how do I transfer emails/keep on hard drive to another computer

Chippy_Minton

Where did you create the backup folder? To make it easy to find, I suggest creating it in My Documents or on the Desktop (right-click the Desktop - New - Folder)

espresso

Have you searched for backup after shutting down OE?

espresso

Chippy_Minton wrote: »

Where did you create the backup folder? To make it easy to find, I suggest creating it in My Documents or on the Desktop (right-click the Desktop - New - Folder)

I assumed that he was looking for a file called backup.dbx

economiser

Chippy_Minton wrote: »

If you have any problems, please start a new thread with a suitable subject to avoid confusing the issues around two different email programs.

Thanks for the pointer. OK will do as above if necessary as I don't want to confuse. But in fairness the thread title was not client specific but "how do I transfer emails/keep on hard drive to another computer"

Tao81

almond wrote: »

hi
thanks tried the first way and it sort of worked but could'nt open or read them
are you saying copy all emails into a new folder call it back up then do what
you say click start > search / find > type in backup.dbx and click go
when it finds the backup.dbx folder just copy it to the cd / memory stick
will I be able to read them on the new computer ? will have ago now and let you know

I was trying to recover a folder of emails which I deleted by mistake yesterday (I'm terribly dim where it comes to backing up, importing exporting, from Outlook Express etc.) But I learnt a lot yesterday from guys on this site and am eternally grateful for the info. so will try to help you if I can.

To be able to import your emails back into your mail client (mine is Outlook Express 6) so that you can read them again, what I learnt from Chippy_Minton here yesterday is that when you copy and paste the emails you wish to eventually re-import back into OE you need also to copy over a file named Folder.dbx into the same folder you created to store your email .dbx files. I created one in my docs for example and gave it the name OErecover. (Mydocuments\OErecover)

I'll try to make this really clearer for you, as it took me some time to get my head around! Hope you are equally successful with it, if you think it is worth a try?!

First find where your email folders are stored:

In OE go to Tools - Options - Maintenance tab - Store folder.
This will give you the pathway to where your emails are stored, mine reads C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook Express (make a note of this for yourself)
Close OE

Create a backup or recovery folder in an appropriate place - I created OErecover in my documents, but you can put it anywhere you choose.

Open explorer and find the folder containing your stored emails using the pathway you were given above (in italics, yours will probably read differently to mine)

Copy and paste all the .dbx mail files you wish to save to your newly created folder (mine was mydocuments\OErecover) ........and this is the really important bit........ you must also copy a file called Folder.dbx across to this newly created folder. Otherwise when you try to import your emails back into OE they won't be visible.

Having done the above you have saved your emails (backed-up) and they can sit in this folder (mine is - OErecover) until you need to import them back into OE and read them again.

When you wish to import these email files back into your mail client for viewing again do this:

Open OE
Go to File-Import-messages-select program (i.e. OE6) - import mail from OE store directory (find radio button under the big white box) - browse to location where you saved email files (i.e Mydocuments\OErecover. Click OK.

Your folders should now be back in OE ready to read. Mine where placed at the bottom of the folder/file tree in OE.

Hope that's been of some help to you.

Sorry if I have simplified it too much and it is well below your level of knowledge.....I haven't wished to patronise, but this is how I personally would have need it worded....No offense meant!
GOOD LUCK

Tao81

Hi Chippy :wave: You're my HERO....

Great to see you here this morning, doing what you are so good at!

Almond - You'll be sorted in no time I feel confident, just persevere and stick with Chippy's wisdom, you're bound to crack it!

Have fun guys.

Love and Hugs
Jane

almond

hi
having a break now seem to have found them but when I opened them up to check shows word all the writing is just boxes.
like a square 0
thanks
will try all above later on

espresso

almond wrote: »

hi
having a break now seem to have found them but when I opened them up to check shows word all the writing is just boxes.
like a square 0
thanks
will try all above later on

There are basically two ways to achieve this.

Use File, Export, Messages in OE and then File, Import on the other machine or do it manually yourself, by copying the required dbx files over including the folders.dbx file. Both ways work just fine.

Tao81

almond wrote: »

hi
having a break now seem to have found them but when I opened them up to check shows word all the writing is just boxes.
like a square 0
thanks
will try all above later on

I recognise this problem almond - when this happened to me I realised that the files were being opened up within a program that is incompatible with these file types (i.e being opened up using Word).
To get them to be opened, so that they are readable they have to be opened by Outlook Express or whatever mail program you are using.

Try exporting the files over manually into a folder of your choice along with the folder.dbx file then use your mail program to import them and you should be able to find and read them.

Don't give up, Keep going it's worth it, the sense of relief I felt y'day when Chippy_Minton and needaspirin helped me solve my issue with retrieving and reading stored emails was immense. Keep at it!:D