Outlook Express Help!

[Jo Ann Meyer Stratton]

Suddenly this afternoon when I clicked on Outlook Express--the box where the messages are listed was blank, had the hour glass for ages on the screen, when I went to exit out, got the message that program was not responding and then had to do the control-alt-delete dance about six times before could finally get out of Outlook Express. Spent two different 20 minute calls to tech support for my ISP and they were no help at all! So now can only retrieve my email messages through Netscape---but there are dozens of email addresses and about 20 messages over there in Outlook Express I need to access. Any ideas? The only suggestion tech support had was to update Windows, but that didn't help. While searching on goggle for Outlook Express stumbled across a chat room that described my problem. Tried that and that didn't work. Then couldn't find the chat room again. So any and all suggestions would be very much appreciated!!

 

[Ben Vukicevich SRA]

JoAnn

How about going back in XP and using Restore to an earlier date when it was working OK? Your email messages will still be there.

Ben

 

[Scott Kibler]

I had that problem with the addition that internet explorer would often crash taking windows down with it. As near as I could trace the problem, it seemed to be some sort of incompatability between the windows xp home install (a manufacturer's version not a store bought version) and one of the myriad explorer security patches. A reinstall of windows was no good as I only had the manufacturer's restore disks. Same problem. My fix was to toss the baby out with the bath...migrated all files to an xp pro box that I built myself with a "true" copy of windows and canabalize the problem machine for parts to build a Linux server. Probably not the best solution for everyone.

 

[Ben Vukicevich SRA]

JoAnn


Just thinking a little bit more about your problem.

Have you installed any new programs recently???

I had a problem with Outlook but it was related to a program called Spyhunter. When I uninstalled Spyhunter, Outlook returned to normal. Drove me nuts until I did. I tried the patches, uninstalling Outlook and reinstalling etc. Nothing worked until I removed Spyhunter.

Ben

 

[Jo Ann Meyer Stratton]

No, haven't installed any programs. Was reading email just fine this morning. Escaped out of Outlook Express to work on appraisals, when I went back to check my messages--nothing except the hourglass and been that way every since.

How do I go back and restore to an earlier date? Changed the date calendar to several days ago--but that didn't seem to solve the problem.

The other suggestion tech support had was to disable to scanning email messages in my anti virus software. Figured out how to do that in Norton but that didn't help. Can't figure out how to that in AVG. Spybot and Adware are only active when I activate them to look for bugs. K9 hasn't looked for spam for three days. Is almost 10:30 PM--I am going to bed. You night owls think about my problem for me--I'll be back at 5 AM--if my nervous breakdown doesn't make me sleep to noon tomorrow!

Thank you everyone for your suggestions!!

 

[Jeff Horton]

I wont be any help but you are not along. I have two freind that have had in the last few weeks had Outlook shut down on them. Problems were different but neither of them can get outlook to work Had to switch to another program.

I don't know the details but you should be able to import your old emails with Netscape. At least I think so. That might recover your emails you need.

 

[Marty Skolnik]

Outlook Express has done that to me, too. For some unknown reason I get the hourglass and then missing emails. This last time it wiped out all my Sent mail from September 2003 through Feb 2004 -- gone. Just gone. I've had it wipe out my Inbox, too, but I've been able to restore most it because I had backed up those messages about a month prior. As far as I know, there's no way to get crashed emails back unless you've backed them up elsewhere from time-to-time.

You might be able to contact your Internet Service Provider and ask if they know a way to get back emails. They might retain a few days or weeks worth on their servers, though!

Good luck...

marty skolnik
baltimore, md

 

[Doug in NC]

I had a similar problem where OExpress would lock up constantly. My computer guy talked me into replacing it with MS Outlook about 6 months ago. He said Outlook would handle all the emails of a business better. It worked fine until recently and I have been having a similar problem now with Outlook.

I have gotten the program working now and haven't had a problem in a few days. Here's what I did. First, I ran a full system Norton scan - no viruses were found. Then, I ran Adaware and deleted a few spy programs. I also cut and copied all "Sent" mails to its own file (freeing up memory for Outlook). I of course emptied the "Deleted" bin, and got rid of other miscellaneous unneeded files. I am not sure what the problem was, but I attribute it to a lack of memory for managing more emails, or some spyware was the culprit.

During my search for a fix, I also went to the Norton site and ran a security check. I found that some ports were "Open" leaving the potential for a hacker to access my computer. I then went into my Network manager and shut all open ports. I no longer have the hacker risk and Outlook is working pretty good now. Good luck.

p.s.: Don't know about you, but I believe a lot of viruses have been circulating the internet lately. Norton has killed a bunch for me. Whoever is sending the viruses affected someone who has a database of appraisers. I keep getting emails sent from lenders who I've never heard of, with deleted virus files within the email. Watch out.

 

[Peacemaker]

Jo Ann, I am curious who your internet provider is? I have been through three days of hell with Outlook, I am unable to send any attachments on my emails. It started at 4pm Monday. I have COX, up in Phoenix, one tech told me they installed a new server Monday which now scans all outgoing emails for viruses. They say that would not affect my Outlook but seems kind of a big coincidence to me.

 

[ASteffen]

Jo Ann,

I can't help you fix Outlook Express but I do have some ideas on how you can get your addresses and e-mails.

For the addresses, they should be stored in a file on your computer called Address Book. If you do a file search you should be able to find it (Start/Search/files and folders). Once you get it open I would go to file and export and export the file in comma seperated value format (File/Export/Other Address Book/Text File). Save the file to your desktop and open your Netscape program. You should be able to now import the file to Netscape. Sorry, I don't know the specific steps on how to do that.

If the messages you need to retrieve are still on the server. Meaning you have not downloaded them to Outlook Express yet. You may be able to get them from your ISP. Most ISP's offer web mail which means you can go to a web site and view your e-mail on the ISP's server without downloading it to your computer. Once you download it to your computer with a program like Outlook it's erased from the server. The ISP webmail site address is usually something like mail."ispname".com.

Restoring your computer to an earlier date is a good idea. Set your system clock back to the right date and time first. To use System Restore click Start/Programs/Accessories or maybe Administrative Toos/System Tools/System Restore. It's easy to use just let it walk you through the process.

Good Luck,
Andy