Hi Cleo,

This behavior can be caused by a damaged Deleted Items.dbx file. This is
located in the OE Message Store folder. A new, empty Deleted Items file and
folder will be created when OE starts.

DBX files are hidden in Windows XP. There are two means I would suggest to
help you find Deleted Items.dbx. In an open folder click on Tools, Folder
Options, View tab and select to show hidden files. When searching, choose to
show hidden files and folders before searching (scroll down for the option).
These settings can be maintained.

Here are two good ways to find the Deleted Items.dbx file.


Search

1. Quit Outlook Express.
2. Right-click the Start button, and then click Find or Search.
3. Search for the Deleted Items.dbx file. You may need to include
hidden files and folders.
4. Right-click the file, click Delete, and then click Yes.
5. Start Outlook Express, and then try again to delete a message.

Open the Store Folder



a.. In Outlook Express click on Tools, Options, Maintenance tab...Store
Folder.
b.. Place the cursor at the left of the text of the path to the folder.
c.. Drag the cursor to the right until the text scrolls to the end.
d.. Right-click on the text and choose Copy.
e.. In the Start, Run box right-click Paste. Click OK to open the store
folder.
f.. Quit Outlook Express before deleting the Deleted Items.dbx file.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts for Transfer of the Folder Path
Courtesy of: Jim Pickering, MVP-Outlook Express

An even easier method when opening that page is to use the Tab to
highlight the folder location, then Ctrl+C and close OE, then use Start/Run
and Ctrl+V. Same caveat about hidden files applies but can be easily
modified in Explorer by using Tools/Folder Options.




--
Tim K.
aka Kuay Tim
MS-MVP - Outlook Express
Lynnwood, WA
*
"Cleo" wrote in message
...
Outlook express seems to work normally except I am suddenly unable to delete
messages by deleting directly or dragging them to the delete folder.
Originally it was one e mail message that wouldn't delete and now it is any
and all wont delete. Any Ideas?
--
Cleo