Import weirdness

[bilglas]

I know I'm just doing something wrong that's OBVIOUS, but I can't figure it
out ... hope somebody can help.

When I "upgraded" (I use the term loosely) from my XP to a brand-new Vista
computer, I copied ALL of the DBX files from my Outlook Express repository
of e-mails into a folder on the Vista desktop. (The entire path of that
repository is a very long string, as you know, so let's just call it "the
OE6 e-mail folder.") The two computers are networked together, so moving
files between them is easy. I was able to import all my e-mails from those
DBX files, from that folder on the Vista desktop, with no problems.

So yesterday, I needed to refer to an e-mail that I didn't think I'd ever
need anymore; it had been deleted from my XP before moving everything to the
Vista computer. No problem ... I've got backups! Pulled out the DVD on which
I'd saved ALL my OE6 e-mails, a few months ago, with the intent of importing
the e-mail from there. (Not JUST the one e-mail in question, obviously ...
I'll need to import the entire DBX file in which it's contained.)

Well, it won't import. And I've experimented with all sorts of variations on
the way to accomplish the chore (including trying to import OTHER DBX files,
including making sure that there weren't any folder-name conflicts, etc.) I
cannot import ANY DBX files, regardless of where they reside on my Vista
computer (on the desktop, in a Temp folder, or from the DVD itself). And I
can't even import if the DBX file is on the OTHER computer's desktop, or a
Temp folder, or whatever. (And remember, when I first needed to migrate all
my e-mails from OE6 to WinMail, everything worked just fine.)

But dig this: I CAN still import OE6 e-mail into WinMail, across my network,
IF it is located in "the OE6 e-mail folder." That presented a workaround: I
managed to import the necessary DBX file from the DVD into Outlook Express
on the XP, and then, once it was there, I could import it into WinMail on
the Vista. But that was the ONLY location from which I could import.

Why can't I import DBX files, REGARDLESS of where they're comin' from?

Sorry this was so long ... didn't know how to describe it in any fewer
words.

Anybody got a clue? Thanks.........

Bill

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM]

I know I'm just doing something wrong that's OBVIOUS, but I can't figure it
out ... hope somebody can help.

When I "upgraded" (I use the term loosely) from my XP to a brand-new Vista
computer, I copied ALL of the DBX files from my Outlook Express repository
of e-mails into a folder on the Vista desktop. (The entire path of that
repository is a very long string, as you know, so let's just call it "the
OE6 e-mail folder.") The two computers are networked together, so moving
files between them is easy. I was able to import all my e-mails from those
DBX files, from that folder on the Vista desktop, with no problems.

So yesterday, I needed to refer to an e-mail that I didn't think I'd ever
need anymore; it had been deleted from my XP before moving everything to
the Vista computer. No problem ... I've got backups! Pulled out the DVD on
which I'd saved ALL my OE6 e-mails, a few months ago, with the intent of
importing the e-mail from there. (Not JUST the one e-mail in question,
obviously ... I'll need to import the entire DBX file in which it's
contained.)

Well, it won't import. And I've experimented with all sorts of variations
on the way to accomplish the chore (including trying to import OTHER DBX
files, including making sure that there weren't any folder-name conflicts,
etc.) I cannot import ANY DBX files, regardless of where they reside on my
Vista computer (on the desktop, in a Temp folder, or from the DVD itself).
And I can't even import if the DBX file is on the OTHER computer's
desktop, or a Temp folder, or whatever. (And remember, when I first needed
to migrate all my e-mails from OE6 to WinMail, everything worked just
fine.)

But dig this: I CAN still import OE6 e-mail into WinMail, across my
network, IF it is located in "the OE6 e-mail folder." That presented a
workaround: I managed to import the necessary DBX file from the DVD into
Outlook Express on the XP, and then, once it was there, I could import it
into WinMail on the Vista. But that was the ONLY location from which I
could import.

Why can't I import DBX files, REGARDLESS of where they're comin' from?

Sorry this was so long ... didn't know how to describe it in any fewer
words.

Anybody got a clue? Thanks.........

Bill

It can import the DBX files if certain conditions are met:
You have permissions for the folder they're in.
They are not Read Only (they are if they are on or were copied from a CD).
They are not Hidden.
Folders.dbx is included.
See http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx#oe2wm

 

[Steve Cochran]

You can if you get my OEX program: www.oehelp.com/OEX/

There are very strong restrictions that prevent you from importing
individual dbx files: www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx#oe2wm

steve

 

[bilglas]

Well golly darn, Steve ... sure wish I'd known about OEX when I was still
enjoying OE6 on my XP. So MANY of the functions of your program are tools I
would've relished using. I sure hope you're working on a comparable product
for WinMail.

Now that I've read the link that you and Frank provided (thank you both!)
.... I'm left with one fundamental Big Question. I've got several years of
archived DBX files, that contain text (not attachments, so much, but
specifically the TEXT) that I may someday need to crack open, again. What
solutions exist? Nobody is sufficiently prescient to say what technology
will look like, 12 years from now, but am I likely to permanently LOSE the
ability to interpret/decode DBX files?

I've never used Microsoft Outlook, but I've GOT the 2007 version on my Vista
.... can IT read individual DBX files?

Grateful for your wisdom and insight........

Bill
________________________________________________

 

[Steve Cochran]

Outlook 2007 won't read them.

Use OEX.

steve

Well golly darn, Steve ... sure wish I'd known about OEX when I was still
enjoying OE6 on my XP. So MANY of the functions of your program are tools
I would've relished using. I sure hope you're working on a comparable
product for WinMail.

Now that I've read the link that you and Frank provided (thank you both!)
... I'm left with one fundamental Big Question. I've got several years of
archived DBX files, that contain text (not attachments, so much, but
specifically the TEXT) that I may someday need to crack open, again. What
solutions exist? Nobody is sufficiently prescient to say what technology
will look like, 12 years from now, but am I likely to permanently LOSE the
ability to interpret/decode DBX files?

I've never used Microsoft Outlook, but I've GOT the 2007 version on my
Vista ... can IT read individual DBX files?

Grateful for your wisdom and insight........

Bill
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