deleting old mail

  • Thread starter Thread starter jetranger1
  • Start date Start date
J

jetranger1

I have Windows xp pro . Using outlook Express. Can't delete old E-mails from
mailbox using the delete button on keyboard or clicking on Red X delete icon.
Was working fine, than just quit.. have 1600 e-mails piling up... I CAN'T
MAKE THEM GO AWAY.. HELP !!!!!

Thanks, Mike
 
[crossposted to OE General]

Start with a new Deleted Items folder. Please post back when you are done as
you need to do some follow-up work if this succeeds.

Deleted Items is probably corrupt. In the off chance that you are keeping
messages you want to save in Deleted Items, (a garbage pail), move them to a
local folder you create and then do the following.

Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location of
your Outlook Express files. Write the location down and navigate to it in
Windows Explorer or, copy and paste it into Start | Run.

In WinXP, Win2K & Win2K3, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default
marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must enable
Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control Panel | Folder Options
Icon | View, or in Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | View.

With OE closed, find the DBX file for Deleted Items and delete it. A new
one will be created automatically when you open OE.

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used by
Outlook Express:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until
the compacting is completed.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer
of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems such as
time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V program will
continue to protect you sufficiently. For more, see:
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background and
leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

And backup often.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
 
Hey Bruce, Thanks for the info on deleting old mail... you're a lifesaver
!! Your response did the trick!! It took me a few hours to delete all of the
backed up mail, but at least the 'DELETE " function is working again. Thanks
again, See ya.
"Jetranger1 " ( Mike / Fullerton, Ca. )

Bruce Hagen said:
[crossposted to OE General]

Start with a new Deleted Items folder. Please post back when you are done as
you need to do some follow-up work if this succeeds.

Deleted Items is probably corrupt. In the off chance that you are keeping
messages you want to save in Deleted Items, (a garbage pail), move them to a
local folder you create and then do the following.

Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location of
your Outlook Express files. Write the location down and navigate to it in
Windows Explorer or, copy and paste it into Start | Run.

In WinXP, Win2K & Win2K3, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default
marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must enable
Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control Panel | Folder Options
Icon | View, or in Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | View.

With OE closed, find the DBX file for Deleted Items and delete it. A new
one will be created automatically when you open OE.

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used by
Outlook Express:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until
the compacting is completed.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer
of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems such as
time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V program will
continue to protect you sufficiently. For more, see:
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background and
leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

And backup often.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


jetranger1 said:
I have Windows xp pro . Using outlook Express. Can't delete old E-mails
from
mailbox using the delete button on keyboard or clicking on Red X delete
icon.
Was working fine, than just quit.. have 1600 e-mails piling up... I CAN'T
MAKE THEM GO AWAY.. HELP !!!!!

Thanks, Mike
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
You're welcome. If you adhere to the precautions I posted, you will be much
less likely to see this again in the future.
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


jetranger1 said:
Hey Bruce, Thanks for the info on deleting old mail... you're a lifesaver
!! Your response did the trick!! It took me a few hours to delete all of
the
backed up mail, but at least the 'DELETE " function is working again.
Thanks
again, See ya.
"Jetranger1 " ( Mike / Fullerton, Ca. )

Bruce Hagen said:
[crossposted to OE General]

Start with a new Deleted Items folder. Please post back when you are done
as
you need to do some follow-up work if this succeeds.

Deleted Items is probably corrupt. In the off chance that you are keeping
messages you want to save in Deleted Items, (a garbage pail), move them
to a
local folder you create and then do the following.

Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location of
your Outlook Express files. Write the location down and navigate to it in
Windows Explorer or, copy and paste it into Start | Run.

In WinXP, Win2K & Win2K3, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default
marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must
enable
Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control Panel | Folder
Options
Icon | View, or in Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | View.

With OE closed, find the DBX file for Deleted Items and delete it. A new
one will be created automatically when you open OE.

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used
by
Outlook Express:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything
until
the compacting is completed.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant
layer
of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems such
as
time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V program will
continue to protect you sufficiently. For more, see:
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background
and
leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

And backup often.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


jetranger1 said:
I have Windows xp pro . Using outlook Express. Can't delete old E-mails
from
mailbox using the delete button on keyboard or clicking on Red X delete
icon.
Was working fine, than just quit.. have 1600 e-mails piling up... I
CAN'T
MAKE THEM GO AWAY.. HELP !!!!!

Thanks, Mike
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
jetranger1 said:
Hey Bruce, Thanks for the info on deleting old mail... you're a lifesaver
!! Your response did the trick!! It took me a few hours to delete all of the
backed up mail, but at least the 'DELETE " function is working again. Thanks
again, See ya.
"Jetranger1 " ( Mike / Fullerton, Ca. )
Click to expand...

It shouldn't take hours.. you click the first of a loooong string of
messages, shift-click the last of the string, then press the Delete (X
button) or the Delete key.
Bruce Hagen said:
[crossposted to OE General]

Start with a new Deleted Items folder. Please post back when you are done as
you need to do some follow-up work if this succeeds.

Deleted Items is probably corrupt. In the off chance that you are keeping
messages you want to save in Deleted Items, (a garbage pail), move them to a
local folder you create and then do the following.

Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location of
your Outlook Express files. Write the location down and navigate to it in
Windows Explorer or, copy and paste it into Start | Run.

In WinXP, Win2K & Win2K3, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default
marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must enable
Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control Panel | Folder Options
Icon | View, or in Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | View.

With OE closed, find the DBX file for Deleted Items and delete it. A new
one will be created automatically when you open OE.

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used by
Outlook Express:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until
the compacting is completed.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer
of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems such as
time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V program will
continue to protect you sufficiently. For more, see:
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background and
leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

And backup often.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


jetranger1 said:
I have Windows xp pro . Using outlook Express. Can't delete old E-mails
from
mailbox using the delete button on keyboard or clicking on Red X delete
icon.
Was working fine, than just quit.. have 1600 e-mails piling up... I CAN'T
MAKE THEM GO AWAY.. HELP !!!!!

Thanks, Mike
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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