Outlook (XP, SP3) - Can't find Contacts?

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MadDog - 17 Oct 2007 17:10 GMT

I'm having a problem with Outlook XP (SP3) that just started.

From my main Outlook screen, if I type a name in the search box to bring up
a contact, I get:

"Outlook could not find the requested contact. You don't have appropriate
permission to perform this operation."

If I open the contact view, I have no problem navigating to the specific
contact. It's there. It's just that search doesn't find it.

My computer recently did an automatic Windows XP update and I don't know if
this has anything to do with it.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

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Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook] - 17 Oct 2007 21:21 GMT

Error message means you have not configured the Outlook Address Book Service
correctly.

Signature

Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

> I'm having a problem with Outlook XP (SP3) that just started.
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Thanks.

Reply to this Message

MadDog - 18 Oct 2007 07:02 GMT

Well, the issue is that I haven't changed ANYTHING. All of a sudden, it
doesn't work. The only thing I can think is that when Windows updated,
"something" got changed.

Can you tell me how to fix this? I don't have a clue as to how to configure
the Outlook Address Book Service.

Thanks.

> Error message means you have not configured the Outlook Address Book Service
> correctly.

Reply to this Message

Brian Tillman - 18 Oct 2007 14:01 GMT

> Well, the issue is that I haven't changed ANYTHING. All of a sudden,
> it doesn't work. The only thing I can think is that when Windows
> updated, "something" got changed.

Well, then, you DID change something. Allowing Windows Update to install
something is certainly within the definition of "change"

> Can you tell me how to fix this? I don't have a clue as to how to
> configure the Outlook Address Book Service.

> P.S. I searched and found your pointer to this:
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> What now?

Were this happening to me, I'd remove the OAB service from the mail profile
and add it in again, using the Mail applet in Control Panel, with Outlook
closed. I'd then start Outlook and make sure the "Show this folder" box was
checked again for each Contacts folder you want to appear. I'd then start
the Address Book window and under Tools>Options, make sure the contacts
folders were listed in the order I want.

Signature

Brian Tillman [MVP-Outlook]

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MadDog - 18 Oct 2007 15:28 GMT

OK. I can either say "busted" or point well made. Unfortunately, I'm a big
enough dope when it comes to details like you're pointing out to be totally
clueless.

You're almost (?) implying that the Windows update is the root cause here.
Correct? If so, should I not be letting the automatic update function work?
How would I disable it?

Thanks.

> > Well, the issue is that I haven't changed ANYTHING. All of a sudden,
> > it doesn't work. The only thing I can think is that when Windows
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> the Address Book window and under Tools>Options, make sure the contacts
> folders were listed in the order I want.

Reply to this Message

Brian Tillman - 18 Oct 2007 20:40 GMT

> OK. I can either say "busted" or point well made. Unfortunately, I'm
> a big enough dope when it comes to details like you're pointing out
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> here. Correct? If so, should I not be letting the automatic update
> function work? How would I disable it?

I'm not implying that the Windows Update feature caused the problem, but
since you claim that's all that changed, then the update is a likely
suspect.

You change the behavior of Windows Update in Control Panel>Security
Center>Automatic Updates.

Signature

Brian Tillman [MVP-Outlook]

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MadDog - 19 Oct 2007 06:27 GMT

That's my story and I'm sticking to it :-)

I did find the automatic update and it was set to automatically download and
install. I changed it to let me choose when and if to install.

Thanks for your help.

"I'm not implying that the Windows Update feature caused the problem, but
since you claim that's all that changed, then the update is a likely
suspect."

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MadDog - 18 Oct 2007 07:13 GMT

P.S. I searched and found your pointer to this:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;287563&Product=ol2002

In Step 1, my address book was listed under existing directories, and in
Step 2, the "show this folder as an email address book" was already checked.

What now?

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MadDog - 18 Oct 2007 07:24 GMT

P.S.S. I also found the link to:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/823757/en-us

I followed those steps and still have the same problem.

Sorry for the multi-posting but I never got a response the first time I
posted this.

Reply to this Message

Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook] - 18 Oct 2007 10:05 GMT

Standard fix is to remove the Outlook Address Book Service, restart Outlook,
re-add and reconfigure it. It would be worth checking your data file for
errors too using the Inbox Repair Tool.

Signature

Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

> P.S.S. I also found the link to:
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Sorry for the multi-posting but I never got a response the first time I
> posted this.

Reply to this Message

MadDog - 18 Oct 2007 15:30 GMT

Thanks a million. The Inbox Repair Tool fixed it!

> Standard fix is to remove the Outlook Address Book Service, restart Outlook,
> re-add and reconfigure it. It would be worth checking your data file for
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> > Sorry for the multi-posting but I never got a response the first time I
> > posted this.

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