Strange message from server

[arot]

Hello,

I just have received a message in my inbox like this:

"This text is part of the internal format of your mail folder, and is not a real message. It is created automatically by the mail system software. If deleted, important folder data will be lost, and it will be re-created with the data reset to initial values."

It comes from server falcon.nocdirect.com, but what this message means? Can't I delete the message?

Thanks.

[Vin DSL]

I assume you're using a POP3 eMail client, like Outlook Express. If so, it's okay to delete this message. You'll probably keep getting it though. You shouldn't be seeing it via web mail. If you are, I would leave it alone...

[arot]

In fact, I am using Popcorn http://www.ultrafunk.com/products/popcorn/ and the message appeared on one of my e-mail accounts. I have not deleted the e-mail, so I am not sure how to proceed.

I have more accounts and I never have received a message like that.

[Vin DSL]

CAUTION: Read this whole message before taking action!

Originally posted by arot
In fact, I am using Popcorn http://www.ultrafunk.com/products/popcorn/ and the message appeared on one of my e-mail accounts. I have not deleted the e-mail, so I am not sure how to proceed.

I have more accounts and I never have received a message like that.

In that case, yeah, it's okay to delete it. That file is an internal file that the server uses to reduce load. You shouldn't even see it, but sometimes an eMail client will see it and think it's an eMail and downloads it to your local machine. As long as you don't delete it off the server you will be okay.

EDIT: Oops! Wait a minute. I just went back over and read about Popcorn. It says it reads mail DIRECTLY from the server. So, that confuses things.

Look, it's like this: if the file is on your PC, you can delete it. If Popcorn sees it on the server, leave it alone. Popcorn looks like some sort of 'cleaner' for Pop3 servers.

...Ideal for cleaning up POP3 accounts, removing spam, unwanted mail, large attachments etc...

As such, maybe that's why you are seeing it. Tread carefully...

EDIT III: OMG!!! I just read the Popcorn help file. It DOES NOT download eMails to your local hard drive, e.g. an inbox. It just downloads them to memory. This is a very dangerous tool IMHO. DO NOT DELETE THAT FILE! I have no idea what the consequences would be. It automatically generates itself, but I wouldn't do it. You'll probably loose every eMail on your server, at a bare minimum...

[Vin DSL]

You know, this whole thing is spurring my memory. Anybody else remember, recently, that some guy was complaining how he would delete ONE email and then go to read the others and they were ALL gone --- ALL deleted?

Hmm... I wonder...

[arot]

Yes, Popcorn is a tool very useful... and so dangerous if you don't go very carefully.

But on the other hand, it just acts like the IMAP protocol, and let me delete all spam, and the most important, all viruses I receive every day on my inbox. I do not want Outlook to receive *directly* all this stuff.

So, do you think the message would download to my hard disk if I check the e-mail account with Outlook (or other E-mail program)?

I understand, by reading your comments, this action should not be dangerous, and I want to take off this message, before I make a mistake with it.

[Vin DSL]

Originally posted by arot
...So, do you think the message would download to my hard disk if I check the e-mail account with Outlook (or other E-mail program)?

I understand, by reading your comments, this action should not be dangerous, and I want to take off this message, before I make a mistake with it.

I doubt Outlook would see it. You aren't supposed to see it, i.e. your eMail client isn't supposed to see it. I would guess the reason Popcorn sees it is because it's a mail server utility as well as a mail client.

Give it a try with Outlook...