Outlook Express 6 Can't Start (continued)...

Well, as I mentioned in my last post about the subject, I've decided to follow some of Tom Koch of http://www.insideoe.com's instructions.

Here is how I solved it:

If Outlook Express will not start, move the *.dbx files from your store folder and into a new empty folder.

1. Download this small script that will open the store folder of the currently logged-on Identity. Alternatively you can find it be searching in Windows Explorer for files named *.dbx. Be sure to include hidden files in your search, as OE user files are marked as hidden by default. To view hidden files:
   • In Windows Explorer, click Tools| Folder Options then click theView tab.
   • Click the button for Show hidden files and folders.
2. On your desktop, right-click and point to New| Folder.
3. In the store folder window, click Edit| Select All, or press CTRL-A.
4. Drag the selected files and drop them into the New Folder on your desktop.

Try opening OE again. If it starts without error, try importing your mail folders.

1. Click File| Import| Messages| Microsoft Outlook Express 6.

2. Select Import from a store folder and click Browse.

3. Navigate to the New Folder on the Desktop.

If OE cannot import the mail folders, it means the file Folders.dbx is probably damaged. In that case, close OE and move all the other *.dbx files back into the store folder. When you re-start OE, it will build a new index of all the *.dbx files it can read, and create a new Folders.dbx. Understand though that you will lose the mail tree structure, all lists of newsgroups, and all synchronization options, and that message rules will likely need to be edited.

If any *.dbx file fails to be imported, you can buy DBXtract or download the free Macallan Outlook Express Extraction in order to extract individual *.eml files for each message it finds in the damaged *.dbx file. You can then drag those *.eml files and drop them into an OE mail folder in the OE Folder list.

Thanx Tom ! I couldnt have done it without you. Great information.

Remember that Outlook Express and Mozilla Thunderbird are e-mail/messaging clients for SOHO use. Not for mass mail dealing like in the office. Their database size should not exceed 4Gb, which you should protect against viruses as well as backup regularly. For a good backup solution is Outlook Express Backup 6.5 by http://www.genie-soft.com (Free of Charge!), which is only 4 Mb in size and it does what its asked to do.

One more user happy...

If an IT Geek finds an underwater treasure...

Well, as usual I have been the laughter of the pack, as I got my diving gear on for a daily dip in the well crowded "Kerpe" beach.

It was a very hot Saturday, sun was burning down at 38 Celsius, there was no option. Underwater was the coolest place. No, no airtanks...Just a mask, snorkel and flippers. well the deeps were sandy and clear minor splashes of waves.

So I left the pack who were interested in watching dirty sea weeds instead of fish, but about 10 yards out I saw a small object that seemed quite familiar to my eye...My first reaction was..."Naaah, it can't be !", eventually I started circling around it like a shy shark, observing its pray...

I must of been at least 3 meters deep, but I had to check it out. Filling with air, I made for the deep dive...As I got closer to it, my heart started beat faster in puzzlement !

While I touched it, my sense of humor made me burst out laughing with a burp of air...
Its..its... a HP 914c Handheld !! What the hell is a HP 914c doing 300 km out of Istanbul, on a small cove, about 50 meters offshore ? And 3 meters deep under water !!!

As I was running out of air, I made my way up smoothly without knowing the consequences of my great treasure hunt !

I couldn't believe my eyes, when I reached the top, I took off my mask to give it another glance..yes ! it was a HP 914c Handheld ! I had to share it with my mates...but would they believe me ? They had to, as I wouldnt wet a handheld just to show off...They had to believe me !

So I rapidly swam ashore in total dazzlement. As I was climbing ashore onto the rocks few kids gave me a gaze, saying, "oh is that waterproof ?"...I didnt answer...

When I got next to my pack, I screamed out " I found a treasure in the water..."

Noone reacted...thats weird...one of them actually said "What did you find ? A Commodore 64 ?"

I replied, "NO ! An Ipaq 914c !!" Now, I caught all their attention ! I carefully handed over the water dripping Ipaq, which they started taking from hand to hand..Of course there was a burst of laughter...What can actually a geek find underwater ? Teasure ? Very unlikely...Ipod nano ? Most likely....

Outlook Express can't start

God ! It has taken me all day...Still no workaround.

Problem: Outlook Express 6.0 hangs on start logo. Actually its not a hang as CPU value is pushed right up to 50% and memory usage to 120+Mb. Oh yes, users data is about 21 Gigs...

Diagnosis: Now this is the tiring part...

1. Backed up all dbx files to a separate folder.
2. Tried CHKDSK /f (restart)
3. After checkdisk, still doesn't work.
4. Visited Ms site for the garbage they have to say on Technet. Sucks. (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/274017)..it blabbers on that OE can only hang on start because of identity problem...Bulls....
   

It seems as I'm not the only one going crazy with this cheap software. The net is far over
populated with people who have cracked their brains while trying to fix cheap stuff...

Actually there are few stuff you can do before crackin on it and believe me normally the least solution is the best one. Yes ! backup your data and format it ! Nothing is like a clean installation.

Ok, so you dont want to reinstall...Hmm in my case I cant do that too, as the user is 1,200km away and to give my suppport I'm RDP'ing in...

Next steps ? :

• Tried to reinstall SP2...cant install.....service pack gives an error realted to usbstor.sys...Dont try it ! SP3 gives the same result too...
• Upgraded Internet Explorer from MSie6 to Msie7...no use still hangs on start.
• Googled the error...and bingo ? Nope...there are hundreds of reasons why OE can hang on start...well its Ms after all...identity confusion lool...
• Actually this guy has put some sense into it..I'm gonna try that tomorrow...(http://www.insideoe.com/problems/errors.htm#crash)

I'm running out of patience...Need a format...lets see....to be continued...

Emotional IT blog..

Hahaha

I'm sure when you read the title you directly said to yourself "what is this nerd talking about now ?"...

Well...everyone creates a blog or two...may be its time I did too. Why ? I have alot of information in my little brain and can't fit it all inside, I must copy some out to put new ones inside may be :))

It will mainly consist of IT stuff but may also put in some daily stuff too.

Life is an adventure that can be fun if you look at it from different angles. Lets see how it goes.