How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

Almost every time I close OE6 it asks if I would like to compact messages.
Sometimes I do this, but I don't need asking every time. Is there some way
to stop this message? It only seems to happen since downloading XP/SP2.
Thanx
Mikey
--

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

mikey wrote:
Almost every time I close OE6 it asks if I would like to compact messages.
Sometimes I do this, but I don't need asking every time. Is there some way
to stop this message? It only seems to happen since downloading XP/SP2.
Thanx
Mikey
--



If you don't let it do its thing, you are asking for it and you will
lose all your messages one day. I hope you have OE backed up if any of
your messages are valuable to you. This new "feature" will pop up every
100 times you close OE

You can stop it by downloading and using OE Tool. It resets the counter
every time you use it to zero. You can get it at:

http://www.oehelp.com/OETool/Default.aspx

Alias

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

"Alias" wrote in message
...
mikey wrote:
Almost every time I close OE6 it asks if I would like to compact
messages. Sometimes I do this, but I don't need asking every time. Is
there some way to stop this message? It only seems to happen since
downloading XP/SP2.
Thanx
Mikey
--



If you don't let it do its thing, you are asking for it and you will lose
all your messages one day. I hope you have OE backed up if any of your
messages are valuable to you. This new "feature" will pop up every 100
times you close OE

You can stop it by downloading and using OE Tool. It resets the counter
every time you use it to zero. You can get it at:

http://www.oehelp.com/OETool/Default.aspx

Alias

Also, when OE is compacting, do not do anything else with the computer.
--
Ron Sommer

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

||
| Also, when OE is compacting, do not do anything else with the computer.
| --
| Ron Sommer
|
|


When it's compacting, it's impossible to do anything else with the computer
! -- it seems to take all of the processor up.

Also after it's done the entire pc works at a snail's pace until I reboot.
It seems to do more harm than good. What's the point of it?

Mikey
--

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

mikey wrote:
||
| Also, when OE is compacting, do not do anything else with the computer.
| --
| Ron Sommer
|
|


When it's compacting, it's impossible to do anything else with the computer
! -- it seems to take all of the processor up.

Also after it's done the entire pc works at a snail's pace until I reboot.
It seems to do more harm than good. What's the point of it?

Mikey
--

How large are your .DBX files? Note that .DBX files are hidden in XP and
Windows 2000. None should be larger than 100MB and you should NOT store
messages in your Inbox, Sent Items, Drafts or Deleted Items. Create
folders under Local Folders for archiving.

Also, do you have some kind of anti virus checking email or an anti spam
program hooked up to Outlook Express?

Alias

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

Hello Mikey
Same here, but in the last 9 months this last weekend, was the first time
this window has appeared. I keep all folders to no more than 5 or 6
messages. I save those I want to keep in My Docs. so there was no way I
needed any space.
Coincidence or not, this has not see this compacting message since I deleted
that last lot of problem updates, which included KB 911567, the one for
Outlook Express??????
If it starts again, I will try Alias's suggestion.
Rgds
Antioch

"mikey" wrote in message
...
Almost every time I close OE6 it asks if I would like to compact messages.
Sometimes I do this, but I don't need asking every time. Is there some way
to stop this message? It only seems to happen since downloading XP/SP2.
Thanx
Mikey
--

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

Compacting your folders periodically is a must to keep OE functioning well
and at some point, you may lose all your saved messages if you don't. When
you delete messages, they are only marked for deletion and the space they
had used, remains until you compact, or the space is eventually overwritten.
See:
www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#2

With SP2, automatic background compacting was removed due to problems it
caused. Now you will get a prompt to compact after 100 OE closings, which
you should do and don't touch anything until it has finished. See this for
more information:
http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm#compact

If compacting takes a long time, you aren't doing it often enough.

To keep things running smooth, and for faster compacting:

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupt and you may lose mail. Create your own user defined folders for
storing mail and move your mail to them. Empty Deleted Items folder
regularly. Keep user created folders under 100MB, and Default folders as
empty as is feasible.

And this is a very good option:

Steve Cochran has added a button in his new version of OE Tool that will not
only Compact All Folders, but at the same time, resets the "Compact Check
Count" to zero whenever you compact manually. You will see the prompt again
if you do not compact before 100 closings.

http://www.oehelp.com/OETool/

You should still check: Work Offline before you compact.

And backup often.

Backup and Resto

http://www.insideoutlookexpress.com/backup/

http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx

http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"mikey" wrote in message
...

||
| Also, when OE is compacting, do not do anything else with the computer.
| --
| Ron Sommer
|
|


When it's compacting, it's impossible to do anything else with the
computer
! -- it seems to take all of the processor up.

Also after it's done the entire pc works at a snail's pace until I reboot.
It seems to do more harm than good. What's the point of it?

Mikey
--

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

antioch wrote:
Hello Mikey
Same here, but in the last 9 months this last weekend, was the first time
this window has appeared. I keep all folders to no more than 5 or 6
messages. I save those I want to keep in My Docs. so there was no way I
needed any space.
Coincidence or not, this has not see this compacting message since I deleted
that last lot of problem updates, which included KB 911567, the one for
Outlook Express??????
If it starts again, I will try Alias's suggestion.
Rgds
Antioch

If you have checked "Do not show this again", it will compact your
messages every 100 closings and you won't be aware of it unless you shut
down your computer or do something to interrupt the process and then you
will lose all your messages.

I would download and install the OE Tool just to be on the safe side.

Alias

"mikey" wrote in message
...
Almost every time I close OE6 it asks if I would like to compact messages.
Sometimes I do this, but I don't need asking every time. Is there some way
to stop this message? It only seems to happen since downloading XP/SP2.
Thanx
Mikey
--

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

FYI: OP has KB911567 installed. This update restored the prompt if it was
disabled and there it no more box to check. About the only good thing this
patch did. g
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"Alias" wrote in message
...
antioch wrote:
Hello Mikey
Same here, but in the last 9 months this last weekend, was the first time
this window has appeared. I keep all folders to no more than 5 or 6
messages. I save those I want to keep in My Docs. so there was no way I
needed any space.
Coincidence or not, this has not see this compacting message since I
deleted that last lot of problem updates, which included KB 911567, the
one for Outlook Express??????
If it starts again, I will try Alias's suggestion.
Rgds
Antioch

If you have checked "Do not show this again", it will compact your
messages every 100 closings and you won't be aware of it unless you shut
down your computer or do something to interrupt the process and then you
will lose all your messages.

I would download and install the OE Tool just to be on the safe side.

Alias

"mikey" wrote in message
...
Almost every time I close OE6 it asks if I would like to compact
messages.
Sometimes I do this, but I don't need asking every time. Is there some
way
to stop this message? It only seems to happen since downloading XP/SP2.
Thanx
Mikey
--

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

Bruce Hagen wrote:
FYI: OP has KB911567 installed. This update restored the prompt if it
was disabled and there it no more box to check. About the only good
thing this patch did. g

I would still install OE Tool. For example, sometimes a program will
crash and freeze the computer. If you reboot and it's the 100th time and
OE is open, disaster time for your messages. Or, the lights go off,
leading to the same scenario. It would have been nice if the update had
eliminated this "feature".

Alias

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

"Alias" wrote in message
...
Bruce Hagen wrote:
FYI: OP has KB911567 installed. This update restored the prompt if it was
disabled and there it no more box to check. About the only good thing
this patch did. g

I would still install OE Tool. For example, sometimes a program will crash
and freeze the computer. If you reboot and it's the 100th time and OE is
open, disaster time for your messages. Or, the lights go off, leading to
the same scenario. It would have been nice if the update had eliminated
this "feature".

Alias

Agreed. Just wanted to let you know that the prompt can't be unchecked after
that update.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

"Alias" wrote in message
...
antioch wrote:
Hello Mikey
Same here, but in the last 9 months this last weekend, was the first time
this window has appeared. I keep all folders to no more than 5 or 6
messages. I save those I want to keep in My Docs. so there was no way I
needed any space.
Coincidence or not, this has not see this compacting message since I
deleted that last lot of problem updates, which included KB 911567, the
one for Outlook Express??????
If it starts again, I will try Alias's suggestion.
Rgds
Antioch

If you have checked "Do not show this again", it will compact your
messages every 100 closings and you won't be aware of it unless you shut
down your computer or do something to interrupt the process and then you
will lose all your messages.

I would download and install the OE Tool just to be on the safe side.

Alias

Hi Alias - thanks &(apologies to Mikey for the highjack of his post)
Your explanation is noted and yes I probably did tick the box many months
ago - but I have not suffered any loss in messages(luck?)
So if I have understood Bruce's comments, this would explain why the box has
appeared again - the update KB911567 put it back.
Or do I have it 'arseaboutface'?
And you are both saying that the best practice is to make sure you see the
box, let the messages compact, don't do anything during compaction(get a
coffee)and wait for it to finish OR use that OE tool?
Also, may I ask, is KB911567 due for a patch to fix the patch that fixed the
patch, or is it OK to download as it stands.
Thanks for your patience with this.
Rgds
Antioch

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

antioch wrote:
"Alias" wrote in message
...
antioch wrote:
Hello Mikey
Same here, but in the last 9 months this last weekend, was the first time
this window has appeared. I keep all folders to no more than 5 or 6
messages. I save those I want to keep in My Docs. so there was no way I
needed any space.
Coincidence or not, this has not see this compacting message since I
deleted that last lot of problem updates, which included KB 911567, the
one for Outlook Express??????
If it starts again, I will try Alias's suggestion.
Rgds
Antioch
If you have checked "Do not show this again", it will compact your
messages every 100 closings and you won't be aware of it unless you shut
down your computer or do something to interrupt the process and then you
will lose all your messages.

I would download and install the OE Tool just to be on the safe side.

Alias
Hi Alias - thanks &(apologies to Mikey for the highjack of his post)
Your explanation is noted and yes I probably did tick the box many months
ago - but I have not suffered any loss in messages(luck?)
So if I have understood Bruce's comments, this would explain why the box has
appeared again - the update KB911567 put it back.
Or do I have it 'arseaboutface'?
And you are both saying that the best practice is to make sure you see the
box, let the messages compact, don't do anything during compaction(get a
coffee)and wait for it to finish OR use that OE tool?
Also, may I ask, is KB911567 due for a patch to fix the patch that fixed the
patch, or is it OK to download as it stands.
Thanks for your patience with this.
Rgds
Antioch



I have no idea what MS will do next patch-wise :-) I have all the
updates on three computers with no problems. Download the OE Tool and
use it to compact at least once a day or when you send/delete a lot of
messages and you won't have to worry about it anymore. The OE Tool is
free, although I believe the author accepts donations.

Alias

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

The size of your dbx files is the size of all the messages that have been in
the corresponding folder size since you created the folder or since the last
compaction.
--
Ron Sommer

"antioch" wrote in message
...
Hello Mikey
Same here, but in the last 9 months this last weekend, was the first time
this window has appeared. I keep all folders to no more than 5 or 6
messages. I save those I want to keep in My Docs. so there was no way I
needed any space.
Coincidence or not, this has not see this compacting message since I
deleted that last lot of problem updates, which included KB 911567, the
one for Outlook Express??????
If it starts again, I will try Alias's suggestion.
Rgds
Antioch

"mikey" wrote in message
...
Almost every time I close OE6 it asks if I would like to compact
messages.
Sometimes I do this, but I don't need asking every time. Is there some
way
to stop this message? It only seems to happen since downloading XP/SP2.
Thanx
Mikey
--

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

OK guys thanks, I've taken all that on board. I'll just let Compacting do
it's job then. However I don't believe I am storing my archived messages
sensibly. Some time back I created an Archive folder in OE with 2 subfolders
(all residing in OE under Local Folders) -- an InboxArchive (contains 14309
messages) and a SentItemsArchive (7069 messages). I do not need to search
them very often, so maybe I should keep these archives somewhere else? How
do I move them? Also my current Inbox contains 7911 messages, so it's about
time to create a further archive folder.

Also how can we see how big these folders are in MB? -- the size doesn't
show under right click/Properties.

Thanx
Mikey
--

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

The size is revealed by looking at the dbx files for the folders.

Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location of
your Outlook Express files. Press the Tab key to highlight the folder
location, then Ctrl+C. Close OE, then StartRunCtrl+V will put the location
in the box - Click OK and you'll see the OE files. Otherwise, write the
location down and navigate to it in Windows Explorer.

In Windows XP, 2K & 3K, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default
marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must enable
Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control Panel | Folder Options |
View.

The number of message is not important, just try not to exceed 100MB for
each file.

An alternative way of archiving many people do is to create an extra
identity solely for that purpose.

As stated previously, do not keep messages in the default folders especially
the Inbox. Read them and move them.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"mikey" wrote in message
...

OK guys thanks, I've taken all that on board. I'll just let Compacting do
it's job then. However I don't believe I am storing my archived messages
sensibly. Some time back I created an Archive folder in OE with 2
subfolders
(all residing in OE under Local Folders) -- an InboxArchive (contains
14309
messages) and a SentItemsArchive (7069 messages). I do not need to search
them very often, so maybe I should keep these archives somewhere else? How
do I move them? Also my current Inbox contains 7911 messages, so it's
about
time to create a further archive folder.

Also how can we see how big these folders are in MB? -- the size doesn't
show under right click/Properties.

Thanx
Mikey
--

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

I have no idea what MS will do next patch-wise :-) I have all the
updates on three computers with no problems. Download the OE Tool and use
it to compact at least once a day or when you send/delete a lot of
messages and you won't have to worry about it anymore. The OE Tool is
free, although I believe the author accepts donations.

Alias

Hi Alias
Reading other newsgroups, it would appear that MS is to issue a patch for
KB908531 Security update for WinXP, today.
I have not read anything about the others yet.
I will try the other three, one at a time and see how it goes, but I will
also use the O.E. tool as you and Bruce suggested.
Many thanks for today's lesson - most informative.
Good luck Mikey - God you have a lot of stored email!!!!!!!!
Rgds
Antioch

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

Pardon me for jumping in, but could you tell me how you read the emails
after following the information you just printed? I have a folder open with
lots of dbx files, but when I click on the file, it says windows can't open
the file, it needs to know what program created it. Would I be able to copy
these files onto my thrumb drive and then paste them to another computer,
once they're readable?

"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
The size is revealed by looking at the dbx files for the folders.

Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location of
your Outlook Express files. Press the Tab key to highlight the folder
location, then Ctrl+C. Close OE, then StartRunCtrl+V will put the
location in the box - Click OK and you'll see the OE files. Otherwise,
write the location down and navigate to it in Windows Explorer.

In Windows XP, 2K & 3K, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default
marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must enable
Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control Panel | Folder Options
| View.

The number of message is not important, just try not to exceed 100MB for
each file.

An alternative way of archiving many people do is to create an extra
identity solely for that purpose.

As stated previously, do not keep messages in the default folders
especially the Inbox. Read them and move them.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"mikey" wrote in message
...

OK guys thanks, I've taken all that on board. I'll just let Compacting do
it's job then. However I don't believe I am storing my archived messages
sensibly. Some time back I created an Archive folder in OE with 2
subfolders
(all residing in OE under Local Folders) -- an InboxArchive (contains
14309
messages) and a SentItemsArchive (7069 messages). I do not need to search
them very often, so maybe I should keep these archives somewhere else?
How
do I move them? Also my current Inbox contains 7911 messages, so it's
about
time to create a further archive folder.

Also how can we see how big these folders are in MB? -- the size doesn't
show under right click/Properties.

Thanx
Mikey
--

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

Since I made a few different points, I am not sure which one you are
referring to.

DBX files are not readable without the assistance of OE. If you are
referring to moving the messages to another ID, you are still using OE to
read the messages.

If you want to copy messages to another computer, see:

Backup & Resto
http://www.insideoe.com/backup/
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"Laura" wrote in message
.. .
Pardon me for jumping in, but could you tell me how you read the emails
after following the information you just printed? I have a folder open
with lots of dbx files, but when I click on the file, it says windows
can't open the file, it needs to know what program created it. Would I be
able to copy these files onto my thrumb drive and then paste them to
another computer, once they're readable?

"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
The size is revealed by looking at the dbx files for the folders.

Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location of
your Outlook Express files. Press the Tab key to highlight the folder
location, then Ctrl+C. Close OE, then StartRunCtrl+V will put the
location in the box - Click OK and you'll see the OE files. Otherwise,
write the location down and navigate to it in Windows Explorer.

In Windows XP, 2K & 3K, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default
marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must
enable Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control Panel | Folder
Options | View.

The number of message is not important, just try not to exceed 100MB for
each file.

An alternative way of archiving many people do is to create an extra
identity solely for that purpose.

As stated previously, do not keep messages in the default folders
especially the Inbox. Read them and move them.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"mikey" wrote in message
...

OK guys thanks, I've taken all that on board. I'll just let Compacting
do
it's job then. However I don't believe I am storing my archived messages
sensibly. Some time back I created an Archive folder in OE with 2
subfolders
(all residing in OE under Local Folders) -- an InboxArchive (contains
14309
messages) and a SentItemsArchive (7069 messages). I do not need to
search
them very often, so maybe I should keep these archives somewhere else?
How
do I move them? Also my current Inbox contains 7911 messages, so it's
about
time to create a further archive folder.

Also how can we see how big these folders are in MB? -- the size doesn't
show under right click/Properties.

Thanx
Mikey
--

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

OE uses dbx files, but will not open a dbx file if you click on one dbx
file.
The OE store folder contains a dbx file for every message folder in OE plus
folders.dbx, pop3uidl.dbx, and offline.dbx.
When OE displays the folder list, it uses folders.dbx to show the folders
used in that Identity.
If you open the Inbox folder in OE, OE uses inbox.dbx.
File, Open in OE opens a folder or a message.
It doesn't open a dbx file.

You could move the message store folder to another computer and import the
messages in the folder into OE.
--
Ron Sommer


"Laura" wrote in message
.. .
Pardon me for jumping in, but could you tell me how you read the emails
after following the information you just printed? I have a folder open
with lots of dbx files, but when I click on the file, it says windows
can't open the file, it needs to know what program created it. Would I be
able to copy these files onto my thrumb drive and then paste them to
another computer, once they're readable?

"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
The size is revealed by looking at the dbx files for the folders.

Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location of
your Outlook Express files. Press the Tab key to highlight the folder
location, then Ctrl+C. Close OE, then StartRunCtrl+V will put the
location in the box - Click OK and you'll see the OE files. Otherwise,
write the location down and navigate to it in Windows Explorer.

In Windows XP, 2K & 3K, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default
marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must
enable Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control Panel | Folder
Options | View.

The number of message is not important, just try not to exceed 100MB for
each file.

An alternative way of archiving many people do is to create an extra
identity solely for that purpose.

As stated previously, do not keep messages in the default folders
especially the Inbox. Read them and move them.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"mikey" wrote in message
...

OK guys thanks, I've taken all that on board. I'll just let Compacting
do
it's job then. However I don't believe I am storing my archived messages
sensibly. Some time back I created an Archive folder in OE with 2
subfolders
(all residing in OE under Local Folders) -- an InboxArchive (contains
14309
messages) and a SentItemsArchive (7069 messages). I do not need to
search
them very often, so maybe I should keep these archives somewhere else?
How
do I move them? Also my current Inbox contains 7911 messages, so it's
about
time to create a further archive folder.

Also how can we see how big these folders are in MB? -- the size doesn't
show under right click/Properties.

Thanx
Mikey
--

How do I stop 'Would u like to Compact' messages
 

You can import individual dbx files using the method in the last paragraph
on this page: www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx

steve

"Laura" wrote in message
.. .
Pardon me for jumping in, but could you tell me how you read the emails
after following the information you just printed? I have a folder open
with lots of dbx files, but when I click on the file, it says windows
can't open the file, it needs to know what program created it. Would I be
able to copy these files onto my thrumb drive and then paste them to
another computer, once they're readable?

"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
The size is revealed by looking at the dbx files for the folders.

Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location of
your Outlook Express files. Press the Tab key to highlight the folder
location, then Ctrl+C. Close OE, then StartRunCtrl+V will put the
location in the box - Click OK and you'll see the OE files. Otherwise,
write the location down and navigate to it in Windows Explorer.

In Windows XP, 2K & 3K, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default
marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must
enable Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control Panel | Folder
Options | View.

The number of message is not important, just try not to exceed 100MB for
each file.

An alternative way of archiving many people do is to create an extra
identity solely for that purpose.

As stated previously, do not keep messages in the default folders
especially the Inbox. Read them and move them.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"mikey" wrote in message
...

OK guys thanks, I've taken all that on board. I'll just let Compacting
do
it's job then. However I don't believe I am storing my archived messages
sensibly. Some time back I created an Archive folder in OE with 2
subfolders
(all residing in OE under Local Folders) -- an InboxArchive (contains
14309
messages) and a SentItemsArchive (7069 messages). I do not need to
search
them very often, so maybe I should keep these archives somewhere else?
How
do I move them? Also my current Inbox contains 7911 messages, so it's
about
time to create a further archive folder.

Also how can we see how big these folders are in MB? -- the size doesn't
show under right click/Properties.

Thanx
Mikey
--