Photo email feature broken

Anonymous
2015-06-25T12:32:01+00:00

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

Windows for home | Other | Email and communications

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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-07-05T21:20:28+00:00

    Embedding means, in my vocabulary, arranging for a picture to be displayed in the body of a message, rather than being simply attached to it. The embedded image may be either attached to the message or retrieved from a website. Photo email doesn't embed photos - it uploads them to OneDrive and sends a link to the uploaded files along with thumbnail images.

    To send pictures by email,

    1. Launch Windows Live Mail by clicking on the program shortcut on the desktop, the taskbar or on the start menu.
    2. When viewing the message list, press Ctrl-N to open a message compose window.
    3. Enter the intended recipients' email addresses in the appropriate fields, enter a subject for the message and then click inside the message body.
    4. On the Insert tab, select Single photo. This will open an Explorer Insert Picture window where you can navigate to and choose the photos you want to send. You can use Ctrl-click to select more than one picture, then click Open.
    5. Click on a photo. This will reveal the Format tab, where there are several options for manipulating the photo. Try them out to find ones that suit. Using the Size options to reduce the dimensions of the photo will reduce its file size as well, so you can send more pictures at once. Remember that any reduction in size will also reduce the image quality, so you have to strike a balance.
    6. If you happen upon a set of options that works well, click Set to default to apply them automatically to pictures you insert in the future. They won't be applied to photos already in the message, though.
    7. Complete the message and click Send.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-07-05T22:10:09+00:00

    Do you think it's necessary to go into the email settings and uncheck that box that says use photomail when sending photos--do the photos automatically go into the problem area that's not working if this box is checked?

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-07-06T01:38:23+00:00

    Hi LoriSandelin,

    I just tried composing an email with ten photos attached, both with and without that box checked.

    With the box checked, the photos appeared as an album, to appear on OneDrive, which I understand is the problem, so I did not send it.

    With the box unchecked, the photos appeared as a list of attachments. I sent it to myself with no problem.

    So I cannot guarantee that keeping it checked will cause a problem, but with it unchecked attachments seem to go through no problem.

    wblynn

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-07-06T02:45:43+00:00

    I have the same problem. I use 8.1 Pro and Live Mail 2012 and in the last few

    weeks trying to send photo email with an album it locks up on the last photo.

    Thought was just me.

    I hope this bug is fixed as I am loyal to Microsoft and love live mail.

    I have three accounts and like the combination of all three. I have outlook

    but was used to outlook in the work place. Live Mail seem more like what

    I am used to.

    Pleas fix this problem.

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-07-06T16:34:51+00:00

    Hello iFiredog,

    You sent me the above solution on the 4th July. I've tried it and it worked. Thank you.

    I'm now going to get my £90 back, hopefully. I'll let you know how I get on.

    Thanks once again.

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