When I try to access Outlook Express 6.0, frequently the computer "locks up" and I get the message that the "program is not responding". Then I need to select "End Program", which takes about 1 minutes to clear before the screen clears. This occurs repeatedly when I try to again access Outlook Express. I am using Firefox for my browser but this should not make a difference.

Outlook Express questions should be asked here.XP - Networking, Mail And Getting Online Forumhttp://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/xpnetwork/threadsDo you eventually get into OE? Try a new identity and set it as default so OE opens to that identity.You may have a damaged identity especially if it is the default Main Identity. File | Identity | Add New Identity. Create a new one and test it. If all is well, you can import your messages and Address Book from the old identity and delete it.Note: Do not use the word Main in the name of the new identity.How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Expresshttp://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209169An Outlook Express basic repair kithttp://www.microsoft.com/windows/IE/community/columns/oerepair.mspx#EHH Bruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA

Thanks for your comment, Bruce. I have two identities using OE and the problem occurs with both identities.

Close OE and delete Folders.dbx in each identity. 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. A new Folders.dbx file will be created when you open OE. Note these possible side effects: When you re-start OE, it will build a new index of all the *.dbx files it can read, and create a new Folders.dbx. Understand though that you will lose the mail tree structure, all lists of newsgroups, and all synchronization options, and that message rules will likely need to be edited. When you are done, open OE and compact all your folders. 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. ********************************** 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 And backup often. Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware)http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx Bruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA