Outlook Express sends messages but leaves them in Outbox

I use Outlook Express 6 with XP SP2. Suddenly, Outlook Express has started to leave messages with attachments in my Outbox after they have been sent. This means that when I send further messages multiple copies of the stuck message are sent. Now it's started doing that for all messages, whether or not there is an attachment.

The only change I've made recenetly is to buy the full version of AVG 7.5 Internet Security. Disabling this program doesn't solve the problem.

I can find this question in an earlier post on the forum but no answer seems to have been given.

 

Thanks Pete.

I'll try that.

But just to respond quickly: No, the stuck messages do not get moved to the Sent box.

 

Thanks for your welcome Pete. I'm sure I'll learn a lot from the board.

Unfortunately the first step of deleting outbox.dbx has not worked so I'll try the repair route.

The odd thing is that this started a couple of days ago but only when I was sending attachments. Now it's all email messages. And the error message simply says Review the list below - but that, helpfully, is blank!

 

Thanks for the follow up. Not so far, but I will be trying the serious repair tomorrow when I hope to have some time.

 

Thanks Pete, I can now report some very substantial success.

The full repair process by Tom Koch to which you guided me was needed. Some of the terminology was slightly different, perhaps because of the version of Outlook Express, but easy enough to follow. I was alarmed when re-registering library files to find one did not exist and a second produced an error.

So I moved on and created a new identity. That has solved the problem of messages sticking in the Outbox and not moving to the Sent box. Wonderful! Thank you.

One odd thing is now happening. I receive four copies of each incoming message. I'm sure I'll be able to sort that out soon - it may be something to do with having several email addresses for different purposes.

I am most grateful to you for your help. I will now downgrade my rating from Intermediate to novice!

 

Oh dear, it's happening again.

All seemed to work well for a day then it's off again. This time I get this error message:

An unknown error has occurred. Subject '', Account: 'James Buckley Primary', Server: 'smtp.sky.com', Protocol: SMTP, Server Response: '451 Temporary local problem - please try later', Port: 25, Secure(SSL): No, Server Error: 451, Error Number: 0x800CCC6A

Some times the error message says SPAM 550.

 

Thanks Steve. The attachments vary in size but when Outlook Express is working properly I have no difficulty with 8 MB attachments.

OK Peter! I surrender - you're right on target with your identification.

I'm now beginning to think that several things are going on at once here, and in part my ISP is proving less than reliable. And my incompetence is compounding it.

Having deleted the new accounts the system is working again, though I do seem to get two copies of most, but not all, emails. Rebooting the computer also seems to solve the problem.

Mostly the emails, although remaining in the Outbox, do seem to get through. And web mail seems to work fine, though it's so clunky I can't bear to use it.

I did tick My server requires authentication.

I'll try your cache clearing solution and report back.

Thanks again for your help.

 

Thanks Pete. You suggested:

In OE - Tools > Accounts - highlight Acount > Properties > Advanced tab - Delivery.....

Is the 'Leave a copy of messages on the Server' unchecked? If it is not checked the duplex delivery may be down to Sky.

Yes, the Leave a copy is checked for all three of our accounts accounts.

I also ran the the routine to clear the DNS Resolver Cache and got the confirmation.

Sadly the problem remains. I think I'd better talk to Sky - firmly!

 

Update on lack of progress!

Thanks for all the help.

I had several long conversations with SKY's help desk but to no avail. Having established that my webmail worked, more or less, they were not interested. For Outlook Express ask Microsoft was the response.

Ah well.

 

Well I suppose it's good to know that they are all as bad as each other.

Back to square one I fear. Receiving duplicate (mainly but sometimes more) copies of incoming mail; and sending (with or without attachments) from each of the five email addresses we have results in the message sticking in the Out box, and not being transferred to the Sent box.

I have therefore resorted to setting Outlook Express to send only on command, and when I get the error message (which says See Below but that's blank) I then move it from the Out Box to another folder (called, with great originality, Not in Sent Box!) At least that way recipients don't get several copies of the message.

 

It's Outlook Express 6 with Windows XP SP2.