Hi Hoots Mon,

The address book may be corrupted. An easy troubleshooting step would be to
rename the user name.wab file to backup.wab, and then let a new default
address book be created when OE starts. If the address book is corrupted
this corruption may be reintroduced if the WAB file is imported. The typical
path to the default address book would be:

C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Application Data\Microsoft\Address
Book\User Name.wab

This registry key shows the path to the default address book used by OE:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\Wab File Name\(Default)

If this fails you could try setting up a new OE identity.

A Guide to using OE Identities from Microsoft Support

OLEXP: How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Express 5.x and 6.0

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;209169


When the problem is sorted ...
Tip for exporting CSV file (so it won't get lost):
http://home.earthlink.net/~kuaytim/exportwab.htm

--
Tim K.
aka Kuay Tim
MS-MVP - Outlook Express
Lynnwood, WA
*
"Hoots Mon" wrote in message
...
I was attempting to export my Outlook Express address book and trying to
find
CSV files (as prompted by the other mail provider).

I couldn't locate any files when I did a detailed search via
Start+Explore. I went to the address book in Outlook Express and one of the
options in Tools was (and this is an approximation as I didn't write down
(more fool me!) "do you want to convert to such-and-such files in order to
share them with other applications".

It seemed like a pretty straightforward solution to the issue and I assumed
that it would create CSV file - but I now seem to have completely lost my
address book and I get the old familiar "unable to open the address book.
The
address book may not be installed properly".

I have attempted the solution as kindly suggested by another member on a
general XP board:
Start Menu | Run ... cmd
2. CD C:\Program Files\Common Files\System
3. regsvr32 wab32.dll
4. Try Address Book: "C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\wab.exe"

but I only get as far as step 2.
As my prompt does not come up with C:\Program Files\common files etc. but
instead comes up with C:\Documents and Settings\user name

Each time I type anything the message comes up "...not recognised as
an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

I know my address book is still on my computer as I can open it and
and read the contents If I go in through
C:user name\application data\microsoft\address book
but I cannot figure how to get the information attached\mapped back to
outlook express.

I can still read my email via the viewing panel as it comes into the inbox
but I cannot open it or reply

Any Ideas?
Ta
Hoots Mon