Outlook Express just locks up

[BuddhaTB]

Is anyone here remotely familiar with Outlook Express 5?

Since yesterday, whenever I start up OE, the application just hangs on me after it downloads my new messages. Everytime I try to close it, its always "Not Responding". I have 3 e-mail accounts associated with OE, with 2 of them being Hotmail accts. I think the problem is with the last account which downloads messages from my Instyleshoes.com e-mail. But when I log onto it, that account is empty, so it looks like OE downloads and stores all the messages from there locally. I probably have a corrupt e-mail or maybe a virus in that account since OE shows there being 3 new e-mails inside.

So here's the question, is there anyway I can access those downloaded e-mails that OE stores on my computer? Maybe deleting them would help get my OE up and running again? Or is there an actual solution to getting my OE to work properly? Since this problem occured, I have not changed any settings on my system or installed any new software.

[dodecahedron]

one thing you might try, upgrade to OE6.
though you might want to hold on to that as a last resort solution, as it's irreversible.

maybe try deleting that email account and recreating it ?

[dodecahedron]

if you can get to the OE Tools -> Options (before it hangs), make sure it doesn't download messages automatically (Read tab in the options).
see if you can get it to not hang when you start it.
also, for the same purpose, in the account properties uncheck the Include this account when receiving mail or synchronizing checkbox. then it only synchronized the account when you do it manually.

[BuddhaTB]

I actually have OE 6. I can't even get to the tools button before it crashes on me.

I start it up and I immediately receive the hourglass on my cursor. I can't click on anything in the OE screen. Basically right when it starts up, it locks up on me.

Anyone know a possible way to re-install it?

[UALOneKPlus]

I'd stay away from OE - piece of garbage.

I installed Thunderbird ( http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/ ), and it is light years ahead of OE.

Make the switch, you'll thank me later

[dodecahedron]

bump.
did you manage to fix it?

[BuddhaTB]

bump.
did you manage to fix it?

OE is still messed up. I've just diabled it in XP, so it won't show up on my start menu. Is ther anyway to extract my address book from OE without running it?

I have since added my Hotmail accounts to Outlook. Outlook is damn slow and I don't like it too much but it will do for now. I have my school e-mail and 2 hotmail accounts associated with it.

I have also installed Thunderbird, but I only have my POP mail account hooked up to it. It's a really nice program, but the only downfall is it can't be used on web based e-mail accounts such as Hotmail or Gmail. If anyone knows of an extension for Thunderbird that allows HTTP e-mail, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

[dodecahedron]

Is ther anyway to extract my address book from OE without running it?

Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Address Book (this is for WinXP)

there you can see all your contacts, but only as a .wab file. i don't know what other program than MS's Address Book can read such a file. Outlook ???
you can just copy the data manually (tedious, i know).

[bill]

Hi guys,

Here's a nice little program that should help out. It will give you the option to back up specific items such as mail, address book etc. or everything... You wont need to start Outlook Express and you can import to Outlook after you do a virus scan if that's a concern.. Its simple and compression is about 50%. See the faqs to the lower left on the homepage for more details.

Trial version- http://www.outlook-express-backup.com/

good luck

[indyglo]

Screw OE I have Google AKA Gmail 1 GB of storage and when sending files, you can send them as hotlinks to your hard drive. I am always sending and receiving hires(high resolution) DVD covers of 1MB and up.