MS Windows XP Home Edition

Version 5.1 (build 2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090804-1435 : service pack 3)
copyright 2007
INTERNET EXPLORER
Version 7.0.5730.13
Build 75730

I have tried several times over the last couple of months to compact emails
in OE. (Usually due to being prompted).

Within the box entitled "Compacting"

The compacting starts, and zips through the various email folders and then
moves onto the newsgroups, (about 8/9 off).

With the green progress bar nearly full and showing a "folders file" name
tag, a message box explodes on the desktop:-

"The folder is currently in use by outlook express or by another
application"

But no error code.

The box just sits there folding up the pages and on this occasion has
refused to close!!!!!

This may have occurred since having started accessing the newsgroup on this
PC late year, as I used to use the Win98 machine

Many thanks

Steve