Explorer crashing when renaming a file.

[mechphisto]

This question started out in an Outlook Explorer thread:
http://groups.google.com/group/micr..._frm/thread/4e9d2f410c7ead4f/eb843608f7c2eeba
but I realized this is probably more of an OS question.

Co-worker is using WinXP Home (SP1) on his laptop. (First thing I'm
doing when I get the chance is updating his system files!)
His inbox.dbx for OE became corrupted, and I ended up renaming it to
Inbox.dbx.old so OE can make a new one.
But he needs to be able to access the old mail in the 2GB(!) old
inbox.

But, when I try to rename Inbox.dbx.old to OldInbox.dbx, I can type
the new name but when I hit ENTER to activate the name change, windows
explorer freezes up on me. I can't even "end task" it and start a new
explorer session! (I can start a new session, but the old explorer
never end tasks and goes away.) Ultimately I end up having to force a
restart.

I've tried in safe mode as well, but explorer still locks when I try
to rename this file.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
-Liam

 

[Martin C]

What happens if you boot to a command prompt and try renaming it from there?
Has this been tried yet?
If you manage to get the file renamed, you can use a utility that is present
on the Inside Outlook Express website on the following link
http://www.insideoe.com/resources/tools.htm
Look for the DBXtract program. This will allow you to extract the mail from
the file.

By the way, tell your friend that he should never let his inbox get so full.
The standard folders of inbox, sent items and deleted items should be kept
to a minimum. If he wants to store a lot of mail, then put them into
alternative folders and copy to them as necessary.

Good luck.

Martin