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Question

One folder in Outlook Express didn't import recently

Nov 19, 2012 7:43AM PST

I recently wiped my hard drive and reinstalled everything but today I discovered that one of the my folders in Outlook Express 6 didn't import with the others and I can't figure out why. It was the largest folder but it was only about 26 kb. It's been awhile since I've reinstalled everything, but I know it went fine the last time I did it. My operating system is Win XP Pro. I'd appreciate any help you can provide. I've looked at several sites but none deal with my exact issue. Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Are you sure about the OS?
Nov 19, 2012 7:50AM PST

XP Pro without those updates could do odd things. The only workaround I've had luck with if the OS is updated and fails is to install Thunderbird and import it to that.
Bob

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I'm sure about the OS
Nov 19, 2012 8:16AM PST

My system is nine years old and it's running Win XP Pro SP2. I've done this reinstall in the past and not had any issues, just don't know why it's happened now.

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Answer
Re: import
Nov 19, 2012 5:30PM PST

Import from what? Why not simply restore from your backup (like all your other personal files)?

But if you still have that .dbx-file, you can copy it over an empty version and the contents will be back again.

Kees

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I did restore from my back up
Nov 19, 2012 6:15PM PST

The files were imported from an external hard drive. I need for you to explain "you can copy it over an empty version and the contents will be back again" I'm a little unclear what you mean. In case I wasn't clear the first time, when I went through the import process in Outlook Express and got to the screen which showed me the folders to be imported there was one that just wasn't there for some reason.

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Re: import
Nov 19, 2012 6:42PM PST

You imported from Outlook Express. That should be OK, but it wasn't. So you try copying, this way:

1. In Outlook Express, make a (OE) folder with the same name as the missing one. Close Outlook Express.
2. Go into Windows Explorer and find the .dbx-file you just created (it's in the 'archive folder')
3. Find that same .dbx-file on the external hard drive.
4. Copy the file from the external hard drive over the file you just created.
5. Open Outlook Express. You'll find the (OE) folder you just created filled with the contents from your backup.

Kees

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That did it!
Nov 20, 2012 6:37AM PST

Thanks, I didn't think about doing it that way. One thing though, after creating the new folder in OE when I looked in the archive I didn't find it. It wasn't until I put an email into the folder that it appeared in the archive. I called a local computer store today and the guy I spoke to didn't have any ideas about fixing it or what the problem might have been. He did mention that the file might have become corrupted. I remembered that I had these folders backed up on another flash drive but it was last backed up three months ago. I checked to see OE would see the one missing folder saved to it and it did. This is the first time it's happened but I'm glad to know there was a simple fix for it.