outlook 2003 - wont right click/send because multiple instances are running

I know that this is not a new problem and I have actually fixed this once before (a few years ago) but my mind is old and I cannot remember what I did.

I’m running Outlook 2003 on XP Media Center - SP3 "“ fully up to date. Lots of processor power, ram and free HDD space.

I can right click on a file and select Send to > Mail Recipient and Outlook will open a new mail window and send it. if I try it again, I get an error window "Operation Failedâ€. The reason is because there is an instance of Outlook still running in task manager. If I kill the process I can right click > send a file once more, but only once. If I open Outlook without killing the existing running process I cannot right click and send. If I kill it she works.

All of the posts that tell me it is because of PD Sync programs or AV software conflicts or some other mystery from outer space are wrong (at least in this instance) as I have an identical machine with the same apps in another office and there is no problem.

I did a detect and repair… no resolution. I set the default programs correctly… nada.

If anyone can steer me in the right direction (or jog my ancient memory) I would be very grateful (and write the solution down this time)

Thanks in advance

 

Any MVP's care to take a stab? Please