Corrupt Oulook Express. Options?

Hi,

I have been using Outlook Express 6 on Windows XP - media center edition (IE6 -- 7 refuses to install, but that's another story). Dell Dimension 8400.

Problem:
If I click an email address in a web page or in an email, 61 IE windows open. Sometimes it reports runtime error 216. Message may indicate the defualt mail handler is not installed correctly. Indicated Free Download Manager not installed correctly.

History:
About a week ago, my desktop Outlook Express icon changed to Outlook icon. I switched to using the Start menu to open Outlook Express. This has happened to me once before many months ago and I ended up reinstalling Windows.

What I have tried:
1. Restored to a date before the icon change. (Icon reverted to Outlook Express)
2. Three methods of setting Outlook Express as default mail handler (control panel, tools-->options, and run.
3. Ran a SubSeven cleaner as per http://support.microsoft.com/kb/259279
4. Uninstalled Free Download Manager
5. Start-->Run-->regsvr32 urlmon.dll
Start-->Run-->regsvr32 Shdocvw.dll
Start-->Run-->regsvr32 Msjava.dll
Start-->Run-->regsvr32 Actxprxy.dll
Start-->Run-->regsvr32 Oleaut32.dll
Start-->Run-->regsvr32 Mshtml.dll
Start-->Run-->regsvr32 Browseui.dll
Start-->Run-->regsvr32 Shell32.dll

All succeeded except Msjava.dll -- probably because I am running Sun Java?

6. Compressed all Outlook Express folders

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Do I have to reinstall Windows to fix Outlook Express?

I surf with Firefox and am willing to switch to Thunderbird if it is any good. I used it early on and lost all my mail due to some obscure setting.

Has Thunderbird become a dependable mail client?
Does it sport ads like Eudora?
Is there a better mail client I should consider?
(I use gmail for most of my correspondence, but some mail still comes to my old eddresses -- and I don't know how to make gmail open a compose window by clicking a link in a browser page window.)
Will I still have to reinstall Windows if I make the switch?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Why would this happen? The whole 61 windows opening thing.

Thanks,

Glo

 

Open IE, go to tools->internet options, program tabs, and click "reset web settings". Close IE, Reopen Outlook Express, try it.

Failing that, open my computer, go to tools->folder options, file types tab, scroll down to "URL: MailTo Protocol" (under the "extension heading", it will say "none"). Click "advanced", let us know what it says.

Best of luck!

 

Open IE, go to tools->internet options, program tabs, and click "reset web settings". Close IE, Reopen Outlook Express, try it.

Still opened 61 IE windows

Failing that, open my computer, go to tools->folder options, file types tab, scroll down to "URL: MailTo Protocol" (under the "extension heading", it will say "none"). Click "advanced", let us know what it says.


I do not see URL: MailTo Protocol

These are the URL Protocols listed:

URL: CallTo Protocol
URL: File Transfer Protocol
URL: Gopher Protocol
URL: HyperText Transfer Protocol
URL: HyperText Transfer Protocol with Privacy
URL: LDAP Protocol
URL: RLogin Protocol
URL: Telnet Protocol
URL: TN3270 Protocol

 

Well, that is probably the problem.

Try this in the run line: "msimn /reg" (no quotes). Nothing visible should happen, but that should reset certain Outlook Express related registry settings silently.

After that, set OE to be the default mail handler again and see if it works. Also, check to see if the URL: MailToProtocol gets put back.

Failing that, you might try the "editing the registry" section of this MS article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306098/en-us (be sure to back up the keys first, always be careful in the registry!)

Best of luck!

 

Try this in the run line: "msimn /reg" (no quotes). Nothing visible should happen, but that should reset certain Outlook Express related registry settings silently.

No noticeable result. Although I only had 59 windows open this time.

After that, set OE to be the default mail handler again and see if it works. Also, check to see if the URL: MailToProtocol gets put back.
Outlook Express will not remain as the default. I set it as default. Close the tools window. Open the tools window. It says it is not the defualt. I use control panel or run to set as default. It does not stick.

Failing that, you might try the "editing the registry" section of this MS article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306098/en-us (be sure to back up the keys first, always be careful in the registry!)

The keys were as MS said they should be.