outlook 2002 (XP) consumes huge amount of my swap file

[PBJ_privat]

This is pissing me off – and killing my PC’s performance!!!
I'm not really sure if this is an Win XP problem or Office outlook. Suddenly my outlook 2002 (XP) on a XP Pro consumes huge amount of my swap file – 1,8-1,9 GB !!! If I close outlook, I’m back to normal 200-300 MB usage. I don’t get this ? My .pst file is only about 234 mb, so that shouldn’t be it. Funny thing is, this also happens if I replace my own .pst file with a blank one, so it must be something the outlook.exe does by mistake ? I tried everything:

Re installing Office XP ( after a complete remove and re patch with latest service packs – same result, Compacting the datafile (.pst ), Deleting the pagesys file ( if any outlook left overs was there ? )

If I set my page file to fixed size e.g 1 gb, outlook won’t start

I been surfing for 6 hours on the net in MS knowledge database and forums for some one with the same problem. Can’t find it. Please help

[Miz]

With Outlook closed, find outcmd.dat and rename it to outcmd.old or delete it. If you see no improvement, reboot and check again.

Outcmd.dat contains custom changes you make to the toolbar buttons so rename it or deleting it will remove those changes.

[PBJ_privat]

Thanks for the suggestion, I appreciate it. Searched the entire drive, but I have no outcmd.dat file ?

[Miz]

It's probably a hidden file (I don't have Outlook installed so I can't check).

Open My Computer (or any folder), go to Tools>Folder Options>Advanced tab and make sure "Show hidden files and folders" is checked and "Hide system files" is unchecked. Then run Search, click on "Advanced Options," and make sure all the options for searching all files, folders and sub-folders are checked. Then tell it to look for outcmd.dat again.

[snooker]

Just a follow up to what Miz suggested , If you still can't find it , try just typing in the serach " outcmd " without the quotes

[PBJ_privat]

Originally Posted by Miz

It's probably a hidden file (I don't have Outlook installed so I can't check).

Open My Computer (or any folder), go to Tools>Folder Options>Advanced tab and make sure "Show hidden files and folders" is checked and "Hide system files" is unchecked. Then run Search, click on "Advanced Options," and make sure all the options for searching all files, folders and sub-folders are checked. Then tell it to look for outcmd.dat again.

Thanks MIZ, for the clue . It lead me on throw Technet to find the problem and a cure. This happend, because I used the external .pst fix tool from MS provided for Outlook 2000 on a 2002 .pst file. Outlook 2002 ( sp3 ) actually doesn't have outcmd.dat file. it's functions are dublcated in Extend.dat throw sp3. When I deleted that one, The problem went away. There are other reasons for large pagesys file.If anybody is interested lts of suggestions can be found here: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=291614

[Miz]

You're welcome.

Everything I can find indicates that Outlook 2003 does have a outcmd.dat file but since it stores information on customized toolbars, perhaps it is only created if Outlook's toolbar is customized.

Oh well, you got it fixed which is what counts. Thanks for posting back with the update.