Transferring Address Book from XP to XP?

I just read the sticky thread on transferring outlook express but since I want to do the same thing from an xp desktop to an xp laptop it would seem I could use the export - import feature. I have 2 identities. Do I just export each identity to a backup folder on my C:\ drive and then drag that folder to a disc in the Cd-RW drive and then put the Cd in the drive on the laptop and use import from the CD? Seems simple enough if thats correct but I'm always scared to death of doing something I haven't done and need assurance that its OK. Should I format a new disc or use it unformatted? Will I have to do anything to be sure it goes to the correct identity?

 

You have the mechanics correct. Export, transfer export file, import.

It does not matter about the medium you use to transfer as long as you got a clean copy written to it.

When you import, you will select the 'export file' to use so if the names on the export files you created are different and distinctive, the import should be no problem.

 

Prior to your reply newt, I went through the mechanics of export and ran into another question. Since I have 2 identities, I thoght I should do them separately so I opened the addeess book of 1 identity and clicked on export. Previous to that I put a new folder on the C drive and named it address book backup. I clicked on export and then address book (wab) and it opened a window that said, select address book file to export to. There is a save in box at the top and another box at the bottom that says file name. I clicked on the save in box and selected C drive from the drop down and I saw the folder I had set up, address book back up. Now I don't know what to do. I first clicked on address book back up folder and that went in to save in box and the bottom box, file name, is empty. What do I do now?
I thought I would one identity first and if that was ok, I would do the second one from the address book of that identity.

I then saw you had responded to my message and I didn't understand your comment below about different and distintive. If I have my disc in the CD-RW drive, wouldn't I go to the address book of the identity it is for and click on import. address bok (wab) and select the CD-RW drive? Not sure what I'll run into there, except what goes in file name? The CD-RW would be in the top box that says look in.

<<<When you import, you will select the 'export file' to use so if the names on the export files you created are different and distinctive, the import should be no problem.>>>

 

When you get to the window with no file name in the bottom box, type one in. It can be anything you want. By different and distinctive I think Newt was saying that when you export the address books for both identities, you should give them both different names and use names that will make it easy for you to know which one is which. If, for instance, you have two identities, one named Joe and the other laura you could name one of the backup files Joe and the other laura. Name them whatever you want just so you know which is which.

As for using a cdrw or cdr to save them on, that will work also but there's one problem you can run into. If you use a regular cd burning program to write them to the disk they'll be given the read only attribute. Before importing them you have to copy them back to the hard drive and then remove the read only attribute (right click on the file>Properties). If you don't do this first you'll get an error message (don't remember the exact message) and the import will fail.

If you use a packet writing program like Nero's InCD to write the files to the cd, you won't have this problem as the attributes of the original file are retained and the backup files on the cd won't have the read only attribute.

 

Thanks Zander. I think I'm getting there but just want to run this past you to be sure I'm doing it right. As you say:

<<<Before importing them you have to copy them back to the hard drive and then remove the read only attribute (right click on the file>Properties). >>>

To copy them back to the hard drive, do I take the CD I exported to in the desktop computer and put that in the laptop that I'm gong to import to and copy - paste the file to the C drive where I have to add a new folder. From there I do the import rather than from the CD? And from the new folder, before I import, I have to remove the read only. When I right click does the menu give me a choice that says remove read only? Sorry to be such a pain in the butt my mind works slowly at my age.

 

If you want to restore them to a different computer, yes, you'd put the cd in that computer and then copy them to a folder on the computer. Then, go to the folder they are in and right click on one of the files, choose properties and at the bottom of the properties window you'll see a place where you can remove the read only attribute. Just remove the check mark next to "read only ". The archive attribute will most likely be checked too but you can leave that one checked. Do this for both of the files. After doing this, you should be able to import them.

 

I must have followed your instructions well as I did get the import successful, yea! what a feeling of accomplisment.however, rather than getting only the files from one identity, I got them all from both identities. When I exported the files I was in the address book of one identity so I though those would only be from the one identity. I also made sure I was not on shared contacts. Now I guess I don't know how to get the 2 identities separately. If I have to I can go in a delete the ones not needed. I'd be glad to redo it if you can tell me how to keep the 2 identities separate.