Contacts not showing in Outlook Express

[BBCMember]

For some reason, the "contacts" are not showing in Outlook Express in the "Contacts" box when you first start up Outlook Express. However, they are showing in the "Main Identity's Contacts" folder under "Shared Contacts" inside the address book when I open it by clicking on the "Addresses" button in the toolbar at the top of Outlook Express.

The weird thing is, when I click on "Shared Contacts" in the address book, it lists on person, but in the "Contacts" box that shows when you first start up Outlook Express, that doesn't even show.

Any idea how to get the addresses to show in the "Contacts" box? They used to be there and now they aren't.

 

[Markbnj]

This can be caused by a number of different problems, so I hesitate to give a certain solution. You can Google and get a lot of information about different problems with Outlook's fragile database (it's completely reengineered in the Office 2007 version, thank God).

May of these issues are resolved by removing and then re-adding the .PST file to your profile.

This is the procedure I've used to fix _similar_ problems on relative's machines.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/823757

However, I have to stress that this may not be your issue (although the above procedure is non-destructive and worth a try). Google is your friend in this case.

 

[BBCMember]

Thanks, but I'm using Outlook Express, not Outlook (.WAB file vs. PST file). Any info on Outlook Express?

 

[corkyg]

Check VIEW, LAYOUT, and make sure the CONTACTS box is checked.

 

[BBCMember]

It is checked and it does show. It's just that nothing is in it.

 

[corkyg]

OK - what shows there is what is in the Main Identities folder. If your contacts are all in the Shared folder, they won't show there. So, copy of move your contacts from the Shared Folder to the Main Identities folder. Those are supposed to be separate and equal folders on the same level.

 

[xtknight]

I thought only people with Messenger showed up in the contacts list?

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: xtknight
I thought only people with Messenger showed up in the contacts list?

Nope. The contact lists is merely your normal address book - just another way of displaying it. I deliberately have no vestiges of Messenger, IM, or anything like that installed. Contact list display can be turned on and off just by checking and unchecking the box in View.