TFS said:
I am trying to export my old Outlook Express e-mail messages to save as
back up.
When I try "Export" them under "File" it fails giving me an error message
that an error occurred initializing MAPI.
That means that you're trying to export them to Outlook, but you don't have
Outlook installed.
Just storing them as text would be okay with me - I don't really care
about attachments.
I need to reload windows xp because of other problems and I'm worried I'll
get locked out of them and never be able to access them again even if I
save the .dbx files.
What can I do to save my old e-mails?
It's actually no problem at all. Do three things to save all the data and
settings:
1) locate and export the address book, and save it on another disk. In the
address book, look under Help, About to find the location.
2) Locate the OE folder and copy the folder itself, with ALL of its
contents, in particular the file folders.dbx, to another location. Note
that this can be a fairly large file set.
3) In OE, go to Tools, Accounts, and click the Export button. Save each of
the accounts off as .IAF files.
If you save these to CD, they will be safe, but you won't be able to use
these directly from CD, you'll have to copy them back to a hard disk
folder - the process needs read/write access.
When your new install is done (assuming it's a fresh install), *disconnect
the network cable* to prevent downloads of new mail till you're ready!
Open OE and exit the new account wizard. Instead, go to Tools, Accounts,
Import, and import the IAF files. Your account is now functional.
Enter the account so that the folders are created, and go to Tools,
Options, Maintenance, Store Folder to locate where the new install wants the
files. Close OE, go to that folder, and overwrite the new (empty) folders
with the complete contents of your old OE folder. Restart OE, and you
should see all your mail as it was.
Now open the address and import the old address book. Unfortunately, if
you used *folders* in the Address Book - these are just thrown away by any
file copy, export or import operations. Groups, however, are not, so don't
rely on folders.
That's it; plug the cable back in and check your mail.
HTH
-pk
