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I need help from someone who knows computers!

After I compose a message on Outlook I am having trouble attaching a file....
I go to "insert" and then "file".
The hourglass comes up and never goes away.
In order to stop, I click the close button and everything is lost.

Can anyone help me or tell me where to find help?
Thanks!

"The delay may be caused by windows Explorer looking for a server that no longer exists.

First, check to see if you have any manual drive mappings, if you do, check to see if they
are still valid. You may be getting a message when you boot regarding a drive mapping that cannot connect.

Second, check My Network Places for any bad links.

Third, if all of this still does not fix the issue, check your path setting. Right-Click
My Computer, go to properties, Advanced, Environment Variables, Path. Look for any entries with UNC paths, i.e. \\cgntech\utilites, etc., or even look for bad links that point to P:. Maybe a folder got renamed on P for some reason."

Other possible fixes may be found in: HERE And welcome to Techspot.

Are you still there?

Hello and welcome to Techspot.

Peddant isn`t here at the moment.

However, if you post your question, I`m sure he will get back to you, just as soon as he can.

Regards Howard

Hi again,
Sorry I am so late in thanking you for trying to help me.
I've been trying to work on your suggestions but have a few questions:

How do I check for manual drive mappings? How do I know if they are valid? I am not getting a message.

Second, how do I recognize bad links?

I tried the third suggestion and didn't see anything.

Thanks again for all your help.

Thanks Howard

Firstly,if your the only person using the computer,and
you don`t know about mapped drives,then you probably don`t have any.

In My computer go to Tools menu choose
Disconnect Network Drive.This will display a list of the drives that may
be disconnected.If you don`t see any,then the problem must be elsewhere.

Do you have some kind of Anti virus toolbar on your Outlook ?

I have McAffee Virus Scan down at the bottom right of my screen and I have something that says "Anti-Spy" up on the top tool bar.

I don't know if this sheds any light on anything, but I have always been able to attach files to my emails before today. I am the only person using this computer although we have a wireless network in the house for all three computers.
I can't think of anything that I have done differently lately.....
Could this be some sort of virus? Even with my protection?

Have you (or your computer)downloaded any updates in the last 24 hours ?
That`s another common cause of "sudden" software problems.
If you have try uninstalling them if possible from the Add/Remove programs.

It`s unlikely to be a virus(famous last words).

You could try system restore to the previous day,I suppose.

I really have to go to bed now,so good luck til whenever.

Thanks so much for helping me.

Did you fix it ? If so what fixed it ? People reading this in the future would like to know.If you didn`t fix it.

Yes, thanks, I finally was able to fix the problem by going to system restore. I had to go back about a month in time.
Thanks again for suggesting it.

give thunderbird a try... it's better than outlook....

www.mozilla.org

What is Thunderbird? And how do I check it out?
Thanks

Thunderbird HERE Eudora HERE