Outlook
Error: MAPI32.DLL is corrupt or the wrong version
(all advice suggests renaming or deleting this file, which leads to...)

2nd problem: Cannot rename or delete MAPI32.DLL
Error: Need permission to perform this action
Actions tried:
- Enabled and logged in using built-in ADMINISTRATOR account
- Using an EXPLORER window that was started using "Run as administrator"


My major query here is how the heck to get enough privs to rename this file?

I've now reached the point where I'm trying to copy a working MAPI32.DLL from an existing Vista32+Outlook2003 installation and it refuses to allow me to copy that file to the System32 directory.

Help!

Being a little impatient, I carried on digging. The trick to deleting MAPI32.DLL (so that I could replace it with a working MAPI32.DLL from another Vista+Office2003 installation) is to change specific file permissions.

(If you're taking my route, copy MAPI32.DLL from a working Vista+Office2003 system and put it on a flash drive / network drive / whatever you like)

• Right-click on MAPI32.DLL
• Select Properties and then the Security tab
• Click Edit button
• Click Add button
• Enter a username in the box "Enter the object names to select" - i.e. your own
• Click on Check names to be sure you got it right :-) and then OK
• With the newly added user selected in the 'Group or user names' list, check Allow for Full Control
• Click Apply and then OK (probably OK will do, but I was so annoyed by now I didn't want to take any chances!)
• Reboot (again, probably not needed, but I did it just to be sure)
• Find MAPI32.DLL and rename to MAPI32.CORRUPT (again, me being pedantic; you could probably just delete it)
• Copy to the same location the MAPI32.DLL that you prepared earlier.

I rebooted again and started Outlook and EUREKA! It works just fine now.

The replacement file has the proper level of protection (i.e. noone but TrustedInstaller has full control), so I haven't left a gaping security problem on the file I'm using.

b.

My son tried installing Office 2007 on my new computer. The new computer is running Vista. But Office 2007 did not actually install. And none of the Office programs were working. So I reinstalled Office 2003. All the 2003 programs worked EXCEPT for Outlook. I also was receiving the error message...

Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. MAPI32.DLL is corrupt or the wrong version. This could have been caused by installing other messaging software. Please reinstall Outlook.

I uninstalled Office 2003 and reinstalled it - still received the error message. I searched for hours and tried renaming the MAPI32.DLL etc but it did not work.

The fix that I found that worked for me was so easy!

I opened Microsoft Word - then clicked on Help in the Menu Bar. From there I clicked on Detect and Repair. I left the box checked beside of Restore my shortcuts while repairing. Then I clicked the Start button.

Voila! Microsoft Outlook 2003 is now back up and running!