Need tech help-Outlook Express

[trof]

Running Windows XP.
Firefox browser.
Not sure which version of Outlook Express, but probably the latest.
Earlier we had a power outage. This has happened before and it's usually no problem.
When I reboot and go to e-mail inbox by clicking icon on my toolbar it usually says "Windows did not shut down properly", and that's it. No prob, thanks for the info. duh

This time the inbox window opens, showing inbox contents just like normal, but the cursor becomes an hourglass and I can't do anything in the window. Can't get to help or options or troubleshoot or anything.
In the message space it says "Message not selected".
Eventually I get the "program not responding notice" with the "end program now" box. I do that, get the "send error report?" box, etc., etc. I've done this half a dozen times and rebooted several times.
No help.

I've gone to the OE program through the start menu, opened it from there, same results.

Just looked back at the inbox window and it's now white screen except for "Inbox-Outlook Express" at the top.

Help.
My e-mail is broken.
:-(
Thanks in advance.

[steely]

1. For a clue, Try Ctrl-Alt-Del and hit the Processes tab

The hit the CPU tab once or twice to see what process is hogging the CPU time. (biggest number near top)

[trof]

2. I will, but here's one more thing.

MY little AVG e-mail scanner pop-up box down above the toolbar pops up now and just keeps on running.

[trof]

3. msimn.exe CPU=99

I'm guressing this is instant messenger?
Which I don't use and do not ever want to use.

[Omphaloskepsis]

4. looks like that is Outlook..

http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/msimn/

[Crazy Guggenheim]

5. That's Outlook. Just click on it then click on "End Process" then OK.

See what happens. Then Restart OE.

[steely]

6. that defeats the purpose I believe

[Crazy Guggenheim]

9. No it doesn't. He can just restart it.

[steely]

21. I guess what I meant was killing one of the main OE processes

stops OE from launching - and he wants OE to launch.
I didn't see where he wanted a restart.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

22. If he did he could just click on the shortcut/launch.

[trof]

11. I get a pretty scary warning if I do that.

WARNING: terminating a process can cause lost data, instability in the system, blah blah blah..."
:scared:

[Crazy Guggenheim]

12. Do it anyways.

[trof]

13. OK, Mr. SmartPants. What will happen?

That's easy for YOU to say.
;-)

[Crazy Guggenheim]

14. Don't worry it's a generic warning.

[trof]

15. God. This is real trust.

If my computer dies, you owe me a new one.
;-)
Here goes.

[trof]

16. No change. Still AFU.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

17. In the Task Manager click on the Process tab. See if there is

a Dumprep.exe - click once on it - and end the process - then click Ok. *Don't worry about the warning*.

[trof]

18. Nope, no Dumprep.exe

And thanks for sticking with me on this.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

19. Restart the computer. When you get to the desktop run a virus,

Adware/Spyware scan. Or do you know how to get into Safe mode? If you do run the scans from there.

[steely]

7. Maybe try what this guy found

http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/thread10656.html

[trof]

10. Too techie for me. sorry.

[steely]

20. no problem at all - wish I had a better answer

Please try the techie forum here? someone there could walk you thru it maybe - I kind of use brut force and don't try to remember schtuff well enough to walk you step by step.

[steely]

8. It's something to do with the main identity (user definer) feature