Article ID: 299496 - Last Review: February 26, 2007 - Revision: 2.5

You receive an error message when you try to receive e-mail messages in Outlook Express

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This article was previously published under Q299496
For information about the differences between Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Outlook Express e-mail clients, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
257824  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/257824/EN-US/ ) OL2000: Differences Between Outlook and Outlook Express
Editor's note: This article also applies to Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0.
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SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to receive an e-mail message in Outlook Express, the following error message may appear:

An unknown error has occurred. Account: account name, Server: server name, Protocol: POP3, Port:110, Secure(SSL): No, Error Number: 0x80004005
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CAUSE

This behavior can occur because of a corrupted .mbx file, typically the Inbox.
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RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, rename the affected .mbx file, and then restart Outlook Express:
  1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
  2. In the Named box, type Inbox.mbx or Inbox.dbx.
  3. In the Look in box, click your primary hard disk (usually drive C), and then click Find Now.
  4. Right-click the Inbox.mbx file that appears or the Inbox.dbx file that appears, and then click Rename.
  5. Type Inbox.old, and then click OK.
  6. Restart Outlook Express.
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 4.01 Service Pack 1
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 4.01 Service Pack 2
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5
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Keywords: 
kberrmsg kbnetwork kbprb KB299496
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