Outlook freezes when adding a new contact

On Jul 23, 2:25 pm, "Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]" <russ....RemoveThis@gmail.com>
wrote:
> Have you tried setting a correct dialing location for your operating system?
> --
> Russ Valentine
> [MVP-Outlook]<mattj_1....RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1185212512.068117.272080@j4g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> > When I'm adding a new contact to Outlook 2003 I can add all
> > information, but when I leave the Business Phone field Outlook
> > freezes. The problem also occurs when clicking the Business Phone
> > button next to the input box. I have tried repairing the pst, creating
> > a new profile with a new pst, recreating the address book, removing
> > and reinstalling the program, all to no avail. Any other ideas?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I did indeed try to set the area code in the phone and modem options,
however I am unable to open the properties for phone and modem
options. Trying to work that out, but will post on the success/failure
of that.

I just solved this problem on a PC today. Apparently Outlook links its phone numbers for its contacts with the windows telephony system. If you have a UBS modem (or malfunctioning modem) then Outlook will freeze when you save and close the contact, but only if you've put in (or edited) any of the phone number fields.
The problem is solved by removing the USB (or malfunctioning) modem, including in control panel modems, and installing a serial (or good working) modem. I hope this helps future readers.