How To Import Outlook Express Mail From F Drive

[Sam125]

How to import Outlook Express mail from F drive?

I am using an Acer desktop with Windows XP pro.

My desktop is C drive and my old drive is F drive - installed under my C drive and only used as old backup.

Note I did a * .dbx search showing hidden files and found many folders.

Yet when I try to Import using Thunderbird (my curret active email client) or Out look express (no current identities) by default the C drive location where DBX files are stored is gone to. I cannot select the F drive locations.

Any ideas or places to look for solutions?

Thank you!

[JetsetBkk]

All my .dbx files are here:

C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{very long set of Hex characters}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

One of the important files in there is "folders.dbx". I think this one keeps track of all the folder names (= .dbx file names).

I occasionally zip up very big .dbx files (that I don't need online in OE) and store them elsewhere. Then, when I restart OE, it makes a new empty .dbx file with the same name to replace the one that is missing.

Putting back email folders (.dbx files) into Outlook Express - which is what you want to do, I believe - should be just a case of copying those .dbx files into the OE folder that normally contains your .dbx files:

So I would do this:

1. create an identity in OE - since you say you don't have one (file menu/identities/add new)

2. exit OE

3. copy all the .dbx files from your F: drive into the C: drive "OE folder" (example shown above).

4. restart OE and see if the data is there.

If some data is missing, i.e. no folder is present in OE, try adding a new folder with the exact name of the .dbx file that you copied into the "OE folder".

But remember: keep a note of what you do and keep copies of everything before you move it/delete it/whatever. Good luck!

[opalhort]

It may be possible to access the .dbx files on your F drive directly in OE6.

Under Tools / Maintenance you can select the store folder. I did this once on a D drive but believe it does not work with external USB drives.

opalhort

[JetsetBkk]

It may be possible to access the .dbx files on your F drive directly in OE6.

Under Tools / Maintenance you can select the store folder. I did this once on a D drive but believe it does not work with external USB drives.

opalhort

Interesting - I just created a new "identity" and clicked on "file / import / messages... ", then selected "Outlook Express 6" and was then presented with a "Browse" window. I browsed to one of my external USB drives and selected folders from an old "safe copy" of my OE folders. They were imported into this new "identity" with no problems.

I'm pretty sure I could import them into the "main identity" the same way - but I don't want to try it on my "live" system.

[Sam125]

Let me try.

How can I be sure which Outlook version I am using?

Thank you!

It may be possible to access the .dbx files on your F drive directly in OE6.

Under Tools / Maintenance you can select the store folder. I did this once on a D drive but believe it does not work with external USB drives.

opalhort

Interesting - I just created a new "identity" and clicked on "file / import / messages... ", then selected "Outlook Express 6" and was then presented with a "Browse" window. I browsed to one of my external USB drives and selected folders from an old "safe copy" of my OE folders. They were imported into this new "identity" with no problems.

I'm pretty sure I could import them into the "main identity" the same way - but I don't want to try it on my "live" system.

[JetsetBkk]

Let me try.

How can I be sure which Outlook version I am using?

Thank you!

Go to top of page, right side of menu bar, click on "Help", then on "About Microsoft Outlook Express".

Mine says: "Microsoft Outlook Express" and underneath: "6.00.2900.2180"

[opalhort]

It may be possible to access the .dbx files on your F drive directly in OE6.

Under Tools / Maintenance you can select the store folder. I did this once on a D drive but believe it does not work with external USB drives.

opalhort

Interesting - I just created a new "identity" and clicked on "file / import / messages... ", then selected "Outlook Express 6" and was then presented with a "Browse" window. I browsed to one of my external USB drives and selected folders from an old "safe copy" of my OE folders. They were imported into this new "identity" with no problems.

I'm pretty sure I could import them into the "main identity" the same way - but I don't want to try it on my "live" system.

OK, you are correct it does work from USB drive (just tested it).

The last time I did that was over 3yrs ago and I do recall that I could not get it off the USB drive. Had to copy the folder to the internal D drive and all was OK. This is the reason why I used the word "believe"!

Apologies for my misleading statement.

opalhort

[JetsetBkk]

No probs, opalhort - I wasn't criticising, just found it interesting that there was a way to import .dbx files into the current identity, because I have only done it in the past by copying files manually.

I wonder how the OP is getting on?

[Sam125]

No probs, opalhort - I wasn't criticising, just found it interesting that there was a way to import .dbx files into the current identity, because I have only done it in the past by copying files manually.

I wonder how the OP is getting on?

Not well.

I tried importing into thunderbird and was able to get current test emails from outlook express but not old ones. I shall try some more....

Thank you for your thoughtfulness!

Edited December 15, 2007 by Sam125

[Sam125]

No probs, opalhort - I wasn't criticising, just found it interesting that there was a way to import .dbx files into the current identity, because I have only done it in the past by copying files manually.

I wonder how the OP is getting on?

I am doing well now after figuring out the final hurdle:

I had to visit "my computer" and then set up hidden files viewing which allowed me to import the .dbx files.

[JetsetBkk]

No probs, opalhort - I wasn't criticising, just found it interesting that there was a way to import .dbx files into the current identity, because I have only done it in the past by copying files manually.

I wonder how the OP is getting on?

I am doing well now after figuring out the final hurdle:

I had to visit "my computer" and then set up hidden files viewing which allowed me to import the .dbx files.

Ah! The dreaded 'hidden files' setting. What a pain that is! For the last decade or so, the first thing I do with a new computer is to change "Folder Options / View" to show hidden files, do not hide extensions of anything, do not hide operating system files, remember each folder's view settings, display the contents of system folders, etc, etc. Basically, I want to work with my computer, not be hidden from it.