Your problem may be caused by the update KB911567 introduced on 4/11/06. Try
removing it as per this link and see if the problem persists:
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#14

If that resolves it, for now, you may want to configure Automatic Updates to
either "Notify Only" or "Download but do not install". You can also choose
not to download or install 911567 and check: Do not tell me about it again.

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=306525
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"ray well" wrote in message
...
hi,

i upgraded my system to xp sp2, and caught up with windows updates, it
also did some updating to my outlook express 6.

i then had problems running it, which i finally tracked down to my address
bk, *.wab.

when i tried to open it or outlook express tried to open it i got an
error. i finally had to make new temporary address book, and then my
outlook express works.

how can i salvage the info from my old address book? or make it work with
outlook express.

thanks for any help

ray