1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

Outlook Express Folders Disappeared

Discussion in 'Microsoft Mail (Outlook / OE / Windows Mail)' started by thomas18, 2007/02/22.

  1. 2007/02/22
    thomas18

    thomas18 Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2007/02/22
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hi - Can anyone help with this problem. I see it is a little more common than I initially thought. On Monday night I shut down my PC as per normal and then rebooted Tuesday morning. I message appeared along the lines of reverting to default user ( I only have one user on my system. Operating system is Windows XP ). I then opened Outlook Express 6 to find that all my Inbox and sub folders were all gone along with the emails. I have searched all .dbx and .pst files and have not found anything. I have also run this program (http://www.nsware.com/Repair-Tool-for-Outlook-Express.htm), which did not recover them. Does anyone know how I can recover these messages and if in fact they can be recovered??

    Thanks
     
    thomas18,
    #1
  2. 2007/02/22
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

    Joined:
    2002/12/17
    Messages:
    6,585
    Likes Received:
    74
    Hello thomas18,
    welcome to Windows BBS ... :) ... !

    Did you restart the computer after that?

    When you click the START button, which user name does it say at the top of the START menu?

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2007/02/22
    thomas18

    thomas18 Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2007/02/22
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hi Christer and thanks for your reply. I restarted the PC and it went into a "Checking disc for consistency ". When I go to the start menu the name is my user name.

    Thanks
     
    thomas18,
    #3
  5. 2007/02/22
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

    Joined:
    2002/12/17
    Messages:
    6,585
    Likes Received:
    74
    Is the situation with Outlook Express the same or is it back to normal?

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #4
  6. 2007/02/22
    thomas18

    thomas18 Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2007/02/22
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Outlook Express it is working fine now, although all the folders that are there are only the default ones ( Inbox, Sent, Drafts etc ). Also these folders only contain emails that have been received since this problem occurred.
     
    thomas18,
    #5
  7. 2007/02/22
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

    Joined:
    2002/12/17
    Messages:
    6,585
    Likes Received:
    74
    In Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\Local Settings\Application Data \Identities\{GUID}\Microsoft\Outlook Express (where {GUID} is a unique alphanumeric number) and see what is there. The user created folders should each have a *.dbx file which means that they can be recreated in Outlook Express. The default folders have probably been overwritten but when Outlook Express compacts the folders, it creates a backup of each *.dbx file and sends it to the Recycle Bin. If you are lucky, you will find some files in there with the extension *.bak in stead of *.dbx.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #6
  8. 2007/02/22
    thomas18

    thomas18 Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2007/02/22
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    In that location there is only the default folders. Will have a look in the recycle bin ( this evening when i get home ), and also search my PC for *bak files. If they are not in the recycle bin does that mean they are lost for good??
    Also do you know why/how this has happened - has Outlook done an Auto Compact/Back up??


    Thanks
     
    thomas18,
    #7
  9. 2007/02/22
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

    Joined:
    2002/12/17
    Messages:
    6,585
    Likes Received:
    74
    There have been changes to the behaviour of Outlook Express. The changes were introcuced by updates to either Internet Explorer and/or Outlook Express. I don't have the time to find the relevant KB-numbers but it has been discussed here on several occasions.

    One change is to prevent incoming mail while compacting. Every hundredth time Outlook Express is closed, it will offer to compact the folders. If you deny, it will nag the next time. Doing it when closing, Outlook Express will be off line.

    The most recent change is to create backups of the folders prior to compacting. They are created in the actual storage location but are immediately sent to the Recycle Bin. If you know what happens, you know where to recover the folders if compacting goes sour. (This is one update where the user would benefit from reading the KB-article!)

    If your searches for *.dbx files and *.bak files don't find any in other locations than the default, the answer is YES. Be aware that you need to have "show hidden files and folders " checked in Tools > Folder Options > View and also to have the search assistant set to search in "all folders" (or whatever it says).

    I don't think that Outlook Express is the culprit. It was some other corruption that forced Windows to use the "Default User" account when starting.

    If any errors were corrected during the check, I believe this is when it happened but I'm not sure. Maybe others can tell?

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #8
  10. 2007/02/22
    thomas18

    thomas18 Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2007/02/22
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thanks for your help on this Christer - Much Appreciated. For the Consistency check - does XP keep a log file somewhere so I can check to see if errors were identified and repaired??
     
    thomas18,
    #9
  11. 2007/02/22
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

    Joined:
    2002/12/17
    Messages:
    6,585
    Likes Received:
    74
    Right-click on the My Computer icon (on the Desktop) > Manage > Log Book > System Log and Programs Log.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #10

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...