"My Name" wrote in message
...
Hello,
My inbox is way overdue for compacting. The trouble was, when I tried
to compact, I got the error message (msminn illegal action). So the
folder just kept getting bigger.
Now, what can I do about it?
I've cleared some disk space, so there's enough room to do the
compacting. But I still get the error message, and a new inbox.dbt
file created.

I've also tried putting the hard disk into a newer computer as a slave
drive. I then copied the whole OE folder onto the huge (40 GB) hard
drive on the newer computer and configured the OE on the new computer
to use it. But the compacting still didn't work, same error message.

What to do ?

Thanks

Don't store messages in the Inbox. It is the folder most apt to be
corrupted. As soon as you read them move them to user created folders.
Then compact the Inbox regularly.

Go to Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder and write down where OE
is storing its data.
Close OE.
Go there with Windows Explorer and move (not copy) Inbox.dbx to an empty
Windows
folder. With Win2K, WinXP and Win2K3 it will be a hidden file.

You can use either of these tools to extract the messages from the old DBX
file:

DBXtract ($5): http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/ although this tool is faster
and better:
DBXpress: ($25) http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
Do NOT extract to the desktop!
With a large file this can take a long time, so let it keep running.

The messages can be dragged from a Windows folder back into an OE folder in
OE's Folder List.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM
"Anyone who prefers security over freedom deserves neither."