MS Outlook XP.. why so slow?

[nmcglennon]

I recently installed MS Outlook XP along with Office XP on Windows XP, and it is SO slow. I click on a message and it doesn't preview it for at least 35 seconds. I have a fast computer, it was a fresh install on a recently reformatted harddrive and it is slow... WHY?!?! Any help!?

 

[kranky]

Go to Tools -> Options -> Other and turn off Instant Messaging. See if that helps.

 

[sep]

Maybe it's your ISP. Any way to check mail through http and compare?

 

[nmcglennon]

No its not the checking of the email that is slow... its clicking on the messages that is slow... basically just the application overall. I am running at 1600 x 1200 resolution, and I am wondering if that could be affecting it.

 

[Looney]

Sounds like it may be the ISP... mine is usually quick, but once in awhile, it'll be similar to yours.

 

[techwanabe]

Possibly a DNS resolution issue too?

 

[loup garou]

I'm assuming your email is being stored in a local pst? How big is it? You may want to archive older mails.

 

[CubicZirconia]

possible solution?

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: CubicZirconia
possible solution?

I don't think he's connecting to an Exchange server, if he was he'd probably know and mention it.

 

[nmcglennon]

No I am not using an exchange server, I connect to my university's POP mailboxes. It isn't the actual downloading that is slow... I get my mail just fine over cable internet. It is when after the messages arrive and are on the harddrive that is slow... when I click on a message to be read it takes forever...

For instance after I check my email, I'll get 15 or so messages. After the send/receive process is done, I go to the inbox and click on a message. THAT is what takes so long... it takes like 30 seconds or so for the message to show up in the preview pane. Note: it doesn't matter whether it is an HTML or a plain text message, they take equally as long...

I know it must be Outlook. Other (webbased) programs run great, but dont have all the features like Outlook. I tried downloading all the service packs and updates for Outlook, and nothing happened. I also tried reinstalling it.

Another note: Outlook Express works fine though... so I have to use that for now.

 

[DeeperWell]

It is probably because your .PST file is so big. The .PST file is where Outlook stores everything - email messages, tasks, calendar appointments etc.

First, do a clear out. Delete all messages from your Inbox and any other boxes that you don't need any more. Go to the Sent Items folder and again, delete anything you don't need. Repeat this process for tasks, calendar etc. After you're done all that, empty the Deleted Items folder (acts like Recycle Bin).

But you're not done yet. You've deleted and then deleted - but everything is still in the .PST file. Click on the File menu, then choose Data File Management... Press the Settings button and then press Compact Now. It may take awhile. When its done, everything in your .PST file that you deleted really is deleted. Your .PST file should be much smaller and more manageable, and Outlook should perform much better.