After performing some maintainence on my computer (unused desktop items,
clean up, download updates from microsoft, delete user accounts no longer
used, etc. . .) I opened outlook express and all my mail from every folder
had dissappeared - also everthing from my address book. The message rules I
have created are still there. I went to help and followed the instructions
for importing messages after you install windows xp if your mail disappears,
although I had not installed windows xp, it was the only thing that seemed
helpful. The messages it imported were all from years ago -- before I had
xp. I have not been able to find any messages that I lost, nor can I find my
current address book. I looked at the info on corruption, and that does not
seem to be the problem. Also, my folder.dbx file is present. Also, I tried
system restore, and that did not help. And, to add insult to injury, the
first email I received is from a spammer I have been trying to block! Help.

From the sound of it, you may have deleted the DBX files that you were
using when you deleted user accounts that you thought were no longer
used. If you hadn't backed up the files before hand, you may be out of
luck.

This program might be able to recover some of your messages
DBXpress - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx

The folders.dbx file is created when you run OE if it doesn't already
exist. And message rules are stored in the registry so are not affected
by deleting files.

As for the address book, take a look at:
The Windows Address Book (WAB)
http://www.insideoe.com/files/wab.htm


--

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


"pjkell" wrote in message
...
After performing some maintainence on my computer (unused desktop
items,
clean up, download updates from microsoft, delete user accounts no
longer
used, etc. . .) I opened outlook express and all my mail from every
folder
had dissappeared - also everthing from my address book. The message
rules I
have created are still there. I went to help and followed the
instructions
for importing messages after you install windows xp if your mail
disappears,
although I had not installed windows xp, it was the only thing that
seemed
helpful. The messages it imported were all from years ago -- before
I had
xp. I have not been able to find any messages that I lost, nor can I
find my
current address book. I looked at the info on corruption, and that
does not
seem to be the problem. Also, my folder.dbx file is present. Also, I
tried
system restore, and that did not help. And, to add insult to injury,
the
first email I received is from a spammer I have been trying to block!
Help.