1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

Outlook express gone corrupt "there was an error opening this message"

Discussion in 'Microsoft Mail (Outlook / OE / Windows Mail)' started by josephloup, 2015/05/05.

  1. 2015/05/05
    josephloup

    josephloup Guest Thread Starter

    Hi,
    I am repairing a winxp pc on which Outlook express has gone corrupted. When i first try to open an email it complains that it can't find a .pst file???? Which has nothing to do with OE and after this on every attempt to open an email or address book it says "there was an error opening this message ".

    Tried to create a new identity but as soon as I do this OE shuts down and won't open until reboot. Can still receive emails.
    Tried XP repair but when finished it wanted to activate windows before letting me login which I clicked OK to however all I get is a blank desktop background. So went back and reloaded backup image which I created before started repairs and ran sfc /scannow which did not solve the problem. I am trying to avoid a complete reinstall.

    Any ideas please?

    Thanks
     
    josephloup,
    #1
  2. 2015/05/05
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2001/12/30
    Messages:
    12,285
    Likes Received:
    249
    Welcome to the site;)

    I'd guess that if you renamed the INBOX.dbx file your problem would go away.

    **** Course you'd lose all of the email in the inbox. ****

    I think there might be some apps that could help repair the file and or access it to maybe get some of the mail out of it.
     
    Steve R Jones,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2015/05/05
    retiredlearner

    retiredlearner SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

    Joined:
    2004/06/25
    Messages:
    7,157
    Likes Received:
    501
    Hi josephloup, Welcome to WindowsBBS.:) Have you tried another email - like Mozilla Thunderbird?
    If I remember correctly - when setting up the install of TB - it asks if you want to 'Import' from previous email.
    This may be a way to get your email back. It's worth a try as you can always uninstall TB if it doesn't work. Neil.
     
    retiredlearner,
    #3
  5. 2015/05/08
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

    Joined:
    2001/12/27
    Messages:
    15,174
    Likes Received:
    412
    Is this a POP3 account?

    Try creating a new identity: OLEXP: How to create and use identities in Outlook Express 5.x and 6.0 - make sure you don't use the word Main in the name of the new identity.


    Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user defined folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted Items folder daily.

    Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

    Read: Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used by Outlook Express

    That you are receiving a message about a .PST file means that Outlook is involved here. Outlook Express doe not use PST files.
     
    Arie,
    #4

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...