Cannot Spell Check Messages in Outlook Express 5

ID: q224176

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Outlook Express version 5 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Outlook Express version 5 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express version 5 for Windows NT 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to spell check a message in Outlook Express 5, you may receive the following error message:

An error occurred while the spelling was being checked.
When you click Send and the "Always check spelling before sending" check box is selected in the Options dialog box, you may receive the following error message:
The spell check on this document was halted. Do you want to send anyway?


CAUSE

This behavior can occur for any of the following reasons:

  • The value data for the SharedFilesDir value does not contain a trailing backslash in the following registry key:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools
    This prevents the Csapi3t1.dll file from being located, and results in the spell check feature not working.

  • The Csapi3t1.dll file located in the Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Proof folder is missing or damaged.


  • The Mssp232.dll or Mssp2_en.lex file is missing or damaged.


RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

To resolve this behavior, use either of the following methods:

Method 1

Upgrade to Outlook Express version 5.01. For information about how to do so, please view the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/ie

Method 2

Use Registry Editor to verify that the SharedFilesDir value has a value data with a trailing backslash in the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools
For example, the SharedFilesDir value should contain the following value data:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\


MORE INFORMATION

The value data for the SharedFilesDir value should point to the folder containing the Proof folder. The Proof folder contains the Csapi3t1.dll file.

Additional query words:

Keywords : kberrmsg kbtool outexw95 outexnt outexw98
Version : WINDOWS:5
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: November 20, 1999
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