Outlook Express behavior changed suddenly.
 

HELP!

OE, within the past couple of days, started acting weird. It used to be that when I clicked on a line in the view window the line would go from bold to normal indicating that it had been viewed; now it just stays dark until I go to another folder (any folder, Sent for example) then return to the Inbox, at which time the line is shown 'normal' as opposed to 'bold'.

To complicate matters, a similar thing happens when I delete an e-mail...the line just stays there even though it shows up in the Deleted folder, then disappearing when going back to the Inbox.

Other than an update being applied, nothing new has been added to my computer.

This has become quite annoying and hopefully someone out there can rectify this situation for me.

Thanks in advance....

Mike

Outlook Express behavior changed suddenly.
 

Move all mail out of OE default folders, (Inbox, Sent Items, etc.), to local folders you create and then Compact All Folders.

If that doesn't do it, you may have a damaged identity especially if it is the default Main Identity. File | Identity | Add New Identity. Create a new one and test it. If all is well, you can import your messages and Address Book from the old identity and delete it.

How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Express
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209169

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.

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

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.

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

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

And backup often.

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

This is a great two click program:

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
Imperial Beach, CA

"Mike Schatz" wrote in message ...
HELP!

OE, within the past couple of days, started acting weird. It used to be that when I clicked on a line in the view window the line would go from bold to normal indicating that it had been viewed; now it just stays dark until I go to another folder (any folder, Sent for example) then return to the Inbox, at which time the line is shown 'normal' as opposed to 'bold'.

To complicate matters, a similar thing happens when I delete an e-mail...the line just stays there even though it shows up in the Deleted folder, then disappearing when going back to the Inbox.

Other than an update being applied, nothing new has been added to my computer.

This has become quite annoying and hopefully someone out there can rectify this situation for me.

Thanks in advance....

Mike

Outlook Express behavior changed suddenly.
 

Thanks Bruce! Just creating a temp folder and moving the Inbox data to it then it all started working as expected...I did have a number of duplicates when I moved the mail back from the temp folder but no big deal to delete them.

Thanks again...you're a life saver!

Mike
"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message ...
Move all mail out of OE default folders, (Inbox, Sent Items, etc.), to local folders you create and then Compact All Folders.

If that doesn't do it, you may have a damaged identity especially if it is the default Main Identity. File | Identity | Add New Identity. Create a new one and test it. If all is well, you can import your messages and Address Book from the old identity and delete it.

How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Express
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209169

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.

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

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.

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

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

And backup often.

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

This is a great two click program:

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
Imperial Beach, CA

"Mike Schatz" wrote in message ...
HELP!

OE, within the past couple of days, started acting weird. It used to be that when I clicked on a line in the view window the line would go from bold to normal indicating that it had been viewed; now it just stays dark until I go to another folder (any folder, Sent for example) then return to the Inbox, at which time the line is shown 'normal' as opposed to 'bold'.

To complicate matters, a similar thing happens when I delete an e-mail...the line just stays there even though it shows up in the Deleted folder, then disappearing when going back to the Inbox.

Other than an update being applied, nothing new has been added to my computer.

This has become quite annoying and hopefully someone out there can rectify this situation for me.

Thanks in advance....

Mike

Outlook Express behavior changed suddenly.
 

You're welcome. (But compact anyway).
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
Imperial Beach, CA


"Mike Schatz" wrote in message ...
Thanks Bruce! Just creating a temp folder and moving the Inbox data to it then it all started working as expected...I did have a number of duplicates when I moved the mail back from the temp folder but no big deal to delete them.

Thanks again...you're a life saver!

Mike
"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message ...
Move all mail out of OE default folders, (Inbox, Sent Items, etc.), to local folders you create and then Compact All Folders.

If that doesn't do it, you may have a damaged identity especially if it is the default Main Identity. File | Identity | Add New Identity. Create a new one and test it. If all is well, you can import your messages and Address Book from the old identity and delete it.

How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Express
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209169

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.

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

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.

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

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

And backup often.

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

This is a great two click program:

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
Imperial Beach, CA

"Mike Schatz" wrote in message ...
HELP!

OE, within the past couple of days, started acting weird. It used to be that when I clicked on a line in the view window the line would go from bold to normal indicating that it had been viewed; now it just stays dark until I go to another folder (any folder, Sent for example) then return to the Inbox, at which time the line is shown 'normal' as opposed to 'bold'.

To complicate matters, a similar thing happens when I delete an e-mail...the line just stays there even though it shows up in the Deleted folder, then disappearing when going back to the Inbox.

Other than an update being applied, nothing new has been added to my computer.

This has become quite annoying and hopefully someone out there can rectify this situation for me.

Thanks in advance....

Mike