Outlook Express Folder Recovery

[MoboMojo]

OK, I know I should've backed-up data prior to any OS reinstall, but I didn't. My bad.

My email PC was crashing frequently (old machine, heat probs), so I slapped together a different machine using some old leftovers (dell mobo, cpu, etc). I used the same HDD, but re-installed WinXP Home over WinXP Pro (long story). Went to check email and find that the folders/messages are gone. Didn't think that would be a problem, since the emails are in data files that shouldn't be over-written by the re-install.

Well, I can find email folders for EVERY account (the machine is used by multiple family members) EXCEPT for MINE in this directory:
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Identities

Since I always logged-onto the machine with a specific user name, I thought that the emails would be in the appropriate directory. But I can't find the folders anywhere.

As I said, I can find several other email folders, but not MINE.

Anybody have any ideas on where else to find this data (in case I am looking at the wrong place) or am I SOL on this?

TIA!!
mobo.......

 

[sykopath79]

Try a file search for *.dbx and see if that turns up any other locations containing an Outlook Express data store. The data store you were using may not have been in the default location.

 

[MoboMojo]

Thanks, sycko.....I've already tried that and it only comes up with other family members' email folders. Mine just went 'poof'.

I was hoping that maybe the files were stored someplace else or using a different qualifier, since this machine used to have Win98SE, which was upgraded to WinXP Pro, and now WinXP home.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Everything you need to know about backing up and restoring OE is here: http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/backup/clone.htm

 

[sykopath79]

If the machine used to have Win98 on it, try looking for a C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Identities folder. Several times I have seen it put the Outlook Express store here after an upgrade install of WinXP, rather than the usual ..\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities folder.

 

[MoboMojo]

Originally posted by: sykopath79
If the machine used to have Win98 on it, try looking for a C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Identities folder. Several times I have seen it put the Outlook Express store here after an upgrade install of WinXP, rather than the usual ..\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities folder.

Yep....that is where I looked nothing's there! I also looked in the 'usual' place.....came up empty there, too.:frown:

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Do a file search for .dbx files on your entire drive. Make sure to specify hidden and system folders.

 

[Underclocked]

http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx might come in handy in the future.

 

[MoboMojo]

Originally posted by: FlyingPenguin
Do a file search for .dbx files on your entire drive. Make sure to specify hidden and system folders.

Yep, did that first thing.....only finds some users' email folders. Mine are missing.....Have searched entire disk, but I think they are gone for good.

 

[MoboMojo]

Originally posted by: Underclocked
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx might come in handy in the future.

Many thanks.....like I said, I should've backed-up but didn't. My bad.