We use Outlook Express for our email. We have 2 identities. We each have a desktop with our own identity set as the default. All works great. On our laptop, we have to switch back and forth between identities. One identity works OK, the other one will not receive email automatically - I have to click on the arrow beside send/receive and select my email address. Can anyone offer any solution?

Also, this same identity automatically opens Windows Instant Messenger (the other identity does not) and puts an icon in the task bar at the bottom. When I try to close it, a message comes up that says it cannot be closed because Outlook Express is using it. How can I get rid of this annoying icon? Thanks for your help.

Can you please let us know which Windows operating system you are using?

I have Windows XP on all machines. Thanks.

Okay,

I have Win XP professional. I need a little time to see how to unhook IM from the start-up menu. I'll try to get that done tomorrow.

As to your e-mail questions, what version of Outlook are you using? I have Version 7 installed on my PC.

SK39,

Stopping "Messenger" is fairly simple.

Go to "Start" > All Programs > Windows Messenger. Click on WM, (it is not necessary to sign in)

From there go to Tools>, Options > Preferences > General tab. The very first checked box will be the "Run This Program When Windows Starts". Clear the check mark in the box by clicking on the box, then exit the program.

Next do a restart of the PC to make sure that WM is now stopped.

SK39,

Modifying your e-mail accounts is a little more extensive. I'm willing to step you through it but I have a better suggestion for you to try first.

If your ISP has a help-desk, call or e-mail them and start a "Chat" with them. Tell them your e-mail problems and ask if they can assist you.

They should be able to do a remote assist and scroll through their e-mail account information on your PC and clear the problems.

Basically, you should end up at the "Internet Accounts" screen and then go to the "Mail" tab.

Then you need to edit the information and delete an account (on the PC that's getting both account's emails.

The way I have my wife's PC set up is that her e-mail account just gets stuff addressed to her. My account get e-mails for both accounts. I originally set her account to receive both but it was too much traffic for her so I stopped mine.

The other two PCs receive e-mails for both accounts. All are set up with different log-ins.

Don - I have version 6 of Outlook Express. I got into the preferences for messenger. The "run at start up box" was already not checked. I unchecked the "allow to run in the background". I restarted the computer, and the little icon still pops up when I open my identity in Outlook Express.

I will try your suggestion with my ISP and see if they can help.

And, while you're racking your brain for messenger, think about this one. My laptop has a touch pad mouse with scrolling lines along the side and bottom. The virtual scrolling works great everywhere except when I open a message in Outlook Express. It won't scroll in the body of the message. I've already gone to the Compaq website and downloaded the newest version of the touchpad driver. It didn't help.

Thanks again,
Joan

Hi Silverkitty,

To stop messenger from opening, log in with the identity that it's currently happening on. From the main window in outlook (no messages open), click on the Tools menu, then Options. If it doesn't open up to the '"General" tab, click General at the top. Uncheck the last option in the first section, "Automatically log on to Windows Messenger".


As for having to click the send receive button, I believe you have the setting for that disabled. It's in the same screen as before, Tools, Options, and the General tab. About half way down, there is a checkbox that says "Check for messages every" which should be checked. Then select how often you want it to get messages.

Hi retsoksirhc - thanks for your suggestions. I checked out what you suggested. The "automatically log on to windows messenger" is already not checked.

As for downloading email - the "send and receive at startup" is already checked, and "check for messages every" is checked and set for 30 minutes.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks so much,
silverkitty39

SK,

I found a total of three ways for the system to start WM.

Please start IE. Go to TOOLS > Internet Options > Manage Add Ons >

Toward the end of the Add On Menu, click "Disable" for the WM add on.

There was also a spot that let you uncheck a box that started WM with IE. I unfortunately lost my note to myself so I've got to re-do the search.