When i try to ger outlook express to work it won't

In the Outlook Express folder delete Old.dbx change the file name from Old.bak to Old.dbx
Also, if this does not help, try as a last resort use a special software.
If not important, paid or free software, I can advise this Recovery Toolbox for Outlook Express: http://www.outlookexpress.recoverytoolbox.com/
But before you start worrying try another search solution in this forum: http://www.filerepairforum.com/forum/microsoft/microsoft-aa/outlook-express/395-something-wrong-with-outlook-express-how-to-fix-it

Outlook Express could have a problem in sending, receiving e-mails or both. If you cannot make the Outlook Express to send or receive, then there's a problem with the Incoming and Outgoing Mail servers.

If you could send but unable to receive, go to account settings and under the Advanced tab, change the Incoming port.

If you could receive but unable to send, change the outgoing port.

For POP account:
Incoming ports: 110 or 995 (SSL)
Outgoing ports: 25, 2525, 587 or 465 (SSL)

For IMAP account:
Incoming ports: 143 or 993 (SSL)
Outgoing ports: 25, 2525, 587 or 465 (SSL)

Contact your e-mail provider and gete the Incoming and Outgoing Mail servers and then verify the settings in your Outlook Express.

Thank you!

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To my mind one of the best solutions for such problems is the next tool. It helped me some days ago and should relieve in this problem - dbx repair.