A new post, hopefully to gain even more attention...! My other post on the
same topic, is unresolved. To recapitulate...

I have Windows XP2 (completely reinstalled after reformatting last month),
latest patch level, IE7 for 4 weeks and Outlook Express 6.

Before the latest Microsoft automatic updates earlier this month, the
following problem
did not exist. I was enjoying a completely clean and exemplary system !

In OE6, part way during downloading emails, the "needs to close" message
appears.

I've discovered that the emails continue to fully download if I ignore the
closedown message (of course I then have to allow the closedown).

The error signature in the closedown message says "AppName: msimn.exe" and
"ModName: directdb.dll".

No closedown message appears when sending emails, or when sending or
receiving newsgroup messages.

I've successfully compacted all OE6 folders - as recommended by Tom Koch.

I've done scans for any malware (viruses, spyware, trojans etc.) - none
found.

I've also deactivated the McAfee VirusScan on emails and downloads.

I've reset to another OE identity - as recommended by Tom Koch.

I've defragmented all drives.

I've successfully installed the patch KB918766 - as recommended by PA Bear.

A new problem - IE7 has today also started to produce the same "need to
close" message. Its error signature says iexplore.exe is in conflict with
ieframe.dll, or on another occasion mshtml.dll.

I strongly suspect that this latest misbehaviour by IE7 is related to my
ongoing OE6 problem.

And is the fact that the problems only started immediately after the latest
automatic updates by Microsoft, a total coincidence?

Could the OE6 Rules be part of the problem?

I've run out of ideas! What else could be wrong? And how do I fix it?

Best regards
Roy