Outlook Express(OE) does not have a remote server. All messages are stored on your machine once downloaded, unless OE is configured to leave a message on the folder or the account is a web based http account.

Unless your isp, Opal, stores messages on their server via web based access, they may be lost for good

Did you format the drive that had the original XP install ?

--
...winston
MS-MVP Windows Live Mail

"sat" wrote in message ...
:I had a system crash and had to reinstall Windows XP. Unfortunately all my
: messages were lost in the process.
: Is there anyway I can retrieve the old messages from the Outlook Express
: server?
:
: Thanks
:
: