Posted by Ernest__CT on 3/22/07 3:16pm
Msg #181405

OT: Help needed: Outlook Express won't print!

Yes, I've search here. Yes, I've looked at http://support.microsoft.com and found zilch.

Everything had been working fine (or at least normally), then one day Outlook Express refused to print an email message. No error dialog box. I've rebooted several times.

It seems that the choice of printer doesn't matter. Neither of the two HP laser printers attached to the PC will print, but they work fine with Word, PDF, etc., docs.

As always, thank you for your help!

Reply by PAW on 3/22/07 3:24pm
Msg #181407

Not sure if this will help, but ...

There is a bug in Outlook Express and Internet Explorer 5.0 and earlier. You may come across blank pages being printed. If this should occur, I recommend upgrading to the highest version as Microsoft fixed this in Outlook 5.5 / Internet Explorer 5.5. However, if you should still have problems, here is what Microsoft recommends as a fix for printing HTML formatted messages:

1. In MS IE, OE or Exchange click the View menu> Encoding > clear the Auto-Select box.

Note: Prior to making any changes to your registry ensure to make a back up copy. If you do not feel comfortable or are not at an experience level to perform this task, then do not attempt it.

2. Run Regedit and go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
3. In the right hand pane look for the "Use StyleSheets" String Value.
4. Create it if not present, or edit it to change its value from no to yes to enable the use of Style Sheets.
5. Then try to print a web page from Windows Explorer, MS IE or OE.

If the printing function is still disabled, if you get a blank page, or if your printed page(s) look garbled, delete the "Use StyleSheets" value altogether. Exit the Registry Editor when done.

Reply by PAW on 3/22/07 3:37pm
Msg #181409

If the above doesn't work ...

First, try uninstalling and reinstalling the print driver...

Second, run sfc /scannow to replace any corrupted dll's on your system (it may ask for the Windows XP disc)... Alternatlely, you can unregister and rename the Iepeers.dll file (located in the Windows/System32 folder)...Then you need to extract the original file from your Windows install disc or cabs.

As a last resort, you can completely uninstall the printer and printer software then reinstall everything according to your printer manufacturers install instructions...(I don't harbor a lot of faith in this one, but it's a last resort!!)...

My guess is that the sfc /scannow will get you fixed up...


If that doesn't work ...

You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling outlook express....

First you will want to back up your mail/address book, here are some good directions: http://www.iopus.com/guides/oe-backup.htm

Then go to the control pannel and click on the "add/remove programs" icon.

When the add/remove window comes up you should see an icon on the left hand side to "add/remove windows components" click on that.

This will bring up a list of installed windows components. scroll down to outlook express, and uncheck it.

Then click on "next" and let it uninstall itself.

I would then do a reboot.

After it has rebooted go back into "add/remove programs" and then into "add/remove windows components" and this time put a check mark next to outlook express, click next and let it install itself back to your computer.

you will then need to restore your email/address book back to outlook express. Hopefully it will work after performing those steps.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 3/22/07 4:43pm
Msg #181423

After 20 years of working in IT, my experience has been that programs don't just suddenly stop working on their own. All it takes sometimes is a little innocent tweak, and a program that was operating fine will suddenly start to coughing up hairballs.

Try going through what PAW recommends if you can. If that doesn't fix the problem, you have something conflicting with OE. Have you (or anyone else) made changes to your system or installed new hardware or software recently?