Re: inbox disappeared

From: neo [mvp outlook] (neo_at_online.mvps.org)
Date: 10/11/04 

Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 13:31:06 -0700

System restore doesn't touch data files.

The last time I've heard about the error you report "handle is invalid" is
when running a McAfee antivirus and getting a bad update. What are you
running for antivirus? The only other thing I can think of is that the file
is sitting on some bad clusters on the hard drive. You also might consider
running a CHKDSK of the C: drive. (Start | Run | type: chkdsk C: | OK
button. you should get a message that it needs to run on the next reboot.
Answer okay and then reboot.)

You can also try starting Outlook with the /cleanpst command line switch.
This will start Outlook with a new personal folders file. It will not
delete the old PST file. At the very least, this should give some time to
run the old PST file thru the inbox repair tool. Your old file is at
:\documents and settings\Brandi\local
settings\application data\microsoft\outlook\outlook.pst. Local Settings is
a hidden folder, so you will have to configure Windows 2000/XP to show you
all hidden/system files.

"Brandi" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:00f901c4afcd$e6d483a0$a601280a@phx.gbl...
What I'm seeing when I open up Outlook is: My folder
list to the left as usual. On the right side where I
should see my list of emails I see a brown screen and a
message box that says, : "Unable to display folder. The
file c:\documents and settings\Brandi\local
settings\application data\microsoft\outlook\outlook.pst
could not be accessed. The handle is invalid."

I tried doing the repair scan as you said and got this
message: "Unknown erro prevented access to the file
c:\program files..........." do you need that whole
file? I didn't write it all down.But can if it would
help. I also tried to set up a new Profile and didn't
quite get that right. I can usally figure stuff out but
this problem really has me stumped.... not to mention it
is very aggravating. Any other suggestions?

One more thing, this morning I went to "Detect and
Repair" and then checked the box that says: "discard my
customised settings and restore default settings" once
that was complete my inbox was there but all of my emails
were gone, so I restored back to yesterday, because I
really don't want to lose the emails I have saved, but if
that is my only option then I guess I will have to.
Thanks again.

>-----Original Message-----
>Assuming not there means that the gray panel is gone
stating that it can't
>be displayed and you now see an empty folder, I would
try running the inbox
>repair tool (scanpst.exe) against your *.pst files.
>
>You shouldn't have to reinstall Outlook. You might just
need a new outlook
>profile (see mail applet in the control panel > show
profiles. don't copy
>the existing, just create new and delete the old) and
start with a new PST
>file. You can copy data from the old PST file to the
new.
>
>"Brandi" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
message
>news:006901c4afc1$9174b3f0$a601280a@phx.gbl...
>Alright I put in the space and it opened Oulook-however
>my inbox was still not there. All my other folders I can
>access just not my inbox and I have now noticed that I
>cannot send an email either. Anything else?? I tried
>restoring my pc back to last week and it did not help it
>either. The only thing I can think to do is uninstall
>outlook and reinstall. I have a lot of personal settings
>though so I hate to lose all of those. Any other
>suggestions??
>
>Brandi
>>-----Original Message-----
>>did you put a space between outlook.exe and /?
>>
>>--
>>Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]
>>
>>Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion
>intact. Due to
>>the (insert latest virus name here) virus, all mail sent
>to my personal
>>account will be deleted without reading.
>>
>>After furious head scratching, Brandi asked:
>>
>>| Thanks for the quick reply. However I tried this and
I
>>| got a message that said: "Cannot start Microsoft
>Office
>>| Outlook. The command line argument is not valid
verify
>>| the switch you are using." Any other suggestion??
>>|
>>| thanks,
>>| brandi
>>|
>>|
>>|| -----Original Message-----
>>|| Try starting Outlook with the /cleanviews command
>line switch.
>>||
>>|| How to:
>>|| Select Start > Run
>>|| Type: outlook.exe /cleanviews
>>|| OK button
>>||
>>|| "brandi" <brandicarolina@hotmail.com> wrote in
message
>>|| news:2bc801c4afa9$efc78260$a301280a@phx.gbl...
>>||| Last night my Pc shut down on me while I was viewing
>my
>>||| inbox (outlook 2003). Now when I open my inbox with
>>||| outlook it says: Unable to display the folder-----
>and
>>||| gives the file name for my inbox. I have tried
>repairing
>>||| it but can't seem to get it right. All my other
>folders
>>||| were not effected only my inbox. Any suggestions??
>>|||
>>||| Thanks
>>||
>>||
>>|| .
>>
>>
>>.
>>
>
>
>.
>

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