Software

I have exactly the same problem on a new DELL inspiron 6400... ALl application work normaly except Outlook...

Yes !!!!!!!! I found the soluce.

To kill this problem, you must uninstall the soft OutlookAddInSetup. (Add/remove program) and then outlook work normaly.

If you are running ie7, windows xp, and Office 2003 and you updated with 931768 or 933566, you are in the microsoft blender of incompatibility. You need to either uninstall ie7 or set office 2003 to open at "Office Today" then go to inbox and you'll be fine.
Microsoft, I hope you are listening because this is your problem and at the cost of your software you should have fixed this already.

If you are running ie7, windows xp, and Office 2003 and you updated with 931768 or 933566, you are in the microsoft blender of incompatibility. You need to either uninstall ie7 or set office 2003 to open at "Office Today" then go to inbox and you'll be fine.
Microsoft, I hope you are listening because this is your problem and at the cost of your software you should have fixed this already.