Outlook - Choose Profile does not work

[cskeller1]

Using Outlook 2003 (Windows XP), I have two profiles set up. I understand that if I close Outlook, then next time I open it should (re) prompt for which profile I'd like to use. Instead, it automatically opens whichever I chose the first time.

The only way I've found to get Outlook to prompt for the profile again is to restart. Any help?

 

[58sniper]

Okay - stupid question. When you open up the MAIL applet in the Control Panel and view your profiles, what box is checked at the bottom?

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[cskeller1]

I think you're referring to the Profiles dialoge. I have checked there, "Prompt for a profile to be used".

Note that this works fine the first time I start Outlook after having restarted - I get the prompt. It's just every time I start Outlook thereafter it assumes I want the profile I started with and does not prompt.

 

[58sniper]

Are you using anything that uses that profile, like Blackberry redirector, or anything like that?

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[cskeller1]

Nothing of the sort.

 

[58sniper]

After you close Outlook, look in task manager and see if any processes related to Outlook are still open.

The only time I see this problem is when all of the Outlook components aren't closed, and the user re-launches Outlook. Since the originally opened profile is still open, it doesn't prompt again - it just uses the same one.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[cskeller1]

In task manager, there is no application running. Although I must add that occasionally, when I shut down - even when there's no application running - I'll get a dialogue indicating that it's trying to shut Outlook down. Is there a Process or Service that I can look for? (to halt or restart?)

 

[teknate]

cskeller1? Did you resolve this issue? I have the same problem and would love to know if you've sussed it out. I have even set all Outlook shortcut targets to force-require a Profile every time and they do not ask! Somehow it must be "propped" open and not closing properly... but why?? how???

 

[cmeagan656]

Are you using file ->exit to close Outlook or just the X in the right hand corner? I find that if I just X to close Outlook is more likely to stay propped open especially if, during the session, you have clicked a contact link on a web site that has opened a new message or if you use Word as your mail editor.

Cheers.

 

[ste52653]

Outlook is definitely not closing correctly.

In task mananger look in the process tab, there may be outlook and/or WinWord (if MS Word is your editor) processes still running. If you see these in processes running, kill them.

If this problem continues, ensure all service packs are installed, also try a "Detect and Repair".

Sometimes Outlook with Word editor takes a while to shut down, give it about 10-15 seconds to close, then try again.

 

[cskeller1]

I tried to exit Outlook off of the file menu - same results. I didn't think I was using Word as my email editor, but WINWORD comes and goes when I open and exit Outlook.

I don't know what specific process initiates for Outlook to know if it's still running for some reason...

 

[ste52653]

The process is just called "Outlook.exe" see the screenshot here:

If the Outlook process is not still running, and you don't have something like Blackberry Desktop manager or MS Active Sync running, then the Outlook application is hanging at close it seems. Try the service packs and detect and repair options i mentioned previous.

 

[cskeller1]

Okay - that's definitely not active after I close Outlook.

The problem does not lie there....

 

[rbeleno]

Was any solution ever found to this problem? I have the same exact problem too.

Thanks

 

[teknate]

I reinstalled Outlook and it worked after a reinstall. I think the people saying that it was not exiting/closing correctly are spot on. Although exiting carefully and disabling the MSMessenger auto-startup didn't help -- nor did setting up shortcuts that would attempt to force the profile prompt.

I think that our Backup system -- which uses some kind of SQL database -- was choking on Outlook if it happened to be left open overnight. I think this would then "prop" Outlook open in such a way that the opened user never truly exited from their profile unless the computer was restarted.


Perhaps the reinstallation allowed Outlook to play along better with the Backup system? It was fairly painless and I did it in such a way that all of the mail settings, addresses, email, etc worked immediately upon opening the new installation.

 

[rbeleno]

I actually tried a re-install the other day and it didn't work. But after seeing your post that it worked for you, I tried again just now... the problem is fixed!!!

There were a few differences of my first re-install versus this second re-install which includes the following...

1. I have always had MS Backup for .PST installed with Outlook. I uninstalled that first this second time which I didn't do before. I don't know if this effects it, but many times before the PST Backup would execute usually when Outlook is closing. Whether this is part of the problem, I'm not sure.

2. Second re-install, I didn't do the auto-update it installed, I re-booted the system first and then updated after and it is still working correctly.

Again, thanks for the confirmation that the re-install worked for you. It made me decide to try that route again.