Outlook 2003 - Cpu Usage 100% Can't Use Now

I have been faithfully using Outlook 2003 for about a year now, with no problems, until last week.

Now, I have to avoid using it! Whenever I start Outlook 2003, initially, CPU usage remains at about 50% (according to Task Manager). But, within minutes, CPU usage pegs at 100%, and the PC and Outlook, run very very slow. This ultimately forces a shutdown/restart of the PC.

I have spent hours trying to troubleshoot with no success, using Google to search on possible answers to resolve why Outlook 2003 runs so slow after starting it. I have done the following:

1. started Outlook in safe mode

2. started Outlook with the /cleanreminders switch on the RUN line

3. did a repair of Office 2003 software

4. did a full removal and reinstall of ALL of Micrsoft Office 2003 Professional

5. tried a new Profile

6. did a scanpst.exe of my outlook.pst file, which repaired a few minor problems it said, but did not fix the bigger issue.

7. deleted outcmd.dat, extend.dat, and frmcache.dat files

8. confirmed I have the lastest Office updates including Service Pack 3 for Microsoft Office Professional 2003 (which includes Outlook 2003)

9. scanned my PC with multiple malware removers (last week I had a virus - but it got removed and everything on my PC runs well... except Outlook 2003)

This problem is very annoying, because all of my email accounts, and contact info is run through Outlook 2003, but, if I load Outlook 2003 to access any of it, Outlook 2003 basically swamps the PC, the cooling fan runs on high, and its time to reboot.

I also have another strange problem, that, I can not tell is related. One of my three email accounts I have set up in Outlook, keeps returning an error that it can not access its POP3 incoming mail server.

I have verified I have the right settings for this account. I have called the tech support for that particular email service, deleted the email account, and redid the settings per their instructions, and still it returns a Send/Receive Error on Outlook 2003, based on the Incoming Mail Server POP3 issue.

I am totally stumped with this Outlook business!

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Todd

 

Hi Todd,

Try disabling the Outlook Addins and see if that helps.

Go to Tools > Options > Other > Advanced Options > Addin Manager or COMM/Addins and disable the addins.

If that doesn't do it, check if a third-party program running in the background is interfering with Outlook. I realize you tried safe mode but I would still check Firewall, antivirus, antispyware, antispam, and all Norton programs. Disable these programs one at a time and see if you find something.

Steve

 

Hi Steve,

Thank you. Before I read your reply, I did have partial success.

The culprit with Outlook 2003 running very slow and swamping the system at 100% CPU usage was with one of the three email accounts I had set up with it.

I deleted the email account entirely, and now Outlook 2003 runs smooth as a whistle with very low CPU usage, however, I had to get rid of that email account which I had used on it without issue for months.

I have no idea why an external POP3 account that I have and used perfectly fine for almost a year will now cause Outlook 2003 to stall.

I tried adding it back as a new email account, but it keeps telling me the following error when I TEST THE SETTINGS:

Log onto incoming mail server (POP3): Outlook could not connect to the incoming mail server (POP3). The problem could be your SSL or port settings for the incoming server. Verify your port and SSL settings under More Settings on the Advanced Tab.

CPU Usage also climbs, not as high as before, but still much higher than before attempting to re-add the external POP3 email account (50-60%), before (without attempting to re-add) Outlook runs the CPU little - 0-15%.

I have verified the external POP3 email account settings, and called the folks who handle that email server to verify I have the correct settings, but still get the above error.

I also tried your advice and deleted all add-ins and tried re-adding the POP3 external email account. I still get the error above.

Previously, I had tried disabling my McAfee Security Center firewall, and I have uninstalled all other anti-malware tools.

 

Disable the McAfee Security Center and try the new email account. If that doesn't do it, run the Norton Removal Tool here http://www.majorgeeks.com/Norton_Removal_Tool_SymNRT_d4749.html and then try the new email account.

I do agree with Steve_East9, you might wait until you are sure there is no malware present and then work on the software stuff.

Steve

 

I had previously tried disabling McAfee. I downloaded and ran the Norton removal tool, and re-tried re-adding the POP3 email account to Outlook 2003, no luck.

Are you supposed to get an official "all clear" on the virus thread? It has been two days, so I have no idea what the "procedure" is.

Another virus scan with McAfee Security Center came up clean.

 

Ok, Abri just responded.

Yeah, I ran the Norton Removal Tool again because there were still two O16 lines with Symantec stuff.

Still no luck with Outlook 2003 and the external POP3 email account ceasing to work properly.

I use McAfee only because it is free subscription to Security Center.

 

PROBLEM WITH OUTLOOK 2003 SOLVED! Unbelievable!

The culprit was McAfee Security Center. :yum

I have been using it for at least two years, with all protection enabled, including inbound email scans, and it has not adversely affected Outlook, until now.

One of their recent updates now blocks the POP3 client from properly receiving inbound email, with the "Inbound email scanning" feature enabled. I disabled it. I will attempt to contact McAfee to let them know as well, but for now I will post the fix here in case others have the same problem.

PROBLEM: Your system has McAfee Security Center and you are using Outlook 2003. You are attempting to use an external POP3 email account with Outlook 2003, and get the following error:

Log onto incoming mail server (POP3): Outlook could not connect to the incoming mail server (POP3). The problem could be your SSL or port settings for the incoming server. Verify your port and SSL settings under More Settings on the Advanced Tab.

CAUSE: A recent update to McAfee Security Center (MSC), on or about February 13, 2008, now causes MSC to block incoming mail through POP3 email clients.

FIX: Disable inbound email scanning with MSC. Right click the MSC icon in the task bar and then left click Open Security Center.

Under Protection Status, left click the arrow underneath Email & IM, and then left click the bubble to disable inbound email scanning.

This will produce a second icon in the task bar that look like a white X inside a red circle, alerting the user that McAfee's full protection has been compromised. This is fine, in order to prevent MSC from blocking the POP3 client.

POP3 inbound emails should now work with Outlook 2003.

 

Ok, what about firewall software? MSC had the built in as well, so if I dump MSC I will need firewall.

 

Got it! Appreciate the advice! What happened to AVG 7.5 in that last list?

 

If you decide to dump Mcafee, go thru Add/Remove in the control panel to uninstall and then use the McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool below.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=5420

Steve

 

Great! Thank you for that tip. I am amazed at how some of the consumer grade malware fighters are sloppy uninstalling themselves.

I have NEVER had any Norton product on my PC, but, when I ran the Norton Removal Tool, and Hijack This, I had two Norton lines, and I had to run the Norton tool twice!

 

Steve,

Got that link 'preciate it! But, what I meant was, on your recommended list, you list Comodo (firewall), Comodo BOC for anti-malware, and Spybot for a non-realtime... AVG was not in that list.

Do you recommend AVG in addition to your list?

 

Ok, got it... i.e. Need AVG plus the other three.

Thanks,
Todd

 

Thank you.