If the registry was set to share the contacts, then turn that setting
off (set the value to 0). That accidentally being turned on would cause
OE to ignore the WAB file and use the Outlook Contacts, which I presume
are empty.

--

Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm


"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message
...
Interesting registry change, but here's the issue: The ONLY reason I
started up Outlook was to assist a remote user. I needed to see what
he's seeing. After that's done, I won't be using it. I don't want OE
to use Outlook contacts since I will never be using Outlook. I want OE
to access its own WAB file in the old location.


"Michael Santovec" wrote in message
...
Outlook Express may be set to use the Outlook Contacts instead of
it's WAB file.

To share Contacts between Outlook and Outlook Express
http://www.slipstick.com/contacts/oeshare.htm


--

Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm


"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message
...
Well, not the .wab file, just the addresses in it. Fortunately, I do
backups daily. Here's what I *believe* is the reason for the
vanishing addresses - perhaps someone can confirm this: I use OE,
*never* Outlook. But, next week, I need to assist someone by phone
with a couple of setup processes in Outlook. So yesterday, I started
Outlook for the first time on this computer, figuring now I'll be
able to see the same menus they're looking at. I went along with its
initial setup questions, and figured "OK - I'm all set here".

For the rest of the day, I didn't access my address book at all, so
I didn't notice that it had been replaced by the Outlook
installation. Between now and next week, I may want to add an
address or two (after I restore the backed up file). Is Outlook
going to wipe out that file every time I start it up??? If yes, is
there a way to avoid that?

Running XP Pro SP2, by the way.