Missing files in *.DBX

Just a few days ago, I received an email from a listserver and certain mailboxes were cleared of saved emails. My mail file system is catalogued every year, reproduced, and saved (as per year.) The new year file designations are, for the most part the same. So Each year a mailbox, say email file "A," in C:\Windows\Application Data\Identities\{4878937......} is saved and recreated in the current year's folder and a new number assigned to it. Then there appears to be a base file with the same name without the number designation next to it, as in "A(3)" with the same current date assigned to it.

I use W98SE:
Microsoft Windows 98 4.10.2222 A
Upgrade using /SRCDIR=N:\WIN98 /IQ /U:XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
IE 5 6.0.2800.1106
GenuineIntel x86 Family 6 Model 8 Stepping 3 Intel MMX(TM) Technology 512MB RAM
I use MSOE to open email, v. 6.00.2800.1123

What I noticed about the Windows directory after the mailboxes showed empty was that each one which should have had mail had 59KB's of storage, ie empty.

I have stored these in a clone drive and have backups to Dec. 20, 2003. I have played with the attributes to see if making the current mailboxes archival would open them or reveal the mail stored in them. I imitated the cloned format, making the most recent *.dbx an archive as well as the base file, or "A.dbx and A(3).dbx as an A attribute, leaving all others blank, as in the clone file.

Then, I experimented with copying the most recent file from the clone drive to the same location in the active drive. Still no luck. When I open Outlook Express, the target files are still empty. This has occured only in certain mailbox files.

There are some implications with the mail in these files and it would be most helpful to restore these emails.

Can anyone help?

 

Perhaps this is worth a look. Just remember to take all precautions needed to curb unforeseen problems such as working with copies of the *.dbx boxes rather than the originals.

I have not used this program personally but it has been recommended here on occasion and I had made a note of it's existence. Just passing along a link that may or mayn't help.:

http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

 

If the files are there, DBXtract can read and retrieve them. I can vouch for this. The program is free for 30 days, then requires activation.

Johanna

 

Dear Goddez1 and Johanna,
I downloaded the program and retrieved what was willing to return, but only came up with two emails in the new format.

Could it be that they were erased from the file?

I have had some hacking type activity and crashes not explained. Can not believe someone would spend the time on lil ole me.

Thank you, if there is nothing more to try.

Tom

 

Did you note the size of the dbx files, by chance? And are you sure you got all the dbx files available? It's been awhile, but the last time I used the program DBXtractor, I had to set it for folder retrieval, I think. I remember cutting and pasting a 437 page Word doc from a folder I didn't want to sort through!

What kind of internet security do you use? If your computer is infected with ad or spyware, or a trojan or virus, you need to address that problem ASAP, or you will just continue to have problems, and spread the troubles to others. What makes you think you have been hacked? Was there other unusual behavior other than OE? Don't take it personally, no one hacks individuals-they write programs to grab as many unprotected computers as they can, automatically. If you are online, you are at risk.

Johanna

 

The DBExtract retrieval process happened so quickly that I only saw flashes to subject lines. There were quite a few subjects and only two emails that made it through the process.

The only folders which were effected by this deletion were the lettereed ones from "B" to "D." None after that were erased. I will try reading the instructions again to see if I gave proper instructions.

No, I do not believe myself to be the center of the universe. I do understand that hackers will create programs for email transmission.

I did a total re-installation after second crash of 2003, clean boot, and had a stable OS for a while. Though Windows has been described as it own virus, the fact that only certain emails disappeared, that they had to do with a contract & payment, that one of the people works in a university computer section, a few other items, just made me think that, maybe, someone did not want these emails to survive.

August 8 reinstallation:
clean boot reinstall of all programs
download latest Symantec virus defs
online scan for viruses and trojans
weekly scans for virus (Norton SW 2003), Norton Disk Doctor, clean up of extraneous files (*.tmp, etc.), Norton Windoctor (checking bad links, etc.), optimize all active drives, take image of drives, store all files in Ghost clone image on second drive. Last Ghost was 20 December, containing all emails up to that date.

I have never restored an OS and files using this device, so I tried copying and pasting email folders to active drive to see if it would restore the emails without obvious success.

Just remembered that "incorrect time/date stamps" was an error message during Norton Disk Doctor scan. Ran Windows Scandisk to correct and erased offending emails. Time difference between scan and erasure of desired emails was at least one day, if not more. So I did not connect the event with the scan.

Would Windows Scandisk have a memory of erased files and continue to perform that function?

Many thanks.

Tom

 

PS:

I also run Spybot which has kept computer clean, as per Spybot messages and scans.

 

"Did you note the size of the dbx files, by chance? And are you sure you got all the dbx files available? It's been awhile, but the last time I used the program DBXtractor, I had to set it for folder retrieval, I think. I remember cutting and pasting a 437 page Word doc from a folder I didn't want to sort through! "

No large files came through.

(Sorry for many replies. Not really awake this morning.)

 

Hmmm...if you did acidentally delete the important emails, they should be in your "Norton Protected Recycle Bin" which comes with Norton Utilities. (Is it in SW?)

I would try your DBXtract again- perhaps you will have better luck the second time, now that you are more familiar with the program.

Check with your ISP, too. I know my emails remain on the server for a length of time, depending on the volume. It may be possible to get the messages from a website (if you know your password) or have a tech look for them for you. Knowing the addys would help a lot.

Johanna

 

Ho Goaglen,

I've been peeking in here from time to time but have taken a backseat to Johanna who is familiar with dbxtract. I do, however, have one more rabbit I can pull out of the hat if you care to give this go and have not come to the firm conclusion that these emails are gone or deleted for good.

The steps are as follows:

*Make a copy of the old/backed_up *.dbx file and store it in a folder_holder "name of choice ".

*Open up OE and create a new folder and name it whatever makes sense, such as Holder.

*Click on the new folder "Holder " ONE time to access/open it.

*Click back to another OE folder and then close/exit OE.

*Now use Explorer (or method of choice) to scroll to and open the OE folder where your current *.dbx's file are.

*Find the folder, you just created, "Holder.dbx " and delete it.

*Go to the folder where you stored your backed_up *.dbx copy.

*Rename it "Holder.dbx " and copy it into your OE folder of current *dbx's.

*Open OE and the folder named "Holder" should have what ever emails where in the back_up copy (providing there is any).

=========
I don't know if the end result will be any more fruitful than the other methods you have tried but at least you can be relatively sure that what ever emails you are looking for are gone for good, if they are not in the *.dbx box folder.

This rather crude manual restoring of old email *.dbx boxes has often succeeded where merely coping or importing has failed. Ya' gotta' love those work-arounds...

 

Johanna,
I have emailed my ISP, but, of course, it is new years eve. Will wait to see if they have records going back to Jan. 1. I would doubt it, but also doubt that a whole years emails from those people would have wrong time/date stamps.

Will try DBXtract again, too.

Yes, NSW has protected recycke bin, but it is swept each time I shut down and found no emails there.

Goddez1,
Thanks, will try that process soon. During the DBXtract search, I saw many email subjects flash across the screen which I recognized. So they must be somewhere for that to happen.

I wonder how to reinstate the ghost files of those folders which I have on a storage slave drive. I have tried moving them in Windows Explorer, copying them in Explorer. But the files end up empty in MSOE as if there is some command to keep them empty or the stored files in Norton Ghost must be reinstated with a restore command. I have never done it and would prefer not to lose what would be two weeks of work, at this point.

I will read more carefully the restore function in instructions to see if I can restore just certain folders.

Am working on barn now, so will have to wait a few days.

Thanks both of you. Happy New Year!

 

Dear goddez1,

Sorry to take so long on reply. I am usually attentive to posts. Winter is over and barn is fixed.

Went through your recommended procedures. All went well until I opened MSOE and went to the folder named "Holder." (I hope I do not have to rhyme from here on in.)

Opening that folder (named Holder), the error message appeared, "cannot open, disk spce too low, low memory. "

Is the *.dbx memory determined by my settings and physical space or by my ISP? My perception was that anything inside my box was ruled by my hardware and settings.

I just completed procedures recommened by MS on pages for Q108079 - 32-bit file access maximum cache settings and Q181966 system configuration utility advanced troubleshooting settings to resolve issues of messages about low memory. This is the first indication that I may not have resolved them.

Any suggestions? Or is this just another DOS from Old MS?