Outlook Express freezing in uploading

When I open Outlook Express 6.0 SP1 (OE) and the OE window is loading, it freezes at the point where only the folders on the LHS are shown. The hour glass is showing and is preventing me to access any buttons, folders etc. I use Alt_Ctrl_Del to clear the desktop. I suspect damaged and or corrupted files. I have no back up to restore an older version. Is there a solution to this problem? There is some important info in OE, to which I have no access. I am using now MS Outlook. OS= Windows XP SP1
Hope you can help me.
Peter Verstegen QLD-Australia