Email inbox craziness

[Richard Steinfeld]

I've suffered two almost-identical inbox failures lately. The MO appears
the same.

I was using Outlook Express.
Suddenly, I was not able to use the program at all. It would load to an
error message, with the only option being to exit the program. All signs
pointed to a corrupted inbox data file. The file could not be massaged
within the program because the program wouldn't run. Windows would not
allow the file to be copied, giving some type of bogus error message.

I'm still using Windows Me, ready to transition to XP. Therefore, I'm
still using a DOS-based system. So, I ran Scandisk at the DOS level.
Scandisk informed me that my inbox database file was corrupted; it said
that the beginning of the file was OK, but that messages down-the-line
would be sacrificed during a repair.

I tried three different purpose-specific recovery programs: all of them
failed. One of them, though, was able to retrieve about 25 messages from
the beginning of the file. Another gave me a wonderful complete
directory of the data, but couldn't retrieve any messages.

I was determined to abandon Outlook Express in favor of Thunderbird, so
I installed Thunderbird. After a conversation with a helpful person at
my Internet Provider (Plug: Tye at Sonic.net in Santa Rosa, California),
I imported the Outlook Express inbox into Thunderbird. Zippp! In two
minutes flat, I had retrieved three years worth of 4,500 messages, plus
their attachments. I was delighted and relieved. These messages reside
in their own special "folder," of course -- not my new inbox.

After I retrieved my old OE messges into Thunderbird, I happily allowed
Scandisk to go do it's merry work and get all the digital ducks-in-the-row.

But, Woah!
Yesterday morning, I discovered, now in Thunderbird, that my _new_ inbox
was corrupted, and in the same fashion that it was in Outlook Express. I
can't retreive the newest messages. Windows again won't allow this file
to be copied.

I can see the messages listed in the listing window; the older ones
display content perfectly. The newest ones are listed, but no content is
displayed.

What was going on around the time of the failure was that a friend had
sent me a series of five posts, each containing an MP3 audio file of
about 3 minutes material. I was able to see each of these messages and
play the music. However, the following day, only two of these posts were
loadable.

This is crazy. Or is it? What's in common is that I've been using
Grisoft AVG. AVG had recently found a virus which it had removed. I had
also run Spybot Search and Destroy around the same time that this new
damage occured (which had found a virus that I allowed it to remove).

As I said, I was not able to copy the inbox data file, even after
removing its "archive" flag. However, I was able to rename it (!?).
Then, restoring the original name, I brought it into Thunderbird again
and tried something that I found on the Thunderbird site: I compacted
the data. Then, I was able to copy the file. However, the newest posts
had been tossed.

I do not understand this behavior at all. I'm worried. It's taken many.
many hours of work to get my data back. What I suspect is that the
instant scanning process employed by AVG has somehow hiccupped during
the scan of a long message/attachment combo, trashing the entire
database in the process. AVG is the common factor in the two cases, both
of which involve different email software.

If I'm correct in this assumption, it's imperative to maintain virus
protection, yet it's imperative to stop the antivirus software from
scanning all new messages automatically.

What I need to know is how to set AVG so that it allows manual scanning
on demand, rather than automatically upon new message retrieval.

Any additional pointers are most welcome, including where else to go for
help (I haven't cross-posted this yet).

Thanks!

Richard

 

[Josh Randall]

I'm still using Windows Me, ready to transition to XP. Therefore, I'm
still using a DOS-based system.

Richard, here's what I'd do..........First, burn all your documents and
files to a CD, and put them aside. It sounds like a boot sector virus which
is tough to get rid of. In any case, this is my system:

Boot from a CLEAN 98se or ME stat-up disc. Make sure it's clean. Get it from
a friend and write protect it! I use a debug script to wipe out all MBR info
and force fdisk to start over. This puts your HD in a virgin state.

Next: Fresh install XP by booting from your CDRom and go from there. If you
need the debug script, e-mail me and I'll send it to you. It's very easy to
use if you check your work. Takes about 4 minutes.

Next: DL every single free virus checker you can find and check out those
files you saved. One of more of them has a virus! Do not open any files on
your saved discs till you find it! And then, only open the ones you really
need.

JR

joshrandall at vfemail dot net

 

[jmatt]

three years worth of 4,500 messages

Thats a lot of stuff , after backing up etc , try compacting the
folders .

Also , OE can be repaired .

Try choice 2
http://www.windows-help.net/windows98/ie50-11.shtml
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q194177
http://help.earthlink.net/techsupport/xmldocs/windows_9x_nt/browsers/ie_5.0/1680.help.html
W95 you have 3 choices . With W98 , if you have IE5.1 or higher &
you still have IE4 installed the following applies . No IE4 only 2
choices .
IE5.5 if over the top of 5.1 , offers 3 choices .

You can install IE5.1 straight over 4 . A big feature with IE5.1 or
higher is that it can be repaired without uninstalling . Here is how
to do it . Open Control Panel , Add / Remove , click on Microsoft
Internet Explorer , then click on add / remove down the bottom .
This opens a window with 3 choices .

Choice 1. Add , insert your IE5.1+ install program & you can find
other items you may not have installed 1st time .

Choice 2. Repair , fixes problems that may crop up with IE5.1+ /
Outlook Express

Choice 3. Restore . If unfixable , removes IE5.1+ & goes back to
the previous version ,
now if you want to you can reinstall IE5.1 or a later version or
another browser altogether .

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[Richard Steinfeld]

I've suffered two almost-identical inbox failures lately. The MO appears
the same.

To the two posters who answered so far, thanks.

I've run a normal AVG system scan. Then, last night, I ran the AVG scan
from a clean DOS boot (I'm using Windows Me). The scan of approximately
12 GB of data took 6 hours and produced no infections. Whereas boot
sector viruses aren't addressed by name either in the program or in
Grisoft's documentation, I suspect that their DOS version does scan down
at that level -- reported as "system" scanning (there seems to be
occasional translation error among the international antivirus
community; and example is a current worm that some companies call
"beagle" and others call "bagle.").

I suspect that my inbox files are being trashed in some way by the
automated scan performed by AVG. I'm now using Thunderbird. Thunderbird
initially reports that new messages exist for download. I have to click
on the "Get Mail" button to retrieve them. Then, AVG goes into action,
processing the files, and then downloading them -- two stages. After
that, my messages are still not displayed: I must hit the "Get Mail"
button again. The new messages are hidden below-the-horizon in the
message list.

This behavior seems strange to me.

But the failure mode was consistent between two different mail reading
applications: Outlook Express and Thunderbird. In each case, either the
data file or the index file were corrupted; probably the data file,
since that's what Scandisk reported last time.

In each case, I was using AVG.
In each case, the data was trashed after a certain date.
In each case, the inbox file was corrupted and required unusual means in
order to retrieve data before the "accident." Data after that event was
unretrievable.

Compacting the data _the second time_ in Thunderbird brought back my
data before the "crash."

I haven't ruled out a boot sector infection, but I've got to use this
computer in the meantime. There's the strange coincident behavior as
follows:
- Both Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware had both been unusable for over 6 months.
Each would end abnormally at the end of the scan, giving a "Kernel 32"
error message. No other operations have produced this problem.
- The latest Spybot S&D operated perfectly.
- Ad Aware ran fine two days ago.

What I'd like right now is information about how to switch AVG into a
"scan-on-demand" mode rather than having it automatically scan new
messges during their download. As I understand the process, I suspect
that this is where my data is being trashed -- during the purgatory
between when the messages are downloaded onto my system and when the
data is actually passed on to the mail reader program. The last time
this happened, it was after a friend had sent me some very large email
attachments -- a series of messages each containing one MP3 file of
about 3 minutes of music each.

I have not been able to find anything on Grisoft's site so far about
either switching Free AVG into a more manual mode or boot sector viruses.

Comments?

Richard

 

[Mel]

What I'd like right now is information about how to switch AVG into a
"scan-on-demand" mode rather than having it automatically scan new
messges during their download. As I understand the process, I suspect
that this is where my data is being trashed -- during the purgatory
between when the messages are downloaded onto my system and when the
data is actually passed on to the mail reader program. The last time
this happened, it was after a friend had sent me some very large email
attachments -- a series of messages each containing one MP3 file of
about 3 minutes of music each.

The Way the mail scanner seems to work is:

1) Message is downloaded to your computer, but left on the mail server.

2) Message is scanned by AVG if scan is successful.

3) Message is downloaded to your mail client and deleted from the mail
server.

How much freespace on your harddisk? Have you defragged recently?

I know you don't want to hear it, but your in-box is too big for the
mail clients. Items you want to keep should be archived, and the rest of
the stuff that you'll never look at again should be deleted.

 

[David]

I've suffered two almost-identical inbox failures lately. The MO appears
the same.

To the two posters who answered so far, thanks.
[snip]

What I'd like right now is information about how to switch AVG into a
"scan-on-demand" mode rather than having it automatically scan new
messges during their download. As I understand the process, I suspect
that this is where my data is being trashed -- during the purgatory
between when the messages are downloaded onto my system and when the
data is actually passed on to the mail reader program. The last time
this happened, it was after a friend had sent me some very large email
attachments -- a series of messages each containing one MP3 file of
about 3 minutes of music each.

Select View->Components->E-mail Scanner.
Click on the "Disable Plugin" button and tick the "Ignore Plugin
Status" box.
E-mail scanning is now disabled.

Never execute or open an attachment from Outlook Express without first
saving the attachment to the hard drive. This lets the on demand part
of the virus checker get a look at the file and alert you if it finds
anything. Thunderbird, and most other e-mail programs, will not, as
far as I am aware, allow you to execute anything anyway as the
default.

I have not been able to find anything on Grisoft's site so far about
either switching Free AVG into a more manual mode or boot sector viruses.

From the Control Center select Test Center or right click on the tray
icon and select Test Center. You can now test your entire computer or
just part of it.

I disable the automatic update procedure and do that manually when I
am online.

Boot sectors are, as far as I am aware, always included in the scan by
every virus scanner. If you are still worried open a command prompt
and run "fdisk /mbr" without the inverted commas. This will install a
fresh copy of the boot sector on your drive.

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

I've suffered two almost-identical inbox failures lately. The MO appears
the same.

To the two posters who answered so far, thanks.

[snip]

What I'd like right now is information about how to switch AVG into a
"scan-on-demand" mode rather than having it automatically scan new
messges during their download. As I understand the process, I suspect
that this is where my data is being trashed -- during the purgatory
between when the messages are downloaded onto my system and when the
data is actually passed on to the mail reader program. The last time
this happened, it was after a friend had sent me some very large email
attachments -- a series of messages each containing one MP3 file of
about 3 minutes of music each.

Select View->Components->E-mail Scanner.
Click on the "Disable Plugin" button and tick the "Ignore Plugin
Status" box.
E-mail scanning is now disabled.

Never execute or open an attachment from Outlook Express without first
saving the attachment to the hard drive. This lets the on demand part
of the virus checker get a look at the file and alert you if it finds
anything. Thunderbird, and most other e-mail programs, will not, as
far as I am aware, allow you to execute anything anyway as the
default.

I have not been able to find anything on Grisoft's site so far about
either switching Free AVG into a more manual mode or boot sector viruses.

From the Control Center select Test Center or right click on the tray
icon and select Test Center. You can now test your entire computer or
just part of it.

I disable the automatic update procedure and do that manually when I
am online.

Boot sectors are, as far as I am aware, always included in the scan by
every virus scanner. If you are still worried open a command prompt
and run "fdisk /mbr" without the inverted commas. This will install a
fresh copy of the boot sector on your drive.

Thanks very much, David.
I'll try this route and report back.

I've become more expert about these two mail programs than I intended to
be as a result of the repeated inbox trashing. I'm happy to note that
I've been able to save both the data file and the index file. In the
same directory, Thunderbird just brings it all in as an additional
mailbox. That's great -- very transparent and very heartening -- because
it means that we can all make backups of our data in a very
straightforward, DOS-like way. My attempt here was a test; we can also
just, instead of putting these files in the program's data directory,
put them in a backup directory.

I can also take my humungous old inbox from Outlook Express now
transfered into Thunderbird, make multiple instances of it, and edit
down each instance into a separate subset by deleting whole swaths of
messages. In the Microsoft product, one just accumulates more and more
messages until the entire gargantuan file just dies from its own weight.
I don't know any way to accomplish this in Outlook Express. This shows a
nice flexibility in this open system program. Isn't that cool?

One question: is the fdisk routine safe?

Richard

 

[jmatt]

More on fdisk /mbr

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q69013/

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[David]

Richard Steinfeld wrote:

I've suffered two almost-identical inbox failures lately. The MO appears
the same.


To the two posters who answered so far, thanks.

[snip]

What I'd like right now is information about how to switch AVG into a
"scan-on-demand" mode rather than having it automatically scan new
messges during their download. As I understand the process, I suspect
that this is where my data is being trashed -- during the purgatory
between when the messages are downloaded onto my system and when the
data is actually passed on to the mail reader program. The last time
this happened, it was after a friend had sent me some very large email
attachments -- a series of messages each containing one MP3 file of
about 3 minutes of music each.

Select View->Components->E-mail Scanner.
Click on the "Disable Plugin" button and tick the "Ignore Plugin
Status" box.
E-mail scanning is now disabled.

Never execute or open an attachment from Outlook Express without first
saving the attachment to the hard drive. This lets the on demand part
of the virus checker get a look at the file and alert you if it finds
anything. Thunderbird, and most other e-mail programs, will not, as
far as I am aware, allow you to execute anything anyway as the
default.

I have not been able to find anything on Grisoft's site so far about
either switching Free AVG into a more manual mode or boot sector viruses.

From the Control Center select Test Center or right click on the tray
icon and select Test Center. You can now test your entire computer or
just part of it.

I disable the automatic update procedure and do that manually when I
am online.

Boot sectors are, as far as I am aware, always included in the scan by
every virus scanner. If you are still worried open a command prompt
and run "fdisk /mbr" without the inverted commas. This will install a
fresh copy of the boot sector on your drive.

Thanks very much, David.
I'll try this route and report back.

I've become more expert about these two mail programs than I intended to
be as a result of the repeated inbox trashing. I'm happy to note that
I've been able to save both the data file and the index file. In the
same directory, Thunderbird just brings it all in as an additional
mailbox. That's great -- very transparent and very heartening -- because
it means that we can all make backups of our data in a very
straightforward, DOS-like way. My attempt here was a test; we can also
just, instead of putting these files in the program's data directory,
put them in a backup directory.

Mozilla/Thunderbird is my mail program of choice. I've been using it
since Netscape V4 around 1997 when I first went online.

I can also take my humungous old inbox from Outlook Express now
transfered into Thunderbird, make multiple instances of it, and edit
down each instance into a separate subset by deleting whole swaths of
messages. In the Microsoft product, one just accumulates more and more
messages until the entire gargantuan file just dies from its own weight.
I don't know any way to accomplish this in Outlook Express. This shows a
nice flexibility in this open system program. Isn't that cool?

Why do you leave messages in your inbox? Mine rarely has any messages
kept beyond a week. If I haven't dealt with it in that time I'm
probably not going to so I delete it. If I want to keep it I either
save it as a .TXT file or move it to a sub-folder for safety. Can't
you make folders and sub-folders in OE. I've never used the program so
I don't know.

One question: is the fdisk routine safe?

Richard

Fdisk routine is safe, although I would hesitate if you are dual
booting with a previous version of Windoze or Linux. Linux uses its
own boot choice of either Grub or Lilo. Running either would reset
your boot sector. I'm not sure what would happen with two Windoze
versions. Read the help file on Fdisk if you are unsure although being
a M$ program the help file is probably singularly unhelpful even
though technically correct.

 

[John Hartill]

[snip]
I can also take my humungous old inbox from Outlook Express now
transfered into Thunderbird, make multiple instances of it, and edit
down each instance into a separate subset by deleting whole swaths of
messages. In the Microsoft product, one just accumulates more and
more messages until the entire gargantuan file just dies from its
own weight.
I don't know any way to accomplish this in Outlook Express. This
shows a nice flexibility in this open system program. Isn't that
cool?

Why do you leave messages in your inbox? Mine rarely has any messages
kept beyond a week. If I haven't dealt with it in that time I'm
probably not going to so I delete it. If I want to keep it I either
save it as a .TXT file or move it to a sub-folder for safety. Can't
you make folders and sub-folders in OE. I've never used the program so
I don't know.

Yes, you can create many subfolders in OE - I currently have over 140 folders for email and copies of usenet messages I am keeping for a while. You can also set up rules to automatically move messages to sub-folders on arrival. There are rarely more than 20 or so messages in my inbox. I assumed nearly all email progs would have similar functionality?

I also backup the message store daily!

HTH

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 21:49:23 -0700

Why do you leave messages in your inbox? Mine rarely has any messages
kept beyond a week. If I haven't dealt with it in that time I'm
probably not going to so I delete it. If I want to keep it I either
save it as a .TXT file or move it to a sub-folder for safety. Can't
you make folders and sub-folders in OE. I've never used the program so
I don't know.

My email usage has been very heavy. I have business messages and other
items that I may want to refer back to later, an audit trail, etc. The
most convenient way to do this would be in a form that's readable in the
future in an email context. For example, soon I'll want to get back
to someone I haven't communicated with in over a year. But in
sub-folders would be fine.

Fdisk routine is safe, although I would hesitate if you are dual
booting with a previous version of Windoze or Linux. Linux uses its
own boot choice of either Grub or Lilo. Running either would reset
your boot sector. I'm not sure what would happen with two Windoze
versions. Read the help file on Fdisk if you are unsure although being
a M$ program the help file is probably singularly unhelpful even
though technically correct.

Yes. I understand. MS documentation seems to exist in a world of its own
-- a world in which they talk with each other and a world that doesn't
include customers.

 

[Josh Randall]

One question: is the fdisk routine safe?

Define *safe*? It's *necessary* for all installs of Windows. XP has it's own
version for NTSF to create the file system, and mark the partition active
for boot purposes. Fdisk was used by everyone until installing from your
CDRom became possible. Yes, you can use fdisc/ with the /mbr switch, but
contrary to popular opinion this WILL NOT erase a boot sector virus. It also
doesn't affect any previous copy of an OS that was installed.It's still
there............on you your MBR and will cause a ton of problems.........I
offered to send you the debug script. I can also point you to a web site
that describes this better...if they are still around, maybe if I can find
it. Good luck..

JR

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

Define *safe*? It's *necessary* for all installs of Windows.

My present system is running an emasculated version of Windows Me. That
is, it's Me with all its troublesome automated self-maintenance turned off.

By "safe," here's my concern: Yes, I know that fdisk is used to prepare
a HD for a new installation. What I'm concerned about is whether it's
safe to run the routine on a machine that's already got a ton of
important data on it and needs to be in daily use.

I'm not clear on what you're saying in the following paragraph:

"XP has it's own

version for NTSF to create the file system, and mark the partition active
for boot purposes. Fdisk was used by everyone until installing from your
CDRom became possible. Yes, you can use fdisc/ with the /mbr switch, but
contrary to popular opinion this WILL NOT erase a boot sector virus. It also
doesn't affect any previous copy of an OS that was installed.It's still
there............

What's the action in this case?

And, particularly:

"...on you your MBR and will cause a ton of problems.........???????

What does the MBR switch do?

I

offered to send you the debug script.

What does your debug script do?

I can also point you to a web site

that describes this better...if they are still around, maybe if I can find
it. Good luck..

JR

Thanks, JR.

Richard

 

[David]

David wrote:
[snip]
I can also take my humungous old inbox from Outlook Express now
transfered into Thunderbird, make multiple instances of it, and edit
down each instance into a separate subset by deleting whole swaths of
messages. In the Microsoft product, one just accumulates more and
more messages until the entire gargantuan file just dies from its
own weight.
I don't know any way to accomplish this in Outlook Express. This
shows a nice flexibility in this open system program. Isn't that
cool?

Why do you leave messages in your inbox? Mine rarely has any messages
kept beyond a week. If I haven't dealt with it in that time I'm
probably not going to so I delete it. If I want to keep it I either
save it as a .TXT file or move it to a sub-folder for safety. Can't
you make folders and sub-folders in OE. I've never used the program so
I don't know.

Yes, you can create many subfolders in OE - I currently have over 140 folders for email and copies of usenet messages I am keeping for a while. You can also set up rules to automatically move messages to sub-folders on arrival. There are rarely more than 20 or so messages in my inbox. I assumed nearly all email progs would have similar functionality?

I would have assumed so as well but we are dealing with M$ here!
;-)}}}

I also backup the message store daily!

Wise advice for all. I'll resume doing that if, and when, I get my
network up and running again. @#&*% M$.

 

[Josh Randall]

a HD for a new installation. What I'm concerned about is whether it's
safe to run the routine on a machine that's already got a ton of
important data on it and needs to be in daily use.

Not if you want to keep the data. Didn't you say you were about to install a
new copy of xp, right?

And, particularly:

"...on you your MBR and will cause a ton of problems.........???????

What does the MBR switch do?

The mbr switch re-writes a new copy of your existing MBR that may have been
corrupted by porgs that write to your MBR. LILO, Grub, Partitin Magic, Boot
magic, and other HD utilites. It does not remove any, it seems. Once you put
ANY operating system on a HD, it writes it's stuff to the MBR. It marks it
as FT, FAT 16, FAT 32, NTSF, etc. Also, if you are using an OEM version of
WIN, it's required.....(most of the time).

What does your debug script do? (BTW, it's not mine. I borrowed it from

some machine language programmers)>

Like I said, it wipes the mbr (and this is the ONLY way. Format doesn't do
it) and forces fdisk, including XP's version to treat it like it just came
from the factory. You are guaranteed a virgin HD to install a new OS on. I
have solved several wierd problems doing this.

I do this every time I re-install an OS to a HD that isn't fresh from the
factory. If you are going to wipe and install XP, then I suggest you do it.
If you're trying to save your existing OS and data, then I have no advice
for you.....

JR

 

[David]

Define *safe*? It's *necessary* for all installs of Windows. XP has it's own
version for NTSF to create the file system, and mark the partition active
for boot purposes. Fdisk was used by everyone until installing from your
CDRom became possible. Yes, you can use fdisc/ with the /mbr switch, but
contrary to popular opinion this WILL NOT erase a boot sector virus.

If you use the fdisk /mbr command it overwrites the main boot sector
as advertised. This does erase a main boot sector virus. The virus may
persist on the individual partition boot sector but is erased from the
main boot sector. I think you are confusing the boot sector with the
partition table. Partition table viruses and partition boot sector
viruses are more persistent.

To get rid of them you need to edit the partition table and save the
changes. The command "sys C:" will overwrite the partition boot
sector. You must make sure you are using a boot disk from the
appropriate operating system.

It also
doesn't affect any previous copy of an OS that was installed.It's still
there............on you your MBR and will cause a ton of problems.........I
offered to send you the debug script. I can also point you to a web site
that describes this better...if they are still around, maybe if I can find
it. Good luck..

JR

The only time a debug script is needed is if you do not have a clean
boot disk with the appropriate OS.

 

[David]

My present system is running an emasculated version of Windows Me. That
is, it's Me with all its troublesome automated self-maintenance turned off.

By "safe," here's my concern: Yes, I know that fdisk is used to prepare
a HD for a new installation. What I'm concerned about is whether it's
safe to run the routine on a machine that's already got a ton of
important data on it and needs to be in daily use.

Fdisk is used to specify the partition boundaries and nothing more.
The /mbr switch overwrites the main boot sector with standard code. If
your virus is resident in memory when you use the /mbr switch it will
simply overwrite the MBR again and you will have accomplished nothing.

You must turn the machine completely off at the power point. When you
turn it back on do not allow it to boot from the HDD. Have a write
protected floppy appropriate for your OS and boot from this. You may
need to enter CMOS and set the first boot device as the floppy.

When you have booted to the A:> prompt issue the following commands.

fdisk /mbr
sys c:

This will make your system boot process clean again. It is a
completely safe process and will NOT interfere with your data.

I'm not clear on what you're saying in the following paragraph:

"XP has it's own

This is incorrect. See my other post on this matter.

 

[Josh Randall]

This is incorrect. See my other post on this matter.

You may be right, here, David. But I used that method before, and it did NOT
get rid of a nasty boot sector virus. That's the reason for the debug
script. YMMV

JR

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

....

<[email protected]> typed furiously:

[snip]

I can also take my humungous old inbox from Outlook Express now
transfered into Thunderbird, make multiple instances of it, and edit
down each instance into a separate subset by deleting whole swaths of
messages. In the Microsoft product, one just accumulates more and
more messages until the entire gargantuan file just dies from its
own weight.
I don't know any way to accomplish this in Outlook Express. This
shows a nice flexibility in this open system program. Isn't that
cool?


Why do you leave messages in your inbox? Mine rarely has any messages
kept beyond a week. If I haven't dealt with it in that time I'm
probably not going to so I delete it. If I want to keep it I either
save it as a .TXT file or move it to a sub-folder for safety. Can't
you make folders and sub-folders in OE. I've never used the program so
I don't know.

Yes, you can create many subfolders in OE - I currently have over 140 folders for email and copies of usenet messages I am keeping for a while. You can also set up rules to automatically move messages to sub-folders on arrival. There are rarely more than 20 or so messages in my inbox. I assumed nearly all email progs would have similar functionality?

I would have assumed so as well but we are dealing with M$ here!
;-)}}}

I also backup the message store daily!

Wise advice for all. I'll resume doing that if, and when, I get my
network up and running again. @#&*% M$.

Let me emphasize one point: in each failure I experienced, AVG was
employed in some capacity, and I was or may have been dealing in some
way with large amounts of data.

I do not feel good about continuing to use Microsoft Outlook Express. In
my digging around for solutions in the first failure instance, I came
across a reference on one site to some problem that OE has with specific
large file sizes. Since I know of two instances in which an MS product
has eaten data when the file got to a certain size, I don't think kindly
about continuing to use OE.

In my messing with Thunderbird the past two days, I've come up with a
solid plan regarding how to break apart my elephantine old former OE
inbox. I feel that Thunderbird has allowed me a very DOS-like
straightforward path to do this. I never found the same option in OE.
And the more I use Thunderbird, the more I like it.

Richard

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

Not if you want to keep the data. Didn't you say you were about to install a
new copy of xp, right?

Yup. But not as simple as that. I'm using Me right now. It's a complete
installation off the restore disk that came with this Micron computer.
In other words, I formatted the HD and laid down this "restore"
installation. The routine is not the transfer of an image, but a process
that's more similar to the standard MS route. My XP is an upgrade, so it
wants to see Windows 9x -- either already on the HD, or on a CD, which
it'll use as a key. I don't know whether this second routine will work
or not since the 9x data on the CD may not be in a form that MS will
recognize.

My intention for the upgrade is to do it onto a new HD, which is sitting
in a closet right now.

But in the meantime, I've got to back up my data and get to some sort of
"node point" in my activities. Right now, I'm working at getting a new
business off the ground. In other words, it might be best for me to
stabilize my present system for another month, and then do the big switch.

The mbr switch re-writes a new copy of your existing MBR that may have been
corrupted by porgs that write to your MBR. LILO, Grub, Partitin Magic, Boot
magic, and other HD utilites. It does not remove any, it seems. Once you put
ANY operating system on a HD, it writes it's stuff to the MBR. It marks it
as FT, FAT 16, FAT 32, NTSF, etc. Also, if you are using an OEM version of
WIN, it's required.....(most of the time).

Ah, "MBR": Magic Boot Record, Master Bush Rupture, My Mohammed can Beat
your Religion?

some machine language programmers)>

Like I said, it wipes the mbr (and this is the ONLY way. Format doesn't do
it) and forces fdisk, including XP's version to treat it like it just came
from the factory. You are guaranteed a virgin HD to install a new OS on. I
have solved several wierd problems doing this.

Yup. Sounds similar to what I did the first time when I wiped the
original factory-load off this box. I did this to ensure that there
would not be any conflict between two different versions of Windows Me
-- I've been through this insanity twice before, in which the box
manufacturer ran once version of the OS from his stored image, and gave
the customer a different version on the restore disk set. Makes for a
good round of insanity.

I do this every time I re-install an OS to a HD that isn't fresh from the
factory. If you are going to wipe and install XP, then I suggest you do it.
If you're trying to save your existing OS and data, then I have no advice
for you.....

Well, of course, you could advise backing up the data, doing your
routine including scouring the HD, and then re-installing Windows Me
from the restore disk. Except that I'd have to emasculate WMe again,
which is not an enjoyable exercise -- much more sensible to go to XP.

I realize that I've been picky with you, so I want you to know that I
appreciate your contribution to this dialog!

Richard