OL2000: Error Message in Extension Configuration File (ECF) Starting Outlook

ID: Q204951

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
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.

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to start Microsoft Outlook, you may receive one or all of the following error messages:

Error in configuration file "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 97\Office\Addins\<filename>.ecf"
-or-
The extension configuration file "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 97\Office\Addins\<filename>.ecf" could not be installed. There is an error in the syntax or format of the file.
-or-
Unable to load <filename>.dll. You may be out of memory, out of system resources, or missing a .dll file.


CAUSE

The above errors result from either a damaged or missing .ecf or .dll file, or incorrect information in the Extend.dat file.


RESOLUTION

To correct this problem you may have to replace the damaged extensions, or you may have to remove the reference to them in the Windows Registry. If the problem persists, you should rename and recreate the Extend.dat file, which is a binary cache of extension settings.


MORE INFORMATION

Replace the Damaged Extensions

To replace the damaged extensions, follow these steps:
  1. Quit Outlook.


  2. Insert your original Setup CD into the drive. If you installed from the Web this will not be necessary.


  3. In the \Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Addins folder on your computer, rename the problem .ecf files referenced in the error message.


  4. Click Start, point to Settings and click Control Panel.


  5. Click to open the Add/Remove Programs icon.


  6. Click to select Microsoft Office 2000, and then click Add/Remove.


  7. When prompted, click "Repair Office". This will replace the .ecf files that were renamed earlier.


  8. Restart Outlook.


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 Remove the Registry Entries

To remove the reference to the files in the Windows Registry, follow these steps:
  1. Quit all programs.


  2. Click Start and then click Run.


  3. In the Open box type, regedit.exe.


  4. Navigate to the folder:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Exchange\Client\Extensions
    You will see the add-ins listed on the right under the heading of DATA. Click to select the name of the Data key that corresponds to the Addin referenced in the error message and press DELETE to delete this registry key.


  5. On the Registry menu, click Exit.


  6. Restart your computer and then restart Outlook.


Refreshing Extend.dat File

If you still receive the error message when you restart Outlook you must refresh the Extend.dat file.

To refresh the Extend.dat file, follow these steps:

  1. Quit all programs.


  2. Click Start point to Find and click Files or Folders.


  3. In the Named box, type extend.dat.


  4. In the Look In list, click to select your hard drive.


  5. Click to select Include subfolders and click Find Now.


  6. In the Name list, right-click on the file Extend.dat, and on the shortcut menu click Rename to rename the file to Extend.old.


  7. On the File menu, click Close to exit.


  8. Restart Outlook. Restarting Outlook creates a new Extend.dat file.


Additional query words: msspc32.dll msspc.ecf etexch.ecf mail3.ecf emsuix.ecf

Keywords : kbdta GnlAddin
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: May 13, 1999
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