Microsoft Outlook - Pocket Contact Synchronizer (Add-in) Issues
By Raj Pillai, Copyright 2003-2004
 Version 1.24  Revised 21/12/2004

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Introduction:

This article tries to cover most of the issues (with solutions) that you might experience with Pocket Contact Synchronizer (Add-in) during installation or while using it.

Common Issues:

"While attempting to install Outlook PCS on a computer running Office 2003, you are unable to run the setup and encounter the following error message:"

Solution:

1. Open the Registry - Click Start -> Run and type:
   
   regedit
   
   
2. Browse to the following location. You wouldn't have the keys after "Office", therefore you will need to add them.
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Common\InstallRoot
   
   And add a String Value under this Key called "Path" with its Value data reading as "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\"
   
   If you are not comfortable doing the registry editing yourself, download the registry file and execute it. This will add the required entries.
   
   
3. Run the Add-in Setup again and you should be able to install Outlook PCS on your computer without any problems.

** Many thanks to Mark Quindlen for sharing this tip !!

"Installation went OK, worked fine for a couple of days, but now one of the two buttons has disappeared: there still is an "Outlook PCS" button in the menu bar, that does nothing when pressed, and the "Start Outlook PCS" button has disappeared. Un-installing and re-installing has no net effect."

Solution:

1. Open Outlook -> Click Tools -> Options -> Other -> Advanced Options -> COM Add-ins -> Remove the check mark.
2. Disconnect your PPC (if connected) and close Outlook.
3. Search for the file named OutlookPCS.dll on your computer.  The default location would be:
   
        C:\Program Files\Outlook PCS
   
   C: might need to be replaced with the appropriate drive letter.
4. Click Start -> Run and type
   
   regsvr32 "C:\Program Files\Outlook PCS\OutlookPCS.dll"
   
   * (You might need to modify the path, if the location of the file is different)
5. Hit Enter or Click Ok and you should see a message about the dll getting registered successfully.
6. Repeat #1 and add the checkmark for the Add-in.

"Outlook PCS was working fine.  Now clicking the "Outlook PCS" button in the menu bar or pressing the "Start Outlook PCS" button does not do anything.  Reinstalling does not help either."

Solution:

Try running the ScanPST for the .pst file.  To run ScanPST, search for a program called scanpst.exe.  This is a small utility included with Microsoft Outlook which will scan your *.pst file (the file that contains your personal information) for possible corruption and attempt to repair it.  The default file name is Outlook.pst.  Usually the location of the file are as follows:

* Windows XP, NT and 2000:

    C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Mapi\1033\NT\scanpst.exe

* Windows 95, 98, and Me:

    C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Mapi\1033\95\scanpst.exe

You will need to run it against the .pst file.  Usually the name is Outlook.pst.  If you are unable to locate the path of the .pst file, do the following:

1.  Open Outlook.
2.  Click File -> Data File Management
3.  This should list all the PST files that are present.  Click Open Folder
     and you should find the storage path of your *.pst file.

Perform a soft reset on your PPC and then attempt to sync.  The corrupt pst file might be the cause behind preventing a successful synchronization.
 

Read other articles by Raj Pillai

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