dbx files appear on desktop after opening outlook express

when I click on the mail icon to open outlook express several of the folders immediately appear displayed on the desktop. such as the folders dbx box, inbox, offline and outbox. if I click on a folder that is not displayed on the desktop it appears there. I cannot delete any of them until I close outlook express. when I do delete them the data or messages that were in those folders are all gone.
all this seemed to happen when I tried to export the email addresses to a dvd via the desktop to import then to the outlook express on the second hard drive. each drive is connected to the system xphome seperately and each is boot drive C:\. one drive is a 40gig the other is a 80gig and all the data on these drives is identical. I had a drive go bad and it was very difficult and time consumming to get it back as it was. Thats the reason for two drives. did not pursue a raid setup.
I've tried digging around in the registry and other files with no good results. most times I'm not sure what I am doing. had to rely on goback several times.
so far this is not creating a problem just annoying and I am a stickler for wanting control and neatness of my computer.
any suggestions would be helpful and I would try them all.

Whew!
thank you

 

charles novak--I am not sure whether this will cure the problem you now have but here is one (correct) way to transfer OE files and Address Book from one drive (on the same or different PC) to another.

How to back up and to restore Outlook Express data

Concerning fixing the present problem and since things seem fouled up, you might want to do a System Restore to a time prior to the problem and then follow the above procedure.

 

It almost sounds like your Outlook Express store folder somehow got changed to the desktop folder. What you describe would certainly happen if this were the case. Check to see what folder OE is using for a store folder. To do this, in OE click tools>options>maintainance and click on the store folder button. If it shows that it's using the desktop for a store folder, click the change button and select the folder you want it to use. You can use any folder you want but it would be best to create one specifically for it or use the default folder. The default would depend on which OS you're using so if this is what's happening and you want to use the default folder, post back and let us know which OS you're using.

 

Hi! Zander. I was very excited to try your suggestion and thought that you were right on the cure. I think that what you said is the cure for my problem but the system refuses to change the data in the folder that does point to the desktop. Tried a dozen times to change the location with no avail. Maybe I have to get into the registry and try to change the location. What do you think? Any suggestions? I do believe you hit the problem on the head, now I have to find out how to make it accept a change.
Thanks a million.
Charles N.

 

What happens when you try to change it? Do you get an error message? If so, what is it?

 

I don't receive any type of messages. The enclosed file definitely points to the desktop through "C:\Documents and Settings\charles j novak\Desktop ". It appears to accept the change in the store folder window but when I exit OE and reopen OE the DBX files are back on the desktop and the "C:\Documents and Settings\charles j novak\Desktop" is back in the change window. I don't think I mentioned what version I have but Outlook Express is version 6.0.2900.2180 and OS is Windows XP +SP2 and all automatic Microsoft updates.
Thanks for your diligence.
Charles

 

Hi! Zander, I'm a little confused because I just tried several new locations for the DBX files and the darn thing finally worked. I ended putting the file in the "common files" in the "program files ". It did work however in the files that would not work yesterday. HMMMM computers.

I want to thank you for solving this problem that was bugging me now for over two weeks. Next time I'll turn to Win BBB sooner.
I'm thrilled.
Thank you very very much.
Charles j. Novak.

 

OK, glad to hear you got it straightened out and thanks for letting us know.

 

Hi! Zander. Both drives had the same problem and both are fixed. I have a question for you, I have backed up my 40GIG hard drive to several DVDS and I'm wondering if I can restore my 80GIG hard drive with these backup DVDS from the 40GIG drive.
Thanks again.
CJN