A client of mine that still uses Outlook Express called me because they were unable to receive mail on one of their PC’s. After a little troubleshooting I determined that there was nothing wrong with the account itself but it appeared the issue was on the computer. The specific error they were receiving is below.
Error:An unkown error has occurred. Account: ‘mail.example.com’, Server: ‘mail.example’, Protocol: POP3, Port: 110, Secure(SSL): No, Error Number: 0x800C0133
Knowing that the storage files from Outlook Express become corrupted often and also the fact that there is a 2GB file size limit for .dbx files I decided to look into the storage folder first. You can find the storage folder by following the simple directions below.
- Launch Outlook Express: First launch the application.
- Open OE Options: Now select Tools from the top navigation menu and select Options from the drop down.
- Maintenance: Click on the maintenance tab in the Options window.
- Store Folder:Now click the Store Folder button which will pop open a new window with the location of the store folder. This folder will hold all of Outlook Express .dbx files.
Typical Storage Location: C:/Documents and Settings/<user>/Local Settings/Application Data/Identities/{long letter/number combination}/Microsoft/Outlook Express
Anyhow the issue ended up being that the Inbox.dbx file had grown to 2GB’s and thus was not allowing any more mail to be downloaded. I shutdown Outlook Express, copied all of the inbox mail to a new folder, renamed Inbox.dbx to Inbox.dbx.OLD, and restarted Outlook Express. When Outlook Express restarts it will automatically create another Inbox.dbx and start downloading the email on the server.
If you are still running Outlook Express I suggest upgrading to Microsoft Outlook 2007.
Alex, Your post on June 24 was very helpful. I’m pretty sure my storage got full. Everything made sense but here is my problem. When I went to the My Computer,C drive , Documents and Settings, Alan, I cannot find Local Settings and therefore everything else. Can you please give me a little more info. Am I looking in the wrong place. Thanks
Hello Alan,
Sure. You are not seeing “Local Settings” because of your folder options. Click on “Tools” in the top navigation and select “Folder Options” from the drop down. In the configuration window click on the View tab. Make sure you have the radial selected next to “Show Hidden Files and Folder”. and then click Apply to save the settings. Also make sure to check the box next to “Display the contents of System Folders. “.
Hope that helps.
Alex,
That’s the fix that allows one to continue to receive emails…
However, the real challenge is to retrieve all the emails contained in the old inbox.dbx file…
Any trick in your bag for that one?
Poogie
The last time I resolved this issue I was able to drag email form the current Inbox into different folders before moving the Inbox. There are also all sorts of applications that are made to recover .dbx files. I don’t have personal experince with these but try the following URL for free options from download.com >> http://tinyurl.com/nuzc2k
Alex, Thanks so much for your remeady to fix the problem I was savaged with for the last week. When I spoke with the service provider, they got me to remove the mail settings and add it back thinking that would fix the problem. But along with it, I got a blank in box and when I was offered an aplogy adding that my inbox box got wiped out in in tact. I have copied it to the desktop and will try your suggestion to Poogie with the suggested URL. If you have any more info, please let me know.
Thanks
Hello Glen,
No problem. The steps in the article are what resolved the issue for us. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback.
Thanks.
alex
Alex, great thanks for your post! There has been the same problem with my Outlook Express and it has been resolved successfully! I’ve got several e-mail boxes so I have had to collect my mail by visiting all the corresponding servers / boxes. It was really inconvient. Now I am happy! :)
Hello Konstantin,
No problem at all. Glad to hear the information in our article made you happy. Thanks for posting feedback.
Thanks.
alex
Alex Great thanks for Your post
Hello sivakumar,
No problem man. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback.
Thanks.
alex
Alex, I found the recommendations in other places.
I can understand my computer refusing to down load e-mails after “inbox.dbx” gets > 2GB.
After deleting tons of old e-mails, I down loaded 7000of 11000 e-mails from server till I got error message ‘0x800c0133’. Then I completely deleted all of the newly downloaded e-mails.
After this exercise I tried to download e-mails second time, with similar results.
Each time e-mail server had 11000 messages. They never seem to diminish even after down loading and deleting.
Calling the internet /e-mail provider (att) did not help.
You can seve me lot of grief. Thanks.
Thank u It worked…….