Some more computer questions...

[It'sasecret]

I have just set up my Outlook Express email account. I am having a couple of problems. First, some of my messages are empty when I open them. When I open them through Comcast, my internet provider the text it there. This is only some of my emails, not all. Secondly, I am trying to set up my AIM account through Outlook. When I go to "tools" I see AIM there, but you can not click on it. Please help!

 

[Weird Harold]

First, some of my messages are empty when I open them. When I open them through Comcast, my internet provider the text it there. This is only some of my emails, not all.

Do you have Outlook set to accept only text format messages or have a size limit set on whether to download messages?

Is there anything the blank messages have in common -- HTML format, long messages, attachments, etc. If you can figure out what they have in common, you should be able to figure out how to doenload them.

Secondly, I am trying to set up my AIM account through Outlook. When I go to "tools" I see AIM there, but you can not click on it. Please help!

AIM is not a "POP3 mail service" or "newsgroup" so Outlook can't deal with it. It probably shows on the accounts list because it's tagged as a mail program even though it isn't an account outlook express can handle.

 

[It'sasecret]

It seems as if all the messages I can't open are ones with files attatched but some that have files attached I can open. They are not long files at all. I also checked out those same messages on my Comcast account and some that have attachements in OL don't on Comcast. Some will open in OL when I click to open attachment with in the mail I open, but this is always just a regular email message tpyed by the sender. I hope that all made sense!!!!!!!! HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Weird Harold]

Some will open in OL when I click to open attachment with in the mail I open, but this is always just a regular email message tpyed by the sender. I hope that all made sense!!!!!!!! HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The problem is the format the e-mails are in. I've had similar problems but don't recall how to make OE read those e-mails -- I just had my daughter change the format she sends e-mails in when her copy of Outlook changes to the problem format.

If you are getting alot of e-mails in that format, then you might want to upgrade from outlook express to outlook.

You can try going to the View Menu -> Encoding and select another encoding format to see if you can find the one that can read the problem format.

 

[It'sasecret]

UGGGGGG I tried to go "encoding" has you suggested and it is just like the AIM problem. The choice is there, but you can't click on it!

 

[Weird Harold]

UGGGGGG I tried to go "encoding" has you suggested and it is just like the AIM problem. The choice is there, but you can't click on it!

What do you get when you try to save the attachment? Will it save in .EML format? that might convert it to something that will open properly.

I don't remember if I had to download the different encoding formats, load them from the Win 98 disk, or if they are part of the automatic download that IE does when it encounters fonts I don't have loaded.

It sounds as if you really need the full Outlook instead of the express version.

 

[It'sasecret]

How do I get the full Outlook? I was able to find away to open the emails, but it was long... I right click on it, then go to properties, then details, and finally message source.

 

[Weird Harold]

How do I get the full Outlook? I was able to find away to open the emails, but it was long... I right click on it, then go to properties, then details, and finally message source.

It's part of the Microsoft Office package, but I think you can download (or order) it from Microsoft's website as a standalone.

When you click on properties, what does it say about encoding?

Down at the bottom of the "details" is a section like this:

Content-Disposition: Inline
Content-Type: Text/Plain; Charset=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7Bit
MIME-Version: 1.0 (WebTV)
X-UIDL: #F`"!F?]!!\9*!!+h""!

That information should be enough for youto get a coherent answer from MS's help page.

 

[It'sasecret]

It says Encoding: 7 bit

 

[Weird Harold]

It says Encoding: 7 bit

How about content type and the others?

 

[realcurious]

before getting Outlook you could try Pegasus mail

Outlook cost money and has all the virus problems
(along with Outlook express)

Pegasus is free - worth a try
http://www.pmail.com/

by the way, outlook express will exclude attachments it deems as "unsafe"

RC