System locks up at times when in Outlook Express. Have to cold boot to get it running again

You are in an Outlook, not an Outlook Express forum. The correct place for your question is http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/xpnetwork/threads I'll move your post there.Brian Tillman [MVP-Outlook]

You may have a damaged identity especially if it is the default Main Identity. File | Identity | Add New Identity. Create a new one and test it. If all is well, you can import your messages and Address Book from the old identity and delete it. Note: Do not use the word Main in the name of the new identity. How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Express http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209169 An Outlook Express basic repair kit: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/IE/community/columns/oerepair.mspx#EHH General precautions for Outlook Express: Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user defined folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted Items folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption. Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used by Outlook Express: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095 After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while working *offline* and do it often. Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until the compacting is completed. Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems such as time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V program will continue to protect you sufficiently. For more, see: http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3 In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background and leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}. And backup often. Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware) http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx Bruce Hagen ~ MS-MVP [Mail]