Support Central StaffWeb

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What can I do if I get an error message a a 'Remote Instance' of Eudora is already running when I try to start Eudora?

Correct the Problem

1. DO NOT choose any of the three choices. Instead close the box by clicking on the X in the upper right corner.
2. Even if Eudora opens at this point, close it immediately. This is important. If you do not close Eudora before proceeding to the next step, you will continue to get the “Remote Instance” error every time you start Eudora.
3. Look for a file called 'owner' or 'owner.lok' in your e-mail folder usually located in your "My Documents" and delete it. If you get a 'sharing violation,' or 'file in use' error message, see FAQ 2.
4. Open Eudora again. At this point you should NOT get the “Remote Instance” error and you should be able to use Eudora normally.

Prevent the Problem = Patience

Avoid the temptation to click more than once to open or close Eudora. The remote instance error message means that Eudora did not close properly. Eudora needs to close without being rushed in order to assure the owner.lok file gets deleted.

Both opening and closing Eudora are slower processes now that we store our mailboxes on the server. Clicking multiple times to open Eudora can also result in the “Remote Instance” error, if multiple instances of Eudora are launched.

2) I can't delete owner.lok file after getting the 'remote instance' message when I try to start Eudora. I get a sharing violation error message. What do I do?

Even if you do not see Eudora running on your desktop or on the taskbar, there may be a hidden instance of Eudora running that prevents you from deleting owner.lok. To close hidden instances of Eudora follow these steps.

1. Press Ctrl-Alt-Del.
2. Click on the Task List... button and then on the Processes tab.
3. Scroll down the list looking for one or more instances of Eudora.
4. Select Eudora.exe it and click on the End Process button. Click on the Yes button in the Task Manager Warning box that appears. Repeat this process to end all instances of Eudora.exe on the list. Now you should be able to delete the owner.lok file in your mailbox folder.

3) Eudora refuses to open completely and I get an “unhandled exception” error. What do I do now?

Correct the Problem

1. Look for a file called 'Eudora.ini' or 'Eurora' in your e-mail folder usually located in your "My

Documents" It will have an icon like

1. Rename the file, e.g. “EudoraSave”
2. Delete the owner.lok file from the same folder if it exists.
3. Relaunch Eudora. This creates a new, empty, uncorrupted “Eudora.ini” file.
4. Under the Tools, Options menu fill in your account information and preferences (username, mail server, attachment folder, etc.).

Prevent the Problem = Patience

The “unhandled exception” error is an indication that the 'Eudora.ini' configuration file is corrupted. Rushing Eudora to close by clicking more than once can corrupt your 'Eudora.ini', and cause an “unhandled exception” error.

4) When I try to start Eudora, it conplains about the 'descmap.pce' file.

This Eudora problem is much rarer that the ones listed previously. It may occur after someone else, such as an IT staff member, has been logged into your computer and has opened Eurdora.

1. Open your 'email' folder in 'My Documents'.
2. Find and delete these files:
   • 'descmap.pce'
   • 'linkhistory.dat' 'linkhistory'
   • 'owner.lok' or 'owner