Outlook Express faulty in one user account only

[alexcraw]

PC:

CPU - P4 2.8
Memory - 512Mb
Main HDD - 160Gb
OS - XP Pro sp2
ISP - Tiscali.co.uk (broadband)


On the above system, I had a problem with spyware and viruses. I cleaned out the system and had to reinstall the graphics and sound drivers. All was OK. Internet connection was fine after tweaking the settings and the web based email client was both sending and recieving ok.

The problem arose when we tried to use Outlook Express (OE) again with the settings used previously. The mail accounts were fine, but the actual interface of OE was faulty (there was no navigation within folders as the entire contents of the window had dissappeared - there was a grey banner near the top which had an inbox logo, but it did nothing and was completely out of place).

I tried to fix the problem as follows:

Attempt 1: Start>Run> sfc /scannow

Result: Nothing Happened

Attempt 2: Change Registry Value in - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{44BBA840-CC51-11CF-AAFA-00AA00B6015C} from 1 to 0, then reinstall IE6.

Result: Had to restore registry value after trying to install IE6 (it told me that I had a newer version and it would not continue). No changes were made!


I did not want to try to use the repair function on the XP disc, so I tried to create a new user account in XP and connect through that, then see if OE was good. Lo and behold OE was fine. All we had to do was to locate the progs, files and folders (My Docs; Pics; Music, etc.) which were in use on the other account and set them up in a similar fashion on the new account. Hence we had created a clone user account with all the settings in perfect working order.

Normally I'd say, "Great, problem solved", but I still need to know if we can repair the old account's OE, and indeed why there is a difference between the Outlook on one account as opposed to the other.

Any light shed on this would be really helpful.

Many Thanks

Alex

[EzyStvy]

Sounds like some sort of corrution...Should try File->Import and try to import the old mail.

[glc]

I'd concur with importing the mail and address book from the old profile into the new one.

Use the wizard and import from an OE6 store directory - browse to the old identity. Documents and settings\username\local settings\application data\identities\a bunch of numbers\microsoft\outlook express - there will be a bunch of .dbx files in there.

Address book - search for *.wab