I am using Windows XP SP2. All updates are loaded. Outlook Express 6.0 doesn't work well. I can receive and read mail, but I can't start a new message, access my address book, import or export messages or addresses. It is not listed in 'add remove programs' for a repair option. It is listed in 'add remove Windows components' with a check mark in a white box (not gray).

I don't want to remove + reinstall without the export functions working.
I tried all help including online Microsoft and found nothing.
Anyone else ever have this prob?

edit: I get error message 'MAPI failed' when I try to export.

__________________
'Sir........, I don't like these numbers.'
'Then hire somebody that can change them!'
("`-/")_.-'"``-.,,
\. . `; -._( );, `)
(v_,)' _ )`-. \ ``'`
_.- _..-/ /((.'
((,.-' ((,/

Salutations.

Being a long time lurker and frequenter of these fora I decided to finally put out my two bits as I troubleshoot OE (unfortunately) on a daily basis.

As much detail about the error message that you are receiving would be appreciated.

Do you get an error when you open a message or only when you open your address book? Do you have Microsoft Outlook installed and can you access this address book?

Removing Outlook Express from the windows system components actually only moves the executable (msimn.exe) to a different folder, it's actually quite difficult to fully remove.

If you are worried about loosing email data, you can always copy the files that OE uses internally to store it's information.

In Outlook Express if you go to Tools -> Options -> Maintenance.
Here press Store Folder, and copy the folder location in the middle.
Open this folder from Start -> Run, this folder is filled with *.dbx files, named as the folders in OE are named. You can safely copy them elsewhere for backups. I believe (but have not been able to fully test) that you can paste them into a fresh OE and it will use the data to fill folders as a restored backup.

Anyways, that's probably a whole lot more information than you wanted, but just post the exact details about your errors and I'm sure we'll get this knackered

Welcome to the boards!


'An error occurred while initializing MAPI' is the message I get when I try to export messages.

When I try to export the address book I get a tiny error window with no text in it, just a red 'X' circle and an 'OK' button.

When I try to access the address book I get 'OE could not be started. It may not be installed correctly. + disk full out of mem phone Bill Gates at home (etc) with (0x800410F)

Is this the address of the sys. failure or error code?

I am receiving mail fine but can't send, open address book, or export.

I backed up the files, with your instructions, and I am ready to uninstall.

Thanks for helping. If you can fix I will send money.

__________________
'Sir........, I don't like these numbers.'
'Then hire somebody that can change them!'
("`-/")_.-'"``-.,,
\. . `; -._( );, `)
(v_,)' _ )`-. \ ``'`
_.- _..-/ /((.'
((,.-' ((,/

Copy of the POP3.log I just created.


Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3028 (xpsp_sp2_gdr.061107-0012)
POP3 Log started at 04/10/2007 18:46:25
POP3: 18:46:25 [rx] +OK InterMail POP3 server ready.
POP3: 18:46:25 [tx] USER pinemarten
POP3: 18:46:25 [rx] +OK please send PASS command
POP3: 18:46:25 [tx] PASS *******
POP3: 18:46:25 [rx] +OK pinemarten is welcome here
POP3: 18:46:25 [tx] STAT
POP3: 18:46:25 [rx] +OK 0 0
POP3: 18:46:25 [tx] QUIT
POP3: 18:46:25 [rx] +OK pinemarten InterMail POP3 server signing off.

Seems the ISP is ok

__________________
'Sir........, I don't like these numbers.'
'Then hire somebody that can change them!'
("`-/")_.-'"``-.,,
\. . `; -._( );, `)
(v_,)' _ )`-. \ ``'`
_.- _..-/ /((.'
((,.-' ((,/

Salutations again,

It sounds like overall there is just an issue with your address book. Oddly enough OE will check the address book when it tries to send any single message, which explains why it is giving errors when sending.

The first all inclusive fix takes the longest (sometimes around 30 minutes). This will also require that you have your Windows XP cd inserted into the cd drive.

Select Start -> Run
type in the following text
sfc /scannow
press OK.

This is a basic System File Checker, which checks components on the computer and compares them to what is present on the disk to ensure integrity. Since OE is a system component it will check this as well. This scan (depending on the computer) can take anywhere frmo 10-30 minutes to peform.

Though this will most often fix numerous issues with OE, sometimes it doesn't. If not the next thing to check for is a Windows Hotfix that caused issues with the Windows Address Book.

Hotfix#911567 should be listed under add/remove programs, ensuring that you have 'show updates' checked at the top. This hotfix is safe to uninstall, and a replacement update was already created by Microsoft to fix the issue, but sometimes the old hotfix stays and causes lingering issues.

Again, if this Still does not resolve your errors, we can always recreate your address book.

The address book files are most often stored in the following folder:
c:\documents and settings\user\application data\microsoft\address book

In this folder you might see several *.wab files (windows address book). You can either move Everything in this folder to a different folder, like My Documents, or rename them: amok.wab would turn into amokOLD.wab

After this is done, Completly close Outlook Express and reopen. Upon reopening it should auto-generate a new generic .wab file which you can then reimport your old address book into. (from tools -> address book -> file -> address book -> import -> address book (wab).

If the issue persists please let me know, I'll continue to do research on this

Outlook express is sometimes quirky and will resist almost all troubleshooting besides a nice hefty hammer. Luckily there are alternate clients like Thunderbird.

I've taken about a gallon of day-quil so far so i hope this all makes sense .

Too late.

I got frustrated last night after you logged off and re-installed Windows XP using the "re-install option(recommended)".
For those that are curious; it took about 40min with a 3.0 Pentium with a 160GB ATA drive, it kept all my settings including user names, internet hook-up settings, software, shortcuts, etc.

HOWEVER:
It loaded the XP version from the CD I got with the sys. in June/06. All the files on the CD are dated 08/04/2004. I still need to load all the updates, including Internet Explorer 7, Media Player 11(?) etc. I will try and log/post the time for all this.

amok, I should have been more patient and tried your fix first, sorry and thanks for your efforts. If you PM me with your email I can send Paypal money for your help. Unless you did it on company time then I will have to report you, and send them the money. (kidding)

__________________
'Sir........, I don't like these numbers.'
'Then hire somebody that can change them!'
("`-/")_.-'"``-.,,
\. . `; -._( );, `)
(v_,)' _ )`-. \ ``'`
_.- _..-/ /((.'
((,.-' ((,/