I am familiar with several methods for backing up OE, but I am not
familiar with a reasonable method of archiving old messages...and the
dbx files are growing very large. How should I archive?

Many people create a separate identity for the sole purpose of archiving.
Create the identity and import the folders you want. Create several folders
and to avoid file corruption in any identity:

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupt. Create your own user defined folders for storing mail and move your
mail to them. Empty Deleted Items folder regularly. Keep user created
folders under 100MB, and Default folders as empty as is feasible.

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until
the compacting is completed.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer
of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems such as
time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V program will
continue to protect you sufficiently. For more, see:
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background and
leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

And backup often.

Backup & Resto
http://www.insideoutlookexpress.com/backup/
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"mcp6453" wrote in message
...
I am familiar with several methods for backing up OE, but I am not familiar
with a reasonable method of archiving old messages...and the dbx files are
growing very large. How should I archive?

MVP DGuess, author of OE-QuickBackup
(http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx), writes:
QP
Backup and archiving are two separate things that people sometimes confuse
each other with. What it sounds like you are wanting to do is archive the
old message stores for possible later retrieval. Usually archiving is a way
to store the old messages, clear them from the current setup and basically
start over with empty files. Should you have a need to restore those files,
you can simply import them into OE.

Backup is done in case you have a problem and need to restore the data as it
was.

Backing up files should be done in a way that you understand what and where
the files are, how long you want to retain them, etc.

Two different forms of backup (others may have additional plans):

1) Make a backup of the current data. (Backup1)
The next time you backup the data, put it in a separate folder.
(Backup2)
The next time you backup the data, put it in a separate folder again.
(Backup3)
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup1
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup2
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup3
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup1
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup2
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup3
&c.

You always keep the last three backups for that just in case problem.

2) Make a backup to a different folder for each backup, never overwriting
the previous.

One idea: I've got several clients doing now for backing up their messages
is to create a folder within OE and name it the month (March2004) of the
backup. They can easily copy just that one DBX file and put it on CD then
delete it from within OE. When they need it, they can easily then make a
new folder of the same name, open it to create the dbx file required to get
it in the Folders.dbx file), close OE, then copy the backed up dbx file over
the existing one (removing the read only attribute) then restarting OE.
Their messages are there waiting on them then and when they finish, all they
have to do is delete the folder in OE. They won't be adding messages to that
dbx file so it's no big deal when they delete it.
/QP
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)

mcp6453 wrote:
I am familiar with several methods for backing up OE, but I am not
familiar with a reasonable method of archiving old messages...and the
dbx files are growing very large. How should I archive?

Yes, backup and archive are different. I am familiar with the backup
processes below. Is there a similar written procedure available for
archiving?

PA Bear wrote:
MVP DGuess, author of OE-QuickBackup
(http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx), writes:
QP
Backup and archiving are two separate things that people sometimes
confuse each other with. What it sounds like you are wanting to do is
archive the old message stores for possible later retrieval. Usually
archiving is a way to store the old messages, clear them from the
current setup and basically start over with empty files. Should you have
a need to restore those files, you can simply import them into OE.

Backup is done in case you have a problem and need to restore the data
as it was.

Backing up files should be done in a way that you understand what and
where the files are, how long you want to retain them, etc.

Two different forms of backup (others may have additional plans):

1) Make a backup of the current data. (Backup1)
The next time you backup the data, put it in a separate folder.
(Backup2)
The next time you backup the data, put it in a separate folder again.
(Backup3)
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup1
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup2
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup3
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup1
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup2
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup3
&c.

You always keep the last three backups for that just in case problem.

2) Make a backup to a different folder for each backup, never
overwriting the previous.

One idea: I've got several clients doing now for backing up their
messages is to create a folder within OE and name it the month
(March2004) of the backup. They can easily copy just that one DBX file
and put it on CD then delete it from within OE. When they need it, they
can easily then make a new folder of the same name, open it to create
the dbx file required to get it in the Folders.dbx file), close OE, then
copy the backed up dbx file over the existing one (removing the read
only attribute) then restarting OE. Their messages are there waiting on
them then and when they finish, all they have to do is delete the folder
in OE. They won't be adding messages to that dbx file so it's no big
deal when they delete it.
/QP

Archiving depends a lot on personally needs.

For example, if you want to archive by year, you could sort a folder by
date, then select the first and last messages in the range and drag them
to a new empty OE folder.

You could then either leave the new folder in the current Identity, or
use one of the backup procedures to move the DBX files to another
identity or disk drive or CD and then delete from the active OE
identity.

--

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


"mcp6453" wrote in message
...
Yes, backup and archive are different. I am familiar with the backup
processes below. Is there a similar written procedure available for
archiving?

PA Bear wrote:
MVP DGuess, author of OE-QuickBackup
(http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx), writes:
QP
Backup and archiving are two separate things that people sometimes
confuse each other with. What it sounds like you are wanting to do is
archive the old message stores for possible later retrieval. Usually
archiving is a way to store the old messages, clear them from the
current setup and basically start over with empty files. Should you
have a need to restore those files, you can simply import them into
OE.

Backup is done in case you have a problem and need to restore the
data as it was.

Backing up files should be done in a way that you understand what and
where the files are, how long you want to retain them, etc.

Two different forms of backup (others may have additional plans):

1) Make a backup of the current data. (Backup1)
The next time you backup the data, put it in a separate folder.
(Backup2)
The next time you backup the data, put it in a separate folder
again. (Backup3)
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup1
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup2
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup3
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup1
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup2
The next time you backup, overwrite Backup3
&c.

You always keep the last three backups for that just in case problem.

2) Make a backup to a different folder for each backup, never
overwriting the previous.

One idea: I've got several clients doing now for backing up their
messages is to create a folder within OE and name it the month
(March2004) of the backup. They can easily copy just that one DBX
file and put it on CD then delete it from within OE. When they need
it, they can easily then make a new folder of the same name, open it
to create the dbx file required to get it in the Folders.dbx file),
close OE, then copy the backed up dbx file over the existing one
(removing the read only attribute) then restarting OE. Their messages
are there waiting on them then and when they finish, all they have to
do is delete the folder in OE. They won't be adding messages to that
dbx file so it's no big deal when they delete it.
/QP

Bruce, according to MS OE URL, and the MS techs on the phone
the latest v. of IE doesn't compact emails in the background,
That's the reason we're having to go to all of this trouble to delete/
compress/empty Recycle Bin of the backed up emails (from Compression
action).
I've talked to tens of people who tell me they ignore MS, and are still
doing "it" the old way, w/o any problems. They're either lucky, or will end
up like
I did.

But this takes a mess of my time, now. I am thinking of change email
clients.


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Many people create a separate identity for the sole purpose of archiving.
Create the identity and import the folders you want. Create several
folders and to avoid file corruption in any identity:

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupt. Create your own user defined folders for storing mail and move
your mail to them. Empty Deleted Items folder regularly. Keep user created
folders under 100MB, and Default folders as empty as is feasible.

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything
until the compacting is completed.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant
layer of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems
such as time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V program
will continue to protect you sufficiently. For more, see:
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background
and leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

And backup often.

Backup & Resto
http://www.insideoutlookexpress.com/backup/
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"mcp6453" wrote in message
...
I am familiar with several methods for backing up OE, but I am not
familiar with a reasonable method of archiving old messages...and the dbx
files are growing very large. How should I archive?

...according to MS OE URL, and the MS techs on the phone
the latest v. of IE doesn't compact emails in the background

I assume you meant OE doesn't compact in the background, and that's
correct...which is why Bruce's caveat says, "N/A if running XP/SP2" (NA =
Not Applicable).

With SP2 installed, Windows will prompt to automatically compact your store
every 100 times you close OE. This cannot be disabled.

With MS06-076 installed, a backup of your store is created in Recycle Bin
every time OE is compacted, be it manually or automatically. See the Notes
section of http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=918069 for an explanation of
sorts.

Also see http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?p=135065
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)


Pappion wrote:
Bruce, according to MS OE URL, and the MS techs on the phone
the latest v. of IE doesn't compact emails in the background,
That's the reason we're having to go to all of this trouble to delete/
compress/empty Recycle Bin of the backed up emails (from Compression
action).
I've talked to tens of people who tell me they ignore MS, and are still
doing "it" the old way, w/o any problems. They're either lucky, or will
end
up like
I did.

But this takes a mess of my time, now. I am thinking of change email
clients.


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Many people create a separate identity for the sole purpose of archiving.
Create the identity and import the folders you want. Create several
folders and to avoid file corruption in any identity:

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupt. Create your own user defined folders for storing mail and move
your mail to them. Empty Deleted Items folder regularly. Keep user
created
folders under 100MB, and Default folders as empty as is feasible.

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything
until the compacting is completed.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant
layer of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems
such as time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V
program
will continue to protect you sufficiently. For more, see:
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background
and leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

And backup often.

Backup & Resto
http://www.insideoutlookexpress.com/backup/
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"mcp6453" wrote in message
...
I am familiar with several methods for backing up OE, but I am not
familiar with a reasonable method of archiving old messages...and the
dbx
files are growing very large. How should I archive?

Hi Pappion,

You are correct that the latest version of Outlook Express does not compact
in the background, however, anyone still running XP1, or any older version
of Windows, still has the option for compacting in the background. That is
why I include that message in this Canned reply.

I understand your handicap, if that is politically correct, so feel free to
keep me on my toes and question anything you believe to be wrong.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"Pappion" wrote in message
...
Bruce, according to MS OE URL, and the MS techs on the phone
the latest v. of IE doesn't compact emails in the background,
That's the reason we're having to go to all of this trouble to delete/
compress/empty Recycle Bin of the backed up emails (from Compression
action).
I've talked to tens of people who tell me they ignore MS, and are still
doing "it" the old way, w/o any problems. They're either lucky, or will
end up like
I did.

But this takes a mess of my time, now. I am thinking of change email
clients.


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Many people create a separate identity for the sole purpose of archiving.
Create the identity and import the folders you want. Create several
folders and to avoid file corruption in any identity:

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupt. Create your own user defined folders for storing mail and move
your mail to them. Empty Deleted Items folder regularly. Keep user
created
folders under 100MB, and Default folders as empty as is feasible.

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything
until the compacting is completed.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant
layer of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems
such as time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V
program
will continue to protect you sufficiently. For more, see:
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background
and leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

And backup often.

Backup & Resto
http://www.insideoutlookexpress.com/backup/
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"mcp6453" wrote in message
...
I am familiar with several methods for backing up OE, but I am not
familiar with a reasonable method of archiving old messages...and the dbx
files are growing very large. How should I archive?