Fix Pop's Outlook!

December 27, 2005 10:48 AM

Help me fix my father's Outlook.

My father uses Outlook 2003, and he's having a crazy problem with his "contacts" list. Spam-type names load into his contacts every time he logs in. Deleting the contacts doesn't help.

It seems to be related to the fact that my niece has been using MSN Messenger, because all of the contacts have the little Messenger icon next to them. Uninstalling Messenger did nothing.

I've been hunting around the web trying to find the solution, but all I can come up with is that Outlook sucks. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

posted by SassHat to Computers & Internet (10 answers total)

Did you try to uninstall and reinstall Outlook?
posted by k8t at 10:50 AM on December 27, 2005

Response by poster: Nah, he doesn't want to do that. He is certain that he will lose all of his important "business" stuff.
posted by SassHat at 10:53 AM on December 27, 2005

Have you run Spybot, Ad-Aware, virus scanners, etc?
posted by kcm at 11:05 AM on December 27, 2005

Check for virus & spyware problems first.

I recommend AVG for anti-virus http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

I recommend Webroot Spysweeper for anti-spyware http://www.webroot.com/consumer/downloads/

Both are free.
posted by Argyle at 11:06 AM on December 27, 2005

Response by poster: He's got the full-on Norton package, but I think it might be worth a shot to check for spyware and viruses. He'll have to get over his "don't install anything on my machine" rule.
posted by SassHat at 11:09 AM on December 27, 2005

I do a Spyware search combo of:

Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta
Ad-Aware
Spybot
posted by k8t at 11:13 AM on December 27, 2005

Nah, he doesn't want to do that. He is certain that he will lose all of his important "business" stuff.

Thunderbird has a wizard that allows you to import mail, address books, and settings from other e-mail programs. You could install Thunderbird, bring over the Outlook stuff, and assure yourself everything's there, and then try repairing (reinstalling) Outlook. You'd then be left with a mail system that'd be far less vulnerable to such attacks.

Still, first thing to try are the spyware scans - try a couple of different tools. I'll also suggest SpywareBlaster, which operates by preventing (most) spyware from being installed (make sure you keep it updated!).
posted by hangashore at 11:30 AM on December 27, 2005

Export all his settings as a .pst file - this will save all his folders, messages & contacts. Uninstall & reinstall Outlook, then import the .pst file back in.
posted by kenchie at 11:54 AM on December 27, 2005

But kenchie, then the screwed up contacts will be back.
posted by k8t at 11:59 AM on December 27, 2005

If it solves the problem he will then be able to delete the rouge contacts obviously.
posted by kenchie at 1:13 PM on December 27, 2005