Outlook Express - The Bemuda Triangle

[Paul]

I've just upgraded from Windows Me to XP and in the
process lost all my address book, inbox messages, and
outbox messages. It's a complete blank. I've even tried
the recovery procedure listed at:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;313055

but all to no avail. Am I to assume that all my messages
from the last three years have disappeared forever?

Yours forlornly

Paul

 

[Kath Adams]

I've just upgraded from Windows Me to XP and in the
process lost all my address book, inbox messages, and
outbox messages. It's a complete blank. I've even tried
the recovery procedure listed at:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;313055

but all to no avail. Am I to assume that all my messages
from the last three years have disappeared forever?

Yours forlornly

Paul

Control Panel>folder options>view>show hidden files and folders - place
a check in the box.
Start>search>for files or folders>*.dbx and when the search is complete,
note the location.
OE>file>import>messages and point to the location noted.

 

[Kath Adams]

Hi Kath

As I mentioned, I already performed that task as per the
microsoft support instructions. The only .dbx files that
came up in that search were those under "Documents and
Settings" (which currently consists of one incoming
email "Welcome to Outline Express 6").

On a far lesser note, I've also lost all my "Favorites"
in Internet Explorer.

Any ideas? Or, as I fear, has XP's version of Outlook
Express 6 erased my Me version (also Outlook Express 6)?

Paul

 

[Kath Adams]

If the search for the dbx folders came up blank, then I am afraid that I
have no other suggestions other than to learn from your mistakes and
make backups on a regular basis. A useful link for you :-
http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/backup/index.htm

For your Favourites, I presume you have also tried searching for those
and come up blank? Again, backing up all important documents, lists,
etc., is a useful thing to do.

By the way, did you have a name change overnight?

 

[Paul]

Sorry, Kath, just a bit stressed out by all this.

I've heard there are special programs that can locate
this kind of missing information on your hard drive (even
retrieving deleted messages). Are you aware of these?

Just hoping all the doors haven't closed in my face.

Cheers
Paul

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Paul.

In OE6, click Tools | Options..., then the Maintenance tab. Click the Store
Folder button. This will tell you where OE THINKS its *.dbx files are, and
where it will create new ones if it can't find the old ones.

My favorite way to find files (*.dbx or any other) is to open a "DOS"
window. At the prompt, type:
dir C:\*.dbx /s /a

This will start in the Root of C: (C:\) and search for any files with the
..dbx extension; the /s switch causes it to search all subdirectories; the /a
switch shows ALL files, including System, Hidden and Read-only files. If
this command string doesn't show a .dbx file, it ain't on C:.

There are several Discussion Groups for Outlook Express. You will have a
better chance for a solution in one of those groups.

I've heard there are special programs that can locate
this kind of missing information on your hard drive (even
retrieving deleted messages). Are you aware of these?

The Tomsterdam site that Kath gave you is the "mother lode" for OE
information. Another great resource is Steve Cochran's DBXtract and related
programs. http://www.oehelp.com/Default.aspx

RC

 

[Paul]

Thanks, RC.

My computer has been down for a couple of days while I
upgraded the hardware and re-installed everything from
scratch. Basically, I don't think it was a good idea
loading XP over Me. That said, I will take your advice
and let you know if I have any success.

Cheers
Paul