Ctrl+F3 on the message header will reveal the message source. If there is an
attachment, you will see a lot of encoding. Confirm that first.

What happens if you send yourself a message with an attachment? Try various
types.

Check that the sender is /not/ using Outlook's RTF formatting. Outlook
Express cannot understand that format.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer
of protection that eats up CPUs, slows down sending and receiving, and
causes a multitude of problems such as time-outs, account setting changes
and has even been responsible for lose of messages. Your up-to-date A/V
program will continue to protect you sufficiently. For more, see:
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
Imperial Beach, CA


"Robert" wrote in message
...
I am using outlook express with XP ie6, but when I receive a mail which has
an attachment (in this case an MS Excel spreadsheet) I can't see it
anywhere on the mail - normally I would have a paperclip symbol on the
right hand side of my header bar to indicate documents attached. I know
the attachment is there somewhere due to the size of the mail. This has
only recently started happening - can you help please.
Thanks
Robert