Your current Identity may be damaged, especially if its the default Main Identity. Try one or more of your accounts in a new Named Identity (FileIdentitiesAdd new identity). Assuming all is well, import messages from the old Identity before deleting it (FileIdentitiesManage 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 [N/A in SP2] and frequently perform a manual compact of all OE folders while "working offline". More at http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/files/maintain.htm.

- Do not attempt to close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic Compacting is taking place (WinXP SP2 only).

- 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)

J wrote:

Hi,
I've seen threads on this but cannot view replies. I have XP and use
Outlook Express for my email. I've had the system about 2 weeks.
Originally I could add message rules and new folders, now I can't. If I go
into safe mode I can add folders or if I create a new identity I can create
folders but I cannot from my main identity. Also, if I use explore to
search for the dbx files it does not find them. How can I correct these
related problems? Thanks.