Your folders are probably too large. If you are using a fully patched
XP/SP2, the folders are backed up to the Recycle Bin when you compact.

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupt. 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.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer
of protection that eats up CPUs 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, see:
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background and
leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

And backup often.

Backup & Resto
http://www.insideoutlookexpress.com/backup/

This is a great two click program:

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"rbb" wrote in message
...
Thanks. My problem is that, after 18 months of operating properly,
whenever
I now "Compact OE files to save space" (this message appears automatically
on
my monitor from time to time), the compact process now deletes groups of
OE
messages. Can't find any solution in the Microsoft Knowledge Base. I hope
by
uninstalling and reinstalling OE, that OE will return to normal operation.
Any thoughts?
--
rbb


"Bruce Hagen" wrote:

If you do it right, you won't lose anything, but why not back up first as
you should do daily anyway?

Backup & Resto
http://www.insideoutlookexpress.com/backup/

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

That said, I don't know what type of corruption you have, but
reinstalling
IE6/OE6 probably won't do a bit of good.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"rbb" wrote in message
news
I'm having corruption problems with Outlook Express 6. If I remove OE
software manually and reinstall it, will all my Outlook Express folders
and
files remain intact and migrate to the reinstalled OE? Or will I lose
everything ???

--
rbb