Too Many Freezes

[arcee]

During Internet sign-on, my computer often freezes immediately after going to Outlook Express and pulling in my mail. When I try to select a mail item to read it, the computer is frozen. Sometimes I can do a ctrl/alt/del and end task and then go back into OE and then things are OK. In the ctrl/alt/del, the program list shows OSD not responding and Mmtask not responding. I don't know what these represent. Can you help me?

[tramtwo]

What is your version of MSIE and OLEXP?(Help/About)
Also do you have MSN Messenger installed?

[arcee]

Thx for reply - My IE is 5.50 beta which I downloaded from MS site. I guess I don't understand what OLE is. As to MSN Messenger, yes I have but usually have disabled for startup.

[RosieWolf]

arcee.. how much RAM do you have installed?.. Outlook takes up a lot, as does windows itself. Do you have your preferences in windows set to maximize your ram for software?



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[tramtwo]

OLEXP = Outlook Express
Lets try a few setting changes first to see if that helps OK? First I would like you to open Outlook Express and click on Tools>>Options>>General

Clear all the boxes that have checks.

Restart OLEXP in the way that has caused problems before. ??

Also you can click on View from the menu bar and choose Layout, now disable the preview pane. (clear the check box).

Lets give these settings a go. If there is no improvement it may be that you have some corrupted files that may require the reinstall/repair of MSIE and OLEXP.


[This message has been edited by tramtwo (edited 19 October 2000).]

[arcee]

Thanks tramtwo and rosie -

tramtwo - I was amazed to find all those options and I removed almost all checks. I think I kept one or two since it seemed desirable. I also disabled Preview in Layout but wonder if that doesn't cause some extra work when viewing a lot of messages. These are great tips and Im' sure will help. Today when I signed on (before changes) I had no problem but a few more signons will tell if improved.

Rosie - I don't know if I have RAM maximized for software or not. Could you tell more? I have 64meg RAM.

[tramtwo]

The main reason to change these setting was to try and narrow the problem. The preview pane is a very cagey thing. There are certian virus that can infect your pc through email just by looking at the email, there need not be a file attached. There is an update to fix this problem, built by the same guys that overlooked it to start with. I do not use the preview pane, and you are right it is a bit more work, but in my case as long as the delete button works i am happy. OLEXP is a wierd program, sometimes all it needs is a good shakeing. You need to try and strike a balance between ease of use and some protection, I won't say security because that is a pipe dream, on the net aswell as in real life.

If you have not visted the update site (windows) I would head over there and make sure that you are squared away. Of course i see you have more pressing matters at the moment. Good Luck and just scream if you get stuck, there is always someone around with e chains.

[This message has been edited by tramtwo (edited 24 October 2000).]