Although Outlook must be set as default email client, did you close Outlook before trying to import into Thunderbird ?

I've tried with it both open and closed; makes no difference

Have you tried to import the mail and the address books separately: http://en.flossmanuals.net/thunderbird/migrating/

There is no seperate address book in Outlook.

Couldn't solve it - Ended up just leaving Outlook installed. Sorry T-Bird; you lost one!

As you have presented new information - There is no seperate address book in Outlook.- and not fully described the process you used.

In Thunderbird When you used Tools > Import did you select just the Mail' option or did you select 'Import Everything' ?

If you selected 'Import Everything' , maybe it was also looking for address books which did not exist, so failed to work.

So, did you select 'Mail' option and then click on 'Next' Then select 'Outlook' option and click on 'Next'.

I tried *all* the import options, but Tbird cannot recognise the default mail program, so it fails.

Its Tbird failing, not my actions.

does your outlook have a default PST file? what version of outlook are you using? Are you using compatibility mode for either program?

It's Outlook 2003, yes it has a default pst file and it's staying on. Please note as above; I've given up, consider it solved.

Thanks for your input