"Margaret" wrote in message
news
OK -- here's what happened. I had OE open, one hand on my mouse and
reached up to wipe off my monitor screen. Big zap from static build
up on monitor through the mouse and of couse, it's gone. I reboot the
computer and mouse now seems fine, but when I click the delete button
to delete an email, Outlook Express freezes up completely. IF it
begins responding again (which it is doing less and less frequently),
it won't even let me move the email to the deleted file folder.

I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling, but that did not work
either.

Is there any hope beyond a total reformat?

Thanks!

Margaret

Deleted Items is probably corrupt.
Go to Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder and see where OE is
storing its data files.
Close OE.
Go to the store folder with Windows Explorer and delete Deleted Items.dbx.
With Win2K, WinXP and Win2K3 it will be a hidden file.
OE will build a new one when you reopen it.

If Deleted Items has messages you want to keep, instead of deleting it move
(not copy) it to an empty Windows folder. Then use DBXtract on the old
Deleted Items.dbx.
DBXtract ($5): http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/
You can drag the recovered messages from the Windows folder back into an OE
folder in the Folder List in an open OE.

See http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/faqs/why.htm#cantdel

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE
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