lost inbox on Outlook Express

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dennis Jelavic
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Dennis Jelavic

In recovering from a problem on my internet gateway, I managed to lose my
inbox on my Outlook Express account. When I examine my Outlook Express
directory the file is still there as Inbox.dbx, but the system has created a
new file Inbox(1).dbx which it now uses for my inbox. How can I get to see
all my messages in Inbox.dbx through Outlook Express again? I've tried
simply renaming the file but that doesn't work.

Dennis Jelavic.
 
Hi,

Try file/import messages and point to the old directory. The file may be
corrupt, which is why it is not being used in the first place, but doing
this should tell you if it is.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Thanks for the suggestion. I had thought of using the import messages
function but couldn't figure out how as both Inbox(1).dbx and Inbox.dbx are
in the same directory.
 
Create a new OE folder.
Close OE.
in Windows Explorer, go to your OE folders.
Delete the new folder name that you just created.
Rename the old Inbox.dbx to the new name.
Open OE
Open new folder name.
There are your e-mails.

I've done this many times when moving e-mails from dual-boot systems. No
problem.
 
Dennis Jelavic said:
In recovering from a problem on my internet gateway, I managed to lose my
inbox on my Outlook Express account. When I examine my Outlook Express
directory the file is still there as Inbox.dbx, but the system has created
a new file Inbox(1).dbx which it now uses for my inbox. How can I get to
see all my messages in Inbox.dbx through Outlook Express again? I've tried
simply renaming the file but that doesn't work.

Dennis Jelavic.
Click to expand...

Don't store messages in the Inbox. It is the folder most apt to be
corrupted. As soon as you read them move them to user created folders.
Then compact the Inbox regularly.

Go to Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder and write down where OE
is storing its data.
Close OE.
Go there with Windows Explorer and move (not copy) Inbox.dbx to an empty
Windows
folder. With Win2K, WinXP and Win2K3 it will be a hidden file.

You can use either of these tools to extract the messages from the old DBX
file:

DBXtract ($5): http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/ although this tool is faster
and better:
DBXpress: ($25) http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
Do NOT extract to the desktop!
With a large file this can take a long time, so let it keep running.

The messages can be dragged from a Windows folder back into an OE folder in
OE's Folder List.

You also really need to visit Windows Update. After downloading and
installing ALL critical updates (I'd do it a few at a time) you will also
want to get this one:
The download link is
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...78-f325-4a95-98c2-98af2256ccc3&DisplayLang=en
There are two articles, KB918766 and KB818651, but the latter is not
currently available.

Yes, it places the backup in Recycled, overwriting any earlier backup of the
sane folder(s). To use it, copy it to the store folder, delete the one you
want to replace and then rename the BAK file to DBX. (It's a bit more
complicated if the messed up DBX file isn't there or contains messages that
are hew that you want to keep.
 
Frank:

Please read my reply. You do not need DBX..... tools.

1. Create a new folder under local folders.
2. Close OE
3. Go to your OE mail files (C:\Documents and Settings\.....)
4. Delete the new folders .dbx file
5. Rename Inbox.dbx to new folders .dbx file
6. Open OE

You really don't need extra tools.

Also, he can setup Message Rules to Filter e-mail from known addressees and
place them in sub-folders. Then anything received in Inbox is mostly junk.
 
Larry Gardner said:
Frank:

Please read my reply. You do not need DBX..... tools.

1. Create a new folder under local folders.
2. Close OE
3. Go to your OE mail files (C:\Documents and Settings\.....)
4. Delete the new folders .dbx file
5. Rename Inbox.dbx to new folders .dbx file
6. Open OE

You really don't need extra tools.

Also, he can setup Message Rules to Filter e-mail from known addressees
and place them in sub-folders. Then anything received in Inbox is mostly
junk.
Click to expand...


The chances are that Inbox.dbx is corrupted and OE created Inbox(1).dbx
because it could not read Inbox.dbx. It also won't be able to read the
new.dbx file
 
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