OS: XP SP2 - Office XP

When I start outlook, I get an error message:

Debug Error!
Program: C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\OUTLOOK.EXE

abnormal program termination

(Press Rety to debug the application)
Abort Retry Ignore

If you click on Ignore, you get this message:

Runtime Error!
Program: C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\OUTLOOK.EXE

abnormal program termination

OK

Press Abort, and it will do nothing, click retry and you get the first
message again.

If you then restart Outlook it works fine!

I have un-installed and re-installed Office several times...

I have no idea what to do.
Ideas?

---

Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 29 Oct 2004 06:14 PDT

Hi mcranfie,

A good place to start is checking your Event Viewer.

1. Open the Control Panel
2. Click Administrative Tools (classic)
3. Click Computer Management
4. Click Event Viewer
5. Click Applications and look for anything marked in red regarding
Outlook around the time the error took place.

How To View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308427&sd=tech

>>>

If you have Norton Internet Firewall, it could be conflicting with the
Windows firewall.

1. Turn off Norton Internet Firewall 
or
2. Make sure the Windows firewall is disabled:
   Control Panel / Network Connections
   Right click your connection, go to Properties, then to Advanced Tab
   Make sure the Windows firewall is UNchecked (first option).

>>>

It could be the Norton AntiSpam plugin and you may need to disable it.
Find the file "msouplug.dll" - you should find it here:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Antispam\

Rename it "msouplug.dll.old"

>>>

Please let me know how that goes.

Good luck,
hummer

---

Clarification of Question by mcranfie-ga on 29 Oct 2004 13:20 PDT

I have renamed MSOUPLUG.DLL, and the problem went away.  BUT, I have
now renamed it back to its original name, and the problem has still
not reappeared.

I will keep trying and let you know tonorrow if problem is solved.

OK?

Thanks...

---

Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 29 Oct 2004 13:26 PDT

Mcranfie, if the problem returns, I would start thinking about spyware
and run the following -

1) Run HouseCall, a very thorough online virus scan:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Download and run the following programs ("check for updates" before scanning):

2) CWShredder:
http://www.spychecker.com/program/coolwebshredder.htmls

3) Adaware
http://lavasoft.element5.com/default.shtml.en

4) SpyBot
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Let's hope it doesn't have to come to that. Will look forward to your next update.

hummer

---

Clarification of Question by mcranfie-ga on 29 Oct 2004 13:33 PDT

OK, so it came back!!

I have again renamed the SMOUPLUG and it has gone away!!

So its definately that...

What does MSOUPLUG do?

Can I live withgout it??  I have a 90 day tryout of Norton as this is
a new computer.

I am now running XP Firewall and NORTON...

Doesn't seem to be a problem.

Cheers - Friday Nite and off for a few beers!!

Hi mcranfie,

I'm glad to hear we found the solution by renaming your msouplug.dll.
It's the Norton AntiSpam plugin and renaming it turns it off. It
apparently causes alot of problems similar to yours - search for
"msouplug.dll" on Google to see the troubles others are having.

"Symantec, meanwhile, refuses to let users determine which Internet
Security Components to install -- even though users might want to go
with Norton AntiVirus, but pass on Norton Personal Firewall or Norton
AntiSpam in favor of alternate programs. Particularly annoying, even
when you turn off AntiSpam, its Outlook toolbar continues to load.
(Solution: rename the "MsouPlug.dll" in your "C:\Program Files\Common
Files\Symantec Shared\Antispam" -- do not delete it; Symantec does not
have a "repair" installation option.) ..."
http://www.thenakedpc.com/al/security.html

How to configure Norton AntiSpam and the AntiSpam feature of Norton
Internet Security and Norton Personal Firewall 2004
The AntiSpam feature of these products allows you to configure the
types of email to block or allow, as well as to create custom rules to
block email based on specific words and phrases, and to designate who
is allowed to send you email. You can also flag any email in your
inbox as spam, and Norton Internet Security and Norton AntiSpam will
block all such messages in the future.
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/docid/2003120509465836

How to disable or enable Norton AntiSpam:
   1. Click Start > Programs > Norton AntiSpam > Norton AntiSpam.
   2. In the main window, click AntiSpam.
   3. On the right side of the main window, click "Turn Off."
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/docid/2003082718302536?Open&src=&docid=2003120509465836&nsf=nip.nsf&view=docid&dtype=&prod=&ver=&osv=&osv_lvl=

Personally, my browser is Mozilla (no pop-ups, ever) and I use Mozilla
mail which has a great built-in junk mail utility.

>>>>>>

Here's my answer again to make it official:

A good place to start is checking your Event Viewer.

1. Open the Control Panel
2. Click Administrative Tools (classic)
3. Click Computer Management
4. Click Event Viewer
5. Click Applications and look for anything marked in red regarding
Outlook around the time the error took place.

How To View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308427&sd=tech

>>>

If you have Norton Internet Firewall, it could be conflicting with the
Windows firewall.

1. Turn off Norton Internet Firewall 
or
2. Make sure the Windows firewall is disabled:
   Control Panel / Network Connections
   Right click your connection, go to Properties, then to Advanced Tab
   Make sure the Windows firewall is UNchecked (first option).

>>>

It could be the Norton AntiSpam plugin and you may need to disable it.
Find the file "msouplug.dll" - you should find it here:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Antispam\

Rename it "msouplug.dll.old"

>>>

I'm glad all is well. Welcome to GA.

Sincerely,
hummer

Great - solved in hours...  Will use service again for sure...