When I try to access Outlook Express either from desktop icon or from
Programs, I get the following error message:

"Outlook Express couldn't be started because another instance of it is still
running on your computer. Log off Windows and then restart Outlook Express.
If problem persists, save your work and then restart your computer."

Specs: Dell 4600; OS: Windows XP Pro. Computer is 2 years old. Current with
all updates and virus programs.
Internet browser: Firefox. Spam Butcher; anti-virus: Trend Micro.

Up to this time, I've never experienced any problems with Outlook Express!
Has anyone ever heard of such a thing? This has only happened in last few
months, but is really, really frustrating. Both Microsoft and Dell have
refused to assist unless I pay the really big bucks!!!!!

I know that NO other instance of Outlook Express is running. I have
restarted my computer, shut it down, restored, defragged, etc. I still
continue to receive this message. Only way I can access email is to go
directly to ISP provider's email site; when that happens, I'm unable to
utilize my anti-spam program.

Other way is to click on desktop icon about 50-60 times until finally
Outlook Express finally deigns to open. In the meantime, I get 50-60 messages
telling me that there are other instances of Outlook Express open, etc.

As I said, I have degragged, cleaned up mal and spyware, kept up to date on
all viruse definitions, etc. I don't know what caused my system to do this,
but to say that it's an inconvenience is a major understatement! I have done
several restore system points, but that hasn't helped either!

This is really a mess. I sure hope someone can help!!

Many thanks ...
Lynne
San Diego, CA

"paralegal" wrote in message
...
When I try to access Outlook Express either from desktop icon or from
Programs, I get the following error message:

"Outlook Express couldn't be started because another instance of it is
still
running on your computer. Log off Windows and then restart Outlook
Express.
If problem persists, save your work and then restart your computer."

Specs: Dell 4600; OS: Windows XP Pro. Computer is 2 years old. Current
with
all updates and virus programs.
Internet browser: Firefox. Spam Butcher; anti-virus: Trend Micro.

Up to this time, I've never experienced any problems with Outlook Express!
Has anyone ever heard of such a thing? This has only happened in last few
months, but is really, really frustrating. Both Microsoft and Dell have
refused to assist unless I pay the really big bucks!!!!!

I know that NO other instance of Outlook Express is running. I have
restarted my computer, shut it down, restored, defragged, etc. I still
continue to receive this message. Only way I can access email is to go
directly to ISP provider's email site; when that happens, I'm unable to
utilize my anti-spam program.

Other way is to click on desktop icon about 50-60 times until finally
Outlook Express finally deigns to open. In the meantime, I get 50-60
messages
telling me that there are other instances of Outlook Express open, etc.

As I said, I have degragged, cleaned up mal and spyware, kept up to date
on
all viruse definitions, etc. I don't know what caused my system to do
this,
but to say that it's an inconvenience is a major understatement! I have
done
several restore system points, but that hasn't helped either!

This is really a mess. I sure hope someone can help!!

Many thanks ...
Lynne
San Diego, CA




Restart the computer.
CTRL ALT Delete to bring up Task Manager
Click on the Proceses tab
Look to see if msimn.exe (Outlook Express's real name) is running, if so,
end task on it.

Turn off anti-virus email scanning, it adds no benefits especially if the AV
definitions are not up to date.
Turn off any other program (anti-spam, etc).

Thank you for your reply, DiGuess.

I restarted the computer; I brought up the Task Manager; clicked on
Processes Tab. "msimn.exe was NOT running; wasn't even listed!

Not clear about your suggestion turning off anti-virus email scanning.
You state it adds no benefits. What do you base this on?
In point of fact, all of my AV and other anti-malware are totally up to date.

Feel free to suggest anything else!

Lynne




"DGuess" wrote:

Restart the computer.
CTRL ALT Delete to bring up Task Manager
Click on the Proceses tab
Look to see if msimn.exe (Outlook Express's real name) is running, if so,
end task on it.
Turn off anti-virus email scanning, it adds no benefits especially if the AV
definitions are not up to date.
Turn off any other program (anti-spam, etc).

"paralegal" wrote in message
...
Thank you for your reply, DiGuess.

I restarted the computer; I brought up the Task Manager; clicked on
Processes Tab. "msimn.exe was NOT running; wasn't even listed!


That rules out it trying to compact in the background.
I would say the anti-spam, AV running may be causing it if not spyware. Have
you done a good scan recently?


Not clear about your suggestion turning off anti-virus email scanning.
You state it adds no benefits. What do you base this on?

Years of experience telling people to do that, Symantec saying the same
thing, other MVPs in agreement on this topic but I will explain further.

If you keep up to date anti-virus definitions:

Your base Anti-virus software will detect upon opening, a virus.

The email scanning usues a proxy to reroute the email thru the AV software.
This can and does cause mail server timesouts. With Outlook Express, if all
the mail isn't downloaded, it doesn't set the info in the pop3uidl.dbx file
thus if the mail is interrupted, you get to redownload all the email again.
If it timesout again, guess what you get to do again?

If you didn't keep up to date anti-virus definitions, what good does email
scanning do if it can't detect a virus coming in. It will make you think it
is safe and it's not.



In point of fact, all of my AV and other anti-malware are totally up to
date.


But have you let it scan throughly recently? Are you sure it's actually
scanning? You do relaize that if you contracted a virues or spyware before
the update was done, it may well be telling the software to exclude it or in
some cases we've seen in the past with Norton's and McAfee AV, totally
turning it off.


Feel free to suggest anything else!


Do an online scan. If Outlook Express is being reported as running and
MSIMN.EXE is not showing as running when you start it up, something else is
attempting to run it.

Windows Live Safety Center for instance is a free online scanner.
http://ideas.live.com


Lynne




"DGuess" wrote:

Restart the computer.
CTRL ALT Delete to bring up Task Manager
Click on the Proceses tab
Look to see if msimn.exe (Outlook Express's real name) is running, if so,
end task on it.
Turn off anti-virus email scanning, it adds no benefits especially if the
AV
definitions are not up to date.
Turn off any other program (anti-spam, etc).