Outlook Express doesn't View (or Create) my Message (Attached Photo)

[quantass]

This is strange. After installing a fresh windows on my system (after a 2nd time trying to fix this) i notice that my Outlook Express app doesn't allow me to view my emails or create them.

What i mean is. When a new message arrives in my InBox i am visibly notified of its arrival but when i click the message subject (as seen in the attached photo in the blue highlight) the message body doesn't appear in the lower window.

If you look closely you'll notice the bottom window pane (where the message body should appear) seems like it is "disabled" (doesn't seem to have its usual "engraved" look when a message is being viewed).

When i create a new message the same thing happens...the lower portion of create window where i type my message body prevents me typing in anything.

Hope this makes sense and someone can help.

I have ZoneAlarm running if this is of any importance on a Win2K system. I also have another Win2K system with mostly the same stats (incl. ZoneAlarm) and Outlook Express works perfectly.

Are there certain "Services" that should be running? Maybe i turned off some.

[dajogejr]

This sounds stupid...but, I've seen worse...

Is it possible you've messed up the font color and/or background color for your email?

Ok...next.


What version of IE and Outlook Express, please.

All service packs, critical and security updates applied?

Antivirus protection installed and updated...scanned regularly?

[Steve R Jones]

Try going to View->Layout->uncheck the "show" button and ok....Reboot and go back in and check it.

Might also turn OFF the background colors..

[quantass]

Hi guys. Thanks for the help so far. I tried all of your techniques and they both didn't resolve this.

Ok here are my stats:

Norton Antivirus 2003 Pro - i've got the latest definitions
Win2K SP4 - I have downloaded ever security patch MS makes available.
ZomeAlarm 5

Maybe its one of these programs email settings? I tried turning off Norton's Script Blocking and even email protection and that didn't help either.

Are there certain services that should be running for OE to function correctly?

I will attempt to shutdown Norton and ZoneAlarm and reset my machine and see if this resolves the problem..cant check for another 25 mins but i will reply back as soon as i can about the results.

I have another computer that has the same stats as this machine but OE works fine.

The onlly way for me to view new messages that arrive in it is for me to go to the "Properties" option for that message and go to "Details". Or i just save it out to a text file.

Once again thank you for your help :)

[quantass]

Tried turning off NAV and ZoneAlarm and still i cant type in a new email message or read one. Any other ideas? Any other details you need?

[dajogejr]

Did you turn off background colors as Steve mentioned??

This really sounds like a color scheme thing....

Have you tried running a repair process for IE/OE by add/remove programs from the control panel...

[quantass]

Hi again, yup tried the background color too. I should also mention that when i hover my mouse in the message view pane it turns into a hourglass...despite nothing happening...it is as if it is processing something but no hd activity is occuring or internet access. It received my new messages fine but when i highkiight it and move my mouse into the viewing pane it changes its cursor to an hourglass. This also happens when i bring up the Create Message window...when i hover my mouse in the area where i will type the body of my text it changes to an hourglass.

Just to be more specific, the hourglass mouse cursor is a comination of the mouse cursor and an hourglass together.

I've also tried deinstalling and putting back OE (thru add/remove) and it STILL is doing the same..it is as ifsomething is missing...cant figure it out...sounds like i have to do a fresh Win2K install again...f**k!

[dajogejr]

W2K allows for a repair install...I'd try that first.

Then...time for a freshie...