Resolved Lost portion of OE 6.0 emails from inbox.

Hello All, Please forgive my lack of experience on this forum & with it's "rules" should I ***** up. This is my first post. A Google search tells me that it's a common issue but I've seen no satisfactory remedy yet other than potential third party programs which I'm skeptical about. I don't need software that searches for folders and ONLY shows me what I already have existing.

My specs are as follows: Windows XP, OE 6.0, IE 6.0...all with current updates/Service Packs. Also using current McAfee Virus Protection with incoming email scan turned off on a Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop.

Issue: 11 months of inbox emails have disappeared, roughly 3000. Of course, they were the most recent emails as opposed to older ones, (why does Microsoft DO that?)

Steps so far: I do not have a recent backup, did not recently compact folders manually nor was I prompted to do so automatically. I have searched for .pst, .dbx, & .dbt folders but nothing came up but existing/remaining folder information. No hidden folders. I've scanned for viruses...none shown and ran McAfee Virtual Technician but only a DAT update came up. I've also deleted temporary files, ran disk cleanup and the McAfee "computer maintenance" program with no unusual results. The only thing I did differently was to download the current Microsoft Updates, (as I do routinely) moments before the problem occurred. I am aware of the 2Gb max on the OE email source folder and don't know if I may have coincidentally exceed that limit or if the Microsoft Updates may have caused something to happen. Finally, I've also rebooted several times with no change.

How can I recover, (or at least FIND) the lost emails. I don't really care if they're in another folder somewhere because I can change that.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

Thanks sincerely!

 

Arie,

Thanks for the response! Yes, but not there. I DID locate a few of the files elsewhere but they are BAK files so they could contain any type of file. I feel certain based upon their names that they are Word files but I don't know what to open them with. Any suggestions?

On another issue, I could also use some advice if you would be so kind. I need to upgrade my browser from IE 6.0 to IE 8.0. Can you tell me what I need to prepare or save, backup etc... BEFORE downloading the new IE 8.0?

Thanks again for your help!

Chrisxx

 

Arie...Thanks again! I found the lost files by doing a file search.... none in the Recycle Bin. When I click on ANY of them, there IS no option to "restore ". "Open with" requires an original file association/type which is what I need to open BAK files. I've tried using "Outlook Express" to open it but I get a warning message indicating that the file may open disrupted or out of order. That's the problem.

 

Arie,

Thanks again! Yes the file ARE named as you suggested. I'll review the Microsoft article.

Thanks!

 

Arie,

Thanks again... I guess we should consider the issue resolved although I can't seem to find where to indicate that on this site.

Thanks!