Sounds like the following would have addressed the problem:

1. Delete Temporary Internet Files, accepting the option to delete all
offline content;

2. Compacting all OE folders;

3. Running Disk Cleanup; and then (for good measure)

4. Run a Defrag session.

Win98-specific General OE Caveats:

- Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local
folders created for this purpose.

- Empty Deleted Items folder daily.

- Disable Background Compacting and frequently perform a manual compact of
all OE folders while "working offline". More at
http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm

- Your anti-virus application's email scanning feature can also cause such
corruption. Disable it. It provides no additional protection.

PS: http://www.insideoe.com/ is not my website; it belongs to longtime MVP
Tom Koch.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L.ORG http://66.39.69.143/


pcbuilder98 wrote:
"PA Bear" wrote in message
...
Windows version?

Windows 98SE

Action taken by me just before problems appeared:
Clicked the "Clear" button for "Documents" in the "Start Menu Programs"
tab
of the Taskbar properties.

Huh? Perhaps you meanTaskbar Properties Start Menu Classic start
menu [I assume] Customize To remove records of recently accessed
documents... Clear?

Yes. I always use the classic interface. I tried all the fixes suggested
at
your excellent web site before I arrived at my final solution. Sadly for
me
none of them worked.