[Ham-Computers] Outlook Express Problem

[jeff]

Herb Gerhardt wrote:
> A friend of mine uses Outlook Express on a WinXP OS and has a problem.

a friend... sure :)


> He tried to forward a message "Hilarious Kitties" and that message just sits

are you positive the message is not a virus and doesn't have dangerous 
attachments?

Is the machine virus protected and has it been recently scanned?

Can he normally send mail from this program without difficulty?  Is the 
SMTP (sending server) set correctly?


> in the Outbox and can not be sent.  I took a look at his computer and you
> can not do anything with that message.  I tried to move it and delete it but
> as soon as you click on that message, it brings the computer to a screeching
> halt.

locks up completely or slows to a crawl?
Next time he tries, hit the caps lock key and see if the light comes on 
and goes off.

Have you checked the event viewer?
in XP Pro, it's under administrative.  Check the application log for the 
time it locked up.  If it doesn't say anything, check the system log.

You can undo a lot of damage by booting to safe mode.  When the machine 
boots and that silly little line starts moving from left to right, hit 
F8 (it will tell you that you can hit F8).  You'll have a few choices. 
To be safe, try safe mode (without network support).  You should be able 
to change settings here.  Either tell it not to send on startup or 
remove the SMTP info so it doesn't know where to send (I don't use OE so 
I can't be really specific).


> Also where is the message folder where all the messages are stored?  I want

it's in the c:\Documents and Settings folder, under your friend's login. 
  There's a folder for each login.  It's down pretty far under the name 
folder.  Make sure you have Windows Explorer set to display everything, 
do not hide extensions, and do not hide operating system files.  It's 
under the tools menu, I think.    Perhaps under local settings, but I 
don't remember.I don't have a Win box handy, so I'm doing this from memory.


> 
> If I delete the entire Outlook Express program and files, where on the
> Microsoft web site can I download it from.  Did not have any luck in finding
> that either.

You really can't delete OE without much grief, some IT Magic<tm>, and 
incredible amounts of screaming.

If I were you, I'd advise my friend that as friends don't let friends 
use OE, you're switching him to a different program.  Any other program. 
  Two paper cups and some string would be a much safer alternative :)

I used to use Eudora, which I liked a lot.  I think there's a Win 
version of Sylpheed (linux email client), a really comprehensive one 
called Pegasus, and many others - all free.  Each one is safer than OE, 
which, like IE, is more full of holes than swiss cheese.


Good luck,
-jeff

-=-=-
... Jeff for President - a vacuum tube in every stereo
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