Migrating old messages from OE to Outlook

[six-h]

My old PC turned to a cinder, causing me to build a new one with Vista
ultimate, and Office 2007.
I have two sources of my old OE files, a recent backup, and the old PC's HDD.

I've established contact with my pop3 server, but am totally unable to
import my old messages, getting a variety of cryptic messages and e-mails
from the system!

I currently have on my desktop, a copy of the Outlook Express folder
harvested from the old HDD, and I've removed the read only tag.

In simple terms, how do I proceed to import the necessary files into Outlook?
I am presuming that I don't need "Pop3uidl.dbx", and maybe some of the
others (There are 8 files in there.)
Help would be appreciated.
Thanks
six-h.

 

[Gordon]

My old PC turned to a cinder, causing me to build a new one with Vista
ultimate, and Office 2007.
I have two sources of my old OE files, a recent backup, and the old PC's
HDD.

I've established contact with my pop3 server, but am totally unable to
import my old messages, getting a variety of cryptic messages and e-mails
from the system!

I currently have on my desktop, a copy of the Outlook Express folder
harvested from the old HDD, and I've removed the read only tag.

In simple terms, how do I proceed to import the necessary files into
Outlook?
I am presuming that I don't need "Pop3uidl.dbx", and maybe some of the
others (There are 8 files in there.)
Help would be appreciated.
Thanks
six-h.

You certainly need the file called Folders.dbx - do NOT get rid of that one!
AFAIK you need to import your OE mail folders into Windows mail, and then
export to Outlook.

 

[six-h]

Thanks Gordon, but that too seems to be impossible!
When I tried it told me that the target folder was not empty (or something
like that) Of course it's not empty!! that's where my old messages are! the
whloe point of the exercise!!

Surely to God there is a simple way to do this, after all, it cannot be an
unusual task.

Having paid a fortune for Vista, and another fortune for Office 2007, I find
this kind of thing so annoying, especially since I can't shout at anyone. lol

Any more ideas??

 

[Gordon]

Thanks Gordon, but that too seems to be impossible!
When I tried it told me that the target folder was not empty (or something
like that) Of course it's not empty!! that's where my old messages are!
the
whloe point of the exercise!!

You need to post the WHOLE EXACT error message.

 

[six-h]

Hi Gordon,
Just as I was about to give up, I tried something else, Don't ask me what! I
couldn't remember if I tried!
but the upshot is that I've managed to transfer my old OE files to windows
mail, then on to Outlook successfully!!
God help me if I ever have to do it again!
my new problem is trying to import my address book.
I've got the .wab file on my desktop, but don't know how to make windows
accept it for importing!

Thanks for your swift responses, It's much appreciated!
six-h.

 

[Gordon]

I've got the .wab file on my desktop, but don't know how to make windows
accept it for importing!

Try this:
In Outlook do File-Import and Export-Import internet Mail and addresses,
select outlook express and DE-SELECT the Mail option.

 

[six-h]

Thanks Gordon, I think I tried that earlier, but tried again, (opting for
outlook of course!), and the result is "importing 1 of 1 addresses".
The entry read that there were no entries!

I am a little wary of experimenting since on one attempt, I imported a
complete duplicate of my old e-mails, and even though I hit the cancel button
before it reached the 40% mark, I had to spend the next 90 minutes deleting
every other e-mail!
Quite funny when you think that I had failed to import my e-mails at every
attempt for over a week!

What to try next!?
six-h

 

[six-h]

Whilst just floundering around,
I once again accessed the address book folder on my old HDD, double clicking
the ".wab" file, I got an information dialogue box that informs me: - "You
are about to import Windows Address Book Contacts"!
At this point, I chicken out, 'cos I've no idea where it is going to import
them to!!
(I hadn't specified anywhere, I just double clicked the file!)
What do you think??
six-h

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Whilst just floundering around,
I once again accessed the address book folder on my old HDD, double
clicking
the ".wab" file, I got an information dialogue box that informs me: - "You
are about to import Windows Address Book Contacts"!
At this point, I chicken out, 'cos I've no idea where it is going to
import
them to!!
(I hadn't specified anywhere, I just double clicked the file!)
What do you think??

That should import them into Windows Contacts and Outlook should be able to
then import them with Import Internet Mail and Addresses subsequently.

 

[six-h]

Thanks Brian,
I opened Outlook, selected the "Contacts" window, then minimised the screen.
Next, I double clicked the address book file on my desktop, "My Name.wab",
and got the familiar "you are about to import Windows Address Book Contacts".
Clicking "Continue", I see a progress bar, that says "Importing into Windows
Contacts".
Once that has completed, there appears to be no change, my "Outlook"
contacts remains unchanged.

Following your advice:
In Outlook "Contacts", I click "File", and "Import/export", and I am
presented with the "Import a File" screen.
Not knowing what to select, I've chosen "Personnal Address Book",
I'm then presented with the "browse" button, but where do I browse to!!?
I've no idea where to look for "Windows Address Book", or what ever location
windows imported my addresses to!

Help!!
six-h

 

[six-h]

Brian,
Have to apologise!
I must read and digest the information printed more thoroughly!!

You do in fact tell me which "Import option" to select!!
Thankyou!

Once I followed the instructions, it worked a treat!

Sorry for being so stupid!

My sincere thanks to both yourself and Gordon, not just for the excellent
advice, but for your patience too!

six-h

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Once I followed the instructions, it worked a treat!

Good news. Glad it's working.