end of file error when starting Outlook Express

Hi,

when trying to start outlook express, I get the error:
The end of file was reached.

I followed the steps in knowledgebase article 296844 ->
rebuilding preferences file or compacting database but
this was not successful.

Are there some other things to try?

I am using MAC OS 8.6 and OE 5.0.6, size of message folder
is 110 MB.

Thanks
Gerhard