Windows Mail won't close

B

bjcreek

Member
New problem with Vista Windows Mail. Normally when I click on my mail icon on desktop it takes several seconds for Windows Mail to open because it's set to automatically check for mail. Several times recently it has jumped open immediately as if I had minimized it and left it open. Which is not the case. And then I have to manually check for messages. If I restart the computer it solves the problem, but then it will suddenly malfunction again.

Obviously I can use it this way, but I'd like to know what's wrong, and if there's a permanent way to fix the problem. Thanks so much.
 

My Computer

System One

Hi Bjcreek,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Before we begin working on your problem, I'd like you to skip down to the P.S. at the bottom and read that first. If you're interested then we may not only be able to solve the problem but give you a vastly superior e-mail client in the process. If not, then return back here to begin troubleshooting.

Do you know when this problem began? Try a System Restore to a point in time BEFORE the problem began. Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html. Be sure to check the box to show more than 5 days of restore points. If the first attempt fails, then try an earlier point or two. NOTE: You will have to re-install any software and updates you installed between now and the restore point, but you can use Windows Update for the updates. Use the recovery disk if the system prompt doesn’t work. The recovery disk works a bit different from the above procedures but if you follow the prompts from the System Restore menu option with the above information you should be able to restore with no problems.

If the System Restore doesn't work, do a Startup Repair by booting to the genuine Windows Vista Installation Disk (or one you can borrow from ANYONE) or from a Recovery Disk with recovery options included on it. Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91467-startup-repair.html. To boot to the CD you may need to change the BIOS to make the CD-drive first in the boot sequence. To do that, wait for the screen that tells you the F key to push to access the boot menu or boot setup. Push it quickly. Make the changes, save your work, and exit. Put the CD in the drive and reboot. When prompted, push any key to boot from the CD.

If you don't have either disk, you can make a bootable Recovery Disk using http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/ along with burning software like: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/active-isoburner.html and, of course, a blank CD (perhaps made on a different computer or perhaps in safe mode with networking if that is working).

If that doesn't work, try to boot into safe mode (repeatedly click the F8 key while booting and go to safe mode with networking – or do so from the command prompt on the disk). Then let's check some of your system files:

Go to Start / All Programs / Accessories / Command prompt and right click on command prompt and click run as Administrator (you can skip this step if using the disk).

If using the disk, cd to C:\Windows\System32. Type sfc /scannow and enter and let it run. It will scan and try to fix some of your system files. Hopefully it will complete with no corruption it could not repair (if there is such corruption post back here or try to analyze it to find the problem file(s) using http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228. Try to attach the report (you may need to copy it to your desktop before it will permit you to attach it) here so we can see if they can be repaired with good copies from the installation disk (unless there are too many).

While in Command Prompt, type chkdsk /f /r and enter and let it run. It will want to schedule itself to run at the next restart. Answer yes and then reboot to run the program. It will scan and try to fix any corruption or bad sectors on your hard drive and mostly remove that as a potential cause.

If that doesn't work, then please post any error messages about Windows Mail from the Event Viewer concerning startup (Start / Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Event Viewer). Here's how to use Event Viewer: http://www.petri.co.il/vista-event-viewer.htm. Look in the Application section.

You may be infected with malware. Try to run anti-malware programs (in safe mode with networking if necessary). To fix this problem (if it is a problem) download, install, and run the following two programs: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php and http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html. You may also want to try the new, free Microsoft Security Essentials http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Microsoft-Security-Essentials-Download-131683.html (with the caveat that only ONE AV program can be installed and running on your system at any one time). Use removal tools when appropriate http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2009/05/05/comprehensive-list-of-uninstallers-or-removal-tools-for-antivirus-software/. You may also want to try the free Avira at: http://www.free-av.com/ and Avast at: http://www.avast.com/index. Reboot after completing all the scans. You may also want to try the free OneCare at http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/whatsnew.htm and let it run all the options (except the registry cleaner) because that’s good maintenance (it will take some time to complete but can be done in the background).

If that doesn't work, try a clean boot http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135. If the problem goes away then it's just a matter of tracking down the culprit causing the problem. Follow the procedures in the article. Once found, delete, remove, deactivate, or uninstall it. Once done be sure to reset Vista back to normal status as explained in the procedures. If the problem occurs in clean mode then just restore the system to normal status and reboot - this solution is not going to work.
Boot into Safe mode with networking and see if the problem occurs there. Either result helps us narrow down the search for the cause.

Hopefully one of these procedures will resolve or at least identify the cause of your problem. If not, then we'll have to try some other steps. Unfortunately, Windows Mail cannot be uninstalled and re-installed separately - it part of Vista so I'd like to reserve that option unless nothing else works.

Good luck!

P.S. This is not an attempt to side-step the problem, I will help you fix it if that's what you want. But I'd like to suggest you consider upgrading to the free Windows Live Mail (either the earlier stand-alone version at Download details: Windows Live Mail or from the free Microsoft Essentials 2011 Suite (Windows Live Mail 2011). Although I primarily use Outlook 2007 for e-mails, I also use WLW 2011 for special e-mails and for newsgroups. Both products are VASTLY superior to Windows Mail. When I downloaded WLM 2011 it automatically imported all my mail, contacts, calendars, lists - everything - from Windows Mail and I was good to go almost immediately. I'm not sure if it will automatically download e-mails when opened unless you set that (I have it configured to check every 1 minute, so I didn't bother to look when it first setup). But not only will you have a much, much better e-mail client but it quite probably will fix this problem in the process. Since it's free, why not give it a try and see if you like it (and if it resolves the problem)? I honestly think you'll be glad you did.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
    CPU
    2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
    Motherboard
    Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
    Memory
    2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
    Sound Card
    SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
    Case
    Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]

    Dell AIO Printer A940

    Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem

    6TO4 Adapter
    Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
    Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
    Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
    Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

    Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
I'm not an advanced enough user to competently go through all the steps you've outlined. I can just keep restarting the computer when this problem occurs. By the way, there is no error message involved. Apparently Vista thinks there is no error.

I had Windows Live Mail when I first got Vista. Gave me nothing but problems. So thanks, but no thanks on switching back. But I do appreciate you taking the time to post all the steps I could follow. I just don't feel like I can work through all of them and guarantee I won't end up with more problems than I had to begin with. Next computer I'm going to Mac, anyways. I'm fed up with Windows.

Thanks again.
 

My Computer

System One

Hi bjcreek,

I'd give you a simple, one paragraph answer if I could, but I simply do not have enough information to identify the problem (which could be almost anything at this point) so we need to try to both find and hopefully at the same time fix the problem.

The post is long I admit, but each of the steps are clearly and well defined with reference articles to assist you further. I think you aren't giving yourself enough credit. Why not at least try the first step only to see how it goes and I think you'll realize it isn't as complicated or difficult as you think. And there's little if any risk of causing more problems with these steps because they are well explained, do not involve doing anything that could cause harm, and if you have any questions at any time you can always post and I can help you with that part.

Also, there's a good chance one of the early steps will solve the problem and the others won't be needed - they're listed just in case and so we don't need to go back and forth over many days doing one step at a time and then waiting for me to provide the next if the prior didn't resolve the problem. This way you can move at your own pace.

I'd really like to try to help you. Please at least consider doing the first step and see what happens from there.

Of course, the decision is yours. I'll do anything I can to assist.

Good luck and best wishes!

P.S. Mac's have just as many problems (though different ones) as Windows computers, it just isn't as well publicized and Microsoft doesn't create TV ads that point out those problems as Mac does to Microsoft. There's no such thing as a trouble-free computer of any sort.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
    CPU
    2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
    Motherboard
    Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
    Memory
    2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
    Sound Card
    SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
    Case
    Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]

    Dell AIO Printer A940

    Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem

    6TO4 Adapter
    Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
    Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
    Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
    Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

    Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
Thanks, but no thanks.

Reading... "If the System Restore doesn't work, do a Startup Repair by booting to the genuine [COLOR=#3676a2! important][COLOR=#3676a2! important]Windows [COLOR=#3676a2! important]Vista[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR]

Installation Disk (or one you can borrow from ANYONE) or from a Recovery Disk with recovery options included on it. Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91467-startup-repair.html. To boot to the CD you may need to change the BIOS"... my eyes have glazed over before I hit BIOS!!! I think there are some items you consider fundamental and simple that are totally foreign to me!

But thanks again. Sorry you went to so much trouble.
 

My Computer

System One

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