Thanks to all,

I have a fresh install of office.
It was a combinatio of PDA synch software with the Service Pack.
I installed service pack2 and now it behaves correctly!

many Thanks for your time!
luis

"Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]"
wrote in message
...
Some common reasons why Outlook will not shut down completely when you
click
either the X or Exit:

1. PDA synchronization software with your PDA in the cradle.
2. WinFax Pro (especially 10.02 in Outlook 2003) - contact their support
for an alleged fix.
3. Franklin-Cover Plan Plus!
4. COM Add-ins.
5. Mail reminder add-ins that keep a stub of Outlook open in the
background
to check for new mail and fire reminders.
6. Anti-virus/firewall programs that are set to scan incoming and
outgoing
mail.


--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, luis asked:

| I have XP, and outlook 2003.
| When I call outlook and then close it, the icon in the systray stays
| there... as when outlook was open...
| (if I right click it it displays a message: outlook is not
| responding....)
|
| ? any hint please???
|
| TIA
| luis