Outlook Express Probs

[Ray Casner]

I've got two messages in my inbox that cannot be deleted.
In fact, every time I delete the message/messages directly
above it/them, the upper one of these "undeletable"
messages gets highlighted and immediately locks the
program (permanent "hourglass"). I then have
to "control/alt/delete", which removes the "hourglass",
whereupon I can then click on the "X" to close the
program. THEN, I get a popup indicating that "the program
is not responding............" - and choose "end now". I'm
fairly "computer illiterate", so I know not how to proceed.

These "undeletable" messages (2) cannot be dragged to
the "deleted" file, nor is there any option to "empty
inbox", like there is with the "deleted items" file. My
local internet provider said I needed to contact MS for
help.

HELP! Ray

 

[Cyberbear]

I've got two messages in my inbox that cannot be deleted.
In fact, every time I delete the message/messages directly
above it/them, the upper one of these "undeletable"
messages gets highlighted and immediately locks the
program (permanent "hourglass"). I then have
to "control/alt/delete", which removes the "hourglass",
whereupon I can then click on the "X" to close the
program. THEN, I get a popup indicating that "the program
is not responding............" - and choose "end now". I'm
fairly "computer illiterate", so I know not how to proceed.

These "undeletable" messages (2) cannot be dragged to
the "deleted" file, nor is there any option to "empty
inbox", like there is with the "deleted items" file. My
local internet provider said I needed to contact MS for
help.

HELP! Ray

Close Outlook Express.
Do a file search for inbox.dbx
Once found, delete the inbox.dbx file.

Outlook Express will create a new inbox file when you restart it.

 

[Mary Sauer]

From http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/
Why can't I delete messages inside OE?
That can happen if the Deleted Items folder is damaged. Move all messages you might
want to keep out of the Deleted Items folder and into another mail folder you create.
Close OE, then delete the file "Deleted Items.dbx" in your Identity's store folder.
OE will create a new one when you re-open OE

 

[PA Bear]

View>Layout>Preview (uncheck)

Now see if the messages can be deleted.

Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local
folders created for this purpose.

Disable Background Compacting and frequently perform a manual compact of all
OE folders while "working offline". More at
http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/files/maintain.htm.

Your anti-virus application's email scanning feature can also cause such
corruption. Disable it. It provides no additional protection.

--
HTH - Please Reply to This Thread

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP

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