Outlook Express & Attatchments

Phantom · January 7th, 2002, 10:02 PM

Please help me be a Hero for the wife...

She uses the Outlook Express 5 on our Win98 system, while I use Yahoo. She used to be able to open attatchments all the time with no problem. (i.e. photo's or forwarded text). For some reason or other and for some time now, she hasen't been able to open attatchments anymore...They're just not there! Of course...I'm to blame!

I don't recall if I might have done something stupid on the last reinstall I did some time ago, to remove a virus?

Any replys, tips and/or links to look for are greatly appreciated!

Thank's.
Phantom

capybara · January 7th, 2002, 10:41 PM

corrupt outlook express files
my solution would be to
1. uninstall all files of outlook express.
2. download and install a fresh copy of
outlook express = free from microsoft.
HOWEVER> havent you heard that outlook express is a hackers paradise?
imho

S.D.Willie · January 8th, 2002, 09:42 AM

well sometimes non-aoler's (praise us all) will have a problem opening certain files from them. that goes for pictures as well. jpegs are your best bet to get from anyone if you dont use aol. also, usually when you cant open a certain file, you dont have a program associtiated with that file. you need to just use a program you have on your system which is capable or find one.

SD

ps. try sending yourself an attachment to make sure you get it. then we can go from there.

osprey4 · January 8th, 2002, 10:09 AM

Quote:

well sometimes non-aoler's (praise us all) will have a problem opening certain files from them

It should be mentioned, however, that lowly "aolers" have not proliferated viruses nearly as well as Outhouse users.

Jn

newbie~wan · January 8th, 2002, 10:20 AM

Is OE to blame, or is it just stupid people using it? I am curious because I currently use it, but will stop if its really that bad.

I dont enable HTML mail, and I get almost no e-mail because I never sign up for anything on the internet. I certaining never open attachments, let alone anything that even might be an executable.

Brainchild · January 8th, 2002, 10:29 AM

I agree with capybara, sounds like corupt files. d/l new from microsoft .

Internet Explorer 6 is at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...=1&redirect=no

or IE home is at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.asp

strangerstill · January 8th, 2002, 02:48 PM

Outlook Express is undeniably a security risk for the majority of home and corporate environments. However, I use it, because I have a good AV, use ZA, and I keep up to date with patches. And I don't open unsolicited attachments, and try not to open particularly suspicious emails.

The main problem with Outlook Express is its popularity, meaning it becomes the target of choice for virus writers. There are a few other issues, such as the default security zone being rather unsafe, and that because it uses Internet Explorer to provide HTML email capabilities it's easy to exploit common vunerabilities, but in general it is possible to use Outlook Express and be safe.

Phantom · January 8th, 2002, 10:28 PM

Thank's for your replys!

The wife hasen't anything in her Outlook mail that any hacker would want or find useful & I use Yahoo. I don't do any financing or keep any valueble and/or personal info in my systems, plus I still use phone line so, internet is OFF when I want it to be.

This latest clean install included Mcafee Virus scan Ver 6.1 from ver 5. (retail box, not download upgrade). I did the same MS IE upgrade package & Outlook Ver 5 as I did 'bout a year ago. No problems with attachments then.

S.D. Willie, I have forwarded her emails, with attachments, to my Yahoo mail where I can open them, save them & send attachments back to Outlook where they can then be opened or are already open upon receiving.

No AOL, just MSN...(not that I have anything against AOL)

I will try uninstall & reinstall of Outlook, see what that does. Thank's for the links Brainchild!

Meanwhil, if anyone can add anything else, it'll be greatly appreciated!

Thank's to all
Phantom

Xaotic · January 8th, 2002, 10:34 PM

If you use IE and have changed the security level, that can prevent OE from dealing with attachments. Reset to Medium level and it may recieve attachments.(if rather unsafe)

Phantom · January 8th, 2002, 10:44 PM

Yup...I use IE and no, I didn't change security, it's still on medium.

Thank's for the reply Xaotic.