[VistaRookie]

Based on your post, it sounds like you interrupted OE when
it was in the process of compacting. Two possible ways to
get your emails back.

1) Did you check your recycle bin? If you haven't emptied it
since it happened, look for files with the .bak extension.

Don't lose those - restore them and post back with the full
exact filename(s) that you found.

2) If there are no .bak files, you can try DBXtract. Still
freeware here:
http://ftp.pcworld.com/pub/new/inter...l/DBXtract.zip

Probably easiest way to use it, open Windows Explorer and
either make a new folder or find an empty folder to use.
Place it there and unzip - believe there are instructions with it.

Unhide files and folders (WE->Tools->Folder Options)

Locate your message store folder.
OE->Tools->Options->Maintenance->Store Folder Button.

COPY Inbox.dbx file to the folder with DBXtract. Run it and
see if your missing emails show up. They will be extracted
into .eml files, which can be dragged into OE. Or you can
click on them one at a time to open them.

[orionrbm]

I D/L DBXtract and ran it. All I got was text files? Did I do something wrong?

[orionrbm]

COPY Inbox.dbx file to the folder with DBXtract. Run it and
see if your missing emails show up. They will be extracted
into .eml files, which can be dragged into OE. Or you can
click on them one at a time to open them.
Where is the above located (Inbox.dbx file) that I copy? Where do I put the Store Location? What do I do after I click on 'Change'?

[orionrbm]

All my email is in a folder and they are in .dbx format. How do I get them back in Outlook Express? How do I view them?

[VistaRookie]

Originally Posted by orionrbm...

I D/L DBXtract and ran it. All I got was text files? Did I do something wrong?

Well, if you did not run Inbox.dbx through DBXtract, yes you did
something wrong. If you mean text files with the extension of
.eml, then that is the result you want.

Originally Posted by orionrbm

Where is the above located (Inbox.dbx file) that I copy? Where do I put the Store Location? What do I do after I click on 'Change'?

Did you locate your store folder? THAT is where all your .dbx files
are located. DO NOT put the store location anywhere else. Just go
to that location with Windows Explorer and COPY the Inbox.dbx file
into your new folder.

You don't click on change whatsoever. There are hidden files
involved in this procedure - did you modify your folder options like I
instructed? If you don't have all extensions showing, then also
adjust that in folder options. Then you follow the path to where
your store folder is located (Maintenance Tab->Store Folder). And
then you COPY the Inbox.dbx to the new folder where DBXtract is
located.

Originally Posted by orionrbm...

All my email is in a folder and they are in .dbx format. How do I get them back in Outlook Express? How do I view them?

All your emails should still be in OE. If you MOVED any files put
them back where they were. You are only supposed to COPY
one file (Inbox.dbx). DO NOT tamper with your .dbx files or try to
view them - other than copying the one to the new folder.

When you run DBXtract using the Inbox.dbx file, it will extract
any emails that are possible to extract. They will be in .eml
format, which is a text format. But in order to see your actual
email properly, you drag the .eml files into a folder in OE.

Read slowly and carefully, go back to my original directions if
necessary for additional items. Everything has been explained.
Follow them carefully and see if any of your emails can be
saved.

[orionrbm]

Your instructions are to complicated for me to understand. As I said in my first paragraph I am not that experienced with a computer.

[VistaRookie]

Those are the beginner instructions...so, try typing more than
a sentence or two and explain in detail where you are stuck.

Give me something specific to reply to and I'll help you do
everything. Like what you have done so far and where you are
stuck.

[orionrbm]

Where is Inbox.dbx located & how do I run it through DBXtract?

[VistaRookie]

You are not doing what I instructed. I need to know what you have done so far, out of
the steps I listed in my post #16. Being overly detailed is much better than just one
sentence. If I could see your computer, it would be different - here we have to use
words to communicate.

Start with #2 and explain if you have done each step, not just a simple yes or no.
Everything is in the order it has to be done. Explain if you were able to do it. All I
really know right now, is that you downloaded DBXtract.

The few steps after that involve Windows Explorer.
"open Windows Explorer and either make a new folder..."

Place it there and unzip...

Unhide files and folders... If you don't have all extensions showing...

This involves OE.
Locate your message store folder...

This involves Windows Explorer.
COPY Inbox.dbx file to the folder with DBXtract...

[orionrbm]

I D/L DBXtract & unzipped it. Unhide files and folders (WE->Tools->Folder Options)? I can't find folder options.
OE->Tools->Options->Maintenance->Store Folder Button. can't find store folder button.
In DBXtract there is an OUTPUT Path location that I clicked on by mistake. What should be in that box?
ALso describe what should be checked in the DBXtract before I start to use it? SAVE? INPUT? Path? FILE?

[VistaRookie]

...exactly what was needed, thanks.

Unhide files and folders (WE->Tools->Folder Options)? I can't find folder options.

It should be in Windows Explorer, if not under Tools, then maybe under View. I am on
Vista, so not positive about XP. Or you can, open Folder Options in Control Panel.
Files like Inbox.dbx is a hidden file and maybe that was why you couldn't see it.

Here is what you are looking for. Check "show hidden files" Uncheck "hide
extensions"

Hidden files and folders
Do not show hidden files and folders
Show hidden files and folders

Hide extensions for known file types

OE->Tools->Options->Maintenance->Store Folder Button. can't find store folder button.

You open Outlook Express. On the menu bar you click Options. Go to the
Maintenance Tab. The Store Folder Button should be there. It would have done
absolutely no good to tell you where inbox.dbx is located since you haven't found
your Store Folder. Inbox.dbx and other .dbx files are all located in the Store Folder.

Once you click on the Store Folder button, the path to your store folder will be there.
Open Windows Explorer and navigate to your store folder.

Once there, COPY inbox.dbx to where you saved DBXtract.

In DBXtract there is an OUTPUT Path location that I clicked on by mistake. What should be in that box?
ALso describe what should be checked in the DBXtract before I start to use it? SAVE? INPUT? Path? FILE?

It has been many years since I looked at DBXtract. I am on Vista and can't
actually use it, so I am not certain what it even looks like anymore. XP was
the last system to use Outlook Express. Use the browse button to get the
input path to where you put DBXtract and your copy of Inbox.dbx.

Same for output path, use the browse button to the same path.

File would be Inbox.dbx. When you are sure you entered those values,
click extract and see if you get a bunch of .eml files.

If it doesn't work, play around with it a little. The worst that can happen is the
copy of inbox.dbx might get messed up - that's why we use a copy and not
the original that is in your store folder.

If you still can't get it, maybe ask a friend with more computer experience or
if those email are very important, take it to a computer shop.

[orionrbm]

There is a save box with the options to click the following: By Subject, Remove Re, Recover Mode, By Prefix, Which should I put a . in?

[VistaRookie]

Found the page with instructions:

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/dbxtract/default.aspx

[orionrbm]

Instructions are for 5.0 version. I have 4.50 version. Anyway I have followed all instuctions (I hope) and I am extracting. So we will see what happens. I will be in touch when it finishes.

[orionrbm]

I have a few No Subject .eml also have a inbox dmx what do I do now?