I cannot open or save any attachment using Windows Mail

[CAGranny]

I cannot open or save any attachment using windows Mail running Vista. I get
an error message that says 'There was an error opening one or more of the
attachment. Please check your free disk space and try again.' I have plenty
of disk space. I have tried installing Windoes Live Mail, but I get the same
message. I am using Microsoft anti-virus software. I was using AVG. I have
read all the other remarks about this problem and have followed some of the
suggestions but nothing helps. I have checked and unchecked so many times, I
don't even know what I have checked any more. One day it worked and the next
day it didn't. Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[Steve Cochran]

Well, its not clear what the problem is. A few things you can try:

Ensure that AVG is uninstalled under Control Panel | Programs.

Try repairing the WinMail database (www.oehelp.com/WMUTil/), but that's
unlikely to work since you have the problem in WLM as well.

Do a disk cleanup and clear your Temp and Temporay Internet files (Start |
Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Disk cleanup.

Remove your mail account, close and reopen WinMail and then add your mail
account back again.

See if any of that helps.

steve

 

[CAGranny]

Thanks for the suggestion but unfortunately it didn't help. Is there any way
to download Outlook Express? I know that Windows Mail and Live Mail took its
place, but I never seemed to have any problems with it.

 

[Gary VanderMolen [MVP]]

No, Outlook Express cannot be installed on a Vista computer.

Did you ever have Norton or McAfee antivirus programs installed on that PC?
New computers often come with a trial version of those.

 

[CAGranny]

Yes, when I first got it almost 3 years ago. I uninstalled the free version
then installed AVG. Had no problems until recently.

 

[Gary VanderMolen [MVP]]

McAfee and Norton leave dormant 'ghosts' behind that can cause
trouble later. You didn't say if it was Norton or McAfee.
If Norton, see:
http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

If McAfee, see:
http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS100507

 

[CAGranny]

Well, that didn't work. I refuse to be defeated by this! How do I go about
uninstalling WM? If I did that then re=installed it or WLM would that work?

 

[slk759]

WM is a component of Vista so you can't uninstall / reinstall as you would
other independent software. You can get WLM at: www.download.live.com
Read about the multiple products that may be installed as part of the
Windows Live Essentials - you can install all of them or just one (or as
many as you might determine you can use).

 

[Gary VanderMolen [MVP]]

Windows Mail is an integral part of Vista, and cannot be uninstalled
or reinstalled. Simply install Windows Live Mail and it will ask if you
want it to be the default mail program.

 

[CAGranny]

I have installed WLM and set as default previously. Same problem...

 

[Gary VanderMolen [MVP]]

Exact same error message with Windows Live Mail?
I've run out of ideas as to what else to try. In a pinch, you can always
save the attachment, then open it outside of your email program.

 

[CAGranny]

The thing is, I can't save any attachments either. When I try to save, that
is when I get the error message I posted first. If I try to open an
attachment, the curser spins for a couple of seconds then quits, like nothing
happened. If I sign on thru yahoo to get emails, I can open/save them. I
really like WM and want to continue using it. Thank you for all your
suggestions and being patient.

 

[Gary VanderMolen [MVP]]

Is that Yahoo account the only account you have set up in Windows Mail?
Is it a free account, a paid account, or an account partnered with your ISP?

Make sure you have attachments enabled in Windows Mail:
Tools, Safety Options, Security, uncheck "Block images..." and also
uncheck "Do not allow attachments..."

 

[CAGranny]

It's actually an att.yahoo account which I can sign on to thru att.yahoo. I
have checked and unchecked the 2 boxes that you mentioned. They are
unchecked, that is one of the first things I read about and tried.

 

[Gary VanderMolen [MVP]]

Your mail account is the type known as a partnered account,
in your particular case a partnership between AT&T and Yahoo.

Unfortunately, I've run out of ideas on how to fix your Windows Mail.
You might try a non-Microsoft email client program like Thunderbird:
http://www.mozillamessaging.com/en-US/thunderbird/

If nothing else, it might give us another clue as to why you can't
open or save attachments.

 

[CAGranny]

Thank you for all your help. I downloaded the thunderbird software. It took
a little bit to get it set up because I am so used to OE or WM but I did it.
It seems to be working fine opening and saving attachments. I don't like it
as well as WM, but it will work. Again, thanks for all your help (and
patience)

 

[Gary VanderMolen [MVP]]

You're very welcome. Thanks for reporting back.
At least we have narrowed down the problem to your Windows Mail and
Windows Live Mail. If you ever reinstall Vista or upgrade to Windows 7,
give those Microsoft mail programs another try.