Microsoft KB Archive/244133

= OLEXP: Outlook Express 5 for Macintosh Readme file =

Article ID: 244133

Article Last Modified on 10/2/2002

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 Macintosh Edition

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This article was previously published under Q244133



For information about the differences between Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook e-mail clients, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

257824 OL2000: Differences Between Outlook and Outlook Express



SUMMARY
This article contains a copy of the information in the Read Me file included with Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 for Macintosh.



MORE INFORMATION
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Microsoft Outlook Express 5 Macintosh Edition Readme File October 1999

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(c) Microsoft Corporation, 1999. All rights reserved.

This document provides late-breaking or other information relevant to Microsoft Outlook Express 5 Macintosh Edition, and is current as of the date above. After that date, you may find more current information and resources on the Microsoft Outlook Express Macintosh Edition Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/mac/oe/

For further technical information on Outlook Express 5, please read the Support file located in the Outlook Express 5 folder. You can also consult Microsoft's online support resources and search for technical information from Product Support Services. To consult online support services, go to http://support.microsoft.com/support/

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CONTENTS

1. WHAT'S NEW IN THIS RELEASE

1.1 Address AutoComplete

1.2 Smart Attachments

1.3 Improved Preview Pane

1.4 One Key Read

1.5 Info Bar

1.6 Advanced Find

1.7 Address Book Enhancements

1.8 Microsoft Office-like Appearance and Behavior

1.9 Account Setup Assistant

1.10 Easy Importing

1.11 Junk Mail Filter

1.12 Error Log

1.13 Schedules

1.14 Mailing List Manager

1.15 Multiuser Support

1.16 Multiple Accounts

1.17 Hotmail Support

1.18 IMAP Support

1.19 Synchronization with 3Com Palm Connected Organizers

1.20 Additional Features in Microsoft Outlook Express 5

2. INSTALLATION NOTES

2.1 Minimum System Requirements for Microsoft Outlook Express 5

2.2 Upgrading to Outlook Express 5 When Using the Multi User Feature in Macintosh OS 9

2.3 Maintaining Mail and User Data When Reinstalling Microsoft Outlook Express 5 on Macintosh OS 8.1, 8.5.x, or 8.6

2.4 Maintaining Mail and User Data When Reinstalling Microsoft Outlook Express 5 on Macintosh OS 9.0

2.5 Rebuilding Your Desktop after Installing Outlook Express 5

2.6 Using Outlook Express 5 Contacts as a Data Source for a Microsoft Word Mail Merge

2.7 Microsoft Internet Explorer with Strong Encryption (128-bit) and Outlook Express 5

2.8 Avoiding Dial-Up Conflicts with Apple Remote Access

3. TROUBLESHOOTING

3.1 Troubleshooting Microsoft Outlook Express 5 Setup

3.2 Starting Outlook Express 5 and Accessing the Mail Database

4. INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

4.1 Support for Bi-Directional Languages

5. TIPS FOR ADVANCED USERS

5.1 Compacting the Outlook Express 5 Mail Database

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1. WHAT¹S NEW IN THIS RELEASE

1.1 Address AutoComplete

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Type an address in a message, and Microsoft Outlook Express shows names and addresses of contacts in your Address Book that match, whether you type a first name, last name, nickname, or e-mail address.

1.2 Smart Attachments

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Sending and receiving e-mail with attachments is easy -- even when the sender and recipient are using different e-mail programs and computing platforms. In the Attachments pane, located just below the addressing window, you can add and remove file attachments, and change attachment settings. By default, Outlook Express encodes attachments using AppleDouble format, which can be read by both Macintosh and Windows operating systems alike. Other encoding formats are also available.

1.3 Improved Preview Pane

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In the Preview pane, you can easily read e-mail and perform common e-mail tasks without opening a separate message window.. For example, you can use buttons in the Preview pane to increase the size of text and rewrap text so that it's easier to read a message.

1.4 One Key Read

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Save time by minimizing the number of key strokes and mouse actions required to read messages. Press the spacebar to scroll through a message. At the end of the message, press the spacebar again to move to the next unread message.

1.5 Info Bar

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The Info Bar, located at the top of messages you receive, contains important information about the message. For example, if you replied to a message, the Info Bar includes the date you replied and provides a link so that you can view your reply. If you performed more than one action on a message, a link appears so that you can view the history of the message.

1.6 Advanced Find

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Use the Advanced Find dialog box to search for messages by a wide variety of criteria, and by more than one criterion at a time.

1.7 Address Book Enhancements

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In addition to storing e-mail addresses, home and work addresses, and phone and fax numbers, the Outlook Express Address Book has custom fields you can use to add any information you want, such as birthdays or names of spouses. The Address Book is also tightly integrated with messaging; for example, when you address a message, you automatically access addresses in your Address Book. And when you receive a message from someone, you can easily add the sender to your Address Book.

1.8 Microsoft Office-like Appearance and Behavior

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It's now even easier to switch between Outlook Express and Microsoft Office programs. For example, Outlook Express menus are now similar to Office menus. For text editing, you can also use keyboard shortcuts that match those in Microsoft Word.

1.9 Account Setup Assistant

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You can easily set up mail, news, and directory service accounts by using the new Account Setup Assistant. This six-step wizard makes it easy to quickly configure your existing accounts or create a new Hotmail account.

1.10 Easy importing

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You can import messages, contacts, rules, signatures, and account information directly from several other e-mail programs, as well as from earlier versions of Outlook Express. If you are switching from a program that Outlook Express can not import directly from, you can still import your contacts by exporting the information to a text file and then importing the text file. Outlook Express automatically matches data fields in the imported text file to its own data fields, so information stays exactly as you intended.

1.11 Junk Mail Filter

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If you regularly receive junk e-mail, Outlook Express can help you manage it by automatically identifying potential junk messages. In the Junk Mail Filter dialog box, you can specify how you want to distinguish messages identified as potential junk mail. For example, you can make the messages a different color than your other messages, mark them as read, or run an AppleScript to handle them.

1.12 Error Log

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Outlook Express includes a new error-reporting system. If your workflow is interrupted by an error, such as a connection or protocol problem, Outlook Express displays a dialog box that describes the problem and, if appropriate, offers guidance in correcting it. An error log is kept for reference until you quit Outlook Express.

1.13 Schedules

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In Outlook Express, you can automate certain tasks by creating a schedule that specifies what you want Outlook Express to do and when you want it done. Outlook Express then performs the tasks at the time you specified.

1.14 Mailing List Manager

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The new Mailing List Manager helps you manage the messages you receive from the mailing lists you subscribe to. The Mailing List Manager can automatically sort and file these messages, so that you can keep them separate from your personal and business messages.

1.15 Multiuser Support

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Outlook Express supports users who share a computer by storing separate account information and Preference settings for each user. Outlook Express also supports the new multiuser functionality available in Macintosh OS version 9.0 and later.

1.16 Multiple Accounts

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Outlook Express makes it easy to manage multiple e-mail accounts. You can switch among a number of POP, IMAP, and Hotmail accounts.

1.17 Hotmail Support

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Now you can use Outlook Express to send and receive messages from a Hotmail account rather than connect to the Hotmail Web site with a Web browser.

1.18 IMAP Support

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Store your IMAP messages in server folders for sent messages, draft messages, and deleted messages. You can also create rules that apply to IMAP messages.

1.19 Synchronization with 3Com Palm Connected Organizers

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Outlook Express includes built-in support for sharing contacts with Palm connected organizers ensuring that you have the most current information in both Outlook Express and your Palm organizer.

To learn more about this feature, read the associated Read Me file for Palm Sync in the Outlook Express 5 Extras folder.

1.20 Additional Features in Microsoft Outlook Express 5

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 * Drag & drop installation with self-healing lets you quickly install and start Microsoft Outlook Express 5.


 * If Microsoft Office is installed on your computer, you can easily check spelling in your messages. You can choose to check spelling as you type messages or all at once when you send them. You can also switch spelling dictionaries without quitting and re-starting Outlook Express.


 * The Mail Merge feature in Microsoft Word lets you easily address letters and envelopes to your Outlook Express contacts.


 * Improvements to Unicode, character set encodings, and newsgroup encodings makes it easy to send attachments and receive messages composed in other languages.

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2. INSTALLATION NOTES

2.1 Minimum System Requirements for Microsoft Outlook Express 5

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To use Microsoft Outlook Express 5, you need:


 * Macintosh with a PowerPC processor


 * Macintosh OS version 8.1 or later


 * 6 MB of available RAM with Virtual Memory on (7 MB recommended)


 * 15 MB of available hard disk space for Outlook Express


 * Internet Software

- Open Transport 1.1.1 or higher

- For dial-up connections, OT PPP or similar PPP connection software (Control Panel) with PPP (extension)

Additional items or services required to use certain features:


 * 9600-baud modem; 28,800 or higher baud recommended


 * Internet functionality requires access to the Internet through

an Internet service provider (ISP) or the network to which your computer is connected

2.2 Upgrading to Outlook Express 5 When Using the Multi User Feature in Macintosh OS 9

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If you are using the Multi User feature in Macintosh OS 9 and you would like to upgrade to Outlook Express 5, you need to move the Identities folder to the correct location on your hard disk after you install Outlook Express 5. If you do not do this, Outlook Express 5 will not function properly.

NOTE: Depending on your Macintosh system settings, the Identities folder might be located in the Outlook Express folder on your hard disk or it might be located in the Microsoft User Data folder in the Documents folder on your hard disk. If you are unable to locate the Identities folder, use Apple Sherlock and search for the folder whose name contains Identities in order to locate the folder.

>>>To move the Identities folder to the correct location on your hard disk:

1. If you have not yet done so, configure the Macintosh OS 9 Multi User feature for each user.

2. Drag the Identities folder to the desktop.

3. Open the Extras folder in the Outlook Express 5 folder.

4. Drag the Identities folder from the desktop to the Upgrade to Macintosh OS 9 Multi User AppleScript in the Extras folder.

5. Open the Macintosh OS 9 Users folder on your hard disk.

6. Copy the appropriate Microsoft User Data folder from the

Outlook Express 5 Identities folder on your desktop to the corresponding Macintosh OS 9 user's Documents folder. A Macintosh OS 9 user's Documents folder is located in:

Users:, where is the name of the user.

2.3 Maintaining Mail and User Data When Reinstalling Microsoft Outlook Express 5 on Macintosh OS 8.1, 8.5.x, or 8.6

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If you do not have a Documents folder on your hard disk, Microsoft Outlook Express stores your mail in the Identities folder in the Outlook Express 5 folder on your hard disk. If you reinstall Outlook Express by recopying the Outlook Express 5 folder to your hard disk, DO NOT replace the existing Identities folder. If you replace this folder, your saved mail and user data will be removed.

>>>To maintain mail and user data when reinstalling:

1. Move the Identities folder from the Outlook Express 5 folder to your desktop.

2. Copy the Outlook Express 5 folder to your hard disk and replace the existing Outlook Express 5 folder

3. Move the Identities folder from your desktop to the Outlook Express 5 folder you copied in step 2.

If you have a system Documents folder on your hard disk, Microsoft Outlook Express stores your mail and user data in the Microsoft User Data folder in the Documents folder.

>>>To maintain mail and user data when reinstalling:


 * Copy the Outlook Express 5 folder to your hard disk and replace the existing Outlook Express 5 folder.

NOTE: You can store your Microsoft User Data folder in any location, including a server. However, you should place an alias to that folder in either the system Documents folder or the Outlook Express 5 folder.

2.4 Maintaining Mail and User Data When Reinstalling Microsoft Outlook Express 5 on Macintosh OS 9.0

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Microsoft Outlook Express stores your mail and user data in the

Microsoft Users Data folder in the Documents folder on your hard disk.

>>>To maintain mail and user data when reinstalling:


 * Copy the Outlook Express 5 folder to your hard disk and replace the existing Outlook Express 5 folder.

NOTE: You can store your Microsoft User Data folder in any location, including a server. However, you should place an alias to that folder in either your system Documents folder or the Outlook Express 5 folder.

If you set up your Macintosh computer for Multiple Users, the Microsoft Users Data folder is located in: Users: : Documents, where is the name of the user.

2.5 Rebuilding Your Desktop after Installing Outlook Express 5

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After installing Outlook Express 5, you should rebuild your Desktop file. This will update the Outlook Express 5 icons.

>>>To rebuild your Desktop file:


 * Press and hold down COMMAND+OPTION while restarting your computer.

2.6 Using Outlook Express 5 Contacts as a Data Source for a Microsoft Word Mail Merge

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If you want to use your Outlook Express contacts as a data source for a Microsoft Word mail merge, you first need to run the Word 98 Mail Merge Updater located in the Outlook Express 5 Extras folder.

2.7 Microsoft Internet Explorer with Strong Encryption (128 bit) and Outlook Express 5

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If you installed the 128-bit enabled version of Microsoft Internet Explorer, you will lose 128-bit functionality if you upgrade to Outlook Express 5. To regain 128-bit functionality, download an updated 128-bit installer for Internet Explorer and Outlook Express 5.

2.8 Avoiding Dial-Up Conflicts with Apple Remote Access

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If you use Apple Remote Access to connect to your Internet Service Provider, the dial-up option you select for an Outlook Express schedule might not work properly. This problem affects schedules that use the Return to Previous State option. In some instances, Outlook Express might not return to the previous connection state after a schedule runs. This means that Outlook Express might either remain connected or unintentionally disconnect you. To avoid this conflict, you should choose either the Stay Connected or Close option for your schedules.

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3. TROUBLESHOOTING

3.1 Troubleshooting Microsoft Outlook Express 5 Setup

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This section contains steps you can take to troubleshoot setup problems you might experience when installing Microsoft Outlook Express 5.

If installation fails, try any or all of the following:

Disable Control Panels, Extensions, and Startup Items. Control panels, extensions, and startup items, such as virus protection programs, may prevent Outlook Express 5 from installing properly.

>>>To disable these items:

1. Press and hold down SHIFT while you start your computer. You should receive a message which states that the extensions are off or disabled.

2. In Finder, select and move older versions of Outlook Express files to the Trash.

3. Run the installer again.

NOTE: This procedure disables network support. To perform a clean start without disabling network support, you must move extra control panels and extensions from the appropriate folders and then restart your computer.

Check for Viruses and Hard Disk Integrity

File system damage and viruses can prevent installation of Outlook Express 5. Use Disk First Aid or a similar maintenance program such as Norton Disk Doctor or MacTools to verify the integrity of your hard disk. In addition, scan your hard disk with a virus protection program to make sure your computer is not infected with a virus.

Turn off or Unplug External SCSI Devices

An incorrectly terminated small computer system interface (SCSI) chain may cause programs to stop responding, display random error messages, or indiscriminately crash or restart the system. To troubleshoot the possibility that the SCSI chain is incorrectly terminated, turn off or unplug external devices that are connected to the SCSI chain on your Macintosh.

Other reasons SCSI devices may not work or the chain may be unstable include:


 * One or more of the devices in the chain is not turned on


 * Two or more of the devices have the same ID number


 * The chain is improperly terminated


 * The total chain (cable length) is too long (over 20 feet)


 * A driver is incompatible with the current operating system


 * A device or another part of the chain is damaged in some way

Because SCSI device drivers are loaded into memory when the Macintosh is turned on, they can generate conflicts similar to extension conflicts. If you are using a non-Apple formatting tool, contact the tool¹s manufacturer for compatibility information. Removing external SCSI devices is best performed by an Apple-authorized service provider.

Rebuild the Desktop File

A damaged Desktop file is usually indicated by generic icons in the Finder (desktop) and the inability to start programs. To rebuild the Desktop file, press and hold down COMMAND+OPTION while restarting your computer. Note that rebuilding the Desktop file may purge inactive files and links, but leave the damaged set of files. Tools are available from online sources that force the Macintosh to re-create a Desktop file by deleting damaged files entirely.

Reinstall the System Software

Reinstall the system software only if you continue to have problems installing Outlook Express 5. When you are prompted to either update the current system or perform a clean install into a new folder, choose to perform a clean install into a new folder. If you do not follow this procedure, the Setup program simply updates the currently active system folder, which retains the damaged files or settings.

For information about reinstalling the system software, see your Macintosh system documentation or other information included with your computer.

Zap the Parameter RAM (PRAM)

Zapping the Parameter random access memory (PRAM) is one technique for solving various system and program problems on a Macintosh. In some cases, the PRAM may need to be zapped several times. Please note that performing this procedure resets only the first 64 bytes of 256 bytes in PRAM. Tools are available from online sources that completely reset the PRAM.

3.2 Starting Outlook Express 5 and Accessing the Mail Database

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If you have trouble starting Outlook Express 5 or you have problems with the mail database, you may need to rebuild the Outlook Express 5 database.

>>>To rebuild the database:

1. Press and hold down OPTION while you start Outlook Express 5.

2. When the "Would you like to compact the database?" message appears, click No.

3. When the "Would you like to do a complex rebuild of the database?" message appears, click Yes.

NOTE: If you rebuild the database, Outlook Express removes all of your IMAP, Hotmail, and News messages from the local cache. This means that you will have to download these messages again from the server. You will also have to re-enter your settings for your news and mail schedules.

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4. INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

4.1 Support for Bi-Directional Languages. --

Microsoft Outlook Express 5 does not support bi-directional languages.

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5. TIPS FOR ADVANCED USERS

5.1 Compacting the Outlook Express 5 Mail Database

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Outlook Express 5 uses a single-file database to store messages and contacts. When you delete mail from the database, Outlook Express does not automatically reduce the size of the database. You can however compact the database to reduce its size.

>>>To compact the database:

1. Press and hold down OPTION while you launch Outlook Express 5.

2 When the "Would you like to compact the database?" message appears, click Yes.

Keywords: kbinfo kbreadme KB244133

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