Help!

This problem started suddenly this morning and I am at wit's end.

Everything seems to be working normally in Outlook Express, EXCEPT receiving new mail.

When I click on Receive Mail, OE connects to the server, and the mail starts to download, but when it reaches the point where the mail message would appear in my Inbox, everything hangs, and I have to shut down OE the hard way.

I have tried rebooting, doing System Restores, and even just downloaded an update to OE.that I found. at Microsoft's Download site. I am aware I have an older version of OE, but cannot find a newer build or version at the stie or at Windows Update. I have also tried deleting the files in my Temporary Internet Files folder (not cookies), but when I try to delete Offline Content, that hangs as well.
My anti-virus program (Symantec) has E-mail Scanning DIsabled already.

I can send mail, I can download Newsgroup messages, and I can even receive mail using another program on my system, so it is obvioiusly something wrong with OE itself.

Any advice would be greatly and thankfully appreciated!!!!

Carol

ADDENDUM:

This is the error message that I get, in case this helps.

5/20/2006 9:22 AM Application Hang Hanging application msimn.exe, version 6.0.2800.1106, hang module DIRECTDB.DLL, version 6.0.2600.0, hang address 0x000074be.


Carol






"cee" wrote in message ...
Help!

This problem started suddenly this morning and I am at wit's end.

Everything seems to be working normally in Outlook Express, EXCEPT receiving new mail.

When I click on Receive Mail, OE connects to the server, and the mail starts to download, but when it reaches the point where the mail message would appear in my Inbox, everything hangs, and I have to shut down OE the hard way.

I have tried rebooting, doing System Restores, and even just downloaded an update to OE.that I found. at Microsoft's Download site. I am aware I have an older version of OE, but cannot find a newer build or version at the stie or at Windows Update. I have also tried deleting the files in my Temporary Internet Files folder (not cookies), but when I try to delete Offline Content, that hangs as well.
My anti-virus program (Symantec) has E-mail Scanning DIsabled already.

I can send mail, I can download Newsgroup messages, and I can even receive mail using another program on my system, so it is obvioiusly something wrong with OE itself.

Any advice would be greatly and thankfully appreciated!!!!

Carol

You probably have a very large message trying to download and it just won't.
Go to Patriot's WebMail site and see if you can find the offending message
there and delete it:
http://webmail.patriot.net/src/login.php

Are you running XP, and what is the number shown for msoe.dll in Help |
About MSOE in the scroll down box? No reason you shouldn't be able to get
updates.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Help!

This problem started suddenly this morning and I am at wit's end.

Everything seems to be working normally in Outlook Express, EXCEPT receiving
new mail.

When I click on Receive Mail, OE connects to the server, and the mail starts
to download, but when it reaches the point where the mail message would
appear in my Inbox, everything hangs, and I have to shut down OE the hard
way.

I have tried rebooting, doing System Restores, and even just downloaded an
update to OE.that I found. at Microsoft's Download site. I am aware I have
an older version of OE, but cannot find a newer build or version at the stie
or at Windows Update. I have also tried deleting the files in my
Temporary Internet Files folder (not cookies), but when I try to delete
Offline Content, that hangs as well.
My anti-virus program (Symantec) has E-mail Scanning DIsabled already.

I can send mail, I can download Newsgroup messages, and I can even receive
mail using another program on my system, so it is obvioiusly something wrong
with OE itself.

Any advice would be greatly and thankfully appreciated!!!!

Carol

Thank you for the advice, Bruce.

I had already checked Patriot's webmail site, and there were only a few small text-based messages there, nothing larger than 1 or 2 kb.

The version number for msoe.dll is 6.00 2800 1478.

I am able to get to Windows Update but just cannot find an updated version of OE. There were some security upgrades, but I wasn't sure if those are what I am looking for to correct my problem Do you think those would help?

BTW... yes, I do keep my OE default folders nearly empty.

Thanks again!

Carol


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message ...
You probably have a very large message trying to download and it just won't.
Go to Patriot's WebMail site and see if you can find the offending message
there and delete it:
http://webmail.patriot.net/src/login.php

Are you running XP, and what is the number shown for msoe.dll in Help |
About MSOE in the scroll down box? No reason you shouldn't be able to get
updates.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Help!

This problem started suddenly this morning and I am at wit's end.

Everything seems to be working normally in Outlook Express, EXCEPT receiving
new mail.

When I click on Receive Mail, OE connects to the server, and the mail starts
to download, but when it reaches the point where the mail message would
appear in my Inbox, everything hangs, and I have to shut down OE the hard
way.

I have tried rebooting, doing System Restores, and even just downloaded an
update to OE.that I found. at Microsoft's Download site. I am aware I have
an older version of OE, but cannot find a newer build or version at the stie
or at Windows Update. I have also tried deleting the files in my
Temporary Internet Files folder (not cookies), but when I try to delete
Offline Content, that hangs as well.
My anti-virus program (Symantec) has E-mail Scanning DIsabled already.

I can send mail, I can download Newsgroup messages, and I can even receive
mail using another program on my system, so it is obvioiusly something wrong
with OE itself.

Any advice would be greatly and thankfully appreciated!!!!

Carol

Two possible fixes that I can think of. The first is the more likely one,
but the second is easier so you might want to try that first.

1: From:
http://www.fjsmjs.com/OE/directdb.htm

Errors in DIRECTDB.DLL or MSOE.DLL generally indicate corruption in the
message store. Start by moving Folders.dbx to an empty Windows folder. You
will lose your folder hierarchy and the lists of newsgroups on the news
servers, but it might get you into OE. Note: The DBX file are hidden files
in Win2K, WinXP and Win2K3.

If that doesn't do it then move all of the DBX files to the same folder as
Folders.dbx. You should now get into OE. Try importing the messages from the
folder you moved the DBX files to. If you can't, you can use one of these
tools to extract the messages:

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

DBXpress: {much faster for large files}
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx

Note: It can take a long time (days with really large folders).

The messages can then be dragged from the Windows folder back into a folder
in an open instance of OE.

***************************

2: Possibly a damaged Inbox. Move any mail you wish to save out of the Inbox
to a local folder you create. Then:

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 Start | Run | Ctrl+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.

With OE closed, find the DBX file for the folder in question {Inbox.dbx} and
delete it. A new one will be created automatically when you open OE.

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: FileWork 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}.

***************************

The reason you do not see any updates is because you haven't updated to SP2
yet. You need to do this. Once you do, there will be about fifty or so more
updates to follow. Have you *hidden* the SP2 download at Windows Updates?
It's got to be there somewhere.

Make sure you turn off your anti-virus program before downloading SP2 to
insure a clean install.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Thank you for the advice, Bruce.

I had already checked Patriot's webmail site, and there were only a few
small text-based messages there, nothing larger than 1 or 2 kb.

The version number for msoe.dll is 6.00 2800 1478.

I am able to get to Windows Update but just cannot find an updated version
of OE. There were some security upgrades, but I wasn't sure if those are
what I am looking for to correct my problem Do you think those would help?

BTW... yes, I do keep my OE default folders nearly empty.

Thanks again!

Carol


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
You probably have a very large message trying to download and it just
won't.
Go to Patriot's WebMail site and see if you can find the offending message
there and delete it:
http://webmail.patriot.net/src/login.php

Are you running XP, and what is the number shown for msoe.dll in Help |
About MSOE in the scroll down box? No reason you shouldn't be able to get
updates.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Help!

This problem started suddenly this morning and I am at wit's end.

Everything seems to be working normally in Outlook Express, EXCEPT
receiving
new mail.

When I click on Receive Mail, OE connects to the server, and the mail
starts
to download, but when it reaches the point where the mail message would
appear in my Inbox, everything hangs, and I have to shut down OE the hard
way.

I have tried rebooting, doing System Restores, and even just downloaded
an
update to OE.that I found. at Microsoft's Download site. I am aware I
have
an older version of OE, but cannot find a newer build or version at the
stie
or at Windows Update. I have also tried deleting the files in my
Temporary Internet Files folder (not cookies), but when I try to delete
Offline Content, that hangs as well.
My anti-virus program (Symantec) has E-mail Scanning DIsabled already.

I can send mail, I can download Newsgroup messages, and I can even receive
mail using another program on my system, so it is obvioiusly something
wrong
with OE itself.

Any advice would be greatly and thankfully appreciated!!!!

Carol

Thanks, Bruce!

I seem to have gotten mail to work!!

But, and it's one thing after another..... now I can't Reply to Newsgroup Messages without saving the message to Drafts folder first. I get a blank dialog box that won't let me click on it, and I cannot send the message. If I save it and let OE put it in Drafts, I can go there and send the message fine.

Does this sound like anything you've seen before?

I will check out the SP2.

Thanks for your patience and help!!!!

Carol



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message ...
Two possible fixes that I can think of. The first is the more likely one,
but the second is easier so you might want to try that first.

1: From:
http://www.fjsmjs.com/OE/directdb.htm

Errors in DIRECTDB.DLL or MSOE.DLL generally indicate corruption in the
message store. Start by moving Folders.dbx to an empty Windows folder. You
will lose your folder hierarchy and the lists of newsgroups on the news
servers, but it might get you into OE. Note: The DBX file are hidden files
in Win2K, WinXP and Win2K3.

If that doesn't do it then move all of the DBX files to the same folder as
Folders.dbx. You should now get into OE. Try importing the messages from the
folder you moved the DBX files to. If you can't, you can use one of these
tools to extract the messages:

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

DBXpress: {much faster for large files}
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx

Note: It can take a long time (days with really large folders).

The messages can then be dragged from the Windows folder back into a folder
in an open instance of OE.

***************************

2: Possibly a damaged Inbox. Move any mail you wish to save out of the Inbox
to a local folder you create. Then:

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 Start | Run | Ctrl+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.

With OE closed, find the DBX file for the folder in question {Inbox.dbx} and
delete it. A new one will be created automatically when you open OE.

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: FileWork 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}.

***************************

The reason you do not see any updates is because you haven't updated to SP2
yet. You need to do this. Once you do, there will be about fifty or so more
updates to follow. Have you *hidden* the SP2 download at Windows Updates?
It's got to be there somewhere.

Make sure you turn off your anti-virus program before downloading SP2 to
insure a clean install.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Thank you for the advice, Bruce.

I had already checked Patriot's webmail site, and there were only a few
small text-based messages there, nothing larger than 1 or 2 kb.

The version number for msoe.dll is 6.00 2800 1478.

I am able to get to Windows Update but just cannot find an updated version
of OE. There were some security upgrades, but I wasn't sure if those are
what I am looking for to correct my problem Do you think those would help?

BTW... yes, I do keep my OE default folders nearly empty.

Thanks again!

Carol


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
You probably have a very large message trying to download and it just
won't.
Go to Patriot's WebMail site and see if you can find the offending message
there and delete it:
http://webmail.patriot.net/src/login.php

Are you running XP, and what is the number shown for msoe.dll in Help |
About MSOE in the scroll down box? No reason you shouldn't be able to get
updates.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Help!

This problem started suddenly this morning and I am at wit's end.

Everything seems to be working normally in Outlook Express, EXCEPT
receiving
new mail.

When I click on Receive Mail, OE connects to the server, and the mail
starts
to download, but when it reaches the point where the mail message would
appear in my Inbox, everything hangs, and I have to shut down OE the hard
way.

I have tried rebooting, doing System Restores, and even just downloaded
an
update to OE.that I found. at Microsoft's Download site. I am aware I
have
an older version of OE, but cannot find a newer build or version at the
stie
or at Windows Update. I have also tried deleting the files in my
Temporary Internet Files folder (not cookies), but when I try to delete
Offline Content, that hangs as well.
My anti-virus program (Symantec) has E-mail Scanning DIsabled already.

I can send mail, I can download Newsgroup messages, and I can even receive
mail using another program on my system, so it is obvioiusly something
wrong
with OE itself.

Any advice would be greatly and thankfully appreciated!!!!

Carol

A dialog box with no text appears if you reply to a news message in Outlook
Express 6 Service Pack 1:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555398

Get SP2 first and this may clear up when you are fully patched.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Thanks, Bruce!

I seem to have gotten mail to work!!

But, and it's one thing after another..... now I can't Reply to Newsgroup
Messages without saving the message to Drafts folder first. I get a blank
dialog box that won't let me click on it, and I cannot send the message. If
I save it and let OE put it in Drafts, I can go there and send the message
fine.

Does this sound like anything you've seen before?

I will check out the SP2.

Thanks for your patience and help!!!!

Carol



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Two possible fixes that I can think of. The first is the more likely one,
but the second is easier so you might want to try that first.

1: From:
http://www.fjsmjs.com/OE/directdb.htm

Errors in DIRECTDB.DLL or MSOE.DLL generally indicate corruption in the
message store. Start by moving Folders.dbx to an empty Windows folder.
You
will lose your folder hierarchy and the lists of newsgroups on the news
servers, but it might get you into OE. Note: The DBX file are hidden
files
in Win2K, WinXP and Win2K3.

If that doesn't do it then move all of the DBX files to the same folder as
Folders.dbx. You should now get into OE. Try importing the messages from
the
folder you moved the DBX files to. If you can't, you can use one of these
tools to extract the messages:

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

DBXpress: {much faster for large files}
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx

Note: It can take a long time (days with really large folders).

The messages can then be dragged from the Windows folder back into a
folder
in an open instance of OE.

***************************

2: Possibly a damaged Inbox. Move any mail you wish to save out of the
Inbox
to a local folder you create. Then:

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 Start | Run | Ctrl+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.

With OE closed, find the DBX file for the folder in question {Inbox.dbx}
and
delete it. A new one will be created automatically when you open OE.

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: FileWork 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}.

***************************

The reason you do not see any updates is because you haven't updated to
SP2
yet. You need to do this. Once you do, there will be about fifty or so
more
updates to follow. Have you *hidden* the SP2 download at Windows Updates?
It's got to be there somewhere.

Make sure you turn off your anti-virus program before downloading SP2 to
insure a clean install.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Thank you for the advice, Bruce.

I had already checked Patriot's webmail site, and there were only a few
small text-based messages there, nothing larger than 1 or 2 kb.

The version number for msoe.dll is 6.00 2800 1478.

I am able to get to Windows Update but just cannot find an updated
version
of OE. There were some security upgrades, but I wasn't sure if those are
what I am looking for to correct my problem Do you think those would
help?

BTW... yes, I do keep my OE default folders nearly empty.

Thanks again!

Carol


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
You probably have a very large message trying to download and it just
won't.
Go to Patriot's WebMail site and see if you can find the offending
message
there and delete it:
http://webmail.patriot.net/src/login.php

Are you running XP, and what is the number shown for msoe.dll in Help |
About MSOE in the scroll down box? No reason you shouldn't be able to
get
updates.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Help!

This problem started suddenly this morning and I am at wit's end.

Everything seems to be working normally in Outlook Express, EXCEPT
receiving
new mail.

When I click on Receive Mail, OE connects to the server, and the mail
starts
to download, but when it reaches the point where the mail message would
appear in my Inbox, everything hangs, and I have to shut down OE the
hard
way.

I have tried rebooting, doing System Restores, and even just downloaded
an
update to OE.that I found. at Microsoft's Download site. I am aware I
have
an older version of OE, but cannot find a newer build or version at the
stie
or at Windows Update. I have also tried deleting the files in my
Temporary Internet Files folder (not cookies), but when I try to delete
Offline Content, that hangs as well.
My anti-virus program (Symantec) has E-mail Scanning DIsabled already.

I can send mail, I can download Newsgroup messages, and I can even
receive
mail using another program on my system, so it is obvioiusly something
wrong
with OE itself.

Any advice would be greatly and thankfully appreciated!!!!

Carol

Hi Bruce.

I had SP2 on a CD sitting here for some time, too nervous to install it due to all the things I had heard. I just installed it though, and thoug I I haven't tried all my apps to see if there are any problems yet, obviously, so far OE seems to be working better! It seems to have helped a problem I'd been having with disappearing Desktop Shortcut icons also, as a bonus!

I'll go check out the Updates again too.

Keep your fingers crossed, and thank you for all your help!

Carol

"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message ...
A dialog box with no text appears if you reply to a news message in Outlook
Express 6 Service Pack 1:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555398

Get SP2 first and this may clear up when you are fully patched.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Thanks, Bruce!

I seem to have gotten mail to work!!

But, and it's one thing after another..... now I can't Reply to Newsgroup
Messages without saving the message to Drafts folder first. I get a blank
dialog box that won't let me click on it, and I cannot send the message. If
I save it and let OE put it in Drafts, I can go there and send the message
fine.

Does this sound like anything you've seen before?

I will check out the SP2.

Thanks for your patience and help!!!!

Carol



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Two possible fixes that I can think of. The first is the more likely one,
but the second is easier so you might want to try that first.

1: From:
http://www.fjsmjs.com/OE/directdb.htm

Errors in DIRECTDB.DLL or MSOE.DLL generally indicate corruption in the
message store. Start by moving Folders.dbx to an empty Windows folder.
You
will lose your folder hierarchy and the lists of newsgroups on the news
servers, but it might get you into OE. Note: The DBX file are hidden
files
in Win2K, WinXP and Win2K3.

If that doesn't do it then move all of the DBX files to the same folder as
Folders.dbx. You should now get into OE. Try importing the messages from
the
folder you moved the DBX files to. If you can't, you can use one of these
tools to extract the messages:

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

DBXpress: {much faster for large files}
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx

Note: It can take a long time (days with really large folders).

The messages can then be dragged from the Windows folder back into a
folder
in an open instance of OE.

***************************

2: Possibly a damaged Inbox. Move any mail you wish to save out of the
Inbox
to a local folder you create. Then:

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 Start | Run | Ctrl+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.

With OE closed, find the DBX file for the folder in question {Inbox.dbx}
and
delete it. A new one will be created automatically when you open OE.

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: FileWork 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}.

***************************

The reason you do not see any updates is because you haven't updated to
SP2
yet. You need to do this. Once you do, there will be about fifty or so
more
updates to follow. Have you *hidden* the SP2 download at Windows Updates?
It's got to be there somewhere.

Make sure you turn off your anti-virus program before downloading SP2 to
insure a clean install.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Thank you for the advice, Bruce.

I had already checked Patriot's webmail site, and there were only a few
small text-based messages there, nothing larger than 1 or 2 kb.

The version number for msoe.dll is 6.00 2800 1478.

I am able to get to Windows Update but just cannot find an updated
version
of OE. There were some security upgrades, but I wasn't sure if those are
what I am looking for to correct my problem Do you think those would
help?

BTW... yes, I do keep my OE default folders nearly empty.

Thanks again!

Carol


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
You probably have a very large message trying to download and it just
won't.
Go to Patriot's WebMail site and see if you can find the offending
message
there and delete it:
http://webmail.patriot.net/src/login.php

Are you running XP, and what is the number shown for msoe.dll in Help |
About MSOE in the scroll down box? No reason you shouldn't be able to
get
updates.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Help!

This problem started suddenly this morning and I am at wit's end.

Everything seems to be working normally in Outlook Express, EXCEPT
receiving
new mail.

When I click on Receive Mail, OE connects to the server, and the mail
starts
to download, but when it reaches the point where the mail message would
appear in my Inbox, everything hangs, and I have to shut down OE the
hard
way.

I have tried rebooting, doing System Restores, and even just downloaded
an
update to OE.that I found. at Microsoft's Download site. I am aware I
have
an older version of OE, but cannot find a newer build or version at the
stie
or at Windows Update. I have also tried deleting the files in my
Temporary Internet Files folder (not cookies), but when I try to delete
Offline Content, that hangs as well.
My anti-virus program (Symantec) has E-mail Scanning DIsabled already.

I can send mail, I can download Newsgroup messages, and I can even
receive
mail using another program on my system, so it is obvioiusly something
wrong
with OE itself.

Any advice would be greatly and thankfully appreciated!!!!

Carol

You're welcome & fingers crossed. It wouldn't to hurt to turn off your
anti-virus while downloading the updates.

Please post back with an update when you're done.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Hi Bruce.

I had SP2 on a CD sitting here for some time, too nervous to install it due
to all the things I had heard. I just installed it though, and thoug I I
haven't tried all my apps to see if there are any problems yet, obviously,
so far OE seems to be working better! It seems to have helped a problem I'd
been having with disappearing Desktop Shortcut icons also, as a bonus!

I'll go check out the Updates again too.

Keep your fingers crossed, and thank you for all your help!

Carol

"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
A dialog box with no text appears if you reply to a news message in Outlook
Express 6 Service Pack 1:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555398

Get SP2 first and this may clear up when you are fully patched.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Thanks, Bruce!

I seem to have gotten mail to work!!

But, and it's one thing after another..... now I can't Reply to Newsgroup
Messages without saving the message to Drafts folder first. I get a
blank
dialog box that won't let me click on it, and I cannot send the message.
If
I save it and let OE put it in Drafts, I can go there and send the
message
fine.

Does this sound like anything you've seen before?

I will check out the SP2.

Thanks for your patience and help!!!!

Carol



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Two possible fixes that I can think of. The first is the more likely one,
but the second is easier so you might want to try that first.

1: From:
http://www.fjsmjs.com/OE/directdb.htm

Errors in DIRECTDB.DLL or MSOE.DLL generally indicate corruption in the
message store. Start by moving Folders.dbx to an empty Windows folder.
You
will lose your folder hierarchy and the lists of newsgroups on the news
servers, but it might get you into OE. Note: The DBX file are hidden
files
in Win2K, WinXP and Win2K3.

If that doesn't do it then move all of the DBX files to the same folder
as
Folders.dbx. You should now get into OE. Try importing the messages from
the
folder you moved the DBX files to. If you can't, you can use one of these
tools to extract the messages:

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

DBXpress: {much faster for large files}
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx

Note: It can take a long time (days with really large folders).

The messages can then be dragged from the Windows folder back into a
folder
in an open instance of OE.

***************************

2: Possibly a damaged Inbox. Move any mail you wish to save out of the
Inbox
to a local folder you create. Then:

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 Start | Run | Ctrl+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.

With OE closed, find the DBX file for the folder in question {Inbox.dbx}
and
delete it. A new one will be created automatically when you open OE.

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: FileWork 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}.

***************************

The reason you do not see any updates is because you haven't updated to
SP2
yet. You need to do this. Once you do, there will be about fifty or so
more
updates to follow. Have you *hidden* the SP2 download at Windows Updates?
It's got to be there somewhere.

Make sure you turn off your anti-virus program before downloading SP2 to
insure a clean install.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Thank you for the advice, Bruce.

I had already checked Patriot's webmail site, and there were only a few
small text-based messages there, nothing larger than 1 or 2 kb.

The version number for msoe.dll is 6.00 2800 1478.

I am able to get to Windows Update but just cannot find an updated
version
of OE. There were some security upgrades, but I wasn't sure if those are
what I am looking for to correct my problem Do you think those would
help?

BTW... yes, I do keep my OE default folders nearly empty.

Thanks again!

Carol


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
You probably have a very large message trying to download and it just
won't.
Go to Patriot's WebMail site and see if you can find the offending
message
there and delete it:
http://webmail.patriot.net/src/login.php

Are you running XP, and what is the number shown for msoe.dll in Help |
About MSOE in the scroll down box? No reason you shouldn't be able to
get
updates.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Help!

This problem started suddenly this morning and I am at wit's end.

Everything seems to be working normally in Outlook Express, EXCEPT
receiving
new mail.

When I click on Receive Mail, OE connects to the server, and the mail
starts
to download, but when it reaches the point where the mail message
would
appear in my Inbox, everything hangs, and I have to shut down OE the
hard
way.

I have tried rebooting, doing System Restores, and even just
downloaded
an
update to OE.that I found. at Microsoft's Download site. I am aware I
have
an older version of OE, but cannot find a newer build or version at the
stie
or at Windows Update. I have also tried deleting the files in my
Temporary Internet Files folder (not cookies), but when I try to delete
Offline Content, that hangs as well.
My anti-virus program (Symantec) has E-mail Scanning DIsabled already.

I can send mail, I can download Newsgroup messages, and I can even
receive
mail using another program on my system, so it is obvioiusly something
wrong
with OE itself.

Any advice would be greatly and thankfully appreciated!!!!

Carol

HI again, Bruce.

I went to Windows update, and after having to install several updates to Update, I successfully downloaded and installed several updates.

I have been told in the past in this Newsgroup, that I have an old build of OE 6, and that it should be updated. I couldn't find a build update, but I did see a Windows XP update that supposedly addresses various problems and issues with OE 6, so I downloaded and installed that., among several security downloads. (Can't get themall at once.... I am on dial-up).

So far, so good! OE seems to be behaving, although I am keeping a shaker of salt handy in case I need to toss some over my shoulder. It even seems to be responding more quickly than before.

Also, FWIW , the apps I tried so far seem to be working just fine with SP2 installed. Mostly graphics apps.

Thank you so much for your help! Much much appreciated!

Carol


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message ...
You're welcome & fingers crossed. It wouldn't to hurt to turn off your
anti-virus while downloading the updates.

Please post back with an update when you're done.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Hi Bruce.

I had SP2 on a CD sitting here for some time, too nervous to install it due
to all the things I had heard. I just installed it though, and thoug I I
haven't tried all my apps to see if there are any problems yet, obviously,
so far OE seems to be working better! It seems to have helped a problem I'd
been having with disappearing Desktop Shortcut icons also, as a bonus!

I'll go check out the Updates again too.

Keep your fingers crossed, and thank you for all your help!

Carol

"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
A dialog box with no text appears if you reply to a news message in Outlook
Express 6 Service Pack 1:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555398

Get SP2 first and this may clear up when you are fully patched.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Thanks, Bruce!

I seem to have gotten mail to work!!

But, and it's one thing after another..... now I can't Reply to Newsgroup
Messages without saving the message to Drafts folder first. I get a
blank
dialog box that won't let me click on it, and I cannot send the message.
If
I save it and let OE put it in Drafts, I can go there and send the
message
fine.

Does this sound like anything you've seen before?

I will check out the SP2.

Thanks for your patience and help!!!!

Carol



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Two possible fixes that I can think of. The first is the more likely one,
but the second is easier so you might want to try that first.

1: From:
http://www.fjsmjs.com/OE/directdb.htm

Errors in DIRECTDB.DLL or MSOE.DLL generally indicate corruption in the
message store. Start by moving Folders.dbx to an empty Windows folder.
You
will lose your folder hierarchy and the lists of newsgroups on the news
servers, but it might get you into OE. Note: The DBX file are hidden
files
in Win2K, WinXP and Win2K3.

If that doesn't do it then move all of the DBX files to the same folder
as
Folders.dbx. You should now get into OE. Try importing the messages from
the
folder you moved the DBX files to. If you can't, you can use one of these
tools to extract the messages:

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

DBXpress: {much faster for large files}
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx

Note: It can take a long time (days with really large folders).

The messages can then be dragged from the Windows folder back into a
folder
in an open instance of OE.

***************************

2: Possibly a damaged Inbox. Move any mail you wish to save out of the
Inbox
to a local folder you create. Then:

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 Start | Run | Ctrl+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.

With OE closed, find the DBX file for the folder in question {Inbox.dbx}
and
delete it. A new one will be created automatically when you open OE.

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: FileWork 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}.

***************************

The reason you do not see any updates is because you haven't updated to
SP2
yet. You need to do this. Once you do, there will be about fifty or so
more
updates to follow. Have you *hidden* the SP2 download at Windows Updates?
It's got to be there somewhere.

Make sure you turn off your anti-virus program before downloading SP2 to
insure a clean install.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Thank you for the advice, Bruce.

I had already checked Patriot's webmail site, and there were only a few
small text-based messages there, nothing larger than 1 or 2 kb.

The version number for msoe.dll is 6.00 2800 1478.

I am able to get to Windows Update but just cannot find an updated
version
of OE. There were some security upgrades, but I wasn't sure if those are
what I am looking for to correct my problem Do you think those would
help?

BTW... yes, I do keep my OE default folders nearly empty.

Thanks again!

Carol


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
You probably have a very large message trying to download and it just
won't.
Go to Patriot's WebMail site and see if you can find the offending
message
there and delete it:
http://webmail.patriot.net/src/login.php

Are you running XP, and what is the number shown for msoe.dll in Help |
About MSOE in the scroll down box? No reason you shouldn't be able to
get
updates.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"cee" wrote in message
...
Help!

This problem started suddenly this morning and I am at wit's end.

Everything seems to be working normally in Outlook Express, EXCEPT
receiving
new mail.

When I click on Receive Mail, OE connects to the server, and the mail
starts
to download, but when it reaches the point where the mail message
would
appear in my Inbox, everything hangs, and I have to shut down OE the
hard
way.

I have tried rebooting, doing System Restores, and even just
downloaded
an
update to OE.that I found. at Microsoft's Download site. I am aware I
have
an older version of OE, but cannot find a newer build or version at the
stie
or at Windows Update. I have also tried deleting the files in my
Temporary Internet Files folder (not cookies), but when I try to delete
Offline Content, that hangs as well.
My anti-virus program (Symantec) has E-mail Scanning DIsabled already.

I can send mail, I can download Newsgroup messages, and I can even
receive
mail using another program on my system, so it is obvioiusly something
wrong
with OE itself.

Any advice would be greatly and thankfully appreciated!!!!

Carol