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Outlook Express - not responding

carolwat
Posts: 757 Forumite
in Techie Stuff
Since yesterday and for no apparent reason my outlook express just wont work. It will open up but then it wont let me do anything other than close it down. If I try to click on an email to read it then it just brings the egg timer up and says not responding in the title bar. I have tried system restore but this hasnt fixed it. I have email I havnt even read yet and other emails in other folders I must still have access to when this is resolved so cant lose them.
Does anyone have any ideas what I can do before the last resort or reinstalling windows.
Thanks in advance.
Does anyone have any ideas what I can do before the last resort or reinstalling windows.
Thanks in advance.
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Comments
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Why would you want to re-install windows? The first thing that you should do is back up your OE files if you don't want to lose them! Search for *.dbx for their location.:doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:0
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I dont want to reinstall windows, like I said its the last resort.
Thanks for the tip on how to backup the files.0 -
OK I found the folders. Is it enough to just copy them to my desktop computer over the network or should I do something else. Also how would I get them back onto the laptop?
Anyone know what I need to do next to fix outlook express please.0 -
OK I found the folders. Is it enough to just copy them to my desktop computer over the network or should I do something else. Also how would I get them back onto the laptop?
Anyone know what I need to do next to fix outlook express please.
In outlook express...under files you have import/export. Just toggle to the saved local and import on your desktop. You'll need to repair outlook express on the laptop if it won't open. Can you use the go back option on the laptop?0 -
I cant do a think in outlook express, it just totally hangs. I have copied the folders physically to the desktop computer.
I have tried the system restore if this is what you mean by 'go back'
Is the next step to hunt out the windows cd and try to restore outlook express from there?0 -
I cant do a think in outlook express, it just totally hangs. I have copied the folders physically to the desktop computer.
I have tried the system restore if this is what you mean by 'go back'
Is the next step to hunt out the windows cd and try to restore outlook express from there?
Yes..see if it can repair it from the cd.0 -
Since yesterday and for no apparent reason my outlook express just wont work. It will open up but then it wont let me do anything other than close it down. If I try to click on an email to read it then it just brings the egg timer up and says not responding in the title bar. I have tried system restore but this hasnt fixed it. I have email I havnt even read yet and other emails in other folders I must still have access to when this is resolved so cant lose them.
Does anyone have any ideas what I can do before the last resort or reinstalling windows.
Thanks in advance.
Here's what microsoft has to say on the subject:
OLEXP: Outlook Express Stops Responding or Does Not Start
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/274017
OLEXP: Outlook Express Stops Responding and Your Pointer Appears as an Hourglass
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/259927
Though I do recall when this happened to me some years ago, I just clicked on File\New - Identity, created a new idientity within the program, then simply File - import\export and imported all my email etc into that new identity.
Though you could if you choose install Thunderbird: http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/products/thunderbird/ during the installation, it will ask if you wish to import your emails etc from Outlook Express, at which point you just choose yes. I find Thunderbird much easier to use and backup than I ever did Outlook Expess with its strange way of savin your emails by embedding them in the registry etc.
You could then perhaps repair OE through the Add and Remove programs Ourlook Express\Internet Explorer options and maybe regain control of OE again, at which point you will be requested to import your data from Thunderbird.
HTHIt could have been worse. At least source code's not combustible, or you can bet somebody at McAfee would have lit it.0
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