Outlook Express 6.0 just hangs showing the hourglass after opening

[Crustyoldbloke]

I'm using Win98 and have had Outlook Express 6.0 installed since soon after it's launch. Up until recently, it has worked fine. Suddenly I can open OE6, but not use it. It opens as normal and shows the hourglass, which remains on screen. The only way to close it is ctrl-alt-del.

I have uninstalled OE6, and re-installed from the net, re-installed Win98. All to no avail.

I'm sure that this is a minor problem, but what can it be? Any help gladly appreciated.

 

[Guest_imported]

General case is a corrupt Folder.dbx file.

This file retains the mail folders, available newsgroups and subscribed newsgroups lists. If it is unavailable, OE will not start and will not generate an error message.

Locate the Folders.dbx file and rename or delete it. Upon starting OE the file is rebuilt. The bad part is that mail sub folders become folders (simple drag and drop fixes that) and the newsgroups lists will have to be reread.

 

[Crustyoldbloke]

Hi D Guess

Your solution worked a treat and I was even able to import ALL of the contents of the corrupted files, back into the newly generated ones without a problem.

My grateful thanks.