[SEC]

That's it in a nutshell. My sister last night tried to send a HUGE
attachment, which did not send. Now she has an unusable outlook express,
when she opens it, it runs very slowly, and clicking on anything freezes the
program completely. We have tried deleting the message from the outbox, but
any attempt to even click on that message completely locks up outlook
express. I'm open to any suggestions, but my question is, can I simply have
her delete the "outbox.dbx" file through windows explorer? Will outlook
express then just create a new outbox folder when it restarts? I can't find
that answer through google or microsoft, after an admittedly short search.
Thanks,

Oh, btw, I do not know what particular version of outlook express she is
running, can't access that info because of the program freeze!

SEC

[Bruce Hagen]

Yes. Delete the Outbox.dbx.

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 {Outbox.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.
Keep user created folders under 100MB, and Default folders as empty as
is feasible.

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually
while working *offline* and do it often.

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 all folders. Don't touch anything until the compacting
is completed.

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~

"SEC" <readnbead@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:zfWue.52611$g5.9865@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> That's it in a nutshell. My sister last night tried to send a HUGE
> attachment, which did not send. Now she has an unusable outlook express,
> when she opens it, it runs very slowly, and clicking on anything freezes
> the program completely. We have tried deleting the message from the
> outbox, but any attempt to even click on that message completely locks up
> outlook express. I'm open to any suggestions, but my question is, can I
> simply have her delete the "outbox.dbx" file through windows explorer?
> Will outlook express then just create a new outbox folder when it
> restarts? I can't find that answer through google or microsoft, after an
> admittedly short search. Thanks,
>
> Oh, btw, I do not know what particular version of outlook express she is
> running, can't access that info because of the program freeze!
>
> SEC
>

[SEC]

Thanks--I'll have her delete that file and perform the maintenance you've
suggested. The help is appreciated,

SEC

"Bruce Hagen" <Nospam@mymail.invalid> wrote in message
news:uBwHdgNeFHA.1040@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Yes. Delete the Outbox.dbx.
>
> 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 {Outbox.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.
> Keep user created folders under 100MB, and Default folders as empty as
> is feasible.
>
> After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually
> while working *offline* and do it often.
>
> 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 all folders. Don't touch anything until the compacting
> is completed.
>
> 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~
>
> "SEC" <readnbead@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:zfWue.52611$g5.9865@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
>> That's it in a nutshell. My sister last night tried to send a HUGE
>> attachment, which did not send. Now she has an unusable outlook express,
>> when she opens it, it runs very slowly, and clicking on anything freezes
>> the program completely. We have tried deleting the message from the
>> outbox, but any attempt to even click on that message completely locks up
>> outlook express. I'm open to any suggestions, but my question is, can I
>> simply have her delete the "outbox.dbx" file through windows explorer?
>> Will outlook express then just create a new outbox folder when it
>> restarts? I can't find that answer through google or microsoft, after an
>> admittedly short search. Thanks,
>>
>> Oh, btw, I do not know what particular version of outlook express she is
>> running, can't access that info because of the program freeze!
>>
>> SEC
>>
>

[Bruce Hagen]

You're welcome.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP - (IE/OE)
~IB-CA~

"SEC" <readnbead@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:OsWue.52612$g5.31131@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> Thanks--I'll have her delete that file and perform the maintenance you've
> suggested. The help is appreciated,
>
> SEC
>
> "Bruce Hagen" <Nospam@mymail.invalid> wrote in message
> news:uBwHdgNeFHA.1040@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> Yes. Delete the Outbox.dbx.
>>
>> Tools>Options>Maintenance>Store folder will reveal the location
>> of your Outlook Express files. Press the Tab key to highlight the folder
>> location, then Ctrl+C. Close OE, then Start>Run>Ctrl+V will put the
>> location in the box - Click OK and you'll see the OE files. Otherwise,
>> write the location down and navigate to it in Windows Explorer.
>>
>> In WindowsXP & 2K, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default
>> marked as hidden. To view these files in Explorer, you must enable
>> Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start>Control Panel>Folder
>> Options>View.
>>
>> With OE closed, find the DBX file for the folder in
>> question {Outbox.dbx} and delete it. A new one will be created
>> automatically when you open OE.
>>
>> Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually
>> become corrupted. Create your own user defined folders for storing
>> mail and move your mail to them. Empty Deleted Items folder regularly.
>> Keep user created folders under 100MB, and Default folders as empty as
>> is feasible.
>>
>> After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually
>> while working *offline* and do it often.
>>
>> Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
>> open. Then: File>Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
>> Status Bar).
>> File>Folder>Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until the
>> compacting is completed.
>>
>> In Tools>Options>Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background
>> and leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.
>>
>> Bruce Hagen
>> MS MVP - (IE/OE)
>> ~IB-CA~
>>
>> "SEC" <readnbead@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:zfWue.52611$g5.9865@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
>>> That's it in a nutshell. My sister last night tried to send a HUGE
>>> attachment, which did not send. Now she has an unusable outlook express,
>>> when she opens it, it runs very slowly, and clicking on anything freezes
>>> the program completely. We have tried deleting the message from the
>>> outbox, but any attempt to even click on that message completely locks
>>> up outlook express. I'm open to any suggestions, but my question is, can
>>> I simply have her delete the "outbox.dbx" file through windows explorer?
>>> Will outlook express then just create a new outbox folder when it
>>> restarts? I can't find that answer through google or microsoft, after an
>>> admittedly short search. Thanks,
>>>
>>> Oh, btw, I do not know what particular version of outlook express she is
>>> running, can't access that info because of the program freeze!
>>>
>>> SEC
>>>
>>
>
>

[SEC]

Bruce,

Deleting the outbox.dbx worked like a charm. I'm still laughing--she tried
to email a 700+ MB file...cough, choke, sputter

SEC
"Bruce Hagen" <Nospam@mymail.invalid> wrote in message
news:uij3tnNeFHA.616@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> You're welcome.
> --
> Bruce Hagen
> MS-MVP - (IE/OE)
> ~IB-CA~
>
> "SEC" <readnbead@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:OsWue.52612$g5.31131@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
>> Thanks--I'll have her delete that file and perform the maintenance you've
>> suggested. The help is appreciated,
>>
>> SEC
>>
>> "Bruce Hagen" <Nospam@mymail.invalid> wrote in message
>> news:uBwHdgNeFHA.1040@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>>> Yes. Delete the Outbox.dbx.
>>>
>>> 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 {Outbox.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.
>>> Keep user created folders under 100MB, and Default folders as empty as
>>> is feasible.
>>>
>>> After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually
>>> while working *offline* and do it often.
>>>
>>> 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 all folders. Don't touch anything until the
>>> compacting is completed.
>>>
>>> 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~
>>>
>>> "SEC" <readnbead@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:zfWue.52611$g5.9865@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
>>>> That's it in a nutshell. My sister last night tried to send a HUGE
>>>> attachment, which did not send. Now she has an unusable outlook
>>>> express, when she opens it, it runs very slowly, and clicking on
>>>> anything freezes the program completely. We have tried deleting the
>>>> message from the outbox, but any attempt to even click on that message
>>>> completely locks up outlook express. I'm open to any suggestions, but
>>>> my question is, can I simply have her delete the "outbox.dbx" file
>>>> through windows explorer? Will outlook express then just create a new
>>>> outbox folder when it restarts? I can't find that answer through google
>>>> or microsoft, after an admittedly short search. Thanks,
>>>>
>>>> Oh, btw, I do not know what particular version of outlook express she
>>>> is running, can't access that info because of the program freeze!
>>>>
>>>> SEC
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>

[Bruce Hagen]

Glad it's working. 700 MB? That's more than a 37¢ stamp. <g>
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP - (IE/OE)
~IB-CA~

"SEC" <readnbead@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Jj_ue.36546$fp6.28199@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> Bruce,
>
> Deleting the outbox.dbx worked like a charm. I'm still laughing--she tried
> to email a 700+ MB file...cough, choke, sputter
>
> SEC
> "Bruce Hagen" <Nospam@mymail.invalid> wrote in message
> news:uij3tnNeFHA.616@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> You're welcome.
>> --
>> Bruce Hagen
>> MS-MVP - (IE/OE)
>> ~IB-CA~
>>
>> "SEC" <readnbead@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:OsWue.52612$g5.31131@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
>>> Thanks--I'll have her delete that file and perform the maintenance
>>> you've suggested. The help is appreciated,
>>>
>>> SEC
>>>
>>> "Bruce Hagen" <Nospam@mymail.invalid> wrote in message
>>> news:uBwHdgNeFHA.1040@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>>>> Yes. Delete the Outbox.dbx.
>>>>
>>>> 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 {Outbox.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.
>>>> Keep user created folders under 100MB, and Default folders as empty as
>>>> is feasible.
>>>>
>>>> After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually
>>>> while working *offline* and do it often.
>>>>
>>>> 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 all folders. Don't touch anything until the
>>>> compacting is completed.
>>>>
>>>> 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~
>>>>
>>>> "SEC" <readnbead@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:zfWue.52611$g5.9865@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
>>>>> That's it in a nutshell. My sister last night tried to send a HUGE
>>>>> attachment, which did not send. Now she has an unusable outlook
>>>>> express, when she opens it, it runs very slowly, and clicking on
>>>>> anything freezes the program completely. We have tried deleting the
>>>>> message from the outbox, but any attempt to even click on that message
>>>>> completely locks up outlook express. I'm open to any suggestions, but
>>>>> my question is, can I simply have her delete the "outbox.dbx" file
>>>>> through windows explorer? Will outlook express then just create a new
>>>>> outbox folder when it restarts? I can't find that answer through
>>>>> google or microsoft, after an admittedly short search. Thanks,
>>>>>
>>>>> Oh, btw, I do not know what particular version of outlook express she
>>>>> is running, can't access that info because of the program freeze!
>>>>>
>>>>> SEC
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>