Our neighbor's Outlook Express spelling check doesn't work. When he
clicks on it, it stays gray and does nothing. Is there a way to fix
it?

Hi adessociao,

First, go to Tools / Options / Spelling and make sure "Always check
spelling" is enabled.

Outlook Express doesn't have its own spell checker, it relies on other
programs, such as MS Office, to make it work. If he doesn't have MS
Office or Word, try "Spell Checker for OE" (my second link). If he has
MS Office or Word he'll need to to add a missing file, you'll find
manual instructions at my first link.

1) How To: Fix spell checking in Outlook Express 6
"If you have a suitable Microsoft application installed on your
computer but spell checking does not work, the most common cause of
this problem is a missing file which Outlook Express requires in order
to make use of the Office spellchecker.
To solve this problem, you need to obtain a copy of the missing file
csapi3t1.dll and place it in the folder "Program Files\Common
Files\Microsoft Shared\Proof"..."
http://www.tech-pro.net/howto_010.html

2) Spell Checker for OE
"The purpose of this program, is to supply for free the ability to use
Spelling in OE, without the need to purchase other software, such as
MS Word,Works, or Office."
http://www.geocities.com/vampirefo/

Other ideas:

Open OE
Go to tools / options / spelling and set the language to "English"

OLEXP: Spell Checker or Custom Dictionary Errors in Outlook Express
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;178238

Additional Link of Interest:

Spell Magic:
http://www.alcodasoftware.com/spell-magic.htm

I hope this helps. If you have any questions or if this didn't solve
it, please post a clarification request *before* closing/rating my
answer and I'll be happy to have another look.

Thank you,
hummer

Google Search Terms Used:

spell check outlook express

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Request for Answer Clarification by adessociao-ga on 20 Jan 2005 16:20 PST

Just to let you know he's out of town; hopefully back by Sunday.
Didn't expect so fast an answer. Sorry 'bout this.

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Clarification of Answer by hummer-ga on 20 Jan 2005 17:26 PST

Hi adessociao,

That's fine, thanks for letting me know, I was wondering how you were
making out. I'll look forward to your update.

Good luck!
hummer

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Request for Answer Clarification by adessociao-ga on 21 Jan 2005 07:52 PST

Nothing worked.  Got his kid to let me in. Tried all the links you
sent, downloaded the Geek thing but had no effect. He does have OE 6
and one of the links was for OE 5 and referred to error messages
showing up--he's never recd. such message.
Put the Spellcheck icon in and nothing.
Am I doing something incorrectly or is this a lost cause? 
Because we're in the midst of blizzard conditions, don't know when I
can get back here. Ergo, rushing isn't necessary.
Sorry about all this.

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Clarification of Answer by hummer-ga on 21 Jan 2005 08:07 PST

Hi adessociao,

Does he have MS Office or Word?

Take care on the roads,
hummer

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Request for Answer Clarification by adessociao-ga on 21 Jan 2005 15:29 PST

All is well and working!!  Stupid error on my part but caught it in time.
Many thanks.

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Clarification of Answer by hummer-ga on 21 Jan 2005 15:56 PST

Good work, adessociao, I'm really glad to hear that. It will be a nice
surprise for your friend when he gets back. Thank you for your thank
you, nice rating, and tip, I appreciate it. Sincerely, hummer

The download link you gave did the trick.  Thanks a lot on behalf of him.