Hi GTifeld,
There may be damage to the OE identity. This Microsoft KB article seems a
close match to your description.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314422/en-us
Otherwise, damage to a message store file can prevent OE from starting. The
problem is often with one of the default folder files, but another could be
involved.
General Information
There are a few reasons for Outlook Express not starting. It is sometimes
possible to fix a small problem by compacting messages (Tools, Options,
Maintenance, Clean-up Now. Do not use automatic compacting because it
can more readily lead to corruption of data. It is best to do compacting in
offline mode. DO NOT close Outlook Express while compacting.
1. 3rd-party filtering software
The AVG anti-virus message scan plug-in can be a cause. Do not use this
feature. The A-V will still protect the PC.
2. Damage to a DBX file.
There is sometimes an error message, but when this is absent finding the
(possibly) bad DBX file becomes a guessing game. The problem could be with
Outbox.dbx, Sent Items.dbx, Inbox.dbx or other file. These can be
renamed one at a time. After renaming one try starting Outlook Express.
(see below)
All the files can be moved from the store folder to a new "Mail Backup"
folder on the desktop leaving the message store folder empty. This might
allow Outlook Express to start if the problem is in one or more of the DBX
files.
3. Corruption in the registry for the Outlook Express identity.
It is sometimes possible to create a new identity, and then import
messages from the old identity. This may not be an option.
From the Microsoft KB: Regenerating the Identities Registry Key
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;258034
4. Damage to the Outlook Express installed program.
Outlook Express may need to be reinstalled. Back-up the store folder
holding the DBX files before doing anything. Create a new folder on the
desktop to hold ALL the DBX files.
More Information
This behavior can occur if the client mail store contains a damaged .dbx
file. The damaged file is probably Outbox.dbx, Inbox.dbx, or Sent Items.dbx.
To resolve this behavior, remove the damaged .dbx file:
1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click
Windows Explorer.
2. In Windows Explorer, on the Tools menu, point to Find, and then click
Files or Folders.
3. You may need to include hidden files and folders (Windows 2000 and XP).
4. Type Outbox.dbx in the Named box, and then click Find Now.
5. Right-click the file name, and then click Rename.
6. Rename the file to Outbox.old. It is also safe to delete the file. A new
file
will be created when Outlook Express starts.
Note that deleting a .dbx file also deletes any e-mail messages or other
data in the folder.
OLEXP: How to Back Up and Recover Outlook Express Data
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;270670
Backup and Restore
http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com
How to Reinstall or Repair Internet Explorer and Outlook Express in
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp
The second method works for Win 98 and other later Windows operating
systems.
--
Tim K.
aka Kuay Tim
MS-MVP - Outlook Express
Lynnwood, WA
*
"GTifeld" wrote in message
...
Hi,
I just started getting this error message when trying to open Outlook
Express and can't seem to get beyond it. I give it the okay to send the
error
report to Microsoft, but nothing happens after that. No explanation is
offered. To the best of my knowledge, nothing has changed on the PC
recently.
When I click on the option to see what the error report contains, I get the
following:
Error signature...AppName: msimn.exe AppVer: 6.0.2900.2180 ModName:
version.dll ModVer: 5.1.2600.2180 Offsetr:0000191c
Any ideas? Thanks in advance.