Recently got a new notebook PC from Dell, preloaded with Outlook
Express 6.  Outlook Express worked well on initial try.  Then, after
attempts to transfer my old e-mail files from my old computer (w
Outlook express 5)to this new one, OE started to freeze whenever you
want to shut it off.  Happened almost every time.  When you try again,
you get the dialog box that it is not responding.  Then it leads you
to an error report to Microsoft.  The first times it led to an advise
to do Windows Updates.  I did all 15 critical Updates, and the problem
persisted, only I don't get the advise to Update anymore.  Can you
help me on this?

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Request for Question Clarification by clouseau-ga on 19 Nov 2003 08:32 PST

Hi again gumyearn,

I have one thing you might try and let me know if it helps this problem for you:

Go to Tools / Options / Maintenance in OE and UNCHECK compact files in
the background. This seem to be the number one problem for OE hanging
on shut-down.

Do let me know if this is helpful.

Best,

-=clouseau=-

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Request for Question Clarification by clouseau-ga on 22 Nov 2003 08:57 PST

Hi Lee,

Google Answers had a bit of difficulty with email notifications this
week. Perhaps you were not notified that I posted a possible solution
for you.

Were you able to try this and was it successful for you in providing a
smoother shutdown of Outlook Express? Do let me know.

Best,

-=clouseau=-

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Clarification of Question by gumyearn-ga on 28 Nov 2003 21:50 PST

Yes, that fixed it!!  What a funny software!  Why can't Microsoft get
their act together?

Thank you, Clouseau!  Your requests came in promptly, but we were out of town.

Now if you can help me with this no-brainer question, I am all set to
use the new machine as primary e-mail reader:  How do you set up an
icon for Outlook Express on the Desktop so that it can be clicked to
directly launch OE?

Thanks a million!

Gumyearn

Hi again Gumyearn,

I'm pleased that worked. I'll go ahead and post it as an official
answer here, then address your next question.

To correct Outlook Express freezing on shutdown, go to Tools / Options
/ Maintenance in OE and UNCHECK compact files in the background. This
seem to be the number one problem for OE hanging on shut-down.

Now, to create an icon on the desktop got to Program Files / Outlook
Express in Windows Explorer. Right click on msimn.exe and drag it to
the desktop while holding down the right mouse button. When you
release, choose "create shortcut here". Now, right click the new icon
and click "rename" and call it Outlook Express and you now have a link
to OE from your desktop. If for any reason your installation of
Outlook Express is NOT in Program Files / Outlook Express, then simply
search for msimn.exe and then right click, drag and create a shortcut
from that location.

My pleasure to help. If anything requires anything more, do let me know.

Regards,

-=clouseau=-

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Request for Answer Clarification by gumyearn-ga on 28 Nov 2003 22:20 PST

Hi Clouseau,

I immediately after I asked the icon question, I tried to drag the OE
icon from Programs of the Start menu to the Desktop, just using left
button, and it workd.  Does this create any problem?

In fact I immediately typed another clarification to cancel my
question, but the Google site gave me an error when I tried to post
it--as it did many times tonite.  When i closed that web page, I
realized I closed my entire question page.  By the time I got back to
it thru e-mail, you have already answered it--incredible.

By the way, OE could not shut down again, probably because I clicked
"close" when it was still busy with the last command.  You would think
robots can handle that!

Many thanks!

Gumyearn

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Clarification of Answer by clouseau-ga on 28 Nov 2003 22:39 PST

Gumyearn,

"I immediately after I asked the icon question, I tried to drag the OE
icon from Programs of the Start menu to the Desktop, just using left
button, and it workd.  Does this create any problem?..."

Not at all. It is exactly the same thing as creating a shortcut from
the actual executable. This is now just a copy of the shortcut.
Absolutely no problem. As you can see, there are sometimes many ways
to achieve a desired result.

Double check your OE to be sure that Compact in the Background is
still unchecked to be sure. Should not be hanging for you any longer.

And if you are having problems at Google Answers, please drop a note
to the editors at mailto:answers-editors@google.com and let them know.
I have not seen any problems here tonight and it could be with your
connection, but always a good thing to let them know so they can check
to make sure the site is functioning properly.

Best,

-=clouseau=-

Nobody wanted to answer my question for a few days, or nobody has the
answer.  Then my last researcher came to my rescue and solved the
problem immediately.  Rapid response time on follow-up questions!