A few days ago my Outlook 2007 would lockup once and a while. Thinking it was a PST issue, I rebuilt it, move to a backup computer but the issue continued.
After many hours of research and I was able to identify the issue and a solution. Google didnt have anything on the issue so I wanted to share it. —UPDATE- There is a bit of data on the Paypal forum now–
If Outlook, Incredimail or other email client crashes when you try to open or preview a Paypal email, (issue started 10-12-2011) the problem is the tracking pixel inserted into the HTML email. You can view these emails in text format or put a entry in your HOSTS file to avoid having Paypal track your email.
HOST File Fix for Paypal Crashing Outlook;
- Run Notepad.exe as an administrator
- Open the file HOSTS at this location – C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
- Add the line below to the end of the file
- 127.0.0.1 102.112.2o7.net (just copy and paste it as the one of the zeros is actually a “O”)
- Save the file
- Enjoy a crash free Outlook experience for now
Paypal has a history of rolling out half backed solutions and taking months to resolve the issues caused. I expect this to be a irritating issue for many people and that it takes months to resolve.
#1 by Sergio on October 17, 2011 - 1:29 pm
Thank you Christopher, this fixed the problem for me. It’s a shame that PayPal does not show more caution and can waste so much of our time.
#2 by Shell on October 17, 2011 - 1:17 pm
Thank you so much. 15 paypal emails a day with just as many crashes was frustrating me. This fixed it. God bless you!
#3 by Clare Meri on October 17, 2011 - 5:37 am
Thank you! That was bugging me terribly and it worked as you said, just pressed save – no problem with it being a text file.
#4 by Christopher on October 17, 2011 - 2:35 am
when you save the file, select the file type. You should be able to save as a non type. Or you can just click save and not save as.
Work with it a few times trying different methods, you will see the solution. Just one of those things.
#5 by Jeanie on October 17, 2011 - 1:57 am
Do not know how to save without .txt on it
#6 by Jeanie on October 17, 2011 - 1:56 am
I have right clicked notepad and OK’d administrator but cannot save file – HELP.
#7 by Christopher on October 16, 2011 - 2:21 pm
Sorry Simon. Here is the line you want to copy – “127.0.0.1 102.112.2o7.net”. Do not copy/paste the ” sign. Just the numbers. Also, you do not want to save the file as a text file. You need to delete the text file and give it another shot. Be sure you are running the app as ADMIN.
#8 by Simon on October 16, 2011 - 5:06 am
Copied the line with and without the # at the beginning of the line and it does not work for me. When I saved the file I saved it as a txt file called (replacing the original file). Obviously I have done something wrong but not sure what?
Simon
#9 by Martin on October 16, 2011 - 12:59 am
Thanks, worked a charm.