Article ID: 238656
Article Last Modified on 1/24/2007
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0
- Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0
- Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0
This article was previously published under Q238656
For information about the differences between Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook e-mail clients, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
257824 OL2000: Differences Between Outlook and Outlook Express
SYMPTOMS
When you attempt to start Outlook Express, the following error message may be displayed:
If you click the Details button, the following error message may be displayed:
Outlook Express may start, but either of the following error messages may be displayed:
When viewing the preview pane, either of the following error messages may be displayed:
CAUSE
This behavior can occur if the attributes of any or all of the Outlook Express *.dbx mail files are set to read only.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, remove the read-only attribute from the Outlook Express *.dbx mail files:
- Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
- In the Named box, type *.dbx, in the Look in box, click Local hard drives (C:), and then click Find Now.
- For each *.dbx file that is found, right-click the file, click Properties, and then clear the Read-only check box.
- Click Apply, and then click Close.
NOTE: The *.dbx files should only have the Archive check box selected.
MORE INFORMATION
If Outlook Express starts, you may not be able to gain access to some or all of your folders when you select them. In this case, the folders may have waiting mail messages highlighted in the folder list, but when you click the folder, the message area is blank. For additional information about Outlook Express error messages, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
225096 Error Message Using Some Rules in Outlook Express
233264 Error Message If the Folders.dbx File Is Missing or Damaged
Additional query words: cannot open access folders oe5top
Keywords: kbprb KB238656