Outlook Express 6

I looked around, but didn't see a similar thread....

Here's my deal: My PC with XP Pro SP3 and Outlook Express 6 wouldn't reboot (looong story)

I copied out my files, made a CD that took me back to SP3, and have updated everything (I think)

Now I'm working on OE 6. I can see my email .dbx files in my C drive in the folders they were in (ie direct copy)

But when I go to OE it doesn't show me, the email files, account, or anything.

??

Can't I (theoretically) go right back to where I was, same user, account info, email mail sub-folders and contents?

Thanx

 

I don't have OE, so I can't check, but you might need to make sure your file is in the place where OE is looking for it. There should be something there that tells you where that will be.
Found this as a path to telling you where it is:
Tools -> Options -> Maintenance (tab) -> Store folder (button)

And someone says it's here:
C:\Documents and Settings\FamilyPC\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{BC9FF***-0B55-4BE9-B787-B55E***8E776}\Microsoft

If the file isn't where it should be, move the file, or tell OE to look where the file is.

 

Thank you - those .dbx files exist in the correct (or expected) locations...based on what I "know".

I think I'm going to compare each of the major Outlook folders and files, ie saved vs current, and see whether I should import and use the older folders and files (I can't think of any reason not to -but that doesn't mean much...)

 

Eh - that didn't help much.

I saw a tip somewhere about .dbx files becoming marked "read-only" during copying (or maybe importing), when OE only works with "Read" programs....I think that's my next best bet to investigate...

BTW, I've seen some apparently confused comments around the web about OE email files being .pst - that's apparently from a different program...
.

 

.pst is related to Microsoft Outlook, not the same as Outlook Express.

If you just need them to not be marked as read only. I can help you with that.

 

Yowza! I'm all ears...

 

there's a couple of ways to do this, i think this one is the easier one:

right mouse click on the file in question, select Properties
Go to Security Tab
Uncheck Read Only.
OK


command prompt way: (a bit more advanced)

navigate to the file using cd / dir commands, once you find it
attrib -r filename.ext

 

Thank you for the input!

Unfortunately, I'm still stumbling around for the solution.

I may be overlooking something REALLY basic here...(these are hidden files - does that make any difference to this discussion?)

Example path
C:\Documents and Settings\"Me"\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{1F5A3DAA-18D0-4B88-9F59-1CDD447849B4}\Microsoft\Outlook Express\desert.dbx

Anyway:

The individual OE6 files (example here: "desert.dbx") already don't show as "read-only" in Properties.

Each of the FOLDERS in the path does, however.

So, OE6 isn't working even though the files are there and non-read-only...

....so the new question is, do some or all of the FOLDERS in the path need to be non-read-only??

....and if so, how do I make that happen?

Yeah, I tried this previously - it doesn't work FOR FOLDERS (and the .dbx files are OK, but the "change read-only operation" seems the same)

My XP Pro SP3 operation is:

right mouse click on the FOLDER in question, select Properties
comes up in GENERAL (not Security) Tab
(Read-only box for FOLDER exists as a pale / screened green)
Uncheck read-only (box becomes full green then becomes blank)
click APPLY
...up comes screen to ask whether change to attribute is to this folder only, or folder + sub-folders + files

I've tried both options

click OK

....box appears and bars run like something is happening....

go back and check - NO CHANGE!

This command and entry appeared to operate on {1F5A3DAA-18D0-4B88-9F59-1CDD447849B4} (ie no error message)

but....

go back and check - NO CHANGE!

Any guidance?
.

 

And by "isn't working" I mean that OE6 doesn't "see" "ME" ie my files under IDENTITY "ME".....and start up in the "ME" screen with "ME"'s account data and with "ME"'s saved emails....

I can start a new identity in OE6, but at this point that's a palatable alternative.

 

Are you on an account with Administrator privileges ?

You may have to take ownership of your hard drive first.

Open My Computer in explorer
Right mouse click C: Drive
Select Properties
Security Tab
Advanced Tab
Advanced Security Settings for C: window comes up
Go to Owner tab
Click Edit...
Change owner to:
Highlight : Administrators ("MyPC"\Administrators)
Place checkmark in "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects"
Click Apply
process takes a while to complete depending on how many files on the drive. Typically ~10 mins

 

OK, the rest of the story (perhaps for some future reader aka ignoramus)

I solved my OE6 problem.

Remember when I posted "I may be overlooking something REALLY basic here..."

Due to my ignorance and great gaps in knowledge, I was making this much harder than it needed to be. I was "thinking" that if I had the files 'correct', that OE6 would just fire up and be just where I left off (don't ask me to explain that).

The answer was really simple:

1. Setup new email account in OE6.
2. Import files from location I ID'd previously (below).

Result: all my email folders and sub-folders with all emails, are installed and usable.

Duh.

Thank you for your kind assistance, it did help.