how to fix OE 6  It launches and downloads email but does not display
the emails in the folder once downloaded.  When you reloaunch OE, it
downloads the same emails again and does the same thing.  Win XP Home

It sounds like you have corrupt inbox.  You should search for your
inbox.dbx then either rename or move it (with outlook off).  Outlook
should create a new one and you should be able to view new mail.

There are a host of files to try to re-import your old inbox, but if
the file is corrupted, that may be difficult.

The cause of the coruption is most probably auto-compaction
(tools|Options|Maintenance then make sure that "compact messages in
background" is not selected.

If this doesn't work, please update.

Thanks for your attempt to help....

I have created a storage folder named c:\OE4-8-05-2.  I have erased
first inbox.dbx and then after that made no difference, erased all
.dbx files.  What happens now is that when I launch OE, 39 emails come
down and appear in the inbox folder.  Then, if I click on the drafts
folder (or sent items, outbox etc) which is empty and then click on
the inbox folder again, it is empty.  If I close OE and then launch
again, the same 39 emails are downloaded again.

When you say "update" exactly what do you mean?  I have tried just
about every trick I can find on the internet to fix, repair,
uninstall/reinstall OE and nothing has worked.  I cannot get OE to
uninstall so I can reinstall and the reinstall always says there is a
version on the computer already and aborts!

I need this program to function and I'm really pulling my hair out at this stage.

BTW, I do not have a "compact in the background" checkbox in
tools/options/maintainance TAB.  v6.00.2900.2180

Okay, lets try it another way.

How are you erasing the .dbx files?  Under which folder?  It should be
in the Store folder (its hidden).

Here's how to find where your dbx files are:
1. In Outlook Express, click Options on the Tools menu.
2. Click the Maintenance tab. 
3. Click the Store folder button.
4. Press the TAB key to highlight the Store Folder path.
5. Press CTRL+C to copy the path to the clipboard.
6. Click OK, then again OK to close the Options panel.
7. Click Start, and then click Run.
8.Press CTRL+V to paste the path into the command line.
9.Click OK.
10.If you do not see any files in the folder that opens, click Folder
Options on the Tools menu, click the View tab, and then click "Show
hidden files and folders" and click OK.

Move them to your other storage folder.  Make sure that the resulting
inbox.dbx created when you reopen outlook (keep the explorer window
open) does not contain a [1] or something else.  It should be
inbox.dbx exactly.

Tell me if it works.  If it doesn't, please respond.

As I previously stated, my store folder is c:\OE4-8-05-2.  How do I
erase th .dbx files?  I navigate to that folder, hightlight the file
named and press delete.  Take my word for it, they are erased.  I
don't have to drop to DOS to do it.  I always have "Show hidden files
and folders" turned on.

Thanks for your help.  Unfortunately, the problem remains.  Same
problem....same symptoms!

I apologise for the long delays in answering.  Just to verify, you are
deleting the files that Outlook is associated with?  Not your storage
folder, but the outlook folder.  If they are the same, then that's
okay.

When you re-open Outlook after deleting the inbox.dbx, is another
inbox.dbx created?  Is the name exactly "inbox.dbx"?

Also, are you running SP2?

Max

"Just to verify, you are deleting the files that Outlook is associated with?"

Now you have me concerned.  Specifically which files are you talking
about?  I have deeleted all the dbx files in my storage folder as per
your instructions.  Is there some other files that should also be
deleted?

"When you re-open Outlook after deleting the inbox.dbx, is another
inbox.dbx created?  Is the name exactly "inbox.dbx"?"

YES.  Exactly "inbox.dbx"

Jim