Microsoft KB Archive/175585

Microsoft Knowledge Base

Error Message: Address Book Failed to Load, Outlook Express...

Last reviewed: October 24, 1997
Article ID: Q175585

The information in this article applies to:

• The Microsoft Network, version 2.5
• Microsoft Outlook Express version 4.0 for Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to start Microsoft Outlook Express, you may receive the following error message:

   Address book failed to load, Outlook Express is incorrectly configured.

If you then attempt to compose a new e-mail message, you receive the following error message:

   This note cannot be displayed due to an initiation error.

CAUSE

The Windows address book file may be damaged or missing.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, remove and re-create the Windows address book file. To do so, use the following steps:

1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.
2. In the Named box, type "*.wab" (without the quotation marks), and then click Find Now.

3. In the list of found files, right-click the following file

         <MSN Member ID>.wab

   and then click Delete.

4. Close the "Find: Files named *.wab" dialog box.
5. Double-click the Outlook Express icon on the desktop. The MSN, The Microsoft Network, Sign-In screen appears and a new Windows address book file is created.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about address books in Outlook Express, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q175017
   TITLE     : How to Import and Export Address Books in Outlook Express

Additional query words: 2.50 4.00 Keywords : msnmail Version : WINDOWS:2.5,4.0 Platform : WINDOWS THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Last reviewed: October 24, 1997 ©1997 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Legal Notices.