Yes, it was closed. The new identity I created did not work but I will try
it again. I'll be back!

Thanks PA Bear and Bruce especially for the links to other sites that may be
of help, however after following all the suggestions I am still experiencing
the same problem. I am going to take a deep breath and think about my next
option.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

That's a different kettle of fish then.

1a. Move any messages that you want to keep out of Sent Items and Deleted
Items folders and into other local OE folders you've created for archiving
(saving) such messages.

1b. Move 99% of your messages in your Inbox folder to other local OE
folders, too.

2a. Write down the location of your identity's store
(http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain).

2b. Enable 'Show Hidden Files and Folders' via Start | Control Panel |
Folder Options | View (cf.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial62.html).

3. Close OE.

4. In Windows Explorer, navigate to your store folder, find & delete the
files Outbox.dbx, Sent Items.dbx, and Deleted Items.dbx.

To avoid such problems in the future, adhere to the following 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.

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

- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not attempt to
close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic Compacting
is taking place.

- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause
corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional protection:

Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Vfal wrote:
I deleted the contents

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
You deleted the contents of Outbox folder or you deleted Outbox.dbx from
your store folder?

Vfal wrote:
My OS is Windows XP SP3
I did a bad thing and edited the Outbox.dbx and by edit I mean deleted
everything in there. Now I cannot send mail. I get a "The message
could
not be sent. An error occured." I have renamed it old, so it can
rebuild, I have tried to restore my Store folder from a saved version on
a
jump drive. Nothing seems to work. Anyone have any ideas? Do I have to
reinstall Outlook Express? I would rather not if possible.

.

.

Thanks PA Bear and Bruce especially for the links to other sites that may be
of help, however after following all the suggestions I am still experiencing
the same problem. I am going to take a deep breath and think about my next
option.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

That's a different kettle of fish then.

1a. Move any messages that you want to keep out of Sent Items and Deleted
Items folders and into other local OE folders you've created for archiving
(saving) such messages.

1b. Move 99% of your messages in your Inbox folder to other local OE
folders, too.

2a. Write down the location of your identity's store
(http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain).

2b. Enable 'Show Hidden Files and Folders' via Start | Control Panel |
Folder Options | View (cf.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial62.html).

3. Close OE.

4. In Windows Explorer, navigate to your store folder, find & delete the
files Outbox.dbx, Sent Items.dbx, and Deleted Items.dbx.

To avoid such problems in the future, adhere to the following 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.

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

- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not attempt to
close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic Compacting
is taking place.

- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause
corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional protection:

Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Vfal wrote:
I deleted the contents

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
You deleted the contents of Outbox folder or you deleted Outbox.dbx from
your store folder?

Vfal wrote:
My OS is Windows XP SP3
I did a bad thing and edited the Outbox.dbx and by edit I mean deleted
everything in there. Now I cannot send mail. I get a "The message
could
not be sent. An error occured." I have renamed it old, so it can
rebuild, I have tried to restore my Store folder from a saved version on
a
jump drive. Nothing seems to work. Anyone have any ideas? Do I have to
reinstall Outlook Express? I would rather not if possible.

.

.

And the behavior persists in a brand-new identity, right?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

Vfal wrote:
Thanks PA Bear and Bruce especially for the links to other sites that may
be
of help, however after following all the suggestions I am still
experiencing
the same problem. I am going to take a deep breath and think about my
next
option.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
That's a different kettle of fish then.

1a. Move any messages that you want to keep out of Sent Items and Deleted
Items folders and into other local OE folders you've created for
archiving
(saving) such messages.

1b. Move 99% of your messages in your Inbox folder to other local OE
folders, too.

2a. Write down the location of your identity's store
(http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain).

2b. Enable 'Show Hidden Files and Folders' via Start | Control Panel |
Folder Options | View (cf.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial62.html).

3. Close OE.

4. In Windows Explorer, navigate to your store folder, find & delete the
files Outbox.dbx, Sent Items.dbx, and Deleted Items.dbx.

To avoid such problems in the future, adhere to the following 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.

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

- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not attempt
to close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic
Compacting is taking place.

- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause
corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional
protection:

Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Vfal wrote:
I deleted the contents

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
You deleted the contents of Outbox folder or you deleted Outbox.dbx
from
your store folder?

Vfal wrote:
My OS is Windows XP SP3
I did a bad thing and edited the Outbox.dbx and by edit I mean
deleted
everything in there. Now I cannot send mail. I get a "The message
could
not be sent. An error occured." I have renamed it old, so it can
rebuild, I have tried to restore my Store folder from a saved version
on
a
jump drive. Nothing seems to work. Anyone have any ideas? Do I have
to
reinstall Outlook Express? I would rather not if possible.

And the behavior persists in a brand-new identity, right?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

Vfal wrote:
Thanks PA Bear and Bruce especially for the links to other sites that may
be
of help, however after following all the suggestions I am still
experiencing
the same problem. I am going to take a deep breath and think about my
next
option.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
That's a different kettle of fish then.

1a. Move any messages that you want to keep out of Sent Items and Deleted
Items folders and into other local OE folders you've created for
archiving
(saving) such messages.

1b. Move 99% of your messages in your Inbox folder to other local OE
folders, too.

2a. Write down the location of your identity's store
(http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain).

2b. Enable 'Show Hidden Files and Folders' via Start | Control Panel |
Folder Options | View (cf.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial62.html).

3. Close OE.

4. In Windows Explorer, navigate to your store folder, find & delete the
files Outbox.dbx, Sent Items.dbx, and Deleted Items.dbx.

To avoid such problems in the future, adhere to the following 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.

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

- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not attempt
to close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic
Compacting is taking place.

- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause
corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional
protection:

Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Vfal wrote:
I deleted the contents

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
You deleted the contents of Outbox folder or you deleted Outbox.dbx
from
your store folder?

Vfal wrote:
My OS is Windows XP SP3
I did a bad thing and edited the Outbox.dbx and by edit I mean
deleted
everything in there. Now I cannot send mail. I get a "The message
could
not be sent. An error occured." I have renamed it old, so it can
rebuild, I have tried to restore my Store folder from a saved version
on
a
jump drive. Nothing seems to work. Anyone have any ideas? Do I have
to
reinstall Outlook Express? I would rather not if possible.

Did you really go to the message store via this path:

C:\Documents and Settings\Your User Name\Local Settings\Application
Data\Identities\{Long string of letters & numbers}\Microsoft\Outlook
Express

And after you were there, deleted the Outbox.dbx file whit OE closed? I am
not speaking of messages.

Did you actually create a new OE identity? That would give you all new dbx
files.

I think the biggest issue may be he

I have renamed it old, so it can rebuild, I have tried to restore my
Store folder from a saved version on a jump drive.

Did you copy the entire message store folder, or just some selected dbx
files?

If you copied the entire folder, then you need to copy it to the Desktop
and then in a fresh OE identity, import the messages from there. Nothing
will work if you are trying to send from OE on a different drive.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Vfal" wrote in message
...
Thanks PA Bear and Bruce especially for the links to other sites that
may be
of help, however after following all the suggestions I am still
experiencing
the same problem. I am going to take a deep breath and think about my
next
option.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

That's a different kettle of fish then.

1a. Move any messages that you want to keep out of Sent Items and
Deleted
Items folders and into other local OE folders you've created for
archiving
(saving) such messages.

1b. Move 99% of your messages in your Inbox folder to other local OE
folders, too.

2a. Write down the location of your identity's store
(http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain).

2b. Enable 'Show Hidden Files and Folders' via Start | Control Panel |
Folder Options | View (cf.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial62.html).

3. Close OE.

4. In Windows Explorer, navigate to your store folder, find & delete
the
files Outbox.dbx, Sent Items.dbx, and Deleted Items.dbx.

To avoid such problems in the future, adhere to the following 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.

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

- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not
attempt to
close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic
Compacting
is taking place.

- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause
corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional
protection:

Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Vfal wrote:
I deleted the contents

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
You deleted the contents of Outbox folder or you deleted Outbox.dbx
from
your store folder?

Vfal wrote:
My OS is Windows XP SP3
I did a bad thing and edited the Outbox.dbx and by edit I mean
deleted
everything in there. Now I cannot send mail. I get a "The message
could
not be sent. An error occured." I have renamed it old, so it can
rebuild, I have tried to restore my Store folder from a saved
version on
a
jump drive. Nothing seems to work. Anyone have any ideas? Do I
have to
reinstall Outlook Express? I would rather not if possible.

.

.

Did you really go to the message store via this path:

C:\Documents and Settings\Your User Name\Local Settings\Application
Data\Identities\{Long string of letters & numbers}\Microsoft\Outlook
Express

And after you were there, deleted the Outbox.dbx file whit OE closed? I am
not speaking of messages.

Did you actually create a new OE identity? That would give you all new dbx
files.

I think the biggest issue may be he

I have renamed it old, so it can rebuild, I have tried to restore my
Store folder from a saved version on a jump drive.

Did you copy the entire message store folder, or just some selected dbx
files?

If you copied the entire folder, then you need to copy it to the Desktop
and then in a fresh OE identity, import the messages from there. Nothing
will work if you are trying to send from OE on a different drive.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Vfal" wrote in message
...
Thanks PA Bear and Bruce especially for the links to other sites that
may be
of help, however after following all the suggestions I am still
experiencing
the same problem. I am going to take a deep breath and think about my
next
option.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

That's a different kettle of fish then.

1a. Move any messages that you want to keep out of Sent Items and
Deleted
Items folders and into other local OE folders you've created for
archiving
(saving) such messages.

1b. Move 99% of your messages in your Inbox folder to other local OE
folders, too.

2a. Write down the location of your identity's store
(http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain).

2b. Enable 'Show Hidden Files and Folders' via Start | Control Panel |
Folder Options | View (cf.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial62.html).

3. Close OE.

4. In Windows Explorer, navigate to your store folder, find & delete
the
files Outbox.dbx, Sent Items.dbx, and Deleted Items.dbx.

To avoid such problems in the future, adhere to the following 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.

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

- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not
attempt to
close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic
Compacting
is taking place.

- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause
corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional
protection:

Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Vfal wrote:
I deleted the contents

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
You deleted the contents of Outbox folder or you deleted Outbox.dbx
from
your store folder?

Vfal wrote:
My OS is Windows XP SP3
I did a bad thing and edited the Outbox.dbx and by edit I mean
deleted
everything in there. Now I cannot send mail. I get a "The message
could
not be sent. An error occured." I have renamed it old, so it can
rebuild, I have tried to restore my Store folder from a saved
version on
a
jump drive. Nothing seems to work. Anyone have any ideas? Do I
have to
reinstall Outlook Express? I would rather not if possible.

.

.

[all yours...]

Bruce Hagen wrote:
Did you really go to the message store via this path:

C:\Documents and Settings\Your User Name\Local Settings\Application
Data\Identities\{Long string of letters & numbers}\Microsoft\Outlook
Express

And after you were there, deleted the Outbox.dbx file whit OE closed? I am
not speaking of messages.

Did you actually create a new OE identity? That would give you all new dbx
files.

I think the biggest issue may be he

I have renamed it old, so it can rebuild, I have tried to restore my
Store folder from a saved version on a jump drive.

Did you copy the entire message store folder, or just some selected dbx
files?

If you copied the entire folder, then you need to copy it to the Desktop
and then in a fresh OE identity, import the messages from there. Nothing
will work if you are trying to send from OE on a different drive.

"Vfal" wrote in message
...
Thanks PA Bear and Bruce especially for the links to other sites that
may be
of help, however after following all the suggestions I am still
experiencing
the same problem. I am going to take a deep breath and think about my
next
option.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

That's a different kettle of fish then.

1a. Move any messages that you want to keep out of Sent Items and
Deleted
Items folders and into other local OE folders you've created for
archiving
(saving) such messages.

1b. Move 99% of your messages in your Inbox folder to other local OE
folders, too.

2a. Write down the location of your identity's store
(http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain).

2b. Enable 'Show Hidden Files and Folders' via Start | Control Panel |
Folder Options | View (cf.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial62.html).

3. Close OE.

4. In Windows Explorer, navigate to your store folder, find & delete
the
files Outbox.dbx, Sent Items.dbx, and Deleted Items.dbx.

To avoid such problems in the future, adhere to the following 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.

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

- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not
attempt to
close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic
Compacting
is taking place.

- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause
corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional
protection:

Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Vfal wrote:
I deleted the contents

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
You deleted the contents of Outbox folder or you deleted Outbox.dbx
from
your store folder?

Vfal wrote:
My OS is Windows XP SP3
I did a bad thing and edited the Outbox.dbx and by edit I mean
deleted
everything in there. Now I cannot send mail. I get a "The message
could
not be sent. An error occured." I have renamed it old, so it can
rebuild, I have tried to restore my Store folder from a saved
version on
a
jump drive. Nothing seems to work. Anyone have any ideas? Do I
have to
reinstall Outlook Express? I would rather not if possible.

.

.

[all yours...]

Bruce Hagen wrote:
Did you really go to the message store via this path:

C:\Documents and Settings\Your User Name\Local Settings\Application
Data\Identities\{Long string of letters & numbers}\Microsoft\Outlook
Express

And after you were there, deleted the Outbox.dbx file whit OE closed? I am
not speaking of messages.

Did you actually create a new OE identity? That would give you all new dbx
files.

I think the biggest issue may be he

I have renamed it old, so it can rebuild, I have tried to restore my
Store folder from a saved version on a jump drive.

Did you copy the entire message store folder, or just some selected dbx
files?

If you copied the entire folder, then you need to copy it to the Desktop
and then in a fresh OE identity, import the messages from there. Nothing
will work if you are trying to send from OE on a different drive.

"Vfal" wrote in message
...
Thanks PA Bear and Bruce especially for the links to other sites that
may be
of help, however after following all the suggestions I am still
experiencing
the same problem. I am going to take a deep breath and think about my
next
option.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

That's a different kettle of fish then.

1a. Move any messages that you want to keep out of Sent Items and
Deleted
Items folders and into other local OE folders you've created for
archiving
(saving) such messages.

1b. Move 99% of your messages in your Inbox folder to other local OE
folders, too.

2a. Write down the location of your identity's store
(http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain).

2b. Enable 'Show Hidden Files and Folders' via Start | Control Panel |
Folder Options | View (cf.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial62.html).

3. Close OE.

4. In Windows Explorer, navigate to your store folder, find & delete
the
files Outbox.dbx, Sent Items.dbx, and Deleted Items.dbx.

To avoid such problems in the future, adhere to the following 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.

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

- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not
attempt to
close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic
Compacting
is taking place.

- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause
corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional
protection:

Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Vfal wrote:
I deleted the contents

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
You deleted the contents of Outbox folder or you deleted Outbox.dbx
from
your store folder?

Vfal wrote:
My OS is Windows XP SP3
I did a bad thing and edited the Outbox.dbx and by edit I mean
deleted
everything in there. Now I cannot send mail. I get a "The message
could
not be sent. An error occured." I have renamed it old, so it can
rebuild, I have tried to restore my Store folder from a saved
version on
a
jump drive. Nothing seems to work. Anyone have any ideas? Do I
have to
reinstall Outlook Express? I would rather not if possible.

.

.

Yes it persists. I am using McAfee suite which is provided by by ISP, ATT.
It replaced CA suite a few years ago. It never interfered with anything. So
are you saying to turn off the email scanning? If I do McAfee is not happy
and keeps reminding me to "fix" it. Maybe starting from scratch with the
email scanning turned off would help. I am getting frustrated. I have
downloaded Windows Live email but wonder if it would really correct anything.
Perhaps it will just compound the problem.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

And the behavior persists in a brand-new identity, right?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?