I can't see the text of my incoming mail in Outlook Express. The addresses and subject line are there but when I click to view an email there is nothing in the text box except the cursor that shows that something is being downloaded. I also can't send email because the cursor won't go into the text box.

This has happened to me three times over the last two weeks. The first time I got everything back when I disconnected the fire wall. The second time I used System Restore to go back to an earlier date and after that everything was OK. Now I can't use System Restore. It tells me that it can't restore my computer.

I'd appreciate any help. Thank you.

   Here are my thoughts.
   It could be that Outlook Express is having a problem with showing that one email message.  Can you open other emails?
   Could it be that Outlook Express is showing a message which is not on top of the Outlook Express window?  In this case, it is waiting for you to respond but you don't because you cannot see the message.  Pressing the Alt and Tab buttons will cycle through the windows (that may get it back).
   If that does not work, you might try compressing the Outlook Express files (Tools menu - Options - Maintenence tab - Clean Up Now... button).

I was able to solve this problem myself by searching the microsoft newsgroup for Outlook Express. I tried many of the suggestions and here is the one that worked. I have no idea why it works and I'm sorry that I can't remember where it came from but just in case anyone else has this problem.


"13. Messages appear blank

From a post by Frank Saunders:

Several possible causes and therefor several possible fixes:
1. Go to Start | Run and type
regsvr32 inetcomm.dll
and press <Enter> "

Thank you to everyone who thought about this.