If OE is the problem, this might help...

Mail, signatures, etc. are usually stored in the [documents] folder at the root level of your hard drive. You will find a folder entitled "Microsoft User Data". That is a folder that should be backed up to an external source if your mail and related files are very important to you.

On an OE reinstall, it will ask you if you wish to import data (the above) from another application. That is the data you should import to replace everything as it was. If an import cannot be accomplished, you can manually remove the newly created "Microsoft User Data" folder and replace it with your archived copy.

Bear in mind, that a fresh install will overwrite the User Data folder, so it should be backed up somewhere else if you intend to use it for a restoration (it should be backed up anyway it the data is critical).

Hope this helps,

Bob