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Folder compacting interrupted



 
 
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  #1  
Old June 12th, 2009, 05:22 PM posted to microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress
Nautico
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 10
Default Folder compacting interrupted

Whenever I run the folder compacting routine, it hangs up a couple of times
along the way, depicting the following message:

"The folder is currently being used by OE or by another application."

I then have to click on OK, so that the compacting can proceed. This has not
always been the case, but it's been the rule for the last several months and
I've learned to live with the interruptions. What might be causing this?

I'm using OE6 and operating under Win XP Pro SP3, with all relevant patches
installed.
  #2  
Old June 12th, 2009, 05:34 PM posted to microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress
Bruce Hagen
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 7,956
Default Folder compacting interrupted

Are you compacting manually? Reboot and open OE. Compact as follows before
you do anything else.

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.

Compact Your OE Folders:
http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm#compact

If it still hangs, determine which folders it hangs on. You can move the "In
Use" dialog box out of the way by grabbing the blue banner and see which
folder it has stopped on.
--

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


"Nautico" wrote in message
...
Whenever I run the folder compacting routine, it hangs up a couple of
times
along the way, depicting the following message:

"The folder is currently being used by OE or by another application."

I then have to click on OK, so that the compacting can proceed. This has
not
always been the case, but it's been the rule for the last several months
and
I've learned to live with the interruptions. What might be causing this?

I'm using OE6 and operating under Win XP Pro SP3, with all relevant
patches
installed.


  #3  
Old June 12th, 2009, 05:56 PM posted to microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress
Gerry[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 177
Default Folder compacting interrupted

Nautico

In Outlook Express place the cursor on Local Folders and select File,
Work Offline followed by File, Folder, Compact All. Do not attempt to
interrupt or stop the process until it has completed. Close Outlook
Express when it has completed.

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Nautico wrote:
Whenever I run the folder compacting routine, it hangs up a couple of
times along the way, depicting the following message:

"The folder is currently being used by OE or by another application."

I then have to click on OK, so that the compacting can proceed. This
has not always been the case, but it's been the rule for the last
several months and I've learned to live with the interruptions. What
might be causing this?

I'm using OE6 and operating under Win XP Pro SP3, with all relevant
patches installed.

  #4  
Old June 12th, 2009, 07:39 PM posted to microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress
Nautico
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 10
Default Folder compacting interrupted

I ran the compacting routine manually, as I have often done before. Same
result. The routine was interrupted twice, first at the end of the Deleted
Items compacting and then again at the end of compacting a folder I have
named Sent 2008.

(Note: I do not archive OE folders, because they are then rendered
unsearchable. Instead, I retain all messages in the Deleted Items folder for
the last twelve months, permanently deleting those with an earlier date. As
for Sent Items, I separate those messages out by year. For example, my main
Sent Items folder contains only those messages sent since Jan 1. I have three
other folders of sent messages entitled Sent 2006, Sent 2007, and Sent 2008.)

"Gerry" wrote:

Nautico

In Outlook Express place the cursor on Local Folders and select File,
Work Offline followed by File, Folder, Compact All. Do not attempt to
interrupt or stop the process until it has completed. Close Outlook
Express when it has completed.

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Nautico wrote:
Whenever I run the folder compacting routine, it hangs up a couple of
times along the way, depicting the following message:

"The folder is currently being used by OE or by another application."

I then have to click on OK, so that the compacting can proceed. This
has not always been the case, but it's been the rule for the last
several months and I've learned to live with the interruptions. What
might be causing this?

I'm using OE6 and operating under Win XP Pro SP3, with all relevant
patches installed.


  #5  
Old June 12th, 2009, 07:49 PM posted to microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress
Bruce Hagen
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 7,956
Default Folder compacting interrupted

Your folders are too large or corrupt.

Create two new folders and move all your messages from Deleted Items and
Sent 2008 to them.

Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location of
your Outlook Express files. Write the location down and navigate to it in
Windows Explorer or, copy and paste it into Start | Run.

In WinXP, Win2K & Win2K3, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default
marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must enable
Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control Panel | Folder Options
Icon | View, or in Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | View.

With OE closed, find the DBX file for Deleted Items and Sent 2008 and delete
them. A new Deleted Items folder will be created automatically when you
open OE.

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

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


"Nautico" wrote in message
...
I ran the compacting routine manually, as I have often done before. Same
result. The routine was interrupted twice, first at the end of the Deleted
Items compacting and then again at the end of compacting a folder I have
named Sent 2008.

(Note: I do not archive OE folders, because they are then rendered
unsearchable. Instead, I retain all messages in the Deleted Items folder
for
the last twelve months, permanently deleting those with an earlier date.
As
for Sent Items, I separate those messages out by year. For example, my
main
Sent Items folder contains only those messages sent since Jan 1. I have
three
other folders of sent messages entitled Sent 2006, Sent 2007, and Sent
2008.)

"Gerry" wrote:

Nautico

In Outlook Express place the cursor on Local Folders and select File,
Work Offline followed by File, Folder, Compact All. Do not attempt to
interrupt or stop the process until it has completed. Close Outlook
Express when it has completed.

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Nautico wrote:
Whenever I run the folder compacting routine, it hangs up a couple of
times along the way, depicting the following message:

"The folder is currently being used by OE or by another application."

I then have to click on OK, so that the compacting can proceed. This
has not always been the case, but it's been the rule for the last
several months and I've learned to live with the interruptions. What
might be causing this?

I'm using OE6 and operating under Win XP Pro SP3, with all relevant
patches installed.



  #6  
Old June 12th, 2009, 10:19 PM posted to microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress
Nautico
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 10
Default Folder compacting interrupted

Thanks!

"Bruce Hagen" wrote:

Your folders are too large or corrupt.

Create two new folders and move all your messages from Deleted Items and
Sent 2008 to them.

Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location of
your Outlook Express files. Write the location down and navigate to it in
Windows Explorer or, copy and paste it into Start | Run.

In WinXP, Win2K & Win2K3, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default
marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must enable
Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control Panel | Folder Options
Icon | View, or in Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | View.

With OE closed, find the DBX file for Deleted Items and Sent 2008 and delete
them. A new Deleted Items folder will be created automatically when you
open OE.

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

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


"Nautico" wrote in message
...
I ran the compacting routine manually, as I have often done before. Same
result. The routine was interrupted twice, first at the end of the Deleted
Items compacting and then again at the end of compacting a folder I have
named Sent 2008.

(Note: I do not archive OE folders, because they are then rendered
unsearchable. Instead, I retain all messages in the Deleted Items folder
for
the last twelve months, permanently deleting those with an earlier date.
As
for Sent Items, I separate those messages out by year. For example, my
main
Sent Items folder contains only those messages sent since Jan 1. I have
three
other folders of sent messages entitled Sent 2006, Sent 2007, and Sent
2008.)

"Gerry" wrote:

Nautico

In Outlook Express place the cursor on Local Folders and select File,
Work Offline followed by File, Folder, Compact All. Do not attempt to
interrupt or stop the process until it has completed. Close Outlook
Express when it has completed.

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Nautico wrote:
Whenever I run the folder compacting routine, it hangs up a couple of
times along the way, depicting the following message:

"The folder is currently being used by OE or by another application."

I then have to click on OK, so that the compacting can proceed. This
has not always been the case, but it's been the rule for the last
several months and I've learned to live with the interruptions. What
might be causing this?

I'm using OE6 and operating under Win XP Pro SP3, with all relevant
patches installed.



  #7  
Old June 12th, 2009, 11:59 PM posted to microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress
PA Bear [MS MVP]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,690
Default Folder compacting interrupted

Nautico wrote:
snip
(Note: I do not archive OE folders, because they are then rendered
unsearchable. Instead, I retain all messages in the Deleted Items folder
for
the last twelve months...


No, no, no, no, no!! See
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/IE/...orruption.mspx
(Yes, it's from 2004 but it's still applicable today!)

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

  #8  
Old June 13th, 2009, 08:19 AM posted to microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress
Gerry[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 177
Default Folder compacting interrupted

Nautico

Bruce has dealt with general issues.

There are no fixed definitions of what is too large. What is large on
one system is not on another. The issues arise when the capacity ( CPU
and RAM ) of the system struggle to handle the size of the folder.
Compacting is an operation that is particularly demanding on the system
capacity, probably more than any other in Outlook Express. Delays in
compacting can lead to folders becoming very large but the size and
number of file attachments is another factor, which can quickly increase
their size.

Leaving messages in the Inbox and the Sent Items folders is unwise. The
risk of corruption and loss of messages is greater than with user
created mail folders, probably because the Inbox and the Sent Items
folders are constantly being accessed. Apart from the corruption issue
there is a performance issue. The Inbox and the Sent Items folders are
included when Synchronise All or Send and Receive are initiated, whereas
user created mail folders are not. Reduce the size of the Inbox and the
Sent Items folders and performance improves.

Your original complaint was concerning two interuptions. Usually these
arise in connection with folders.dbx. With an "in use" interruption it
means what it says! An earlier intiated operation within Outlook
Express has not completed. Thus operations like using the Move to Folder
command can appear to have completed but in reality they are still
continuing in the background. The Compact command also continues for a
while after you may think the operation has completed.

The way to eliminate the "In Use" issue is to close Outlook Express if
it is open and then restart Outlook Express. This ensures that
previously uncompleted operations have stopped. If you have Send and
Receive at Start Up checked you have to be certain the operation has
completed before you start compacting. This could be an explanation for
your particular complaint. Placing the cursor on Local Folders ( Bruce
likes Outlook Express ) seems to eliminate getting an "In use" response
for folders.dbx. Compacting offline discourages interuptions by
operations initiated during the compacting process.


--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




Nautico wrote:
I ran the compacting routine manually, as I have often done before.
Same result. The routine was interrupted twice, first at the end of
the Deleted Items compacting and then again at the end of compacting
a folder I have named Sent 2008.

(Note: I do not archive OE folders, because they are then rendered
unsearchable. Instead, I retain all messages in the Deleted Items
folder for the last twelve months, permanently deleting those with an
earlier date. As for Sent Items, I separate those messages out by
year. For example, my main Sent Items folder contains only those
messages sent since Jan 1. I have three other folders of sent
messages entitled Sent 2006, Sent 2007, and Sent 2008.)

"Gerry" wrote:

Nautico

In Outlook Express place the cursor on Local Folders and select File,
Work Offline followed by File, Folder, Compact All. Do not attempt to
interrupt or stop the process until it has completed. Close Outlook
Express when it has completed.

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Nautico wrote:
Whenever I run the folder compacting routine, it hangs up a couple
of times along the way, depicting the following message:

"The folder is currently being used by OE or by another
application."

I then have to click on OK, so that the compacting can proceed. This
has not always been the case, but it's been the rule for the last
several months and I've learned to live with the interruptions. What
might be causing this?

I'm using OE6 and operating under Win XP Pro SP3, with all relevant
patches installed.


  #9  
Old June 13th, 2009, 12:53 PM posted to microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress
Ron Sommer
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,059
Default Folder compacting interrupted

View, Layout, check Status Bar
Double clicking Working online on the Status bar will make OE go offline.
To the right of Working Online is the status of the Send / Receive
operation. You will see if OE is sending or receiving when you prepare to
go offline.
--
Ron Sommer

"Gerry" wrote in message
...
snipped

The way to eliminate the "In Use" issue is to close Outlook Express if it
is open and then restart Outlook Express. This ensures that previously
uncompleted operations have stopped. If you have Send and Receive at Start
Up checked you have to be certain the operation has completed before you
start compacting. This could be an explanation for your particular
complaint. Placing the cursor on Local Folders ( Bruce likes Outlook
Express ) seems to eliminate getting an "In use" response for folders.dbx.
Compacting offline discourages interuptions by operations initiated during
the compacting process.



  #10  
Old June 13th, 2009, 01:34 PM posted to microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress
Gerry[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 177
Default Folder compacting interrupted

Good thought Ron. The "Retrieving Posts" display. It already appears on
my Status Bar. That's something worth checking after restarting Outlook
Express. Of course that involves persuading users, who like to simplify
windows, to display the Status Bar. I find the Status bar useful because
the Online/ Offline button is quicker than using File, Work Offline /
Work Online but the most users do not read Offline as I do.


--


Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Ron Sommer wrote:
View, Layout, check Status Bar
Double clicking Working online on the Status bar will make OE go
offline. To the right of Working Online is the status of the Send /
Receive operation. You will see if OE is sending or receiving when
you prepare to go offline.

"Gerry" wrote in message
...
snipped

The way to eliminate the "In Use" issue is to close Outlook Express
if it is open and then restart Outlook Express. This ensures that
previously uncompleted operations have stopped. If you have Send and
Receive at Start Up checked you have to be certain the operation has
completed before you start compacting. This could be an explanation
for your particular complaint. Placing the cursor on Local Folders (
Bruce likes Outlook Express ) seems to eliminate getting an "In use"
response for folders.dbx. Compacting offline discourages
interuptions by operations initiated during the compacting process.


 




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