What causes 2nd dbx files?

I notice in the OE store that there are 2nd
generation files. E.g., Inbox.dbx; Inbox (1).dbx;
FolderX.dbx; FolderX (1).dbx; etc. I even see
second generations of news group folders.

What's that all about?

Bill

Do a little testing and you should find that the dbx files with the (1) are
the ones you are using. Somehow and sometime your message store got screwed
up and new files were created.

You can delete the ones you are not actively using provided you ascertain
which ones they are.

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 Freeware)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

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


"Bill" wrote in message
...
I notice in the OE store that there are 2nd
generation files. E.g., Inbox.dbx; Inbox (1).dbx;
FolderX.dbx; FolderX (1).dbx; etc. I even see
second generations of news group folders.

What's that all about?

Bill

What's that all about? Most likely your lousy OE housekeeping (see below)
causing damage to your data.

INBOX.DBX = the DBX file currently associated with your Inbox folder.

INBOX (1).DBX = a damaged DBX file previously associated with your Inbox
folder.

Assuming you're not missing any messages in any folders, you can close OE
(IMPORTANT!!) and then delete the number-appended DBX files from your
message store folder (http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain).

General OE Caveats:

- Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local
folders created for this purpose.

- Empty Deleted Items folder daily.

- Frequently perform a manual compact of all OE folders while "working
offline". More at http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm

- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not attempt to
close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic Compacting
is taking place.

- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause
corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional protection:

Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm

--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Bill wrote:
I notice in the OE store that there are 2nd
generation files. E.g., Inbox.dbx; Inbox (1).dbx;
FolderX.dbx; FolderX (1).dbx; etc. I even see
second generations of news group folders.

What's that all about?

Lousy isn't a strong enough word. I don't know how many
times I've warned my clients to follow most if not all of the
precautions and recommended practices posted in this NG.

The client with the troubled OE has only one Inbox, and
that is Inbox (1).dbx and it is the active file. Not sure how
they managed that, but the system seems stable at the
moment, so I can't see spending any more time on that
system.

Thanks,
Bill


"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote in message
...
What's that all about? Most likely your lousy OE housekeeping (see below)
causing damage to your data.

INBOX.DBX = the DBX file currently associated with your Inbox folder.

INBOX (1).DBX = a damaged DBX file previously associated with your Inbox
folder.

Assuming you're not missing any messages in any folders, you can close OE
(IMPORTANT!!) and then delete the number-appended DBX files from your
message store folder (http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain).

General OE Caveats:

- Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local
folders created for this purpose.

- Empty Deleted Items folder daily.

- Frequently perform a manual compact of all OE folders while "working
offline". More at http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm

- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not attempt
to close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic
Compacting is taking place.

- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause
corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional protection:

Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm

--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Bill wrote:
I notice in the OE store that there are 2nd
generation files. E.g., Inbox.dbx; Inbox (1).dbx;
FolderX.dbx; FolderX (1).dbx; etc. I even see
second generations of news group folders.

What's that all about?

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

PS: I have several clients who must be related to your client, Bill.


Bill wrote:
Lousy isn't a strong enough word. I don't know how many
times I've warned my clients to follow most if not all of the
precautions and recommended practices posted in this NG.

The client with the troubled OE has only one Inbox, and
that is Inbox (1).dbx and it is the active file. Not sure how
they managed that, but the system seems stable at the
moment, so I can't see spending any more time on that
system.

What's that all about? Most likely your lousy OE housekeeping (see below)
causing damage to your data.

INBOX.DBX = the DBX file currently associated with your Inbox folder.

INBOX (1).DBX = a damaged DBX file previously associated with your Inbox
folder.

Assuming you're not missing any messages in any folders, you can close OE
(IMPORTANT!!) and then delete the number-appended DBX files from your
message store folder (http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain).

General OE Caveats:

- Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local
folders created for this purpose.

- Empty Deleted Items folder daily.

- Frequently perform a manual compact of all OE folders while "working
offline". More at http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm

- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not attempt
to close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic
Compacting is taking place.

- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause
corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional
protection:

Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm

--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Bill wrote:
I notice in the OE store that there are 2nd
generation files. E.g., Inbox.dbx; Inbox (1).dbx;
FolderX.dbx; FolderX (1).dbx; etc. I even see
second generations of news group folders.

What's that all about?