Microsoft KB Archive/187258

= OL97: Dr Watson Error on Outlook Startup =

Article ID: 187258

Article Last Modified on 1/23/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Outlook 97 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT 4.0

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This article was previously published under Q187258



SYMPTOMS
Shortly after startup, Microsoft Outlook 97 may fail with a generic Dr. Watson error in Outlook.exe.



CAUSE
There is a problem in either the Offitems.log file or the Outitems.log file.



RESOLUTION
Rename and rebuild the problem file.



MORE INFORMATION
Outlook journalizes information about your use of various files in two log files. Offitems.log contains information on Microsoft Office program files such as Word and Excel. Outitems.log contains information on Outlook items such as Mail and Tasks. These log files are normally stored in the Windows or Winnt folder.

To Determine the Problem File

 * 1) Quit Outlook and rename the Offitems.log file.
 * 2) Restart Outlook and wait at least 30 seconds for the error to appear. If the error does not appear, the problem has been isolated.
 * 3) If the error reappears quit Outlook and rename the Outitems.log file.
 * 4) Restart Outlook and wait at least 30 seconds for the error to appear.

NOTE: Renaming these two files will result in the loss of the journal history contained in them. If you isolate the problem to only one of the files, you can rename the good file back to recover its history data.

To Customize the Journal Feature

 * 1) On the Tools menu, click Options.
 * 2) On the Journal tab, click to select the Outlook items and Office files you wish to track for the selected Contacts.

