I have been using computers for close to 20 years and always stressed (to other people) to BACKUP YOUR WORK. Unfortunately, I didn't listen to myself as last night when I went to bed everything was okay (on my computer).

This morning, I went to file an email (using Outlook Express) and I noticed all my folders (under Inbox) were missing. Goodbye to 4 years of incoming and sent emails - work, family, friends etc.

The last thing I did (and I have been doing this monthly) is COMPACT all folders. I was told by a friend today to never do this - as you end up with one big file and it was probably corrupted.

I run a few overnight programs on my laptop (including ParetoLogic Anti Spyware, Registry Mechanic and Spybot Search & Destroy). Looks like the file corrupted and it has been deleted and probably shredded.

Technical note: Running (legitimate) Windows XP SP2.

Is there any way of recovering the emails?

Peter

Don't want to give you the wrong advise as I trust you should try to recover with some software.

But I remember to get my emails back when I did a System restore. But wait what this board will suggest.

Edited March 24, 200917 yr by webfact

Not sure if it will help in your case, but I had the same problem (XP SP2 OE6) last year after compacting. Reason for the corrupted inbox was that OE6 was receiving mail while compacting!

Here is how I got my inbox back:

When compacting OE6 creates backup files of every folder and puts them in the recycle bin. Look for Inbox.bak

If you have this file, go to the location where OE6 stores all it's folders (make sure OE6 is NOT running!!!) then rename the inbox.dbx folder there into anything (I made it XInbox.dbx) then go to the recycle bin and copy the inbox.bak file (move file or restore file did not work for me, only copy and paste did) and paste it into the location where OE6 keeps the folders then rename the inbox.bak to Inbox.dbx

This should do the trick if compacting caused the problem.

If a bad e-mail caused the problem for the inbox it could also be recovered but this is more difficult.

opalhort

This might do the job if you are looking for a paid solution http://www.diskdoctors.net/recover-deleted...s-pst-file.html

Normal storage location is below, so take a look and see what's there - names are *.dbx

C:\Documents and Settings\your name\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{075F80D0-9545-4147-B9A0-4557541BE2ED}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

Those in italics depend on your account.

Do you use Gmail ? If so you may be able to go into the preferences and tell it to enable POP download of all your mail (since the beginning).

in my post above the word 'copy' should be replaced with 'cut'!

sorry, my mistake.

opalhort

Another source which could be helpful Lost Outlook Mail

Look for this headline "Help! I've Lost All My Mail, The Messages Just Disappeared!"

Unless you have archiving turned off or say no every time it asks

to archive, do a search for " outlook* " .

That file can be loaded when you do a new installation.

If you are using web based e mail like hotmail, yahoo, gmail etc I suggest you try accesing from another computer and you might find they are still there on the web although not on your home pc. e.g Go to MSN.COM click on hotmail then type in your details and open your inbox, same for yahoo.com and gmail.com

The max gile size for Outlook and Outlook Express is 2.1 GByte and if the sizs exceed that size the file get's damaged.

The is an Program named Ontrack Easy Recovery and other out there for to help you by that problem. But all of the progs I know are Payware and the trials having limitations.

Godd luck.

Thanks everybody. I did a search for .dbx and found all the files exactly where Tywais said they would be, in C:\Documents and Settings\Peter\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{075F80D0-9545-4147-B9A0-4557541BE2ED}\Microsoft\Outlook Express.

I have copied the .dbx files into C:\Program Files\Outlook Express but all I have been able to achieve by Importing from that folder is a duplicate of my sent and received emails from today only.

Should I put the .dbx files elsewhere ?

Peter

So that would indicate to me something deleted your old file and it was rebuilt today. So have you checked trash bin for any folders?

I don't understand.

If you have been backing up regularly, surely you can restore the most recent one.

You may have lost a few days of e-mail, but not 4 years................

I think Reimar hit the nail on the head when he said the maximum size is 2.1Gb ... 4 years of email and their associated attachments would be over this amount, I am sure.

Now - I just need to know where to put the .dbx files. Anybody???

I tried to IMPORT them - but can not. Even if I tick: Work OFFLINE, I can't import the files.

If, in Outlook Express I go: File > Import > Messages > Microsoft Outlook Express 6 > Main Identity >C:\Documents and Settings\Peter\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{075F80D0-9545-4147-B9A0-4557541BE2ED}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

I get the message: The specified message store could not be opened. It may be in use by Outlook Express.

Peter

So that would indicate to me something deleted your old file and it was rebuilt today. So have you checked trash bin for any folders?

Sounds like it to me also. What were the file sizes of the .dbx files, that will give a pretty good indication if rebuilt or not. My INBOX.DBX file shows 139kB with no messages.

My inbox.dbx file is 187kb.

I think Reimar hit the nail on the head when he said the maximum size is 2.1Gb ... 4 years of email and their associated attachments would be over this amount, I am sure.

Now - I just need to know where to put the .dbx files. Anybody???

I tried to IMPORT them - but can not. Even if I tick: Work OFFLINE, I can't import the files.

If, in Outlook Express I go: File > Import > Messages > Microsoft Outlook Express 6 > Main Identity >C:\Documents and Settings\Peter\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{075F80D0-9545-4147-B9A0-4557541BE2ED}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

I get the message: The specified message store could not be opened. It may be in use by Outlook Express.

Peter

From my experiences over the years and the infos I have, you need to repair the .dbx file before you'll be able to use them again. And after repairing, one of the first actions should be to delete that mails you didn't need anymore for to reduce the size of the file otherwise you back in the sh*t in an very short time again.

And the only really reliable program I had use for to repairing that data files is Ontrack Easy Recovery. But as I wrote, it's payware!

Cheers.

I think Reimar hit the nail on the head when he said the maximum size is 2.1Gb ... 4 years of email and their associated attachments would be over this amount, I am sure.

Now - I just need to know where to put the .dbx files. Anybody???

I tried to IMPORT them - but can not. Even if I tick: Work OFFLINE, I can't import the files.

If, in Outlook Express I go: File > Import > Messages > Microsoft Outlook Express 6 > Main Identity >C:\Documents and Settings\Peter\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{075F80D0-9545-4147-B9A0-4557541BE2ED}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

I get the message: The specified message store could not be opened. It may be in use by Outlook Express.

Peter

Sure that file IS in use -

Try to make a copy of that file, place it in a directory and tell Outlook Express to use this new copy. Does it work for you?

Edited March 24, 200917 yr by webfact

Right click on drive C: and select Search. Use dbx as the search criteria and be sure to enable Search Hidden Folders and System Folders. The file size you showed above is much too small to be the mailbox you are trying to use.

So now you learned the hard way that running all these antispyware and antivirus crap only gives one more problems than it might prevent.

these antispyware and antivirus crap

Allow me a remark.

This cra_p has saved a company I worked with once from a disaster and saved us hundreds of thousands of Baht in data

losses.