Windows Mail problems

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Guest

Hello, Just over 1 month ago, I purchased a new HP machine w/Vista Business
installed. My old machine used Outlook Express for email, and it worked
without problems.

Since trying to transition to Windows Mail, I've had a number of recurring
problems that seem to be common to this forum and many other forums found in
searches.

First, I have a growing number of emails that cannot/will not delete from my
inbox. I get the common message, 'unknown error has occurred' and that email
is forever doomed to live in my inbox.

Secondly, I've found the Windows Mail program to be very unstable...shutting
down without any prompting on my part, often when I'm in the middle of
reading new email.

I followed one suggestion to try Windows Live Mail, and found similiar
instability with that program, and now have both installed on my machine.

I have found and followed advice about going into hiddin files and backing
up my email and then editing it and importing it back into Windows Mail, but
that hasn't worked either. I'm using AVG virus protection, and after reading
that Windows Mail doesn't work with anit-virus programs, have disconnected
the email scan with AVG.

I do have basic functionality with sending and receiving email, it's just
that this Windows Mail isn't anywhere near as stable and reliable as Outlook
Express.

So, my questions:
1. Is there any kind of a fix for Windows Mail...or an upcoming update that
will provide a fix for what I and others seem to experience?
2. Is Microsoft aware of the problems that I and others are experiencing
with Windows Mail?
3. Should I just give up and install a 3rd party email program? If so,
what's recommended? Regular Outlook?

Many thanks in advance.
 
I can only empathise with you - it seems outrageous that there can be a
problem experienced by so many people on an ongoing basis and Microsoft don't
seem at all bothered - I have the same problem myself - an inbox filling up
with e mails that I can't delete. Doesn't anyone in Microsoft care?

Nick W
 
Most of the problems that people are experiencing with WM
are due to using a non-compatible antivirus. It isn't
Microsoft's fault when companies like McAfee and Symantec
(Norton) foist non-compatible AV products on the gullible public.

Gary VanderMolen
 
Yes, but when a computer comes loaded with Vista and McAfee preinstalled,
don't you expect them to work together?

Nick
 
Plus, while acknowledging that there may be issues with AV software and
Windows Mail, I'm using AVG AV which according to the discussions and
remedies for these issues does NOT affect Windows Mail.

While agreeing with Nick's comments, my major issue is that there are
apparently lots and lots of users with very similiar issues, attempting to
use the replacement program for Outlook Express, which has a history of being
a very stable, workable program, and Microsoft doesn't even appear to be
acknowledging that a potential problem even exists.

If it can't/won't be fixed, then at least be upfront about the issue and
send me to some sort of other email management program, even if I have to
spend additional dollars to purchase it.

Thanks for the sympathy.
David S.
 
Microsoft is very aware of the problem and they can fix it, but they'll
charge you $59.00 to do it. I called Microsoft support direct (800-265-1886)
and was told it would cost $59.00 (How is that standing by your product). If
you don't want to pay the fee, their answer is to call the computer
manufacturer.
 
PS - do you work for Microsoft Gary?

Nick

Gary VanderMolen said:
Most of the problems that people are experiencing with WM
are due to using a non-compatible antivirus. It isn't
Microsoft's fault when companies like McAfee and Symantec
(Norton) foist non-compatible AV products on the gullible public.

Gary VanderMolen
Click to expand...
 
And the computer manufacturer - Dell in my case - says talk to Microsoft!

I am not impressed

Nick
 
i agree with Nick, if the computer comes loaded with vista and mcafee in it
shouldnt they be compatable? I have the same problem, I have only had mine
for 3 months and i cannot delete email from the inbox. I tried the search
option and it wont let me delete both of them just one. I dont know what to
do. I just paid 59.00 to mcafee for a renewal and now microsoft has a fix
for 59.00 too? We pay alot of money for these computers and I think
something should be done to fix this without cost to the consumer.
Betty
 
oh boy, someone else realizes the absurd McAfee and Norton needs bundling or
nO one would ever buy that junk! :). I have new HP with Vista Premium on it,
love it, but instantly put my beloved System Mechanic Pro 7. Needed to tweak
a bit so I could have both firewalls, but all is great. I just tested photos
and works fine, as does deleting e-mails (so far). But I have the same
problem I developed in Outlook Express: only part of the message comes
through. I used to rt click and read it in "message source" but in this
program it doesn't show the message that way. Anyone know why an entire
letter from someone won't come thru? My laptop, with XP, has it happen
occasionally,too...PS - anyone use the on-screen keyboard yet? Just let a
kitty TRY to walk all over this one! heehee!!
 
Isn't it irritating to get those "unknown error" messages when the
programmer was just too lazy to trap the errors?

John
 
Nick Williams said:
Yes, but when a computer comes loaded with Vista and McAfee preinstalled,
don't you expect them to work together?
Click to expand...

The decision to include Norton or McAfee is not based on
them being good compatible products but is purely financial.
Norton and McAfee are the highest bidders in the auction
to be preinstalled.
 
Zookeeper said:
oh boy, someone else realizes the absurd McAfee and Norton needs bundling
or
nO one would ever buy that junk! :). I have new HP with Vista Premium on
it,
love it, but instantly put my beloved System Mechanic Pro 7. Needed to
tweak
a bit so I could have both firewalls, but all is great. I just tested
photos
and works fine, as does deleting e-mails (so far).
Click to expand...

I really liked System Mechanic upto 6 but I was very disappointed
with 7 since to me it looked dumbed down and too "automated"

Do you get what I'm struggling to say?
 
No. None of the regular responders here work for Microsoft.
We are strictly unpaid volunteers.

Gary VanderMolen
 
See Julian's response. The AV (and other crapware) is preloaded
only because of a financial arrangement between the PC sellers
and the software companies.

Gary VanderMolen
 
Comments interspersed.

David S. said:
Plus, while acknowledging that there may be issues with AV software and
Windows Mail, I'm using AVG AV which according to the discussions and
remedies for these issues does NOT affect Windows Mail.
Click to expand...

Make sure AVG was installed with the custom install option where
you can decline installation of the email scanning module.
While agreeing with Nick's comments, my major issue is that there are
apparently lots and lots of users with very similiar issues, attempting to
use the replacement program for Outlook Express, which has a history of being
a very stable, workable program, and Microsoft doesn't even appear to be
acknowledging that a potential problem even exists.

If it can't/won't be fixed, then at least be upfront about the issue and
send me to some sort of other email management program, even if I have to
spend additional dollars to purchase it.
Click to expand...

Microsoft did just that. In May they announced that Windows Live Mail
would be a replacement for Windows Mail. The latest version of WLM
(released May 30th) is much more stable and bug-free than WM.
WLM is free. Also, Outlook 2003 and 2007 both work well on Vista.

Gary VanderMolen
 
For those of you that have AVG installed on a Windows Vista Business driven
Dell Vostro 1700, I found the fix! It's cumbersome if you are NOT a tech
geek, which I believe I can now be considered ... here's the link

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/faq/us/frt/0/num/677

Scoll down to the expanded topic. Good freaking luck, because you'll need it
if you are like me. I had to setup FIVE accounts. But whatever you do, don't
go searching for obscure "pop" files to delete. That is not the answer! Let
your email scanner do its job and you will be all the better for it. I
suspect a similiar fix is called for with other virus scan software but don't
quote me on that.

-t@cn
 
For those of you that have AVG installed on a Windows Vista Business driven
Dell Vostro 1700, I found the fix! It's cumbersome if you are NOT a tech
geek, which I believe I can now be considered ... here's the link

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/faq/us/frt/0/num/677

Scoll down to the expanded topic. Good freaking luck, because you'll need it
if you are like me. I had to setup FIVE accounts. But whatever you do, don't
go searching for obscure "pop" files to delete. That is not the answer! Let
your email scanner do its job and you will be all the better for it. I
suspect a similiar fix is called for with other virus scan software but don't
quote me on that.

-Roe
 
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