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Lost Outlook Express Emails - HELP!

gizmoleeds
gizmoleeds Posts: 2,232 Forumite
1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
in Techie Stuff
Every time I closed OE recently it asked me if I wanted to "Compact" my messages - I kept saying no and ticking the "don't ask again box" but it didn't, so I eventually just said yes to get it to go away.

Now all my sent items have gone. :mad:

Plus I had two folders for purchase receipts and stuff - confirmations of orders and things. The main one is still there but the "Dell" subfolder has gone :o (which contained all my correspondence with Dell).

Help me please!
«1

Comments

  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I have never lost anything after compacting but I am guessing that your problem may be due to using sub folders. See this link for more info.

    If in OE you do Tools, Options, Maintenance, and then click on the store folder, you should see exactly where your OE files are on your machine. ;) I periodically back-up these files for safety.

    :o
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
  • gizmoleeds
    gizmoleeds Posts: 2,232 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I've got a program now for email recovery (courtesy Mr "intel") which I'm going to try.
    espresso wrote:
    I have never lost anything after compacting but I am guessing that your problem may be due to using sub folders. See this link for more info.
    Thanks, will look at that link after lunch. :beer:
    espresso wrote:
    If in OE you do Tools, Options, Maintenance, and then click on the store folder, you should see exactly where your OE files are on your machine. ;) I periodically back-up these files for safety.

    :o
    I knew where they were, just never bothered backing up :doh: - luckily the computer is new-ish so I still have some on a CD from when I transferred them.
  • gizmoleeds
    gizmoleeds Posts: 2,232 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Didn't work. However, I have found that the dbx files are still there and I can open them in Excel and see vaguely what my old messages said (although they're surrounded by codes).

    I can't find a way of reimporting these messages though :mad:
  • intel
    intel Posts: 6,404 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Free prog though icon14.gif

    Just have a google for repair dbx file or summet.
  • gizmoleeds
    gizmoleeds Posts: 2,232 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    intel wrote:
    Free prog though icon14.gif

    Just have a google for repair dbx file or summet.
    Just downloading one now :T
  • gizmoleeds
    gizmoleeds Posts: 2,232 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    gizmoleeds wrote:
    Just downloading one now :T
    No joy. :mad: :(

    Crashed the first time, now just doesn't find any emails in the folders.

    I hate Microsoft :mad:
  • Chippy_Minton
    Chippy_Minton Posts: 3,339 Forumite
    gizmoleeds, did you have subfolders in your Sent Items folder?

    IIRC corruption can occur if you compact and have subfolders in the standard folders (Sent Items, Inbox etc.). You should only create your own subfolders under Local Folders.
  • gizmoleeds
    gizmoleeds Posts: 2,232 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Chippy_Minton wrote:
    gizmoleeds, did you have subfolders in your Sent Items folder?

    IIRC corruption can occur if you compact and have subfolders in the standard folders (Sent Items, Inbox etc.). You should only create your own subfolders under Local Folders.
    The Dell folder was a subfolder, but my Sent Items were just in their own folder - I cannot understand where they've gone.

    I think I may put Outlook on now, as I am really worried this could happen again if OE ever tries compacting more emails.
  • jobbingmusician
    jobbingmusician Posts: 20,347 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Here is a 'locking the stable door afterwards' solution for the future.

    I have all my emails forwarded to a gmail account. Gmail never deletes them, stores them in the ether (IIRC) and has a wonderful 'search' facility so that I can find what I want in the future. I am forever wandering off from the Outlook express account on the intranet at work to go to Google to find the (work) email I want :p

    (Anyone wants a Gmail account, I have plenty, just PM me. I have no association with Gmail except as a happy customer :D )
    Ex board guide. Signature now changed (if you know, you know).
  • intel
    intel Posts: 6,404 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    gizmoleeds wrote:
    The Dell folder was a subfolder, but my Sent Items were just in their own folder - I cannot understand where they've gone.

    I think I may put Outlook on now, as I am really worried this could happen again if OE ever tries compacting more emails.

    What about a search for .eml
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