Try compacting folders one at a time.
Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders
are open. Then: File>Work Offline (or double click Working Online in
the Status Bar).
File>Folder>Compact. Don't touch anything until the compacting is
completed.
Do the Deleted Items last. If you still get the error, create a new
Deleted Items folder. If there is any mail in the folder you want to
save, (there shouldn't be), move it to a local folder you create.
Then:
Tools>Options>Maintenance>Store folder will reveal the location
of your Outlook Express files. Press the Tab key to highlight the
folder location, then Ctrl+C. Close OE, then Start>Run>Ctrl+V will put
the location in the box - Click OK and you'll see the OE files.
Otherwise, write the location down and navigate to it in Windows
Explorer.
In WindowsXP & 2K, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default
marked as hidden. To view these files in Explorer, you must enable
Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start>Control Panel>Folder
Options>View.
With OE closed, find the DBX file for the folder in
question {Deleted Items.dbx} and delete it. A new one will be created
automatically when you open OE.
Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually
become corrupted. Create your own user defined folders for storing
mail and move your mail to them. Empty Deleted Items folder regularly.
After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually
while working *offline* and see if the problem is solved.
In Tools>Options>Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background
and leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - (IE/OE)
~IB-CA~
