See he www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#4

Also see points 2 and 3 on that page for the future and backup frequently.

steve

"selene" wrote in message
oups.com...
Jim - it worked!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my -- : -)
Outlook opens again!!

What about those DBX folders/files? If one is corrupted is there a way
to find out which one and put the good files back?

Selene

Jim Pickering wrote:
I would think it easiest to move the DBX files to a folder you create and
see if you can then open OE before you begin to toy with the idea of
reinstalling. But, it's your computer and your choice although I know
what
mine would be.
--
Jim Pickering, MVP, Outlook Express
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/pr...8-1171988A62D6
Please deliver feedback to the newsgroup, so that others can be helped.



"selene" wrote in message
oups.com...
Jim,

Wouldn't it be easier to reinstall IE6 with OE6?
Selene

Jim Pickering wrote:
Here's one place to start:
http://www.insideoe.com/problems/per...ce.htm#nostart

Basically it sounds like corruption of your stored messages. If you
only
use one identity in Outlook Express, there should be a single folder
containing all of your DBX files (which are marked as hidden in
Windows
XP).
What you need to do it either rename the folder containing those DBX
files,
or open the folder and "Move" vs. Copy those files to another folder
you
create for them. Outlook Express should then be able to open,
although
your
mail folders will be empty. Once it opens, you can try using the
menu,
File/Import/Messages, selecting OE6 and From a Message Store and point
to
either the renamed folder with the DBX files or the folder you created
that
now contains them. If they do not all import correctly, then you will
need
a 3rd party utility to recover them.

Post back with advice on success or lack thereof and we'll go from
there,
but please read the info at the link above first. Good luck.
--
Jim Pickering, MVP, Outlook Express

"selene" wrote in message
ups.com...
Jim -- Thank you --

Here's the missing info: I use WinXP

I have 2 msoe.dll files:

\Program Files\Outlook Express with msoe.dll version
6.0.2900.2869

\Program Files\WINDOWS\Outlook Express with msoe.dll version
6.0.2600.0


Don't remember compacting files ever--
selene


selene wrote:
My OE6 suddenly won't open.
I get the message that an instance of the program is already
running,
and to restart my computer.

However, when I do that., OE6 still doesn't open and the same
message
appears...

Help!! selene