XP and Outlook 97 problem

I’m tring to use Outlook 97 with Win XP and Outlook 97 keeps crashing is it not compatable???

I’m using Outlook express 6, the problem is outlook expess cant seem to connect to MS Exchange Server WHICH IS WHAT I WANT TO DO!!!

I want to access my Public folders on my network which is quite simple using Outlook 97 but Outlook Express 6 doesn’t seem to have that functionality.And Outlook 97 does.

Are there any suggestions anyone can make???

Jason