Hello,
My inbox is way overdue for compacting. The trouble was, when I tried
to compact, I got the error message (msminn illegal action). So the
folder just kept getting bigger.
Now, what can I do about it?
I've cleared some disk space, so there's enough room to do the
compacting. But I still get the error message, and a new inbox.dbt
file created.

I've also tried putting the hard disk into a newer computer as a slave
drive. I then copied the whole OE folder onto the huge (40 GB) hard
drive on the newer computer and configured the OE on the new computer
to use it. But the compacting still didn't work, same error message.

What to do ?

Thanks

On Sat, 27 May 2006 00:54:35 +0200, My Name wrote:

Hello,
My inbox is way overdue for compacting. The trouble was, when I tried
to compact, I got the error message (msminn illegal action). So the
folder just kept getting bigger.
Now, what can I do about it?
I've cleared some disk space, so there's enough room to do the
compacting. But I still get the error message, and a new inbox.dbt
file created.

I've also tried putting the hard disk into a newer computer as a slave
drive. I then copied the whole OE folder onto the huge (40 GB) hard
drive on the newer computer and configured the OE on the new computer
to use it. But the compacting still didn't work, same error message.

What to do ?

Thanks


I forgot to say, OE 6, Win 98.

If messages are still accessible in the Inbox folder, do the following:
- Create a new mail folder (e.g. Mytemp)
- Copy (not Move) the existing Inbox messages to the new mail folder
(Mytemp)
- Close Outlook Express
- Locate the file Inbox.dbx (OE5+) in the mail directory and delete it.
You can use Start, Find (or Search), Files or Folders, Inbox.dbx to find
it
- Open Outlook Express again.
- It will create a new empty Inbox. Copy the messages back from the
Mytemp folder. You can now delete the Mytemp folder.

--

Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm


"My Name" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 27 May 2006 00:54:35 +0200, My Name wrote:

Hello,
My inbox is way overdue for compacting. The trouble was, when I tried
to compact, I got the error message (msminn illegal action). So the
folder just kept getting bigger.
Now, what can I do about it?
I've cleared some disk space, so there's enough room to do the
compacting. But I still get the error message, and a new inbox.dbt
file created.

I've also tried putting the hard disk into a newer computer as a slave
drive. I then copied the whole OE folder onto the huge (40 GB) hard
drive on the newer computer and configured the OE on the new computer
to use it. But the compacting still didn't work, same error message.

What to do ?

Thanks


I forgot to say, OE 6, Win 98.

On Fri, 26 May 2006 16:56:26 -0700, "Michael Santovec"
wrote:

If messages are still accessible in the Inbox folder, do the following:
- Create a new mail folder (e.g. Mytemp)
- Copy (not Move) the existing Inbox messages to the new mail folder
(Mytemp)
- Close Outlook Express
- Locate the file Inbox.dbx (OE5+) in the mail directory and delete it.
You can use Start, Find (or Search), Files or Folders, Inbox.dbx to find
it
- Open Outlook Express again.
- It will create a new empty Inbox. Copy the messages back from the
Mytemp folder. You can now delete the Mytemp folder.


It worked a treat! thanks.

While I was at it, I split up the inbox file into four smaller files.
One day I'll get round to deleting some of the junk.

"My Name" wrote in message
...
Hello,
My inbox is way overdue for compacting. The trouble was, when I tried
to compact, I got the error message (msminn illegal action). So the
folder just kept getting bigger.
Now, what can I do about it?
I've cleared some disk space, so there's enough room to do the
compacting. But I still get the error message, and a new inbox.dbt
file created.

I've also tried putting the hard disk into a newer computer as a slave
drive. I then copied the whole OE folder onto the huge (40 GB) hard
drive on the newer computer and configured the OE on the new computer
to use it. But the compacting still didn't work, same error message.

What to do ?

Thanks

Don't store messages in the Inbox. It is the folder most apt to be
corrupted. As soon as you read them move them to user created folders.
Then compact the Inbox regularly.

Go to Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder and write down where OE
is storing its data.
Close OE.
Go there with Windows Explorer and move (not copy) Inbox.dbx to an empty
Windows
folder. With Win2K, WinXP and Win2K3 it will be a hidden file.

You can use either of these tools to extract the messages from the old DBX
file:

DBXtract ($5): http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/ although this tool is faster
and better:
DBXpress: ($25) http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
Do NOT extract to the desktop!
With a large file this can take a long time, so let it keep running.

The messages can be dragged from a Windows folder back into an OE folder in
OE's Folder List.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM
"Anyone who prefers security over freedom deserves neither."

On Fri, 26 May 2006 18:45:14 -0500, "Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE"
wrote:


Don't store messages in the Inbox. It is the folder most apt to be
corrupted. As soon as you read them move them to user created folders.
Then compact the Inbox regularly.


Thanks. I've learned my lesson now. Fortunately, the inbox was still
readable and I was able to use the method described in another post.

"My Name" wrote in message
...

What to do ?

Thanks

Visit Windows update from the start menu?

mac wrote:
"My Name" wrote in message
...

What to do ?

Thanks

Visit Windows update from the start menu?

Win98?

"PA Bear" wrote in message
...
mac wrote:

"My Name" wrote in message
...

Visit Windows update from the start menu?


Win98?

Picky, picky.
--
Jim