Thanks for trying to solve this.
I'm still stuck though. I followed instructions and got rid of the old
identities and created a new one. However, I still can't open the
Address Book from within OE. I just get this error message: "The
Address Book failed to load. Outlook Express is incorrectly
configured. Please re-install."
And of course, it won't reinstall.
WAB files will open the Address Book programme and be read by it. But
despite that, OE refuses to connect with the Address Book.
Also, on creating a new user for the Win XP, I can get Outlook
Express to work properly there. So the only work around I can think
of is to somehow get everything from the other User into the new Win
XP user area. Is that a better option than continuing this? Is there
a way of transfering all the settings of the Old User into the New
User area?
:
Inline below.
Lawrence Gray wrote:
Here's a workaround:
1. Create a new Named Identity (File > Identities > Add new
identity); Do not rename the Main Identity or call the new
identity 'Main Identity';
2. Open OE to the new identity: File > Switch identities;
I did that and OE closed down and refused to re-open. I restarted
the computer and open OE and found it opened with the old ID. I
then told it to Switch to the new ID and... it closed again and
refused to open.
So I'm stuck.
OK, your original Main Identity is indeed damaged. Try this:
1. In this damaged identity:
Tools > Options > Maintenance > Store folder
Write down the location displayed [e.g., C:\Documents and
Settings\<User>\Local Settings\Application
Data\Identities\{GUID}\Microsoft\Outlook Express, where {GUID} is
the Global Unique IDentifier (technical jargon for a unique long
number) used to specify an Identity].
2. Compact all folders in this identity per
http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm#compact.
3. Close OE and leave it closed.
4. In Windows Explorer, navigate to this identity's store folder >
Move *all* DBX files in this folder to another folder you've
created for this purpose.
5a. Start > Run > Regedit > OK
5b. Navigate to this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities\{GUID}
where {GUID} is the same as the one you wrote down in Step 1 above.
5c. Right-click on this {GUID} and select DELETE.
6. Delete the folder you found in Step 1 above.
7a. Open OE. If it doesn't open to the new Named Identity you
created earlier, switch to that identity.
7b. File > Import > Messages > Import the DBX files you moved in
Step 4 above. See
http://www.insideoe.com/faqs/how.htm#importOE5.
7c. Add your Mail and News accounts in this new identity.
8. Assuming you were able to complete all of Step 7 above in the new
Named Identity, now switch back to the other identity and Delete it
(File > Identities > Manage Identities).
If you weren't able to switch to the new identity in 7a above *and*
you can open Address Book (empty, we'll assume) in the identity to
which OE had opened, import the DBX files into this identity
instead.
9a. In the working identity, open Address Book: View > Folders and
Groups (check) > Select Shared Contacts > Assuming all or most of
your contacts are listed, highlight all (CTRL+A) in the right-pane
and Drag them into [Identity Name]'s Contacts folder.
9b. If you find nothing in Shared Contacts, Search in Windows
Explorer for *.wa~ or *.wab~. Open any file found > Help | About
will show this file's location: write it down > Close the file.
9c. Open new Named Identity's Address: File > Import > Address Book
point the wizard to the file you found in 9b above.
