Check whether the option to "Compact messages in background" in Tools, Options, Maintenance has been selected. It should be deselected as the use of this option invariably leads to folder corruption and causes slow performance.
Do not store large numbers of messages in your Inbox, your Sent Items or sub-folders of either. Move your messages ( using Message Rules if you like ) to a new folder structure created by placing cursor on Local Folder in Folder List and selecting File, Folder, New.
To recover missing messages. Using Windows XP you need to enable show hidden files. Start, Control Panel, Folder Options, View, Advanced Settings. Next enter Windows Explorer. Using Tools, Find, Files and Folders search your C drive with "*.dbx" without quotes as the search criteria and see if you can find more than one folder. Note the date / time stamp on the files and the older folder will contain your missing messages. You may be able to recover the messages from the folders if found using an Extract Tool moving them to a new local folder created by placing the cursor on Local Folder in the Folder List and selecting File, Folder, New. Further information and the Tool are available through the link below:
http://www.oehelp.com/Default.aspx
To compact place the cursor on Outlook Express in the Folder List and run File, Folder, Compact All whilst Offline.
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Hope this helps.
Gerry
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FCA
(e-mail address removed)
Stourport, Worcs, England
Enquire, plan and execute.
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