Outlook Express Creates a strange file

[learninghtml]

Hi,
This an internet problem (sort of) I think...

Whenever I make changes to my address book (or anything else for that matter) in Outlook Express 6. I get a file placed on my desktop labelled "~". It's around 194K in size.

Does anyone know what this is?

I know it's not really a internet problem (well it is sort of - email stuff) but I have been really scratching my head over it and I am curious as to what it is and whats causing it.

I would be glad if anyone can help.

Thanks

[jack22]

I think it's a bug from one of the latest MS updates a few weeks back. I also think I read where it's essentially one of the files you'd "normally" see under the [Windows\application data\identities\Microsoft\Outlook Express] except that this bug (error) puts this particular new file outside of the windows folder. Expect it to be fixed down the road, but I wouldn't delete it as it's apparently harmless, but probably needed.

[learninghtml]

I think it's a bug from one of the latest MS updates...

Hi Jack,
thanks for the info.. In fact I have been deleting it and it doesn't seem to affect operation.

I am starting to wondering if it's a back-up of my address book appearing in the wrong place, as it only appears after I add, edit or delete a name from the address book.

Next time it happens I'll look at it in a hex browser or something, to try and work out what it is (or was).

Thanks again.

[Tinklepants82]

things like this is the reason i dont update stuff. and the other half gets mad he reckons i will mess up pc. as if! i know more about it than he does! i get an error saying memory could not be written every time i shut outlook down. it dont bother me really but does it happen to anyone else?

[learninghtml]

I get an error saying memory could not be written...

Hi,
can't say I've heard of that one. It's a bit vague (in the true tradition of Microsoft).

Try testing your memory. Go into the BIOS set-up and enable the memory check then re-boot and see if you get any errors.

Check your temp directories are present and not set to read only. Those settings may be present depending on what OS you're using.

Check your swap file settings are correct.

The other (more drastic) thing to try is to back-up your emails, address book and your connection settings and then uninstall outlook express (assuming that's what you're using) and then re-install it.

Other than that, I have no idea...

Good luck.

[learninghtml]

Hello again,
More info. on the '~' named file appearing on my desktop.

It is definitely created by making changes to the address book in Outlook Express 6 SP1.

If you go into the Address book but not change anything and then exit it does not happen.

I got an Hex File Browser and looked at the file and it is the previous address book data (from before you make the changes to the address book).

I've looked through all of the settings in Outlook Express and cannot find anything that seems to relate to this occurrence.

Any ideas?