Solved: lost email

[jondavis]

I went into outlook express and changed my store folder for my saved email.

tools - options - Maintenance - Store Folder

After I did this I had to reboot.
When I got back on all my old emails/addresses were gone.

I was hoping to just have them placed somewhere else.
But now I can't even find them on my computer.
I guess one is called a dbx file and I can't find that in search.

Are these hidden somewhere?
Are these all deleted?
Is there any way to get them back?

 

[EAFiedler]

Hi jondavis

Do a Search for the file extension .dbx search hidden files and folders and subfolders.


You may need to enable Hidden files and folders.

Windows XP:

• Open My Computer,
  Tools > Folder Options > View tab,
  under Hidden Files and Folders, verify Show Hidden Files and Folders is selected.
  Remove the check mark for Hide Extensions for known file types.
  Apply, OK to save and close.

Search:

• Start > Search > For Files or Folders > All files and folders,
  In the field for: all or part of the file name
  Key in:
  .dbx
  Below that, click on More advanced options
  in the field: Type of File, select (All Files and Folders)
  place a checkmark in:
• Search system folders
• Search hidden files and folders
• Search subfolders
  click Search

Let us know what you find.

 

[jondavis]

I have done this already.
I can't find any dbx files besides the ones that show up in the new folder I selected.

 

[EAFiedler]

Did you receive a warning that the new location would delete the contents of the directory?
Paraphrasing a bit.

 

[jondavis]

Just did it again, all it says is that you have to reboot for changes to be made.

 

[jondavis]

would doing a windows recovery help?

 

[EAFiedler]

It sounds like your .dbx files are gone.

I don't know if using a System Restore point would help. But, if you have a recent System Restore point, you might try it.
If it does not work, you can always undo the System Restore.

 

[jondavis]

System Restore worked.
Only I had spent most of the day moving files, and now everything else is undone.
Maybe I can back up the dbx files then revert back.

 

[EAFiedler]

Sounds like an idea.

Copy the contents of the directory containing all the .dbx files to a flash drive or DVD/CD.
Then undo the System Restore point.

Start Outlook Express, set your new directory location, then Import the messages back into Outlook Express.

 

[jondavis]

yep that worked, I backed them up on my flash drive, then removed the flash before I restored back.

Got the email files back and everything else is back where is should be.

Thanks for the help.

 

[EAFiedler]

Glad to hear it!

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