Assuming you're posting here from the machine in question, the "compact
count" should be reset to 0 (zero) when you compact all folders manually
(http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm#compact). If this isn't
happening...

Your current Identity may be damaged, especially if its the default Main
Identity. Add one or more of your accounts in a new Named Identity (File
Identities Add new identity) and use it for a while, then compact all
folders. Assuming all is well, (1) compact all folders in the old identity,
(2) import messages from the old identity into the new one, and then (3)
delete the old one (File Identities Manage Identities).

To avoid such corruption in futu

- Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local
folders created for this purpose.

- Empty Deleted Items folder daily.

- Disable Background Compacting [not available in SP2] and frequently
perform a manual compact of all OE folders while "working offline". More at
http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm

- WinXP SP2 only: Do not shut down your machine while Windows is
automatically compacting your message store.

- Your anti-virus application's email scanning feature can also cause such
corruption. Disable it. It provides no additional protection.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org


Mark wrote:
Every time I close Outlook Express I am now getting this message: "To free
up disk space, Outlook Express can compact messages. This may take up to
a
few minutes. OK or Cancel." This has happened after I compacted the OE
files two days ago in regular maintenance. I have compacted these files
before without this happening and am at a loss as to why this is occurring
and also how to get rid of this message at OE closing. I have not altered
any settings and do not use OE that much in the first place. I do not
find
anything in OE/Tools/Options that addresses the problem. How do I get rid
of this message at OE close?
XPsp2 and OE 6.00.2600

Mark