My aim was to copy the Address Book in a CD, as back up. I used the "Export" option in the File drop down menu.The file was copied but I was unable to open it, so I delete it."Unable to Open the Address Book. The Address Book may not be installed properly" This message appears when I click the Address Book option in the Tools drop down menu.I cannot reply and compose new messages.I tried the Restore System facility but no change.Thanks1 person needs an answerI do too

First, un-hide files.In WinXP, Win2K & Win2K3, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must enable Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control Panel | Folder Options Icon | View, or in Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | View. Now do a search for: *.wab and ~waIf you find one that looks good, note the path and open the OE Address Book. File | Import | Address Book (wab) and point to its location.If the above doesn't work, create a new identity and import the address book into that fresh new location and test it. If that works,import your messages and use that identity.Bruce Hagen ~ MS-MVP [Mail]

Hello BruceI followed your suggestions but please see my comments below:Ran the search for *.wab and ~wa but unable to find.Created a new identity on OE. Clicked "Import" and then "Address Book" but nothing happens.Please let me know what else to try.Thanks

Ran the search for *.wab and ~wa but unable to find.Created a new identity on OE. Clicked "Import" and then "Address Book" but nothing happens.You enabled Show Hidden Files and Folders before doing the search? You must have something. Do an Advanced search and includeHidden Files and Folders and see what you come up with.When you import or export an Address Book, you must be in the Address Book itself and use the File | Import options there, not on the OE main page.Bruce Hagen ~ MS-MVP [Mail]

Found the *.wab file.I go to OE and try to open the address book but I cannot. Is there any other way to open the Address Book?

It won't open in the new identity either?Bruce Hagen ~ MS-MVP [Mail]

It does not open in the new identity either.

John Go. Is Microsoft Outlook also installed on this machine?Bruce Hagen ~ MS-MVP [Mail]

No. Just OE6.

Do you have a backup of your addresses? Give this a shot.Create a New Windows Address Book (WAB) FileThe WAB file may have become damaged or corrupted causing one or both of the above error messages. You will need to rename the existing .wab file and restart Outlook Express(OE). Once started, OE will create a new .WAB file. Microsoft does not recommend that you import the data from the old, damaged .wab file. If you do, you may import the damage into the new .wab file.Click Start, point to Find (Search on Windows 2000 or newer operating systems), and clickFor Files or Folders. In Search for files or folders named, type. *.wab and clickSearch Now. In the Search results window, Right-click the file(s) with an extension of ".wab" and then clickRename. Rename the file extension (the three left-most characters in the name) to "old" and press ENTER.See if the address book opens now.Bruce Hagen ~ MS-MVP [Mail]

Any luck, John Go?Please confirm that you are running a fully patched XP including SP3.And what AV program are you running?Also, check for any Malware. Download and run the free version of this tool.Malwarebytes Anti-Malwarehttp://malwarebytes.org/Bruce Hagen ~ MS-MVP [Mail]

No luck Bruce.I have XP Professional & SP3.AV-McAfee.I ran Malwarebyties and found two virus in the Registry. These have been removed.Renamed file as follows:OldDefault.wab~But no change.

Courtesy of Robear Dyer, MS - MVP:• Do you have this Registry key?...HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4• If not, STOP; If so, is there a DWORD named UseOutlook (NB: no space) and is its value set to 1 (one)?• If not, STOP; If so, Address Book is configured to share contacts with Outlook, even if you don't use it (can happen with the install of Office). Change the value to 0 (zero), close REGEDIT & reboot: Address Book should be available to you and all should be well. (If that DWORD is not present, don't create it, and don't alter any other DWORD values.)Note that any changes (additions, deletions, edits) made while sharing was enabled will not be available (displayed) in Address Book after sharing has been disabled.cf. http://www.insideoe.com/files/wab.htm#share Bruce Hagen ~ MS-MVP [Mail]

HelloI do have the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4. What next? Look for the DWORD? Where do I find it?

Click on all WAB files. Look in the right hand pane in each for UseOutlook. That would be in the Name column if it's there.Bruce Hagen ~ MS-MVP [Mail]

No UseOutlook in the right hand pane.Not sure about the next step. Change the value to 0? How do I change this value?

OK. Nothing more to do there. That just eliminated any possibility that Office Outlook was ever used. Next step.Read through all of these. Don't let references to OE5 or OE5.5 deter you. the address book hasn't changed since then. I hope you find something because I am running out of ideas except backing up and reinstalling Windows.----------------------------------------Courtesy of Michael Santovec:http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htmAll of those have the same cause. Something is screwed up with your address book.It could be any of several specific problems, which include: - corrupted WAB file - corrupted or mismatched DLL files for the address book - having OE set to use the Outlook98/2000+ contacts instead of the WABfile and there is something wrong at the Outlook endFor specifics, take a look at:Err Msg: The Message Could Not Be Sent. Some recipients not valid(Outlook Express: There was an error opening this message)(The Address Book failed to load. OE is incorrectly configured)(Corrupted or mismatched WAB32.DLL file)http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=239135OLEXP: Error Message: Address Book Failed to Load(There was an error opening this message)http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=269777http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310873OLEXP: MSIMN Caused an Invalid Page Fault in Module Wab32.dllhttp://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=247706Err Msg: Address Book Failed To Load, Outlook Express Is...http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=191946Err Msg: Unable to Open Address Book, a Component Is Missinghttp://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=192321The Windows Address Book (WAB)http://www.insideoe.com/files/wab.htmTo share Contacts between Outlook and Outlook Expresshttp://www.slipstick.com/contacts/oeshare.htm Bruce Hagen ~ MS-MVP [Mail]

Some of the articles do not show the method for Windows XP. Should I follow Window 98?Can I reinstall OE6, if it could work, rather than reinstalling Windows?

Some of the articles do not show the method for Windows XP. Should I follow Window 98?Can I reinstall OE6, if it could work, rather than reinstalling Windows?Yes, follow 98.OE6 is part of IE6 and both are part of your operating system, so a reinstall involves the whole OS.You can try this, but I wouldn't hope for miracles. Control Panel | Add/Remove Programs | Add/Remove Windows Components. Uncheck Outlook Express and reboot. Go back and recheck it and reboot.That's all I have.If nothing in those links help, feel free to start a new thread and say that I suggested it. Copy and paste the URL in the address bar in so this thread can be seen by others for reference purposes. I will watch from a distance to see if any new ideas pop up.I am really sorry I couldn't help more and hope it doesn't come to a reinstall.Bruce Hagen ~ MS-MVP [Mail]

I will try a few things but will not reinstall.I can live with how things stand at the moment.Thanks for your help.

AV-McAfee...I ran [Malwarebytes] and found two virus in the Registry. These have been removed.Not good. This very strongly suggests your OE/Address Book issue is being caused by a still-extant hijackware infection.Please answer all of the following diagnostic questions by number in your next reply (no need to quote this post):1. What's the full name of your McAfee application (e.g., Mcafee Antivirus Plus; McAfee Total Protection; McAfee Security Center) and when does your current subscription expired?2. Has another McAfee application or a Norton application ever been installed on the computer?3. Did a Norton or McAfee free-trial come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

HelloI have been away and therefore unable to reply earlier.I had McAfee Security Center at first but then had McAfee Antivirus Plus, until last month when I reverted to McAfee Security Center. The subscription has been renewed since I first bought the machine. There is no other anitvirus installed other than Malwarebytes Anti-Malware,recently installed as suggested by one of your colleagues.McAfee was preinstalled.Thanks

McAfee (and Norton) applications are notorious for not uninstalling or upgrading cleanly.Assuming none of your McAfee subscriptions (or free-trial periods) have EVER expired:1. Run this McAfee three-step fix: http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS1005072. Manually & repeatedly update McAfee Security Center until you got a "no more updates" prompt.3a. If IE7 or IE8: Open IE to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737, run the Fix It & reboot.3b. If IE6, open IE to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/895339, run that Fix It & reboot.NB: If IE6, do NOT attempt to install IE7 or IE8 now!4. Reboot into Safe Mode & run a full system scan with McAfee Security Center. Have it fix/remove/quartine anything found.5. Reboot into normal (Windows) mode & test.~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft