"Bruce Hagen" wrote:

Performance Problems:
http://www.insideoe.com/problems/performance.htm

Read it before coming here. Checked for each problem. FOllowed each
procedure. Problem remained.

General precautions for Outlook Express:
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.

Already standard behaviours.

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

Done already as stated.

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.

ditto

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. For more, see:
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3

np

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

Already was.

And backup often.

When desired, this is done too.

Backup & Resto
http://www.insideoe.com/backup/

Don't need backing up currently. I need suggestions that explain and perhaps
suggest a fix for the amazing slowness of accessing the address book.

This is a great two click program:

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx

Already dl'ed, but am unwilling to install 3rd party sw while there is a
problem with MS software.

Carolyn Burke, CISSP