Knowledge Base

OL98: Err Msg: Could Not Install Main Dictionary

Article ID: 190081

Article Last Modified on 3/1/2000

Microsoft Outlook 98 Standard Edition

This article was previously published under Q190081

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the Windows folder.

SYMPTOMS

When you try to use the spell checker in Microsoft Outlook 98, you may receive the following error:

Could not install main dictionary.

Cannot open dictionary

CAUSE

The Windows Registry may contain incorrect pointers to the Mssp2_en.lex or Mssp232.dll file or these files may be corrupt.

RESOLUTION

You can use the Registry Editor to verify, and if necessary modify, the path to the Mssp2_en.lex and Mssp232.dll files.

If the path to the Mssp2_en.lex and Mssp232.dll files is correct, rename these two files and copy new ones from your Microsoft Office 97 compact disc, in the folder:

<CD Drive>:\OS\MSApps\Proof

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 95. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the Changing Keys And Values online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.

To change the settings in the Registry Editor, do the following:

Click the Start button, and click Run.
In the Open box, type regedit.exe, then click OK.
Navigate to the follow registry location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Proofing Tools\Spelling\1033\Normal
Double-click the Dictionary Value name and make sure its Value data contains the correct path to Mssp2_en.lex, and click OK.

NOTE: The default path is C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Proof\Mssp2_en.lex.
Double-click the Engine Value name and make sure its Value data contains the correct path to Mssp232.dll, and click OK.

NOTE: The default path is C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Proof\Mssp232.dll.
On the Registry menu, click Exit.
Click the Start button, click Shut Down, click "Restart the computer", and then click Yes.

For information about a similar spelling issue, query in the Knowledge Base for the following article:

162970 Installing Project 4.1 Breaks Office 97 Spelling Checker

Additional query words: 98 directory

Keywords: kbprb KB190081