Every time I close down OE, it tells me I need to compact. But, when I tell
it to compact, it spends a long time doing it and then tells me that one of
the folders is in use. It then asks to continue or cancel. I always tell it
to continue compacting and the result is always the same. It never finishes.
This has happened to me about 5 times and the computer is useless while the
compact is in process because all the resources are in use.

Any clues?

TIA,

Tom

Hi Tom
See post and reply by Bruce Hagen dated 8 May time 21:45 from tskb.
Should give all the answers you want. If not then do a 'find' in this
newsgroup - there are others, but Bruce's should do it.
I always switch everything off - disconnect from net and disable all
security, leave it and get a coffee(or a beer) - sometimes it likes to have
a few minutes on its own.
Works OK for me.
Rgds
Antioch

"Tom Brown" wrote in message
...
Every time I close down OE, it tells me I need to compact. But, when I
tell
it to compact, it spends a long time doing it and then tells me that one
of
the folders is in use. It then asks to continue or cancel. I always tell
it
to continue compacting and the result is always the same. It never
finishes.
This has happened to me about 5 times and the computer is useless while
the
compact is in process because all the resources are in use.

Any clues?

TIA,

Tom

Can you determine which folder it is getting stuck on? If not, try
compacting manually and see if you can.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until
the compacting is completed.

If you can determine the folder, create a new one with a different name and
drag or copy the messages to the new folder. Delete the old folder and the
corresponding dbx file for it.

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.

Now, compact again.

Some general OE advice:

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupt. 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.

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until
the compacting is completed.

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background and
leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer
of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems such as
time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V program will
continue to protect you sufficiently.

Clear the Temporary Internet Files often. In IE | Tools | Internet Options |
Delete Files button. And check the box to Delete Offline content.

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~

"Tom Brown" wrote in message
...
Every time I close down OE, it tells me I need to compact. But, when I
tell
it to compact, it spends a long time doing it and then tells me that one
of
the folders is in use. It then asks to continue or cancel. I always tell
it
to continue compacting and the result is always the same. It never
finishes.
This has happened to me about 5 times and the computer is useless while
the
compact is in process because all the resources are in use.

Any clues?

TIA,

Tom

I must apologise first. because I am trying to restre my news groups since I
had a HD failure and had to replace it.. Although I backed up my data and
didn't backup news groups or my mail I have learned my lesson .
I managed to remember the settings for Microsoft but can't remember the
setting for the alternative to Freeserve or Wanadoo.
Could you please help me
Blair


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Can you determine which folder it is getting stuck on? If not, try
compacting manually and see if you can.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything
until the compacting is completed.

If you can determine the folder, create a new one with a different name
and drag or copy the messages to the new folder. Delete the old folder and
the corresponding dbx file for it.

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.

Now, compact again.

Some general OE advice:

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupt. 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.

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything
until the compacting is completed.

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background
and leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant
layer of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems
such as time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V program
will continue to protect you sufficiently.

Clear the Temporary Internet Files often. In IE | Tools | Internet Options
| Delete Files button. And check the box to Delete Offline content.

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~

"Tom Brown" wrote in message
...
Every time I close down OE, it tells me I need to compact. But, when I
tell
it to compact, it spends a long time doing it and then tells me that one
of
the folders is in use. It then asks to continue or cancel. I always tell
it
to continue compacting and the result is always the same. It never
finishes.
This has happened to me about 5 times and the computer is useless while
the
compact is in process because all the resources are in use.

Any clues?

TIA,

Tom

Not sure why you can reply, but not start your own post, but...........

For Freeserve:
http://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/BC/bcs2p2.html

For Wanadoo:
http://help.wanadoo.co.uk/documentDisplay.do;jsessionid=F8DF96711A5AC8467742 9DE454310E9D?resultType=5002&docProp=$solution_id& groupId=1&directSolutionLink=3&gotoLink=0&page=&cl usterName=DefaultCluster&docType=1006&docPropValue =kb79

And visit Windows Updates. You are missing a few.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"Blair" wrote in message
...
I must apologise first. because I am trying to restre my news groups since
I
had a HD failure and had to replace it.. Although I backed up my data and
didn't backup news groups or my mail I have learned my lesson .
I managed to remember the settings for Microsoft but can't remember the
setting for the alternative to Freeserve or Wanadoo.
Could you please help me
Blair


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Can you determine which folder it is getting stuck on? If not, try
compacting manually and see if you can.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything
until the compacting is completed.

If you can determine the folder, create a new one with a different name
and drag or copy the messages to the new folder. Delete the old folder
and the corresponding dbx file for it.

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.

Now, compact again.

Some general OE advice:

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupt. 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.

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything
until the compacting is completed.

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background
and leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant
layer of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems
such as time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V
program will continue to protect you sufficiently.

Clear the Temporary Internet Files often. In IE | Tools | Internet
Options | Delete Files button. And check the box to Delete Offline
content.

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~

"Tom Brown" wrote in message
...
Every time I close down OE, it tells me I need to compact. But, when I
tell
it to compact, it spends a long time doing it and then tells me that one
of
the folders is in use. It then asks to continue or cancel. I always tell
it
to continue compacting and the result is always the same. It never
finishes.
This has happened to me about 5 times and the computer is useless while
the
compact is in process because all the resources are in use.

Any clues?

TIA,

Tom

Thank you for your help. I'm afraid I did not express my problem cleraly.
I have no problem with Wanadoo mail which I can send & receive OK
My problem is with News Groups. Wanadoo (Freeserve) have discontinued
supporting news groups and there is an alternative which could have been
something like aioe.org which was the alternative news group.
It is this a;ternative that I am looking for
Blair




"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Not sure why you can reply, but not start your own post, but...........

For Freeserve:
http://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/BC/bcs2p2.html

For Wanadoo:
http://help.wanadoo.co.uk/documentDisplay.do;jsessionid=F8DF96711A5AC8467742 9DE454310E9D?resultType=5002&docProp=$solution_id& groupId=1&directSolutionLink=3&gotoLink=0&page=&cl usterName=DefaultCluster&docType=1006&docPropValue =kb79

And visit Windows Updates. You are missing a few.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"Blair" wrote in message
...
I must apologise first. because I am trying to restre my news groups since
I
had a HD failure and had to replace it.. Although I backed up my data and
didn't backup news groups or my mail I have learned my lesson .
I managed to remember the settings for Microsoft but can't remember the
setting for the alternative to Freeserve or Wanadoo.
Could you please help me
Blair


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Can you determine which folder it is getting stuck on? If not, try
compacting manually and see if you can.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything
until the compacting is completed.

If you can determine the folder, create a new one with a different name
and drag or copy the messages to the new folder. Delete the old folder
and the corresponding dbx file for it.

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.

Now, compact again.

Some general OE advice:

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupt. 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.

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything
until the compacting is completed.

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background
and leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant
layer of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems
such as time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V
program will continue to protect you sufficiently.

Clear the Temporary Internet Files often. In IE | Tools | Internet
Options | Delete Files button. And check the box to Delete Offline
content.

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~

"Tom Brown" wrote in message
...
Every time I close down OE, it tells me I need to compact. But, when I
tell
it to compact, it spends a long time doing it and then tells me that
one of
the folders is in use. It then asks to continue or cancel. I always
tell it
to continue compacting and the result is always the same. It never
finishes.
This has happened to me about 5 times and the computer is useless while
the
compact is in process because all the resources are in use.

Any clues?

TIA,

Tom

Blair wrote:
Thank you for your help. I'm afraid I did not express my problem cleraly.
I have no problem with Wanadoo mail which I can send & receive OK
My problem is with News Groups. Wanadoo (Freeserve) have discontinued
supporting news groups and there is an alternative which could have been
something like aioe.org which was the alternative news group.
It is this a;ternative that I am looking for
Blair

You're out of luck. That one doesn't work anymore and free Usenet
servers are very difficult, if not impossible, to find. You'll need to
pay for one or use Google.

Alias




"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Not sure why you can reply, but not start your own post, but...........

For Freeserve:
http://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/BC/bcs2p2.html

For Wanadoo:
http://help.wanadoo.co.uk/documentDisplay.do;jsessionid=F8DF96711A5AC8467742 9DE454310E9D?resultType=5002&docProp=$solution_id& groupId=1&directSolutionLink=3&gotoLink=0&page=&cl usterName=DefaultCluster&docType=1006&docPropValue =kb79

And visit Windows Updates. You are missing a few.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"Blair" wrote in message
...
I must apologise first. because I am trying to restre my news groups since
I
had a HD failure and had to replace it.. Although I backed up my data and
didn't backup news groups or my mail I have learned my lesson .
I managed to remember the settings for Microsoft but can't remember the
setting for the alternative to Freeserve or Wanadoo.
Could you please help me
Blair


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Can you determine which folder it is getting stuck on? If not, try
compacting manually and see if you can.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything
until the compacting is completed.

If you can determine the folder, create a new one with a different name
and drag or copy the messages to the new folder. Delete the old folder
and the corresponding dbx file for it.

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.

Now, compact again.

Some general OE advice:

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupt. 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.

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything
until the compacting is completed.

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background
and leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant
layer of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems
such as time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V
program will continue to protect you sufficiently.

Clear the Temporary Internet Files often. In IE | Tools | Internet
Options | Delete Files button. And check the box to Delete Offline
content.

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~

"Tom Brown" wrote in message
...
Every time I close down OE, it tells me I need to compact. But, when I
tell
it to compact, it spends a long time doing it and then tells me that
one of
the folders is in use. It then asks to continue or cancel. I always
tell it
to continue compacting and the result is always the same. It never
finishes.
This has happened to me about 5 times and the computer is useless while
the
compact is in process because all the resources are in use.

Any clues?

TIA,

Tom

Bruce,

Yes, I think I discovered ... the hard way .... where the problem is . I now
have one folder ... a very important folder, that I cannot access. I can't
open it or move any messages into it. Is there any way to resurrect a
single folder?

Thanks,

Tom


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Can you determine which folder it is getting stuck on? If not, try
compacting manually and see if you can.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything
until the compacting is completed.

If you can determine the folder, create a new one with a different name
and drag or copy the messages to the new folder. Delete the old folder and
the corresponding dbx file for it.

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.

Now, compact again.

Some general OE advice:

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupt. 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.

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything
until the compacting is completed.

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background
and leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant
layer of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems
such as time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V program
will continue to protect you sufficiently.

Clear the Temporary Internet Files often. In IE | Tools | Internet Options
| Delete Files button. And check the box to Delete Offline content.

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~

"Tom Brown" wrote in message
...
Every time I close down OE, it tells me I need to compact. But, when I
tell
it to compact, it spends a long time doing it and then tells me that one
of
the folders is in use. It then asks to continue or cancel. I always tell
it
to continue compacting and the result is always the same. It never
finishes.
This has happened to me about 5 times and the computer is useless while
the
compact is in process because all the resources are in use.

Any clues?

TIA,

Tom

You can try renaming the folder and rebooting, but I wouldn't expect much.
At this point, the only tool that I know of that has a chance of recovering
the messages is:

DBXpress run in Disk Mode:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"Tom Brown" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

Yes, I think I discovered ... the hard way .... where the problem is . I
now have one folder ... a very important folder, that I cannot access. I
can't open it or move any messages into it. Is there any way to resurrect
a single folder?

Thanks,

Tom


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Can you determine which folder it is getting stuck on? If not, try
compacting manually and see if you can.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything
until the compacting is completed.

If you can determine the folder, create a new one with a different name
and drag or copy the messages to the new folder. Delete the old folder
and the corresponding dbx file for it.

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.

Now, compact again.

Some general OE advice:

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupt. 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.

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything
until the compacting is completed.

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background
and leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant
layer of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems
such as time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V
program will continue to protect you sufficiently.

Clear the Temporary Internet Files often. In IE | Tools | Internet
Options | Delete Files button. And check the box to Delete Offline
content.

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~

"Tom Brown" wrote in message
...
Every time I close down OE, it tells me I need to compact. But, when I
tell
it to compact, it spends a long time doing it and then tells me that one
of
the folders is in use. It then asks to continue or cancel. I always tell
it
to continue compacting and the result is always the same. It never
finishes.
This has happened to me about 5 times and the computer is useless while
the
compact is in process because all the resources are in use.

Any clues?

TIA,

Tom