Interesting problem. I saw this just as I was going to permit a restart
after updates were downloaded. Didn't see which (am trying to avoid IE8,
given the problems I have read about here).

So went to the update site and got this error message:

"You need to restart your computer to finish installing a program or
updates. You cannot view or get other updates from the site until you
restart."

So I am going to do a backup, hit restart (after closing everything in an
orderly fashion), hold my nose and jump in...

DAS

To send an e-mail directly replace "spam" with "schmetterling"
---
"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote in message
...
How can I see a list of installed updates?

Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com | Do NOT select the Express or
Custom option | Click on the "Update History" link in the left-hand menu.
Tells us what update(s) was installed just before your messages went
missing.

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this
machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?


Bobby wrote:
Windoes XP Home Edition version 2002 Service Pack 3
Running on a P4 2.8 GHz - 1 GB RAM

I have Automatic Updates running so I assume the machine is up to date.
This morning a new update was automatically installed this morning and
all
emails disappeared after the update and re-boot.

How can I see a list of installed updates?

Do you think there is any way i can get the lost emails back.

I noticed that the contacts from the Address Book all seem to be there.
(but
maybe these are not stored in the dbx files)

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
Please state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; Win2K SP4) when
posting to this newsgroup.

What updates did you install, Bobby?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
www.banthecheck.com


Bobby wrote:
Following the last Windows Update all my email messages and contacts
have
been lost
Am Using Win XP with Auto updates turned on
My desktop picture also disappeared and now the desktop is a plain blue
colour and
When I look in the message store
Userlocal settingsapplication data
identities?{91D2DB82-1315-4914-B477-BAD761E79D3A}Microsoft Outlook
Express I just have the default and empty dbx files - all my many
folders
etc. have gone.

I tried system restore to before the update and nothing has
re-appeared.

Where could my email messages/contacts have gone?