Photo email feature broken

Anonymous

Update 14 July 2016

The fault that caused this error for a short period in 2015 was corrected. Users now having trouble using the photo email feature are facing a different problem. The most likely reason is that the Microsoft Account being used has been migrated to the Outlook Mail platform; users will often see an error message including error code 0x8007007A.

Users seeing this error code may not be able to send any messages at all until the offending message has been removed from the outbox (below the account folders in the folder pane). Some alternative methods of sharing pictures are explained in this article: Avoid 'photo email' and send photos by email

Stop press 8 July 2015 13:00 UTC

This bug appears to have been fixed. Once the error has been cleared, it should now be possible to send photo email again. The 'slideshow' view may not work at OneDrive, but the photos can be viewed and downloaded.

In the past two days, a number of users have complained that the photo email feature is no longer working. After creating a photo email and clicking send, the process starts and then stalls.

At this stage, the following is recorded in the program log:

[13:04:26.65] 17d8 Mail: Zone_MailChk ERROR: (containx.cpp:3808), failed with 0x800CCE05 [13:04:26.65] 17d8 Mail: Zone_MailChk ERROR: (containx.cpp:3808), failed with 0x800CCE05 [13:04:27.20] 0e78 Mail: Canvas_Error [db] Photomail failed to complete publish: System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x80010105): The server threw an exception. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80010105 (RPC_E_SERVERFAULT)) at WindowsLive.Writer.PostEditor.PhotoAlbums.PhotoMail.IPublishCallback.PublishComplete(Int32 hr, IHTMLDocument2 newEmail, IPhotomailAlbum photoAlbum) at WindowsLive.Writer.PostEditor.PhotoAlbums.PhotoMail.PhotoMailPublisher.Publish(IPublishCallback callback, IHTMLDocument2 document2, String language, String wpost)

To clear the error, the user must:

1. Disconnect from the Internet (e.g. switch off Wi-Fi or unplug the Ethernet cable).

This will stop the program from trying to send.

2. Remove the message from the outbox (below the account folders in the folder pane).

3. Click Stop in the send/receive progress window.

An error message with code 0x80004004 (ABORT) is displayed.

4. Close the progress window.

Instead of using the photo email feature, users could:

A. Start a new email message from within Windows Live Mail (Ctrl-N), then use either

Attach files to send images as attachments to the message, or

Insert > Single photo to embed images into the message and apply some formatting.

The images will still be sent as attachments, but they will usually be visible to the recipient

in the body of the message.

B. Upload the images to OneDrive, then use the sharing options there to send a link to addressees by email.

Will support staff please confirm this fault and inform users about when they may expect the broken feature to be mended?

There is a suggestion on the OneDrive UserVoice page asking the OneDrive team please to reverse the change that caused this fault. The more votes the suggestion gets, the more likely it is that the team will look at the problem.

PS A number of users have posted solutions involving forcefully closing down Windows Live Mail, e.g. by using Task Manager to end the wlmail.exe process or by re-starting the computer. These methods can't be recommended except in the last resort, because Windows Live Mail often conducts internal housekeeping after the program interface has disappeared. If this process is interrupted, damage to the program's databases may result.

The program will normally stop trying to send the message soon after the Internet connection has been broken; clicking once on Working online on the status bar may also speed up the release of the program's handle on the unsendable message so it can be removed from the outbox.

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

103 answers

Anonymous

2015-06-28T09:11:53+00:00

I hope you voted at UserVoice ...
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2015-06-27T09:17:55+00:00

Hi ¡Firedog.

Thank you, thank you...THANK YOU! This has been by far the most valuable advice I have ever followed on the net. I have finally resolved my problem for the moment and can send & receive emails again after a 2-day drought! Being very cautious, however, I'll hold fire on sending photos - even the way you have recommended - until the OneDrive Team at Microsoft gets its act together and fixes the problem. I'm not prepared to go through the trauma all over again!

One thing I simply cannot understand: Why can't the techos at Microsoft come up with a temporary solution to the problem as you have done? I have spent hours in online chats to three of them and none have made any useful suggestions. Most of our time seems to be spent making sure we've both had a nice day and confirming info that is already common knowledge! In the process (until you helped me out) I deleted all the important files I had in my Sent folder to no avail and ended up with NO WLM at all - only the offending send/receive progress window, which refused to budge.

Surely these techos are aware of the problem and can come up with something similar to your solution? Even if OneDrive IS the problem, what people need is a way to carry on in the meantime. These failures can be very disruptive and reflect badly on Microsoft. I'm sure that behind it all lurks the almighty dollar - including the lure of Premium Software Support and switching from WLM to Outlook. But their biggest mistake is to underestimate the intelligence of their millions of customers. My gratitude to you is balanced by the dismay I have for the lack of effective support services for a what is basically a good product.

Thanks once again and good luck in your efforts to rouse the OneDrive Team from their torpor!

Cheers

Peter
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2015-06-27T08:01:48+00:00

G'Day Perry

I have tried all the suggestions but still am not able to send a photo or file.

No, you have to avoid the photo email function until it's been mended. Here's one way of sending pictures now:

(a)   Open Windows Live Mail

(b)   Press Ctrl-N to start a new mail message

(c)   Click in the body of the message, then on the Insert tab, select Single photo

(d)   Navigate to, then Ctrl-click on the pictures you want to send to select them and click Open. They should appear in the message window.

(e)   Click on each picture in turn and use the options on the Format tab to resize, apply borders, align and so on.

(f)   Add your text, complete the message and send.

Tip: if at (e) you hit upon a set of options (e.g. medium size, thin black border, aligned top-left with a 15 pixel margin all around) that suits you, clickSet to default and they'll be automatically applied to any phot os you insert in the future.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2015-06-27T07:36:08+00:00

I have escalated the case and will provide an update as soon as possible.

Thanks, Rohit. Fingers crossed.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2015-06-27T06:29:10+00:00

Hi Guys,

I have escalated the case and will provide an update as soon as possible.

Thank you ¡Firedog for bringing the case to our notice. Your input in this matter is highly appreciated. We look forward for your sound advices on such issues.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments