Outlook Express won't create new letter

D.Matura · 14th August 2003

O/S: Win 2000 Pro, Ver:5.00.2195, I/E is SP-1.. O/S is new install all else seems to work fine including internet brouser.. Create new mail or reply buttons will not work if outlook express is accessed more the twice in the same boot-up of computer. Will get the REPORT- out-of-memory error when trying to create new e-mail letter OR trying to reply to an e-mail! Have tried re-installing SP-1 and just doing a "repair" to no avail!..Have also un-installed SP-1 and revert to original "5.5" but styill same results. Then tried re-installing SP-1 but still no better.. Would appreciate any help in this mess as 'am at a loss for what to try next....
Thanks...Den

**PeteC** · 14th August 2003

Hi Den - and Welcome to the Board

Inside Outlook Express is a mine of information - may help you out.

Otherwise consider upgrading to IE 6 and OE 6 plus SP 1's

**Miz** · 14th August 2003

If you didn't find anything to help through the link Pete C posted, here are a couple of things to check out.

Check your Task Manager list after closing OE the first time and see if msimn is still running. If so, close it through Task Manager and try opening a new message window again.

If that solves the problem, then the most likely culprit is an anti-virus program set to scan email. McAfee is the one cited by Microsoft as the problem but I've seen it happen with others. The fix is often to turn off the email scan, run OE, send yourself a test message, close OE, turn the email scan back on and see if that jogs it into acting correctly.

If it doesn't solve the problem, make sure OE is not running, do a search of the harddrive for "outbox.dbx" and delete it. Open OE and see if the problem still exists.

sunny · 15th August 2003

Try this, go to start, find, files and folders. Search for *.dbx
When you find those files right click on them and choose properties. If any of them have a check in read only take it out.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...NoWebContent=1

D.Matura · 21st August 2003

Thanks for all the suggestions gents but "am still having problems after trying diffent suggestions. Also foound oout that Exployer is locking up and when it happens I get the screen:
svchost.exe has generated errors and it will be closed by windows you will need to restart the program! However that doesen't work unless I reboot the computer. Almost seems tyhat this problem takes place at exactly the same amoount of time once I/E starts..and is about 7 minutes each time before the svchost pop-up appears.. Would surely be open to further suggestions......Den......................

**Miz** · 22nd August 2003

It finally dawned on me that you said, "...if outlook express is accessed more the twice in the same boot-up of computer." I've fixed that problem more than once by getting rid of spyware; usually Hotbar but others have caused the problem, too.

You didn't say anything about having scanned for spyware. If you haven't, download, install, immediately update and then run Spybot and/or AdAware (you can use them both.) Let whichever one you choose clean up any spyware it finds.

I discovered the problem on one system was a virus...not that it had affected the email program itself but that it was constantly sending mail and kept the program running even after it was supposed to have been closed.

If getting rid of spyware doesn't solve the problem, a complete system scan with anti-virus software might help.

D.Matura · 22nd August 2003

Thanks Miz and will give that a go of it and see what happens........Den.............

D.Matura · 26th August 2003

Well Miz tried out your suggestion and still no better. BUT GUESS WHAT Decided to try getting and installing SP-2 and SP-3 for this O/S as figured maybe the 2000 O/S got corrupt and the svc.pacs. might correct a corruped file...Well loo and behold everything is working great..I really wish to thank everyone that replied to my original posting fer all their suggestions and consideration as I really appreciated all the help...Thanks Again....Den..............