Weird Backup Files!

As some of you may know, I have been trying to resolve some scrolling and entering text problems for quite some time, now. After exhausting all suggestions, HP recommended that I run the Recovery disc. I am trying to be brave and backup all needed files before doing this. Got everything done, and was down to the Outlook Express files...I first emptied out all of our folders down to what we wanted to save, so most folders had zero messages in them...when I followed the steps from Microsoft's support site to backup mail files, I discovered that there were huge amounts of mail files in the backup folder I copied to, all of which were from like 1998 and 1999! How is this possible? These were created in another state, on another server, before we moved out to MN. Aside from the mystery factor, I want to know if I can simply delete the files that contain the old mail in the backup folder before I save it to floppy (obviously, it would take a lot of floppies to save all this unwanted old stuff!). I'm assuming the files I am backing up are only mail, and not the actual folders that are present in OE, which would, I assume again, be set up again when I run the recovery disk...right? So if I delete these files before saving to floppy, I will still have what I need to run OE after recovery? I'm so sick of computer problems!!! I think aliens put computers here to get control of us humans! So...thanks for any advice you can give me...I want to get this thing done ASAP and see what lurks on the other side of recovery! Can hardly wait!
Barb

 

HELP!

OK...have been struggling for several days with trying to backup email folders before running the HP recovery...was corresponding with ah HP email techie...got so complicated, he today recommended calling HP for support (0f course at $25 a pop, and the added time to explain the whole thing to another techie)...all I need to do is backup my email...backing up the address book seems to have worked fine...also the isp settings...but when I backup the mail folders, there appears a huge amount of data in the files(Inbox.mbx = 3.84 MB, Folder3.mbx = 65.4 MB, & Folder4.mbx = 4.38 MB...there are only 7 messages in our Inbox, and some in one other folder...all others have been deleted!)...I have already deleted most of the mail, deleted some extra folders, and compacted all folders, then restarted the computer to be sure everything was GONE, but these folders still seem to have huge amounts in them. My questions is this:
If I don't need certain folders, can I delete them from the copy of the store folder I made for backup before saving to floppy, and still have what I need upon recovery/restoring these folders? As long as I have my address book and isp stuff, I don't care about the actual emails. The HP guy says I have to copy and save all the .idx and .mbx files...but what if they are mail folders I've already deleted, or don't want the contents of? I don't even know if running this recovery disk is going to resolve my scrolling and entering text issues, so I am doubly perturbed that this backup is causing so much trouble. And I still have to restore everything and reinstall all my other software after the recovery! Can you tell I'm really frustrated? If anyone can help, I'd surely appreciate it greatly!!!
Thanks!
Barb

 

Pete...I now have OE6, but previously had OE 4.5 (I think) installed on the computer when I bought it...maybe that's part of the problem...old 4.5 files hanging around that keep copying from the message store folder??? When I follow the steps to backup the store messages folder, I automatically get within the newly created backup folder a folder called "mail" that contains .mbx and .idx files for each folder in OE...this is where the huge amounts of data are appearing. Also copied individually are .dbx files for each folder. From reading posts here, I have learned that I will need to reinstall OE6 after recovery so that my OE6 files can be read lataer...right? So, do I only need to backup the individual .dbx files, and delete the "mail" folder that appears in copying the message stores folder?

 

I have what may be a much better solution to the problem. At least it has worked for me for YEARS and several different versions of Windows.

Go get Eudora or Calypso ( that may be something else now ) . But it on a partition other than C: and forget about losing e-mail and address books.

But if you are using an OEM machine and the OEM recovery disk that may not work either.

Also I believe that OE files can be Exported as a .CSV ( comma separated value ) file and them imported back later.

I believe the .CSV files gets both address and Mail. But for sure it get the addresses.

Please do not take the above as Gospel because I have not used OE for at least 5-6 years.

The below are facts.

I have Eudora on the E: drive ( and as been since the days of Win95 ) where it does not get changed, damaged, lost or mutilated in away with an OS/IE change Or even a C: drive format.

It even worked immediately after I installed XP.

I also have MailWasher ( for screening mail ) on E: It has not been hurt by OS changes either.

BillyBob

 

Thanks guys! Once again I get an answer here faster than anywhere. Hope to see you on the other side of recovery! I saved all the .dbx files, along with my address book and isp settings file...hoping for the best!
Barb

 

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!!!

Hey, Guys!!
Boy, am I a happy camper!! I just ran my recovery disk, and all is well at the Hines Ranchero! After FOUR DAYS of messing with and fretting over how to backup files with emails flying between the HP techie and I, I installed the IE/OE6, and presto...all my old files reappeared, along with my address book, favorites, etc., all intact, and didn't even have to restore them from floppy! I talso appears much if not all of my software is still there. Now all I have to do is reload a few pics, if they're indeed gone (haven't checked yet), and hook the printer back up. AND...the BEST news is that my scrolling/entering text problem seems to be GONE too! I am actually seeing what I type as I type it!!! YAY!!! Thanks for all of your help with everything and being patient with me! You guys are the best!!!
Barb