Sudden OE6 Compaction Problems

I periodically get the request from OE6 to compact my folders, usually just
as I am closing the application for the night, so I let it do its thing.
Usually I just view it as an annoyance and go about other business like
surfing the web, etc. while the compaction is executing. After all, the
compaction message says nothing about "stop everything and just sit here
staring at the wall while I do this".

This has worked just fine until a few days ago when I noticed that a couple
of my created folders are missing. I started reading post after post of
complicated instructions on how to fix, restore those lost folders. Even
some posts from Microsoft itself suggesting that I should go out and buy
extra band-aid software from somewhere to resolve the inefficiencies of the
application.

I tried the re-compaction method (with the folder view closed) suggested by
Tom Koch and it didn't do anything to bring back my lost folders. Also now
that I have re-compacted a few times, my SENT folder has only a few items in
it - so now the history in my SENT folder is destroyed as well. BTW: the
error msg I get during compaction is that one of the folders is busy or being
used by another application, although I can't think what other application
would be using a *.dbx file?

I do periodic full-system backups and could theoretically go back to a
full-disk copy I took a week ago before this problem occured, but I am now
afraid to use OE6 at all with all of the warnings (some from MS reps) saying
how fragile and easily corruptable the *.dbx files are.

MY QUESTION IS: Is there some other mail software we should have migrated to
by now - or should we really be struggling along with OE6 as the
Microsoft-endorsed email program?

PS. I am current on the Windows Updates (XP-Pro SP3). I have been using OE6
on this computer since 2002 and have never had a problem until now.

Why it happens:

http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/probl...s.htm#mailgone
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/IE/...orruption.mspx

Recovering the missing data: http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx (#2 and #4)
and http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=918069 (see Notes section under
Resolution section; Please note that you do NOT need to install KB923694 or
KB918766 if your computer is fully-patched at Windows Update!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DBXpress (faster, more powerful, with even greater functionality than
DBXtract)
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Avoiding Such Corruption in Futu

- 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
www.banthecheck.com


New Hope User wrote:
I periodically get the request from OE6 to compact my folders, usually
just
as I am closing the application for the night, so I let it do its thing.
Usually I just view it as an annoyance and go about other business like
surfing the web, etc. while the compaction is executing. After all, the
compaction message says nothing about "stop everything and just sit here
staring at the wall while I do this".

This has worked just fine until a few days ago when I noticed that a
couple
of my created folders are missing. I started reading post after post of
complicated instructions on how to fix, restore those lost folders. Even
some posts from Microsoft itself suggesting that I should go out and buy
extra band-aid software from somewhere to resolve the inefficiencies of
the
application.

I tried the re-compaction method (with the folder view closed) suggested
by
Tom Koch and it didn't do anything to bring back my lost folders. Also
now
that I have re-compacted a few times, my SENT folder has only a few items
in
it - so now the history in my SENT folder is destroyed as well. BTW: the
error msg I get during compaction is that one of the folders is busy or
being used by another application, although I can't think what other
application would be using a *.dbx file?

I do periodic full-system backups and could theoretically go back to a
full-disk copy I took a week ago before this problem occured, but I am now
afraid to use OE6 at all with all of the warnings (some from MS reps)
saying
how fragile and easily corruptable the *.dbx files are.

MY QUESTION IS: Is there some other mail software we should have migrated
to
by now - or should we really be struggling along with OE6 as the
Microsoft-endorsed email program?

PS. I am current on the Windows Updates (XP-Pro SP3). I have been using
OE6
on this computer since 2002 and have never had a problem until now.

Robear,
Your 'don't archive' suggestion does not have a size limit recommendation
for the created folders. I think that the folders should be kept under 300
MB.
I can only guess how large new user's folders are with email going back to
2002.
--
Ron Sommer

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote in message
...
Why it happens:

http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/probl...s.htm#mailgone

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/IE/...orruption.mspx

Recovering the missing data: http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx (#2 and #4)
and http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=918069 (see Notes section under
Resolution section; Please note that you do NOT need to install KB923694
or KB918766 if your computer is fully-patched at Windows Update!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DBXpress (faster, more powerful, with even greater functionality than
DBXtract)
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Avoiding Such Corruption in Futu

- 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
www.banthecheck.com


New Hope User wrote:
I periodically get the request from OE6 to compact my folders, usually
just
as I am closing the application for the night, so I let it do its thing.
Usually I just view it as an annoyance and go about other business like
surfing the web, etc. while the compaction is executing. After all, the
compaction message says nothing about "stop everything and just sit here
staring at the wall while I do this".

This has worked just fine until a few days ago when I noticed that a
couple
of my created folders are missing. I started reading post after post of
complicated instructions on how to fix, restore those lost folders. Even
some posts from Microsoft itself suggesting that I should go out and buy
extra band-aid software from somewhere to resolve the inefficiencies of
the
application.

I tried the re-compaction method (with the folder view closed) suggested
by
Tom Koch and it didn't do anything to bring back my lost folders. Also
now
that I have re-compacted a few times, my SENT folder has only a few items
in
it - so now the history in my SENT folder is destroyed as well. BTW: the
error msg I get during compaction is that one of the folders is busy or
being used by another application, although I can't think what other
application would be using a *.dbx file?

I do periodic full-system backups and could theoretically go back to a
full-disk copy I took a week ago before this problem occured, but I am
now
afraid to use OE6 at all with all of the warnings (some from MS reps)
saying
how fragile and easily corruptable the *.dbx files are.

MY QUESTION IS: Is there some other mail software we should have migrated
to
by now - or should we really be struggling along with OE6 as the
Microsoft-endorsed email program?

PS. I am current on the Windows Updates (XP-Pro SP3). I have been using
OE6
on this computer since 2002 and have never had a problem until now.

First check your Recycle bin for bak files that are backups of the dbx
files. See www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#2 if they are present then you can
recover the lost files.

Otherwise, if you keep your folders under a few hundred megabytes as Ron
indicates then you should be okay for the most part. But backing up is
essential. Not only due to the instability of OE but also your hard drive
could fail at any moment and all would be lost. My OETool program coupled
with OEQB (both are free at www.oehelp.com) will enable you to backup the
message store and settings to 3 layers of redundancy with a single button
click.

steve

"New Hope User" wrote in message
...
I periodically get the request from OE6 to compact my folders, usually just
as I am closing the application for the night, so I let it do its thing.
Usually I just view it as an annoyance and go about other business like
surfing the web, etc. while the compaction is executing. After all, the
compaction message says nothing about "stop everything and just sit here
staring at the wall while I do this".

This has worked just fine until a few days ago when I noticed that a
couple
of my created folders are missing. I started reading post after post of
complicated instructions on how to fix, restore those lost folders. Even
some posts from Microsoft itself suggesting that I should go out and buy
extra band-aid software from somewhere to resolve the inefficiencies of
the
application.

I tried the re-compaction method (with the folder view closed) suggested
by
Tom Koch and it didn't do anything to bring back my lost folders. Also
now
that I have re-compacted a few times, my SENT folder has only a few items
in
it - so now the history in my SENT folder is destroyed as well. BTW: the
error msg I get during compaction is that one of the folders is busy or
being
used by another application, although I can't think what other application
would be using a *.dbx file?

I do periodic full-system backups and could theoretically go back to a
full-disk copy I took a week ago before this problem occured, but I am now
afraid to use OE6 at all with all of the warnings (some from MS reps)
saying
how fragile and easily corruptable the *.dbx files are.

MY QUESTION IS: Is there some other mail software we should have migrated
to
by now - or should we really be struggling along with OE6 as the
Microsoft-endorsed email program?

PS. I am current on the Windows Updates (XP-Pro SP3). I have been using
OE6
on this computer since 2002 and have never had a problem until now.

Part of your problem was caused by the failure of OE to complete the
compacting. (Folder in use). That is also why the prompt came back every
night.

Canned

Compacting hangs on Folders.dbx after installing SP3 for XP:

This is a known issue and will never be fixed. Therefore, compact your
folders manually. The counter will be reset to zero, and a manual compact
won't hang.

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.

If you get it the habit of compacting before the 100th closing, (i.e. once a
week, or so), you will never see the prompt again.
--

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


"New Hope User" wrote in message
...
I periodically get the request from OE6 to compact my folders, usually just
as I am closing the application for the night, so I let it do its thing.
Usually I just view it as an annoyance and go about other business like
surfing the web, etc. while the compaction is executing. After all, the
compaction message says nothing about "stop everything and just sit here
staring at the wall while I do this".

This has worked just fine until a few days ago when I noticed that a
couple
of my created folders are missing. I started reading post after post of
complicated instructions on how to fix, restore those lost folders. Even
some posts from Microsoft itself suggesting that I should go out and buy
extra band-aid software from somewhere to resolve the inefficiencies of
the
application.

I tried the re-compaction method (with the folder view closed) suggested
by
Tom Koch and it didn't do anything to bring back my lost folders. Also
now
that I have re-compacted a few times, my SENT folder has only a few items
in
it - so now the history in my SENT folder is destroyed as well. BTW: the
error msg I get during compaction is that one of the folders is busy or
being
used by another application, although I can't think what other application
would be using a *.dbx file?

I do periodic full-system backups and could theoretically go back to a
full-disk copy I took a week ago before this problem occured, but I am now
afraid to use OE6 at all with all of the warnings (some from MS reps)
saying
how fragile and easily corruptable the *.dbx files are.

MY QUESTION IS: Is there some other mail software we should have migrated
to
by now - or should we really be struggling along with OE6 as the
Microsoft-endorsed email program?

PS. I am current on the Windows Updates (XP-Pro SP3). I have been using
OE6
on this computer since 2002 and have never had a problem until now.

Thank you for all of your responses, but no one really answered my question...

MY QUESTION IS: Is there some other mail software we should have migrated to
by now - or should we really be struggling along with OE6 as the
Microsoft-endorsed email program?

That is totally up to you. There is no answer for "should have". OE
production ended in June of 2006 as did Windows Mail for Vista. If you are
"struggling" with OE, then by all means give another program a try. You can
use Windows Live Mail, or get away from MS and try Thunderbird. You can also
run either along side of OE.

On this particular XP machine of mine, I choose to stay with OE.
--

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


"New Hope User" wrote in message
...
Thank you for all of your responses, but no one really answered my
question...

MY QUESTION IS: Is there some other mail software we should have migrated
to
by now - or should we really be struggling along with OE6 as the
Microsoft-endorsed email program?

I ran the compaction several more times while paying close attention to what
file was being processed and found that the process would "hang" on my
Sent.dbx file.

In the process of substituting my *.dbx files from a full-system backup I
had taken last week, I attempted copying my original (offending) *.dbx files
over to another location in case I needed them and the copy failed stating
that Sent.dbx had an I/O error and could not continue. I was able to
substitute my entire store folder from the backup I had taken. Upon
re-opening OE6, everything was back in place. I manually performed a
compaction, which ran to completion without the "folder busy" message from
before.

I am assuming then that the I/O error on the original Sent.dbx file was the
problem. I did run a CheckDisk to see if the I/O error related to my C:
drive generally, but the results came back negative. So I am back in
business, somewhat learier than before.

Since I routinely do full-system backups, would this be considered enough
prevention going forward? BTW: my Sent.dbx file is around 1GB (going back to
2003) which I know is above the recommended level, but the size was
apparently not the issue or was it?

BTW: my Sent.dbx file is around 1GB (going back
to 2003) which I know is above the recommended level, but the size was
apparently not the issue or was it?

It most certainly was! See below...

General OE Caveats:

- Do NOT use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move the messages to
local folders you've 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
www.banthecheck.com


New Hope User wrote:
I ran the compaction several more times while paying close attention to
what
file was being processed and found that the process would "hang" on my
Sent.dbx file.

In the process of substituting my *.dbx files from a full-system backup I
had taken last week, I attempted copying my original (offending) *.dbx
files
over to another location in case I needed them and the copy failed stating
that Sent.dbx had an I/O error and could not continue. I was able to
substitute my entire store folder from the backup I had taken. Upon
re-opening OE6, everything was back in place. I manually performed a
compaction, which ran to completion without the "folder busy" message from
before.

I am assuming then that the I/O error on the original Sent.dbx file was
the
problem. I did run a CheckDisk to see if the I/O error related to my C:
drive generally, but the results came back negative. So I am back in
business, somewhat learier than before.

Since I routinely do full-system backups, would this be considered enough
prevention going forward? BTW: my Sent.dbx file is around 1GB (going back
to 2003) which I know is above the recommended level, but the size was
apparently not the issue or was it?

For the record, do you mean sent items.dbx or did you create a sent folder
so you have a sent.dbx?

Size was definitely the issue. A corrupted Sent items can cause messages
not to send or copies of sent messages not to be saved.
--
Ron Sommer
MVP-Mail

"New Hope User" wrote in message
...
I ran the compaction several more times while paying close attention to
what
file was being processed and found that the process would "hang" on my
Sent.dbx file.

In the process of substituting my *.dbx files from a full-system backup I
had taken last week, I attempted copying my original (offending) *.dbx
files
over to another location in case I needed them and the copy failed stating
that Sent.dbx had an I/O error and could not continue. I was able to
substitute my entire store folder from the backup I had taken. Upon
re-opening OE6, everything was back in place. I manually performed a
compaction, which ran to completion without the "folder busy" message from
before.

I am assuming then that the I/O error on the original Sent.dbx file was
the
problem. I did run a CheckDisk to see if the I/O error related to my C:
drive generally, but the results came back negative. So I am back in
business, somewhat learier than before.

Since I routinely do full-system backups, would this be considered enough
prevention going forward? BTW: my Sent.dbx file is around 1GB (going back
to
2003) which I know is above the recommended level, but the size was
apparently not the issue or was it?