I have seen this problem before.... when you open up OE and the CPU utilization shoots up to 100% and stops responding. I have had a quick look on the net but can find nothing but people asking the same question.... if I remember correctly it had something to do with an associated service (Windows Messenger perhaps) that is having problem starting.

Ive checked it for spyware and viruses and kaspersky finds nothing, neither does spybot.

Cheers
Tongy

is it set to check for mail on startup?

Quote from: Beakeris it set to check for mail on startup?

No, nothing at startup. I open OE and it just stalls and the CPU goes crazy.

Cheers
Tongy

Foxmail 5  or Foxmail 6.0 beta 4

Have been using it for many years now using 5.0 at the moment and have not tried 6.0.

Quote from: bearFoxmail 5  or Foxmail 6.0 beta 4

Have been using it for many years now using 5.0 at the moment and have not tried 6.0.

No offence fella, but I am trying to solve this problem not use other software. Anyone know what might be causing this.

Cheers
Tongy

I take no offense but then you solved it or meanwhile give foxmail a try.  Foxmail can import OE contacts.

if you have time (and can be assed):

Create a new user account.
Log in to said account.
Fire up OE.

Does it have the same problem ?
If it does then make sure youve got all the appropriate OE updates installed...
If not then its going to be a store folder / address book corruption issue.

...I guess

can you backup all your contacts/email then remove outlook with the windows remove software thing in the control panel then re-install it

emails are in...
C:\Documents and Settings\USER ACCOTNT NAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{34E32708-1C1F-48C0-B882-C6340E4B86A0}\Microsoft\Outlook Express\Inbox.dbx

dont know about the address book tho