OL97: ErrMsg Access Violation in Riched20.dll Starting Outlook

• Microsoft Outlook 97

SYMPTOMS

You attempt to start Microsoft Outlook 97 and receive the error message:

   Outlook.exe caused an 'access violation' fault in module Riched20.dll at
   014f:4802bc95.

CAUSE

The file Riched20.dll is damaged.

RESOLUTION

Replace the file from your original disks.

To rename and replace the file, follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button, point to Find and click Files or Folders. In the Named box, type "Riched20.dll" (without quotation marks) and click Find Now.

2. In the Search Results list, right-click Riched20.dll and then click Rename. Rename the extension .dll to .old.

3. Insert the Office 97 or Outlook CD-ROM into the drive.

4. Ensure Riched20.dll is in the Named box. In Look In, click to select the CD-ROM drive from the list and click Find Now. In the Seach Results list, copy the file to the Windows\System folder.

MORE INFORMATION

This error only occurs when Microsoft Word is set as your e-mail editor. The file, Riched20.dll provides support, in Outlook and other programs, for rich text editing.

REFERENCES

For more information about renaming files, type "rename file" in the Office Assistant, click Search, and then click to view "Rename a file."

If you are running Windows NT with NTFS partitioning, these steps may not work for you. For additional information, please see the following article(s) in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q164471
   TITLE     : Replacing System Files Using a Modified Emergency Repair
               Disk