Can Anyone Help with Outlook Express Problem

[Alan L.]

I'm surprised Microsoft even supports Outlook Express. I can understand why you use it, I've always like the way it works, but it is prone to blow up on you. I am using Outlook now and frankly after I got used to it I like it better - much more solid. Have to get used to the way you have to look at incoming pictures, but I like it just fine. Usually when I had trouble with OE deleting the inbox.dbx did the trick.

I suppose you are certain you were really talking to Microsoft? Good english spoken?

My wife uses an online game system, I thought I was talking to tech support but it turned out to be a scam. They connected to the computer and when they looked at the array of temp files and folders and declared that she had been hacked I suspected a problem. The guy then said he could fix the problem, but needed to charge me and wanted credit card information. I got off the phone and did a system restore, then a Malwarebytes scan and found her computer had a rootkit virus. Might have been a coincidence.

 

[HarryN]

I have over 10,000 messages in my sent file. Is there a fast way to delete those to see if that may help? Ken Sweet

Well I'm a little late but to delete emails in your sent folder just left click on the first email, then scroll down to the last email, hold down the shift key and left click that one. All the messages will be highlighted. Then right click within that highlighted area and select delete. Done.
I normally delete an entire year of emails for example: all of 2010. I love outlook express and use it to this day. It's the reason I still use XP. It is not available in any later version. By the way, it will take a few minutes to delete say 5,000 emails of your 10,000. You were having trouble because express was never designed to hold that many emails. So get rid of them when you exceed 1,000 or so. Express is a pretty stable and reliable form of email. Now..... hope you get your computer fixed!!

 

[/pine]

Well I'm a little late but to delete emails in your sent folder just left click on the first email, then scroll down to the last email, hold down the shift key and left click that one. All the messages will be highlighted. Then right click within that highlighted area

FWIW...
To save scrolling the list you can just highlight the top message...click "edit" (on the tool bar) and click "select all"

Any progress Ken?

There may be still be some options without doing anything drastic...

 

[sweettractors]

I'm surprised Microsoft even supports Outlook Express. I can understand why you use it, I've always like the way it works, but it is prone to blow up on you. I am using Outlook now and frankly after I got used to it I like it better - much more solid. Have to get used to the way you have to look at incoming pictures, but I like it just fine. Usually when I had trouble with OE deleting the inbox.dbx did the trick.

I suppose you are certain you were really talking to Microsoft? Good english spoken?

My wife uses an online game system, I thought I was talking to tech support but it turned out to be a scam. They connected to the computer and when they looked at the array of temp files and folders and declared that she had been hacked I suspected a problem. The guy then said he could fix the problem, but needed to charge me and wanted credit card information. I got off the phone and did a system restore, then a Malwarebytes scan and found her computer had a rootkit virus. Might have been a coincidence.

Alan, I hope I am talking with a Microsoft agent. I connected to him at Answer Desk - Microsoft Store online ? Ken Sweet

 

[sweettractors]

FWIW...
To save scrolling the list you can just highlight the top message...click "edit" (on the tool bar) and click "select all"

Any progress Ken?

There may be still be some options without doing anything drastic...

When I left it last night, I was trying to start in the safe mode with no progress. I left it like that and sometime overnight it did finally load in safe mode. I am suppose to contact a agent at Answer Desk - Microsoft Store online Monday and see if they can complete the fix? Ken Sweet

 

[/pine]

When I left it last night, I was trying to start in the safe mode with no progress. I left it like that and sometime overnight it did finally load in safe mode. I am suppose to contact a agent at Answer Desk - Microsoft Store online Monday and see if they can complete the fix? Ken Sweet

In 'safe mode' you should be able to get rid of whatever was "updated"..and at least get back to where you were before...and not lose anything...

keep us posted...

 

[HarryN]

FWIW...
To save scrolling the list you can just highlight the top message...click "edit" (on the tool bar) and click "select all"

You are correct..... but I don't think he wanted to delete ALL of the emails.....

 

[Gator6x4]

Since you have got safe mode operational, try doing restore to a couple of days prior to when the problem occurred.

 

[/pine]

Since you have got safe mode operational, try doing restore to a couple of days prior to when the problem occurred.

Very good suggestion if he has the restore point(s)...or "restore" activated...it beats treating the symptoms...:thumbsup:

I keep forgetting about "restore"...I'm a 'NIX' guy and and have not kept up with Windows since Win 2K...

 

[sweettractors]

Since you have got safe mode operational, try doing restore to a couple of days prior to when the problem occurred.

I know this is a dumb question, how do I go about restoring on Windows XP? Ken Sweet

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I know this is a dumb question, how do I go about restoring on Windows XP? Ken Sweet

I'm a technologist. I'll try to put your question into tractor terms. What would you say if someone said they had a 12-year-old tire on their tractor, the tread was completely gone, but they want to retread it themselves because a new one costs $200 or $300? You'd tell them they're crazy, the value of the labor required is worth more than the tire, you need specialized tools and materials, and even if they're successful they're going to end up with a 12-year-old tire that's not nearly as good as a new one. Tires are consumables, just buy a new one.

Well, computers are consumables too. Windows NT came out in 2001, it's twelve years old. To restore XP you're going to have to buy an XP disk and spend at minimum a few hours on the install. When you're done you'll end up with a computer with a 12-year-old operating system. For a few hundred bucks you can buy a new computer with a modern operating system.

 

[/pine]

I know this is a dumb question, how do I go about restoring on Windows XP? Ken Sweet

How to restore Windows XP to a previous state

scroll down a little for the instructions...

 

[/pine]

For a few hundred bucks you can buy a new computer with a modern operating system.

NOT with an integrated e-mail client you cant...IMO one of the worst things MSFT ever did (starting with Vista) was eliminate the mail client and forced users to an unfamiliar e-mail application/ interface...

caveat
If you are in the market for a new PC...look for the best deal you can find with Windows 7....forget Win 8 or even 8.1 when it's released to the public...JMO...

 

[sweettractors]

I'm a technologist. I'll try to put your question into tractor terms. What would you say if someone said they had a 12-year-old tire on their tractor, the tread was completely gone, but they want to retread it themselves because a new one costs $200 or $300? You'd tell them they're crazy, the value of the labor required is worth more than the tire, you need specialized tools and materials, and even if they're successful they're going to end up with a 12-year-old tire that's not nearly as good as a new one. Tires are consumables, just buy a new one.

Well, computers are consumables too. Windows NT came out in 2001, it's twelve years old. To restore XP you're going to have to buy an XP disk and spend at minimum a few hours on the install. When you're done you'll end up with a computer with a 12-year-old operating system. For a few hundred bucks you can buy a new computer with a modern operating system.

I have newer computers and a laptop plus a IPad, however, this older computer has a lot of older stuff installed that is no longer available
and I like the email. I would like to save it if I can? Ken Sweet

 

[HarryN]

NOT with an integrated e-mail client you cant...IMO one of the worst things MSFT ever did (starting with Vista) was eliminate the mail client and forced users to an unfamiliar e-mail application/ interface...

caveat
If you are in the market for a new PC...look for the best deal you can find with Windows 7....forget Win 8 or even 8.1 when it's released to the public...JMO...

EXACTLY what I was thinking.

 

[rekees4300]

I know this is a dumb question, how do I go about restoring on Windows XP? Ken Sweet

Have you heard from the propeller head at Microsoft? What did he say? It depends on how you define "restoring". Try to do what Microsoft calls a "System Restore". Start -> Help and Support Center -> Undo Changes to your computer with System Restore -> Restore my computer to an earlier time -> Next -> On this calendar pick a bold date (this would be the date just before the propeller head screw up your computer) -> Next -> Next

Note: Doing a System restore will not change your personal files.

 

[sweettractors]

No progress......After 8 hours and 4 different propeller heads (2 of which were at level 2 support) They have determined I need to get a xp disc and call them back. I am ready to buy another computer, however, I don't think I can find new computer with windows 7 installed? I am hearing you guys tell me to stay away from windows 8 or higher. What to do? Ken Sweet

 

[/pine]

No progress......After 8 hours and 4 different propeller heads (2 of which were at level 2 support) They have determined I need to get a xp disc and call them back. I am ready to buy another computer, however, I don't think I can find new computer with windows 7 installed? I am hearing you guys tell me to stay away from windows 8 or higher. What to do? Ken Sweet

Keep looking there are still machines available with Win 7...the biggest issue with 8 is it is designed (from the core) to work with touch screen monitors/pads etc...

Amazon.com: windows 7 computers

consider a refurbished box...

 

[/pine]

Ken, There is a chance that all the files needed to burn an XP disc are on your (problematic) system...they will be on a separate drive partition...In Safe Mode see if you can get to the control panel and look for "Administrative Tools" look for "Computer Management" then "Disk Management"...it should show you all the Drive partitions...if you get this far you and it shows a separate partition (other than 'C...you may be able to copy the data to a thumb drive and burn a disk on another computer...usually in safe mode the CD/DVD drivers are not installed to burn on the problematic system...

 

[hawkeye08]

One can always reformat the drive and reload the operating system. Makes it like the day it left the factory. Even if that was ten years ago...

How does one do this without any CDs or DVDs with the OS? Ken mentioned it came loaded with XP and he does not have anything.