Problems with Outlook Express...

[Gouki]

Yesterday I decided to upgrade my mom's computer from 98 to XP. Everything went without a hitch (or so I thought) until I tried to check her email using Outlook Express.

When it comes up it says that the Address Book failed to load and is not configured properly...and suggests that I re-install. So the address book is *GONE*. She had quite a few addresses in there that are now...GONE. Doh. Also when I tried to view an email it says that it can't open it. No real reason given, just that it can't open the email.

Is there any way I can save the Address Book? And how do I un-install Outlook Express...doesn't that come with IE and everything?

[NeoStarO1]

did you back up the OE address book prior to upgrading?

[Gouki]

<sigh> Nope. I wasn't expecting to have any problems...I guess hindsight is 20/20 eh?

[NeoStarO1]

well i know the structure is different in 98se as versa XP. however did you try to do a search on the *.wab and see if maybe you may have more than one copy of it? perhaps one of them is one you want? doesn't hurt to try.

Other than that not sure what to think.

[Gouki]

Not sure I follow you...more then one copy of it? You mean of Outlook Express?

[NeoStarO1]

what i mean, i wonder in the offchance when your upgrade to XP created a new OE address book file and tried to import your older one from 98se meaning to copy it and covert the copy to XP version and leaving a intact copy of the 98se version on the hard drive.

Not sure if this is possible, been quite a while since i used 98se. wouldn't hurt to look.

[goldenbuddha]

do a search, under the start menu, for

*.wab


it should show you any address books, if they are there.

[nishark]

Originally posted by Gouki
And how do I un-install Outlook Express...doesn't that come with IE and everything?

Try this:
Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> Add/Remove Windows Components -> Uncheck 'Outlook Express' -> Next -> ...

That should uninstall OE, and you can reinstall it again following almost the same procedure...



The best hope of retrieving your address book is to search for *.wab files as suggested already.

Goes to show that 'upgrading' windows versions isnt always a good idea. tend to give you the impression that you'll not loose any data, but end up loosing something or the other, and in most cases, something that's pretty important.

'fresh' installs forces us to backup important data, cos otherwise will end up loosing 'em all...

This says to search for *.wab. Lots of quirks while installing/upgrading XP are listed here with relevant links.

[Gouki]

Thanks for all the tips...hopefully tonight I'll have some time to tinker with it. I hope her Address Book and Inbox can be salvaged...

[goldenbuddha]

Lets see

Go check in this folder

C:/Documents and Settings/YOURNAME/Local Settings/Application Data/Identities/BUNCHOFLETTERS/Microsoft/Outlook Express

(Words in CAP are specific to your system)

See if there is anything there. Thats where Outlook Express store its files. You might need to go to Tools->Folder Options->View
and check the "Show hidden files and folders" to see the Local Settings folder.