recovering Outlook Express files after the crash of HD

Similar Questions

• Two days ago, that the Outlook Express icon on my taskbar was traded involuntarily to Outlook. How to recover Outlook Express icon and the e-mail service that accompanies it.

  Until October 26, 2012, there were three icons on the toolbar from my computer next to the Start button: 1 Internet Explorer 2. 3. Outlook Express desktop. A time gave that day - Thursday when Winows 8 came out - the Outlook Express icon has been replaced by Outlook without any action on my part. I would like to have the Outlook Express icon returns as well as the electronic mail service that it represents. Thank you. Michael Adey

  I don't see what Windows 8 build must do with OE on a XP machie. Have you tried to download?
   
   
  Right click on the desktop | New | Shortcut. Navigate to "c:\program files\outlook express\msimn.exe". Click next | Click Finish.  It will be a new shortcut on the desktop.
   

• Outlook express hangs after the connection with the mail server

  OE6 hangs after the connection with the mail server?

  Make sure that the other machine is not check that the server so often a machine is not problems because it cannot be verified.

  Try to delete the account, compact the folders and close OE and reopen it and add the account back again.  Also make sure that the antivirus software is not interfere (see www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3).

  You can also telnet to the server directly from this computer to see if it works (see http://techhelp.santovec.us/pop3telnet.htm).

  Sometimes it gets stuck in a message on the server and it can not get downloaded by OE, so it may be necessary to remove the message from the server, but if the other machine got, maybe it's not the question.

  Steve

• After the crash and 32.0.3 update I can't recover lost tabs

  Due to the failure of my pc crashed while I was surfing.
  After the reboot, I restarted Firefox and unfortunataly it did update. However, after the update I couldn't choose reload tabs/reload the previous session. I got the sessionstore.bak files and I tried to recover my tabs replacing the .js extension but on startup there is not possibility to restore the session/tabs: firefox simply replaces my sessionstore.js.

  It is a problem of corrupted files or updating changed somehow handling tabs or sessionstore.js format?

  Thank you very much for your help!

  Restore previous Session is grayed out? This indicates that the previous session already has been restored and you can try to reopen the windows closed and closed in the history menu tabs. Either:

  • button '3-bar' menu > history > (title of the individual window)
  • (menu bar) History > recently closed Windows > (title of the individual window)

  If there's nothing there, you can check two other things:

  Open the settings folder (AKA Firefox profile) current Firefox help

  • button "3-bar" menu > "?" button > troubleshooting information
  • (menu bar) Help > troubleshooting information
  • type or paste everything: in the address bar and press Enter

  In the first table of the page, click on the view file"" button. This should launch a new window list all your settings files.

  Scroll down and copy all the files starting with sessionstore to a safe place for an eventual recovery.

  Made sessionstore.bak -datetime - created during your last update of Firefox - look as if it might contain relevant data?

  Find all the additional files, such as sessionstore - 1.js or other numbered files? If so, which indicates that Firefox cannot write to the main sessionstore.js file because it is locked or corrupted, and your windows/tabs are saved in a numbered file. Unfortunately, Firefox may not actually restore all files automatically. In this case, I believe that you must delete the sessionstore.js file (after the release of Firefox) and copy the last numbered sessionstore.js file.

  If none of these pans, you can check if your sessionstore.js file stored Firefox in a restore point. Right click on the file > properties > Previous Versions. If you find something promising, make sure that Firefox is closed before restoring it.

• All of a sudden Outlook Express cannot find the files created by the method of attachment.

  Outlook Express cannot find the newly created files to attach. The files are there in My Documents and Outlook Express can still see all the old files, but each new file for the last month is not seen and cannot be attached. I even typed in the name of the file and it says can not find the file of the same name. I send you the files now through 'Send it' a service online, but complicated to use another program. I checked the 'views' and they seem ok. Help, please!

  It is a long shot, but try it in a new identity.

  File | Identity | Add the new identity. Create a new one and try it. If all goes well, you can import your messages and address book from the old identity and delete it.

  Note: Do not use the main word in the name of the new identity.

  How to create and use identities in Outlook Express
  http://support.Microsoft.com/?kbid=209169

  Bruce Hagen ~ MS - MVP [Mail]

• Computer died. Past from Windows XP to Vista. Lost Outlook Express mail folders. Not in Windows Mail. (Got 3 months of e-mail entering the transfer.) I can't the old Outlook Express files?

  This is my first posting. Don't know how much has appeared in the "title". Computer died. Past from Windows XP to Vista. Lost Outlook Express mail folders. Not in Windows Mail. (Got 3 months of e-mail entering the transfer.) I can't the old Outlook Express files?

  Have I lost the files of Outlook Express completely or is there a way that I can import them in the same way that e-mail came? My old computer died (power source grilled or something like that). I still have it, but no way to turn it on.

  If you can access the old hard drive PC you can get the data of Outlook Express store.  See this: http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx or this: http://www.insideoe.com/backup/ Brian Tillman [MVP-Outlook]

• I forgot to backup Outlook Express! However, the .dbx files are all in the data folder of Application that I have back up! How can I see what is in them to import to my chosen e-mail program?

  Original title: .dbx files

  I've updated computer laptop of my client from Windows XP to 7.  I forgot to backup Outlook Express!  However, the .dbx files are all in the data folder of Application that I have back up!  How can I see what is in them to import to my chosen e-mail program?

  This is how you would normally import into Windows Live Mail. If all goes well it will give you enough of a jump start.
   
   
   
  Copy the * ENTIRE * OE message store folder to a flash drive. (Folders.dbx must be included). Place it on the desktop or another location on the computer using WLMail.
   
  
  WLMail 2011/2012: folder button. Import Messages. Microsoft Outlook Express 6, and the point where it was saved.
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

• Outlook express 6 leaves the messages I send in my Outbox, gives me an error message to check details of which there is none.

  Outlook express 6 leaves the messages I send in my Outbox, for giving me an error message to check the details that there is none and then sending the message every 8 minutes except if it is deleted from the Outbox.  How can I fix

  original title: Outlook Express 6 questions
  You have apparent dbx file corruption.
   
  Spend most of your messages out of the Inbox, and then create the new box of sent, and sent items folders after you move all the messages that you want to put in a local folder that you create.
   
  Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store folder will reveal the location of your Outlook Express files. Note the location and navigate on it in Explorer Windows or, copy and paste in start | Run.
   
  In Windows XP, Win2K & Win2K3 the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must enable Show hidden files and folders under start | Control Panel | Folder Options icon | Opinion, or in Windows Explorer. Tools | Folder options | View.
   
  With OE closed, find the DBX files for the items in the Outbox and sent and delete them.  New ones will be created automatically when you open OE.
   
  After you're done, followed by compacting your folders manually while working * off * and do it often.
   
  Click Outlook Express at the top of the the folder tree so no folders are open. Then: File | Work offline (or double-click on work online in the status bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until the compacting is completed.
   
  General precautions for Outlook Express:
   
  Do not archive mail in the receipt or sent items box. Create your own user-defined folders and move messages you want to put in them. Empty the deleted items folder daily. Although the dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2 GB, I recommend all a 300 MB max for less risk of corruption.
   
  Information on the maximum size of the .dbx files that are used by Outlook Express:
  http://support.Microsoft.com/?kbid=903095
   
  Disable analysis in your e-mail anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer of protection that devours the CPUs, slows down sending and receiving and causes a multitude of problems such as time-outs, account setting changes and has even been responsible for the loss of messages. Your up-to-date A / V program will continue to protect you sufficiently. For more information, see:
  http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3 
   
  Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
  http://thundercloud.NET/infoave/tutorials/email-scanning/index.htm
   
  Note that for some AV programs, it may be necessary to uninstall the program and reinstall in custom Mode and uncheck analysis when the option is the result of e-mail messages.
   
  Compact often as specified above.
   
  And backup often.
   
  Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware)
  http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/default.aspx 

• How can I transfer outlook express files from windows XP to windows 7 on my new laptop?

  I was able to transfer my address book, but unable to transfer my e-mail files express outlook my desktop (Windows XP) to my laptop (windows7).  I used an easy transfer cable, but have all the files I wanted.

  The transfer is easy, but you fail to mention what e-mail program you use. Windows 7 does not have a mail client included as OE in XP.
   
  If you use Windows Live Mail, so I'd say do this way.
   
  Transfer of data from Outlook Express and Windows Live Mail:
   
  For Messages:
   
  Copy the * ENTIRE * OE message store folder to a flash drive. (Folders.dbx must be included). Place it on the desktop or another location on the computer using WLMail. Open WLMail and: file | Import | Messages | Microsoft Outlook Express 6, and the point where it was saved.
   
  Location of OE message store:
   
  In OE: Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store folder will reveal the location of your Outlook Express files. Note the location and navigate on it in Explorer Windows or, copy and paste in start | Run.
   
  In Windows XP, Win2K & Win2K3 the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must enable Show hidden files and folders under start | Control Panel | Folder Options icon | Opinion, or in Windows Explorer. Tools | Folder options | View.
   
  For addresses:
   
  Open the address book in OE and file | Export | Address book (wab) and save it to the desktop. Copy it to a flash drive. Place it on the desktop or another location on the computer using WLMail.
   
  Open the Contacts list in WLMail, (go |) Contacts in the Menu bar) and the file | Import | Address book (wab) Windows and the point where you saved it.
   
  Note: If you use a CD or a DVD instead of a flash drive, after placing on the new machine you must remove the read-only attribute in the properties before you import.
   
  For the account settings:
   
  In OE: Tools | Accounts, select the account and export it to the desktop. This will be an .iaf file. Copy it to the new computer and WLMail desktop: tools | Accounts and import the settings from the location you saved the.
   
  WLMail specific help, please use this forum.
   
  Windows Live Mail Forum
  http://windowslivehelp.com/forums.aspx?ProductID=15 

• Invisible messages to Outlook Express 6 after failure "compact all folders.

  I start Outlook Express 6 XP. On closing yesterday that I was invited to compact the folders - said yes, but he hung up at halfway and locked the PC and I finally had to force a power down. PC started today to find any message in most folders, including the Inbox. DBX files are visible and of reasonable size, and their properties say they are those that are used by OE, but show in OE as "There is no evidence at this point of view". Help, please, anyone?

  Two reasons the most common for what you describe is disruption of the compacting process, (never touch anything until it's finished), or bloated folders. More about that below.
   
  Why OE insists on compacting folders when I close it? :
  http://www.insideoe.com/FAQs/why.htm#compact
   
  Why mail disappears:
  http://www.insideoe.com/problems/bugs.htm#mailgone
   
  Recovery methods:
   
  If you are running XP/SP3, then you should have a backup of your dbx files in the Recycle Bin (or possibly the message store), copied as bak files.
   
  To restore a folder bak on the message store folder, first find the location of the message store.
   
  Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store folder will reveal the location of your Outlook Express files. Note the location and navigate on it in Explorer Windows or, copy and paste in start | Run.
   
  In Windows XP, the .dbx files are by default marked as hidden. To view these files in the Solution Explorer, you must enable Show hidden files and folders under start | Control Panel | Folder options | View.
   
  Close OE and in Windows Explorer, click on the dbx to the file missing or empty file, then drag it to the desktop. It can be deleted later once you have successfully restored the bak file. Minimize the message store.
   
  Open OE and, if the folder is missing, create a folder with the * exact * same name as the bak file you want to restore but without the .bak. For example: If the file is Saved.bak, the new folder should be named saved. Open the new folder, and then close OE. If the folder is there, but just empty, continue to the next step.
   
  First of all, check if there is a bak file already in the message. If there is, and you have removed the dbx file, go ahead and rename it in dbx.
   
  If it is not already in the message, open the trash and do a right-click on the file bak for the folder in question and click on restore. Open the message store up and replace the .bak by .dbx file extension. Close the message store and open OE. Messages must be in the folder.
   
  If messages are restored successfully, you can go ahead and delete the old dbx file that you moved to the desktop.
   
  If you have not then bak copies of your dbx files in the Recycle Bin:
   
  DBXpress run in extract disc Mode is the best chance to recover messages:
  http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/default.aspx
   
  And see:
  
  http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#4
   
  A general warning to help avoid this in the future:
   
  Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They finally are damaged. Create your own folders defined by the user for mail storage and move your mail to them. Empty the deleted items folder regularly. Keep user created folders under 300 MB, and also empty as is possible to default folders.
   
  Disable analysis in your e-mail anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer of protection that devours the CPUs, slows down sending and receiving and causes a multitude of problems such as time-outs, account setting changes and has even been responsible for the loss of messages. Your up-to-date A / V program will continue to protect you sufficiently. For more information, see:
  http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3 
   
  And backup often.
   
  Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware)
  http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/default.aspx  

• Messages in my Outbox Outlook Express 6 remain the same if they were sent and keep returning.

  When I send a message, it goes to my Outbox.  I get an error message that indicates there was a problem with sending the message and that it remains in the Outbox.  Apparently, the message sends itself on and on every time that the automatic send/receive attempts to send.  It seems that there is really no problem, given that the beneficiaries get the first copy sent, although I get the error message.  It seems that this problem only occurs when the message has an attachment.  It doesn't seem to be my ISP issue, since we deleted the account from Outlook Express and then added the account as a new account.  My provider has also examined all the settings used by Outlook Express to send and receive e-mail and found them correct.

  What is the problem and how can I fix it?

  You have apparent dbx file corruption.
   
  Spend most of your messages out of the Inbox and then create new folders to send and sent items box after having moved the messages you want to save to a local folder that you create.
   
  Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store folder will reveal the location of your Outlook Express files. Note the location and navigate on it in Explorer Windows or, copy and paste in start | Run.
   
  In Windows XP, the files of user OE (DBX and WAB) are by default marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must enable Show hidden files and folders under start | Control Panel | Folder Options icon | Opinion, or in Windows Explorer. Tools | Folder options | View.
   
  With OE closed, find the DBX files for the items in the Outbox and sent and delete them.  New ones will be created automatically when you open OE.
   
  After you're done, followed by compacting your folders manually while working * off * and do it often.
   
  Click Outlook Express at the top of the the folder tree so no folders are open. Then: File | Work offline (or double-click on work online in the status bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until the compacting is completed.
   
   
   
  General precautions for Outlook Express:
   
  Do not archive mail in the receipt or sent items box. Create your own user-defined folders and move messages you want to put in them. Empty the deleted items folder daily. Although the dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2 GB, I recommend all a 300 MB max for less risk of corruption.
   
  Information on the maximum size of the .dbx files that are used by Outlook Express:
  http://support.Microsoft.com/?kbid=903095
   
  Disable analysis in your e-mail anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer of protection that devours the CPUs, slows down sending and receiving and causes a multitude of problems such as time-outs, account setting changes and has even been responsible for the loss of messages. Your up-to-date A / V program will continue to protect you sufficiently. For more information, see:
  http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3 
   
  Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
  http://thundercloud.NET/infoave/tutorials/email-scanning/index.htm
   
  Note that for some AV programs, it may be necessary to uninstall the program and reinstall in custom Mode and uncheck analysis when the option is the result of e-mail messages.
   
  Compact often as specified above.
   
  And backup often.
   
  Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware)
  
  http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/default.aspx 

• I can't receive emails on Outlook Express. Get the 0x800C0133 error message number.

  I can send and receive Outlook e-mail messages and can send emails on Outlook Express, but cannot receive them on Outlook Express. Get the 0x800C0133 error message number.

  I can send and receive Outlook e-mail messages and can send emails on Outlook Express, but cannot receive them on Outlook Express. Get the 0x800C0133 error message number.   Problem seems to be with the program Outlook Express and think I need to reinstall.  How do you do that?
  Error number: 0x800C0133 = a corrupt Inbox.
   
  Move any message you want to save to a local folder that you create. Then, remove the problem of Inbox as follows.
   
  Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store folder will reveal the location of your Outlook Express files. Note the location and navigate on it in Explorer Windows or, copy and paste in start | Run.
   
  In Windows XP, Win2K & Win2K3 the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must enable Show hidden files and folders under start | Control Panel | Folder options | View.
   
  With OE closed, find the box of Inbox.dbx and delete it. Another will be created automatically when you open OE.
   
  General precautions for Outlook Express:
   
  Do not archive mail in the receipt or sent items box. Create your own user-defined folders and move messages you want to put in them. Empty the deleted items folder daily. Although the dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2 GB, I recommend all a 300 MB max for less risk of corruption.
   
  After you're done, followed by compacting your folders manually while working * off * and do it often.
   
  Click Outlook Express at the top of the the folder tree so no folders are open. Then: File | Work offline (or double-click on work online in the status bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until the compacting is completed.
   
  Disable analysis in your e-mail anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer of protection that devours the processors and causes a multitude of problems such as time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A / V program will continue to protect you sufficiently. For more information, see:
  http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3

• Why my outlook express did change the language without permission?

  After you download a program of different nature and mess up my computer!  It's since been fixed.  Outlook Express 'spell check' went to the French and English not change it in English.  I've tried everything.  I've also set the size of the police several times to what I want and it changes always, even after registration information.  Help, please.

  Recently by clicking on outlook express to display my email, nothing else that an empty records when rises and the little hourglass.  After a long period of time, the message "not responding" appears at the top.  I have to start everything several times until my email has arrived.

  Thanks advance.

  For your first problem, Office/Word is the culprit.
   
  You no longer have the correction spell checking capabilities in some languages in Outlook Express 6.0 after you install the Microsoft Office 2007 or Office 2010 system
  http://support.Microsoft.com/kb/932974
   
  Outlook Express cannot use the check spelling of MS Word in Office 2007 or newer. A free spell-checking the download is the easiest way to get around this.
   
  Vampirefo spell check.
   
  Download from Major Geeks:
  http://www.MajorGeeks.com/download.php?Det=2952
   
  Or upload it to SnapFile:
  http://www.SnapFiles.com/get/spelloe.html
   
  You wanted TinySpell or. (Check spelling while typing).
   
  Download it here:
  http://www.tinyspell.M6.NET/ 
   
  Australian English spell checking
  (Also suitable for other English speaking countries).
  http://www.justlocal.com.au/clients/oespellcheck/ 
   
  If you have an earlier version of Office, see this:
  http://www.Outlook-tips.NET/archives/2006/20061228.htm
  ********************************************************
   
  For your second problem, you probably encounter the corruption of dbx files. The best way to solve it is a new identity.
  File | Identities | Add the new identity. Create a new and import your messages and address book from the old identity and remove it.
   
  Note: Do not use the main word in the name of the new identity.
   
  *********************************************************
  General precautions for Outlook Express:
   
  Do not archive mail in the receipt or sent items box. Create your own user-defined folders and move messages you want to put in them. Empty the deleted items folder daily. Although the dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2 GB, I recommend all a 300 MB max for less risk of corruption.
   
  Information on the maximum size of the .dbx files that are used by Outlook Express:
  http://support.Microsoft.com/?kbid=903095
   
  After you're done, followed by compacting your folders manually while working * off * and do it often.
   
  Click Outlook Express at the top of the the folder tree so no folders are open. Then: File | Work offline (or double-click on work online in the status bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until the compacting is completed.
   
  Disable analysis in your e-mail anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer of protection that devours the processors and causes a multitude of problems such as time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A / V program will continue to protect you sufficiently. For more information, see:
  
  http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3
   
  And backup often.
   
  Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware)
  http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/default.aspx 
   
   

• Lost in Outlook Express files

  Recent storm electric, internet, lost when I logged in Outlook Express, I lost all my files and folders saved.  Is it possible to recover?  Thanks for any help.

  Two reasons the most common for what you describe is disruption of the compacting process, (never touch anything until it's finished), or bloated folders. More about that below.

  Why OE insists on compacting folders when I close it? :
  http://www.insideoe.com/FAQs/why.htm#compact
   
  Why mail disappears:
  http://www.insideoe.com/problems/bugs.htm#mailgone
   
  About file Corruption:
  http://www.Microsoft.com/Windows/IE/community/columns/filecorruption.mspx

  Recovery methods:

  If you use XP/SP2 or SP3, and are fully patched, then you should have a backup of your dbx files in the Recycle Bin (or possibly the message store), copied as bak files.

  To restore a folder bak on the message store folder, first find the location of the message store.

  Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store folder will reveal the location of your Outlook Express files. Note the location and navigate on it in Explorer Windows or, copy and paste in start | Run.

  In Windows XP, the .dbx files are by default marked as hidden. To view these files in the Solution Explorer, you must enable Show hidden files and folders under start | Control Panel | Folder options | View.

  Close OE and in Windows Explorer, click on the dbx to the file missing or empty file, then drag it to the desktop. It can be deleted later once you have successfully restored the bak file. Minimize the message store.

  Open OE and, if the folder is missing, create a folder with the * exact * same name as the bak file you want to restore but without the .bak. For example: If the file is Saved.bak, the new folder should be named saved. Open the new folder, and then close OE. If the folder is there, but just empty, continue to the next step.

  First of all, check if there is a bak file already in the message. If there is, and you have removed the dbx file, go ahead and rename it in dbx.

  If it is not already in the message, open the trash and do a right-click on the file bak for the folder in question and click on restore. Open the message store up and replace the .bak by .dbx file extension. Close the message store and open OE. Messages must be in the folder.

  If messages are restored successfully, you can go ahead and delete the old dbx file that you moved to the desktop.
   
  If you have not then bak copies of your dbx files in the Recycle Bin:

  DBXpress run in extract disc Mode is the best chance to recover messages:
  http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/default.aspx

  And see:
  http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#4

  A general warning to help avoid this in the future:

  Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They finally are damaged. Create your own folders defined by the user for mail storage and move your mail to them. Empty the deleted items folder regularly. Keep user created folders under 300 MB, and also empty as is possible to default folders.

  Disable analysis in your e-mail anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer of protection that devours the CPUs, slows down sending and receiving and causes a multitude of problems such as time-outs, account setting changes and has even been responsible for the loss of messages. Your up-to-date A / V program will continue to protect you sufficiently. For more information, see:
  http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3

  And backup often.

  Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware)
  http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/default.aspx

• Outlook Express of in the 0x800C0133 error fix comment

  I have a problem with outlook express. I have the 0x800C0133 error message and I read that I had to open another folder and transfer my messages pour responsibility my Inbox, but I managed to transfer multiple messages and responsibility my box of deleted messages but I am no longer able to do anything, there's 30 messages in my Inbox and impossible to remove I don't know what to do...

  Error number: 0x800C0133 = a corrupt Inbox.

  Move any message you want to save to a local folder that you create. Then, remove the problem of Inbox as follows.

  Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store folder will reveal the location of your Outlook Express files. Note the location and navigate on it in Explorer Windows or, copy and paste in start | Run.

  In Windows XP, Win2K & Win2K3 the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must enable Show hidden files and folders under start | Control Panel | Folder options | View.

  With OE closed, find the box of Inbox.dbx and delete it. Another will be created automatically when you open OE.

  General precautions for Outlook Express:

  Do not archive mail in the receipt or sent items box. Create your own user-defined folders and move messages you want to put in them. Empty the deleted items folder daily. Although the dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2 GB, I recommend all a 300 MB max for less risk of corruption.

  After you're done, followed by compacting your folders manually while working * off * and do it often.

  Click Outlook Express at the top of the the folder tree so no folders are open. Then: File | Work offline (or double-click on work online in the status bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until the compacting is completed.

  Disable analysis in your e-mail anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer of protection that devours the processors and causes a multitude of problems such as time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A / V program will continue to protect you sufficiently. For more information, see:
  http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3