Duplicate Messages Received in Outlook Express

Hello,
I have been searching the internet and your postings for help with this problem but so far have not been successful with anything we tried.

My friend recently started receiving duplicate emails from everyone. We called Verizon and was told to check to see if the properties in the Outlook program was sent to "leave messages on server." It was not. Then they told us to go into the Web Mail and delete the some 485 messages in the mailbox. We also did this and emptied the mailbox but the new messages are still being recieved in duplicate.

The only thing I can think of that we did was set up an additional email on her husband's computer so he can have his own identity. He is NOT receiving duplicate messages, just the wife.

We found the following information somewhere, tried it, but it also didn't work because we searched for Pop3uidl.dbx and there was no file on her Windows XP computer.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this behavior, rename the Pop3uidl.dbx file, and then restart
Outlook Express. Follow these steps:

1. Click Exit on the File menu to quit Outlook Express.
2. Click Start, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders.
3. In the Search for files or folders named box, type Pop3uidl.dbx,
and then click Search Now.
4. Under Search Results, right-click the Pop3uidl.dbx file, and then
click Rename.
5. Type Pop3uidl.old, and then press ENTER.
6. To start Outlook Express, click Start, point to Programs, and
then click Outlook Express.

Please help us resolve this annoying problem of receiving duplicate messages.

Thank you.

Jean

 

The Pop3uidl.dbx file is probably a hidden file so it won't turn up on a search until you un-hide it.

Open My Computer, go to Tools>Folder Options>Advanced tab and check "Show all hidden files and folders" and un-check "Hide extensions of known files types," Click OK.

When you run the search again, there will be at least two Pop3uidl.dbx files. One in her user account and one in "All users." Delete the one in her user account.

 

The Pop3uidl.dbx file did not even show in the search engine. We do have show all "hidden" files. Also "Hide extensions of known files types," is unchecked.

She is running Windows XP. I also searched my computer running Windows XP and I didn't have the POP3uidl file showing either.

Could it be some other file we are looking for.

Jean

 

Hmmm....I just ran a search on my computer and found two instances of Pop3uidl.dbx. One in C:\Documents and Settings\MyUserName\My Documents\OE Email and the other in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\My Documents\OE Email.

"OE Email" is a folder I set up to use for OE's store folder so the location of Pop3uidl.dbx on your computers should be in whatever folder is listed in Outlook Express>Tools>Options>Maintenance tab>Store Folder button.

 

Hi Miz,

I looked in Outlook Express>Tools>Options>Maintenance tab>Store Folder button, and the following is listed:

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{DC7A896D-9078-4C8C-831D-0FD761F80F5C}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

Yes, the Pop3uidl.dbx is in this folder. I don't know why it isn't picking it up throught the search engine because we are not hiding any files that I know of.

In any case, I will go over to my friend's house soon and see if we can rename this file and see if this will help her.

Thanks again, and I'll get back to you.

Jean

 

They are hidden by default when the OS is installed and you have to do stuff to unhide them.

Windows Explorer, tools, folder options, view and take a look at the list. You may have to uncheck a few things to 'unhide' files.

 

I checked the Windows Explorer, Tool, Folder Options, View, and maybe I should check "Display the Contents of System Folders" and
Uncheck "Hide protected operating system files. "

I didn't do anything because now if I know where that file is we will be able to rename it to OLD and then restart the Outlook Express Program and see if we are still getting double emails.

I'll let you know. Thanks for your help.

Jean

 

Yup. Exactly.

 

I got over to my friend's house this morning and we looked at your properties of the Outlook Express in the Tools, Accounts, Mail Tab. I noticed she had two internet accounts, one, mail.verizon.net and the other very similar to the first one. I didn't know why two were necessary and I deleted the second one, and it seemed to work. She hasn't had a duplicate message yet.

I didn't rename the pop3uidl.dbx since all seemed to be OK, but will keep the notes just in case the duplications appear again.

We do not know how the second Mail Account got there but glad we checked it and discovered the problem.

Thanks again for all the help.

Jean

 

OK, I finally got over to my friend's house and we did indeed find the file, Pop3uidl.dbx. We renamed it "old" and then rebooted. Later we received messages and once again it came in duplicate.

I guess we'll give up for now and just live with the problem because all the email's are not duplicates, just some.

Thanks for your help.

Jean