outlook express frozen

[Guest]

I am running OE 6 with Windows XP SP2. Whenever I try to open my mail, the OE
windows comes up and freezes. Once open, my entire computer stops operating
unless I open my task manager where msimn.exe is running at 94-99% and end
the process. I am able to open the program on other users on the same
computer. I have scoured many a website trying to fix the problem and have
had no luck but fear I have either misconfigured or deleted something I
shouldn't have. I've been told to try to update from the microsoft website
but receive a message that I already have the latest version. Can anyone
direct me to a solution?

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE]

I am running OE 6 with Windows XP SP2. Whenever I try to open my
mail, the OE windows comes up and freezes. Once open, my entire
computer stops operating unless I open my task manager where
msimn.exe is running at 94-99% and end the process. I am able to open
the program on other users on the same computer. I have scoured many
a website trying to fix the problem and have had no luck but fear I
have either misconfigured or deleted something I shouldn't have. I've
been told to try to update from the microsoft website but receive a
message that I already have the latest version. Can anyone direct me
to a solution?

Don't store messages in the Inbox. It is the folder most apt to be
corrupted. As soon as you read them move them to user created folders.
Then compact the Inbox regularly.

Go to Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder and write down where OE
is storing its data.
Close OE.
Go there with Windows Explorer and move (not copy) Inbox.dbx to an empty
Windows
folder. With Win2K, WinXP and Win2K3 it will be a hidden file.

You can use either of these tools to extract the messages from the old DBX
file:

DBXtract ($5): http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/ although this tool is faster
and better:
DBXpress: ($25) http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
Do NOT extract to the desktop!
With a large file this can take a long time, so let it keep running.

The messages can be dragged from a Windows folder back into an OE folder in
OE's Folder List.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE
Please respond in Newsgroup. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info, however I am unable to open OE to do so at this time.
Any advice on how to get past the frozen screen as I can't seem to uninstall
with SP2?

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE]

Thanks for the info, however I am unable to open OE to do so at this
time. Any advice on how to get past the frozen screen as I can't seem
to uninstall with SP2?

Open Search | All files and folders
Enter Outbox.dbx in the top field.
Click More advanced options.
Check Search hidden files and folders. and click Search.
Write down the location of Outbox.dbx and close Search.

Open Windows Explorer and click Tools | Options | View
Click the radio button for Show hidden files and folders.
Make sure the box for hide extensions of known file types is not checked.
Go to the location you wrote down and move Inbox.dbx to an empty Windows
folder.

If you can now open OE use DBXtract the messages from the Inbox.dbx that you
moved.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE
Please respond in Newsgroup. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

 

[Guest]

No files were found when I tried this.

Open Search | All files and folders
Enter Outbox.dbx in the top field.
Click More advanced options.
Check Search hidden files and folders. and click Search.
Write down the location of Outbox.dbx and close Search.

Open Windows Explorer and click Tools | Options | View
Click the radio button for Show hidden files and folders.
Make sure the box for hide extensions of known file types is not checked.
Go to the location you wrote down and move Inbox.dbx to an empty Windows
folder.

If you can now open OE use DBXtract the messages from the Inbox.dbx that you
moved.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE
Please respond in Newsgroup. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE]

If you did not find any copies of Outbox.dbx then you failed to make sure
that Search included hidden files and folders. You DO have at least one
copy of Outbox.dbx or else you are using something other than Outlook
Express. I note that you did not post this message with Outlook Express.

 

[Guest]

Frank you are the best! I finally found the outbox files in local
settings/application data/identities and moved them, bought and ran dbexpress
and extracted all my emails that have been lost in limbo for the last 3
months. I am now able to open my OE on my desktop like old times. The only
problem I am encountering now it switching between identities. The screen
freezes and I need to exit and log on again.The fact that I can log on is a
miracle! Possibly a settings issue?!?!? I currently have CA antivirus, ez
spam/pest patrol and ez firewall running with Windows XP Pro SP2 on my Dell
computer and feel all these programs conflict at some level. In addition,
I've made so many changes over the months in my attempt to fix my OE problem.
I'm thinking of having someone come and clean the whole thing up. Any
recommendations? Any software that will do the trick? Regarding my posting.
It was my first time and didn't realize there was a separate area for OE
issues. Thanks for all your support and patience!