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I setup my Outlook Express to download Gmail messages. It downloaded some of the Inbox messages, but now when I try to download the rest of them, I get the following error message:

An unknown error has occurred. Account: '', Server: '', Protocol: POP3, Port: 995, Secure(SSL): Yes, Error Number: 0x800C0133

Also, none of the Gmail Sent messages will download.

I tried using POP as well as IMAP but I still get the same error message.

Operating system: WinXP):
Program and version you use to access Gmail: Internet Explorer 8 & Outlook 6
Antivirus software: Kaspersky Internet Security

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Brief diagnosis and a safe recovery plan. The POP/IMAP error shown in the first post commonly points to corruption in Outlook Express’ message store (the .dbx files) rather than a Gmail server problem — a conclusion similar to ’s comment and the quick quip from . Practical recovery focuses on backing up the OE store, forcing Outlook Express to recreate the damaged folder, then restoring any needed messages from the backups. Microsoft Q&A: how to fix 0x800C0133. (learn.microsoft.com)

Safe, stepwise procedure (no-loss first):

  1. Exit Outlook Express.
  2. Locate the message store via Tools → Options → Maintenance → Store Folder and note the path; enable “Show hidden files” in Explorer if needed.
  3. Copy the entire store folder (all *.dbx and the address book) to a backup location.
  4. With OE closed, rename (or move) the problematic file — e.g., Inbox.dbx → Inbox.old — then restart OE; a fresh Inbox.dbx will be created automatically. These folder-location and rename steps are documented by Microsoft. Find and recreate the store folder. (support.microsoft.com)

Follow-up and prevention:
Work Offline and run File → Folder → Compact All Folders (do not interrupt). Disable any “compact in background” option. Temporarily disable mail scanning in Kaspersky while testing — on many setups the AV’s Mail-Scan can interfere with OE’s DBX operations. Compact-offline guidance and anti‑virus note. Kaspersky mail-scan settings. (learn.microsoft.com)

Gmail notes and alternatives:
POP only fetches Inbox by design — Sent mail is best accessed via IMAP (enable “Show in IMAP” for Sent Mail / All Mail) or enable POP properly/“recent:” mode and use longer server timeouts (>=60s). If recovery fails, DBX-recovery utilities are available, or migrate to a modern client (e.g., Mozilla Thunderbird) to avoid recurring DBX corruption. · . ()

This summary expands on the replies from , and with concrete, reversible steps and authoritative links for each load-bearing action.

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Member Avatar for Salem

You know something is wrong when an error number has it's own URL ;)

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