Outlook Express: How to Open a .dbx File to Delete a Message

[It's All Good!]

I recently installed and scan my system using BitDefender Professional
Edition v7.2 and it found 15 viruses and 55 infected files on my PC. It did
an excellent job of ridding my system of these threats; except for one.

It reported back that it found the virus Joke.Stupen.B (dropped on my PC via
the Rumor.exe file) and was unable to disinfect (first action) or move
(second action if the first fails) the infection which resides in the
Deleted Items.dbx file, located in the Outlook Express folder. I have tried
using anti-spyware tools like HiJackThis, Ewido, Giant Anti-Spyware,
a-squared, SpyBot S&D and Ad Aware but none of them found this file on my
system.

I did some reading on the Rumor.exe file and most people out there describe
it as a harmless virus (not a serious threat but just a funny joke).
Whether this is harmless, funny or not funny is not the point. I just want
to rid my system of this thing once and for all.

Does anyone out there know what actions I can possibly take to get rid of
this virus. Specifically, how do I access the .dbx file? Are there any
tools out there that I could use to open the .dbx file? I have tried
opening it and I was not able to do so. Any help is welcome and
appreciated. Thanks for your time in advance.

 

[Kelly]

Hi,

..dbx files are hidden. Change your settings via Folder
Options/Views....once done, either manually navigate to the folder or do a
search for: *.dbx

Good luck!

--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Ron Sommer]

Unless you have messages in Deleted Items that you want to keep, just delete
Deleted Items.dbx. A new Deleted Items.dbx will be created the next time
you open Outlook Express.

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP, IE/OE]

And if you do have messages in Deleted Items that you want to keep, you
shouldn't.
In fact, you shouldn't have messages that you want to keep in any default OE
folder. Move them to user created folders.
You can also right click on Deleted Items and choose Empty.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP, IE/OE
Please respond in Newsgroup. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

 

[It's All Good!]

Thanks for your response. I followed your advice and deleted the Deleted
Items.dbx file and reopen Outlook Express but a new Deleted Items.dbx file
was not created. Any reason(s) why? Thanks for your time.

 

[Ron Sommer]

I have never heard of anyone not being able to delete a dbx file.
Having the viruses may be causing the problem.
You did have Outlook Express closed?
Try renaming the Deleted Items.dbx file and see if a new dbx file is
created.

 

[SFB - KB3MM]

Something like that in the deleted items dbx will not infect anything.

I would delete all deleted itemd in the deleted folder and then compact
all folders

 

[Kelly]

Hi,

..dbx files are hidden. Change your options via Folder Options. Other than
that:

DBX Mail Extractor (MVP Steve Cochran)
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

--
Happy Mardi Gras,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Happy]

Is there any advantage to compacting files, except for saving space?

 

[Alias]

Yeah, if you don't do it, OE will eventually not work properly. Good enough
reason?