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OE lost my folders & their inside files...

Discussion in 'Internet Explorer & Microsoft Edge' started by Adela, 2006/04/10.

  1. 2006/04/10
    Adela

    Adela Inactive Thread Starter

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    (winXP now; OE6, IE6, Dell Dimension XPS T450MHz Pentium III; 128MB SDRAM Memory)

    Hello, did anyone come across this or a similar problem? I searched the forum and found similar ones but none close enough...I think:

    I had computer problems so a techi suggested to upgrade from win98se to winXP Pro, I consented and he did. Then he exported My Documents, and Outlook Express into winXP. The problem is not with the address book, which I don't use, but with my OE folders. (I wonder now, should he have also exported My Computer???).

    He used *.dbx, and it seemed ok except my OE folders, both the system and my own folders were there...but empty! He then created a way to put the files separated from the folders, into the proper folders - a very complicated and time consuming process. I wanted to do it anyway so he showed me and left. But I got lost. He was going to come back to do a few more with me so I could continue doing all of them, but so far he hasn't called.

    My question:

    Anyone knows of a simpler way of putting the loose files back inside the folders so they'll be together just as they were before? I do need those documents and have no clue how to do it!

    I'll appreciate your help so very much! :) Adela

    P.S. I thought this post below is similar to mine...but I got lost! Is it???

    FROM: Jake108 23 January 2006

    Why Are FOLDERS Lost When Importing the O/E Address Book?

    I am in the process of bringing a fresh installation of XP up to speed. I have imported the Outlook Express (O/E) Address Book (A.B.) from the older, somewhat crippled XP installation to the new one. The Address Book (A.B.) has export and import functions. From the old one I created a .wab file and later imported that file into the new A.B. using the import function.

    The problem is that all FOLDERS (not mailing groups) I had created in the old A.B. did not end up in the new book. However, the mailing GROUPS from the old book were transferred in tact. But mailing groups can only contain address book entries for people and organizations for which an email address is included in the A.B. record.

    Folders allow entries where there may be any combination of other information, such as name, mailing address and phone number, but no email address. Those types of entries are very important to me and, using folders, a person can group address book entries by elements of commonality such as businesses, non-profit organizations, etc.

    It will be a lot of work to recreate those folders. What I don't understand is why Microsoft allows us to create folders and then deletes them in the export/import process.

    Did I not follow instructions correctly? Is there some non-manual way to get it done?
     
    Adela,
    #1
  2. 2006/04/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Adela

    First - the post you reproduced refers to the Address Book, not to your email folders.

    OE emails are kept in *.dbx files, one file per folder, e.g Inbox, Outbox, etc. and a master file Folders.dbx which contains details of all the folders.

    As your folder structure is there, but the folders are empty I wonder if he only restored the Folders.dbx to OE 6

    Search your computer for *.dbx files noting the file size if there are duplicates - the larger file size should contain your emails, the smaller, if present, would be the new empty folders you have. Copy all these files to a backup folder for safe keeping if there are problems with the next stage.

    Make a folder on your hard drive, say Outlook Express or Email - any name to suit you. Copy the *.dbx files into that folder.

    Then go to OE > Tools > Options > Maintenance tab > Store Folder button. This will show you the default location of the store folder. Change it to the the new folder you created and close OE. When you next open OE you will see a message saying that there are messages in that new folder - do you want to use that as the new folder, etc. Accept.
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2006/04/11
    Adela

    Adela Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thank you Peter for suggesting a simpler way, but will this make each folder (like Inbox, drafts, etc.) get its messages inside as they were before? I.e., the Inbox will get its own messages, the Draft its own messages, etc. as before? I'm in the dark about this.

    The techi did come in to show me how to do this intricate and time-consuming method, and I'm doing what I can. I did only 2 well...but the 3rd one I messed up! Will have to call him again...

    If following the steps you so kindly prepared for me, will match up the folders with their own messages (or files?) as before, it will be a dream come true!!! :) If not, after I finished the steps you outlined, is there a way to match them up? I wonder if I should ask the techi to help me follow your steps?

    Again, thanks so very much! Adela

    P.S. Forgot to tell you I have 3 email accounts in OE and perhaps this aggravates this situation, as I see they are all mixed up...both folders and messages mixed from the 3 accounts. I can't believe this mess!
     
    Last edited: 2006/04/12
    Adela,
    #3
  5. 2006/04/12
    Adela

    Adela Inactive Thread Starter

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    I'm sorry Peter that I made a mistake in listing the system folders, like Inbox, Drafts, etc. being empty as these types of folders are okay, the only ones under this problem are those I opened myself. :) Adela
     
    Adela,
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  6. 2006/04/12
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Adela

    Did you find any *.dbx files that you recognised as being folders that you made?

    Look at this thread, post #5 .....

    http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=53406

    Log onto OE in each of your identities in turn and import the *.dbx files that you made/found in turn until you get the right ones!
     
    PeteC,
    #5
  7. 2006/04/19
    Adela

    Adela Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hello Pete, I tried and couldn't do it (now I KNOW I'm dumber than I thought I was!), so I called the techi, whom I had paid for a FINISHED job anyway, he came and he himself finished putting the files into the folders. Then he said he'll come back when he can to import my OE into the Full Outlook, where he says will be much easier to backup without using the *.dbx...

    Thanks ever so very much for all your help, Pete; I always keep the info I get here so in the future I can use it. When I'm finished with all of this, I'll ask of this great forum to help with a few glitches that are bothering and irritating like mosquitos.. :eek:) Adela
     
    Adela,
    #6
  8. 2006/04/20
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Adela

    I'm so glad to hear that you have recovered your emails :)

    IMO, if you find OE a little complex then Outlook is much more so. If you are happy with OE and it does all you want of it then stick with it.

    Backing up your messages and other OE data is very straightforward and is outlined here ....

    How to back up and recover Outlook Express data
     
    PeteC,
    #7
  9. 2006/04/20
    Adela

    Adela Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi Pete and thanks so much for letting me know; I'm not exactly happy with OE, but I'm more familiar. However, is it possible to have both of them so I can try the Outlook?

    Also, is there a way to save EVERYTHING in my computer without using the *.dbx? I ask because both techies saved my computer with this system, and in bringing them back, the OE folders that I had created were empty, and I wonder if this has something to do with this method, or if it was a coincidence?

    Thanks again for your explanation. :) Adela
     
    Adela,
    #8
  10. 2006/04/20
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Adela

    Outlook and Outlook Express will cohabit with out any problems - I have both installed on my computer, but have never used Outlook - too complex for my needs :) One point I would make is that on switching to Outlook you would need to import your emails from OE and if you switched back to OE you would need to import your emails from Outlook. The two programs do not share a common store folder, nor do they use the same file formats - *.dbx for OE and *.pst for Outlook.
    I think there is a little misunderstanding here - there are a multitude of file extensions of which .dbx is but one and is the extension used for Outlook Express message folders.

    There are several ways of backing up everything on your computer including the complete operating system or you can just backup your personal data. Operating systems and programs can be reinstalled, but your data is priceless and should always be backed up to an external source or to another hard drive in your system - not to the same hard drive which contains the original data as hard drives can fail at any time.

    Suggestion here would be to burn to CD/DVD or copy to an external USB hard drive. Several external hard drives come with backup software to permit you to make incremental backups - only those files which have changed are backed up after the initial backup has been made. There is some good moderately priced or freeware software available to do this. Remember that a backup must be kept current if it is to be 100% worthwhile. For example my important data is backed up automatically to a second hard drive on the hour, every hour. At worst I lose an hour's data if the main drive fails.

    To back up the entire system requires at the very least a hard drive which is partitioned into two or more drives - this is the least secure method for if the drive fails mechanically all is lost. Placing the backup on second hard drive is a much safer bet.

    XP has a backup facility included - Automated System Recovery which will back up the entire disk or partition to another disk or partition together with a floppy containing all the info needed to restore the system.

    Another approach is to make an image of the drive using software such as Norton Ghost which will, I think, burn the image to CD/DVD so that it can be restored later. Important to remember that the software will only restore the computer to the state it was in when the backup/ghost image was made so regular backing up or imaging is essential.

    FYI - my backup strategy is as follows ....

    I have 3 hard drives with 17 partitions. The main operating system XP Pro is on the C:\ partition - I also have Windows Vista and XP x64 on other partitions with a triple boot arrangement.

    My personal data is on a dedicated partition and is backed up every hour to another partition on a separate drive.

    All the data containing partitions are backed up (mirrored) at least weekly, sometimes more often to an external USB drive and incrementally backed up to a second USB external drive on a weekly basis.

    An ASR backup of the C:\ drive is maintained on one of the other partitions one of the other hard drives.

    A third back up of my accounts program is made weekly to floppy.

    Overkill - I think not - my data is valuable - to me at least and as we say in England - 'Belt, braces and a piece of string' :) - I hope you get the point!

    My advice to you is back up your personal data regularly to CD/DVD or an external USB hard drive - everything else can be replaced/reinstalled.
     
    PeteC,
    #9
  11. 2006/04/21
    Adela

    Adela Inactive Thread Starter

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    Oh Pete, thanks so very much for this great arsenal of information and clarifications for me. It must've taken you so much time and effort to do this. Thank you, I now understand much more (not everything though) :) but a whole lot more!

    I was so impressed with the very complicated backup system you have. Your files MUST be extremely valuable to you, indeed and so you should have a strong backup system. While my files are valuable to me too, the methods you suggested for me I think will be sufficient. I realize now that you're so right that using both OE and Outlook will result in importing/exporting files back and forth and it doesn't make sense, but since I just noticed he did install the Outlook I'll just leave it there just in case...(I might have to increase my RAM memory one of these days!)

    I'm looking at DVD burners and if I can afford one, I'll install it and perhaps this will be the easiest for me. I'll try to install it myself being that all the techis I have been calling have practically drained me of funds...Until then, I'll try to backup with the directions you sent me.

    Again thank you a lot for your wonderful help! Adela
     
    Adela,
    #10
  12. 2006/04/22
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Adela - you are most welcome:)

    Installing a DVD burner is very straightforward and those that I have seen come with very clear, illustrated instructions for doing so. If you have any problems you know where to come :)
     
    PeteC,
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  13. 2006/04/23
    Adela

    Adela Inactive Thread Starter

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    I'm so glad you say it's easy to install. A couple of more questions on buying a DVD burner:

    (1) I've seen them for under $30 and wonder if they'd be ok? Or if not, any brand or type you'd recommend?

    (2) Should I also buy a drive for it? Or is the area beneath the CD drive the place for a DVD burner?

    On the matter where my techi was able to put together the files inside the empty folders that I had created...I see now he put the completed folders in the wrong email accounts; i.e: folders belonging to my email account "A" he put them all in my email account "B "... Is there a way for me to transfer those folders (with the proper files inside) into the right email accounts? I'm sick of calling this techi for each thing...

    Thanks so much again! Adela
     
    Adela,
    #12
  14. 2006/04/23
    Adela

    Adela Inactive Thread Starter

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    I'm sorry Peter that I used the wrong terms above, I believe what I called "Accounts" is "Identities ". I searched and searched at MS support but didn't find how to transfer a folder and its files from one Identity to another in the same OE.

    This, just in case you may know the answer. Otherwise please don't worry as I've bothered enough already... :D Adela
     
    Adela,
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  15. 2006/04/25
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Adela

    Apologies for the delay in responding ....

    DVD burners

    I favour Pioneer - based on the recommendation of a friend who seems to spend all his waking hours burning DVD's - probably illegal copies, but that's his business :) Have had a couple - no problems. Also have a Sony, but that was pricey and no better :)

    The other brands which crop up as a recommendation on the Board are LiteOn, NEC and Plextor (pricey)

    I paid 25 GBP for the Pioneer dual layer burner this year - admittedly a baredrive with no software.

    I suggest you get a retail box which includes burning software - your current burning software is unlikely to support the drive, or DVD's for that matter.

    If you have a spare slot below your CD drive it can go there. Alternatively, if you don't want two drives, install it in place of the CD drive.

    The CD drive can be useful for copying CD's, but I find a single drive does this more reliably - the CD is copied to disk first rather than directly from the other drive which can be problematic if the transfer rates are inadequate.

    You have me on the question of Identities - an area of OE that I have never explored or used. The only guidance I can find is that you can import mail from one identity into another - whether this is the case in practice I don't know.
     
    PeteC,
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  16. 2006/04/25
    Adela

    Adela Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi Pete and thank you for all the good information on DVD burners, and please don't apologize for delayed answer, I'm so grateful for all your help!

    I searched google for some prices on Sony and Pioneer DVD burners...and I'm appalled at the 100s of different types!!! I also checked some other brands and it seems they're from around $40 to over $400!!! While I do all of this, I'm wondering if backing up to my iOmega disks would be sufficient in my case? I also heard DVDs are very fragile and may break or get corrupted? I could learn the right way to backing up and just put the items in those disks regularly. When one of the techis I had in the past did it for me, it took only 2 disks. What do you think?
    What is "GBP "? I was told $30 is a lot of money for a DVD(?!)...
    So glad to hear this since if I decide for the burner, I'd probably want to use the drive I already have. In this case, and though I don't play CDs for lack of time (75% spent looking for fixing my puter) would I be able to play both CDs and DVDs in the same CD drive?
    Oh Pete I understand since I've been posting this problem in so many places and they couldn't help me. Then I thought of Microsoft forum, since it's THEIR product and invention, and after a LOT of time trying to register with them...no answer. I will try the import-export method, but if it doesn't work, I may have to open each file and forward to the proper identity...we're talking of months of work, but if this is the only way... LOL!

    I gathered enough courage to question my techi why he stuck me with the work for which I paid him in advance, plus gave him a brand new $80 Linksys router-firewall which I decided I didn't want to use after all and which a former techi had made me buy, and he's coming Thursday to try to do what I had spent days and lots of headaches to try to achieve with those blessed subfolders of mine... :eek:)

    BTW, thought you'd want to see this class action against Pioneer: .
    Also bumped into this page while seeking info on DVD burners at google which I thought you might want to see? It's rather vintage though:


    Again, thanks ever so much for so much help! Have a happy summer (or winter depending where live) :) Adela
     
    Adela,
    #15
  17. 2006/04/25
    Adela

    Adela Inactive Thread Starter

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    Adela,
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  18. 2006/04/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Backing up to Zip disks would be fine as you have relatively little to back up and you already have the drive. I would be inclined to have 2 sets of disks and use each set alternately. That way you maintain a copy of the last backup rather than overwriting it as you would with just one set of disks.

    GBP = Great Britain Pounds or Pounds Sterling £ :)

    The action against Pioneer is interesting, although I must say that I have not experienced any of those problems.
     
    PeteC,
    #17
  19. 2006/04/26
    Adela

    Adela Inactive Thread Starter

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    Good thinking about alternating the 2 zip disks in order to always have the previous one handy just in case! I was just wondering how to do this. Thanks so much! Also, you helped me realize that my zip disks are enough for the low volume of files I have. This takes another burden off my shoulders as each time I must buy something I spend tons of hours trying to learn about it, then find one at a moderate price, etc.... :)

    Again, thanks a lot! Adela
     
    Adela,
    #18

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