Article ID: 898124
Article Last Modified on 10/11/2006
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Outlook Express 6.0
- Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5
- Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0
SYMPTOMS
When you use a version of Microsoft Outlook Express that is listed in the "Applies to" section, you receive a newsgroup message or e-mail message in which the text is incorrectly interpreted as a blank attachment.
CAUSE
This problem occurs if the body of the message contains an invalid attachment header or attachment footer in UUEncode format. A UUE attachment header is a line that contains the word "begin," a space, three digits that represent UNIX file permissions, a second space, and a file name.
Outlook Express does not validate the number of permissions digits. Therefore, Outlook Express considers the line as a valid UUE attachment header when the line contains any number of UNIX file permissions digits. This includes a line that contains no UNIX file permissions digits.
Additionally, Outlook Express does not look for a valid UUE attachment footer. Even if there is no UUE attachment footer, Outlook Express displays an attachment and hides the text that is located underneath the UUE attachment header.
A UUE attachment footer consists of two lines. The first line contains a backtick (`) or a space. For Internet transmission, such as in e-mail messages or in newsgroup messages, the first line can be empty. The second line contains the word "end."
This problem occurs only in messages that are received in plain text format.
RESOLUTION
To partially resolve this problem, install update 900930. This update enables Outlook Express to validate three digits that represents the UNIX file permissions in a UUE attachment header. This update is not intended to fix the validation of a UUE attachment footer. For more information about how to obtain update 900930, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
900930 An update that addresses Outlook Express 6.0 issues is available for Windows XP
WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, follow these suggestions:
- If you are the recipient of a message, follow these suggestions:
- In a received message, follow these steps:
- Show the message in the preview pane in Outlook Express.
- Press CTRL+F3 to open the Message Source dialog box.
- Copy the contents of the Message Source dialog box. Then, paste the contents to a new document in Notepad.
- On the Edit menu, click Replace.
- In the Find what box, type begin, and then click Find Next.
- If the line starts with the word "begin," replace the word "begin" with a different word such as "start."
- Save the file as an .eml file or an .nws file.
- Open the new file in Outlook Express.
- Install OE PowerTool to filter malformed attachments. This tool will not correct messages that you already downloaded.
For more information about OE PowerTool, visit the following Web site: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
- In a received message, follow these steps:
- If you are the sender of a message, follow these suggestions:
- Do not start messages by using the word "begin" followed by two spaces.
- Use only one space between the word "begin" and the data that follows.
- Capitalize the word "begin" so that it is reads "Begin."
- Use a different word such as "start" or "commence."
STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
MORE INFORMATION
UUEncode is a method that is used to send binary attachments in plain text messages. The name UUEncode is derived from "Unix-to-Unix encoding."
The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
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