Bruce,

Any particular reason?

Just as part of a backup, I include a copy/paste of Documents and Settings
(most of it) into an external HD.
So, if I want to see if a SENT message (actually kept in Sent 2009.dbx) in
the backup file, are you saying I should create another identity and import
the Sent 2009.dbx?

Jack
------------------------------------



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
You want to move all your current dbx files to another location as an
archive? Any particular reason? If you do, you would have to bring them back
into OE to read them. Not always a simple thing to do.

If you want folders with messages out of your current folder tree, the
easiest way around this is to create another identity and import the folders
you want to archive to it. This way you can just switch identities to read
them if need be.

How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Express
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209169

I would still get OEQB. It will back up all identities at the same time.
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

There's the rub -- I am not absolutely positive I sent the message.

Well, anyway, I will now be a little more attentive all the way around,
including compacting, size, etc.

Question: If I backup (via Explore using copy/paste to another folder on
the HD) the dbx files and later want to open one without disturbing the
current same dbx file, what's the best way to do that?


Jack



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
There are recovery tools, but if you are not even sure you actually sent
the
message do you want to go that route? You /may/ find the message with one
of
these tools. Note that only DBXpress has a chance if the folders have been
compacted.

Macallan Outlook Express Extraction:
http://www.insideoe.com/resources/tools.htm#macallan

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

DBXpress: {much faster for large files}
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

You move messages out of Sent Items

Yes -- I try not to accumulate more than 100 messages there.

compact often?

Approx once/wk.

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Yes to all above. No .dbx file is 300 mb at present.



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
It is possible. You move messages out of Sent Items which is good. Do you
compact often? Do you do all of the following?

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used
by
Outlook Express:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095

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.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Is it possible for OE to lose some messages I sent. I was checking SENT
for
a sent message and couldn't find it (actually, I move messages out of
SENT
after a while and put them into SAVED). I'd swear I sent it, but now
I'm
wondering.

Jack

Rich,

messages sent from an IMAP account?

All the acc'ts are POP3 and messages are sent via normal SMTP and are copied
to my HD (SENT ITEMS.dbx).
Nothing is auto deleted after so many days.

separate Identity or Identities

Yes, I do that also -- one for each year.

The message of issue is one I thought I sent within the past month.


Thanks,
Jack

----------------------------------





"Rich/rerat" wrote in message
...
Jack B,
On your Sent Messages problem. Were these messages sent from an IMAP
account? If they were then there is possibly a setting you need to check the
web mail interface for that acct. There may be a setting there, to
automatically delete messages in some of the main folders, such as Inbox,
Sent Items, or Deleted Items folders, after XX days. This is used to
maintain space on the mail server. You may need to have user created folders
added to the account, and manually move the messages to them, if you want to
maintain them longer.

For POP3 accounts, make sure that save to Sent Items folder is checked.

In OE TOOLS Options Send tab Check box to save messagesApply/OK. It
might have been accidently unchecked.

The easiest way I have found to archive/backup messages in OE6, is to create
a separate Identity or Identities for those messages. Each new year I
"archive" my messages, I have Identities labeled in OE like this:
1. Messages 2001
2. Messages 2002
through
7. Messages 2007
8. Messages 2008

Once I know that all the messages have been transferred correctly, I delete
all the messages I don't need on a "daily basis" in the new year, from my
Default Identity, then "Compact All" my folders.

Then if I need to review a message, I switch to that Identity.

PA Bear,
Why is there a problem with Copy and Paste, of *DBX files? I could
understand Cut & Paste could lead to problems. I have copy/paste these files
and the entire message store folder, between partitions on a HDD, to
different HDDs in the same PC, and over my home network between PCs. And I
have never had a problem.

I would think it better to copy/paste the OE Message Store folder containing
the *.DBX files before doing things like burning them to CDs/DVDs, using the
copy of the message store folder. This way if something goes wrong, you have
not damaged your current message store folder.

--
Add MS to your News Reader: news://msnews.microsoft.com
Rich/rerat
(RRR News) message rule
Previous Text Snipped to Save Bandwidth When Appropriate


"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote in message
...
[Do yourself a BIG favor and never copy/paste any DBX files anywhere, Jack.]

Jack B wrote:
Bruce,

There's the rub -- I am not absolutely positive I sent the message.

Well, anyway, I will now be a little more attentive all the way around,
including compacting, size, etc.

Question: If I backup (via Explore using copy/paste to another folder on
the HD) the dbx files and later want to open one without disturbing the
current same dbx file, what's the best way to do that?


Jack



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
There are recovery tools, but if you are not even sure you actually sent
the
message do you want to go that route? You /may/ find the message with one
of
these tools. Note that only DBXpress has a chance if the folders have been
compacted.

Macallan Outlook Express Extraction:
http://www.insideoe.com/resources/tools.htm#macallan

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

DBXpress: {much faster for large files}
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx

"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

You move messages out of Sent Items

Yes -- I try not to accumulate more than 100 messages there.

compact often?

Approx once/wk.

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Yes to all above. No .dbx file is 300 mb at present.



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
It is possible. You move messages out of Sent Items which is good. Do you
compact often? Do you do all of the following?

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used
by
Outlook Express:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095

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.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Is it possible for OE to lose some messages I sent. I was checking SENT
for
a sent message and couldn't find it (actually, I move messages out of
SENT
after a while and put them into SAVED). I'd swear I sent it, but now
I'm
wondering.

Jack

Rich,

messages sent from an IMAP account?

All the acc'ts are POP3 and messages are sent via normal SMTP and are copied
to my HD (SENT ITEMS.dbx).
Nothing is auto deleted after so many days.

separate Identity or Identities

Yes, I do that also -- one for each year.

The message of issue is one I thought I sent within the past month.


Thanks,
Jack

----------------------------------





"Rich/rerat" wrote in message
...
Jack B,
On your Sent Messages problem. Were these messages sent from an IMAP
account? If they were then there is possibly a setting you need to check the
web mail interface for that acct. There may be a setting there, to
automatically delete messages in some of the main folders, such as Inbox,
Sent Items, or Deleted Items folders, after XX days. This is used to
maintain space on the mail server. You may need to have user created folders
added to the account, and manually move the messages to them, if you want to
maintain them longer.

For POP3 accounts, make sure that save to Sent Items folder is checked.

In OE TOOLS Options Send tab Check box to save messagesApply/OK. It
might have been accidently unchecked.

The easiest way I have found to archive/backup messages in OE6, is to create
a separate Identity or Identities for those messages. Each new year I
"archive" my messages, I have Identities labeled in OE like this:
1. Messages 2001
2. Messages 2002
through
7. Messages 2007
8. Messages 2008

Once I know that all the messages have been transferred correctly, I delete
all the messages I don't need on a "daily basis" in the new year, from my
Default Identity, then "Compact All" my folders.

Then if I need to review a message, I switch to that Identity.

PA Bear,
Why is there a problem with Copy and Paste, of *DBX files? I could
understand Cut & Paste could lead to problems. I have copy/paste these files
and the entire message store folder, between partitions on a HDD, to
different HDDs in the same PC, and over my home network between PCs. And I
have never had a problem.

I would think it better to copy/paste the OE Message Store folder containing
the *.DBX files before doing things like burning them to CDs/DVDs, using the
copy of the message store folder. This way if something goes wrong, you have
not damaged your current message store folder.

--
Add MS to your News Reader: news://msnews.microsoft.com
Rich/rerat
(RRR News) message rule
Previous Text Snipped to Save Bandwidth When Appropriate


"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote in message
...
[Do yourself a BIG favor and never copy/paste any DBX files anywhere, Jack.]

Jack B wrote:
Bruce,

There's the rub -- I am not absolutely positive I sent the message.

Well, anyway, I will now be a little more attentive all the way around,
including compacting, size, etc.

Question: If I backup (via Explore using copy/paste to another folder on
the HD) the dbx files and later want to open one without disturbing the
current same dbx file, what's the best way to do that?


Jack



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
There are recovery tools, but if you are not even sure you actually sent
the
message do you want to go that route? You /may/ find the message with one
of
these tools. Note that only DBXpress has a chance if the folders have been
compacted.

Macallan Outlook Express Extraction:
http://www.insideoe.com/resources/tools.htm#macallan

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

DBXpress: {much faster for large files}
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx

"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

You move messages out of Sent Items

Yes -- I try not to accumulate more than 100 messages there.

compact often?

Approx once/wk.

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Yes to all above. No .dbx file is 300 mb at present.



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
It is possible. You move messages out of Sent Items which is good. Do you
compact often? Do you do all of the following?

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used
by
Outlook Express:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095

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.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Is it possible for OE to lose some messages I sent. I was checking SENT
for
a sent message and couldn't find it (actually, I move messages out of
SENT
after a while and put them into SAVED). I'd swear I sent it, but now
I'm
wondering.

Jack

Copy/Paste will not work. Cut/Paste, or dragging the dbx file will work.
That said, if you move a single folder to a location on your HDD, you will
need to bring it back into OE to read the messages. You can't just open a
dbx file and read it.

How to restore individual dbx files:
http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx#imp1

To avoid that hassle, if you want to remove the Sent 2009 folder from your
current identity, importing it into another identity is the simplest way, at
least in my opinion.

You can save the messages to a readable CD, but that has its downfalls.

Create a folder on your Desktop, then in Outlook Express open the folder
with the messages you want to save. Highlight one message, then Ctrl+A will
highlight them all, (or hold the Ctrl button down while you select only the
messages you want), Now, drag and drop them to the folder on your Desktop.
(Easiest if the folder shortcut is on the Taskbar).

Now you can copy that folder to a CD and you will be able to read the
messages on the CD by double-clicking on them.

The downside of this is that messages that have the same subject will be
overwritten. To avoid this, purchase:

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

All the above not withstanding, if you just want to backup the folder in
case of loss and not actually remove it from your current identity, then
just use a backup program.

This freeware tool backs up everything in OE in seconds. Disregard what is
written in red. That is referring to a different program.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

Any particular reason?

Just as part of a backup, I include a copy/paste of Documents and Settings
(most of it) into an external HD.
So, if I want to see if a SENT message (actually kept in Sent 2009.dbx) in
the backup file, are you saying I should create another identity and
import
the Sent 2009.dbx?

Jack
------------------------------------



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
You want to move all your current dbx files to another location as an
archive? Any particular reason? If you do, you would have to bring them
back
into OE to read them. Not always a simple thing to do.

If you want folders with messages out of your current folder tree, the
easiest way around this is to create another identity and import the
folders
you want to archive to it. This way you can just switch identities to read
them if need be.

How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Express
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209169

I would still get OEQB. It will back up all identities at the same time.
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

There's the rub -- I am not absolutely positive I sent the message.

Well, anyway, I will now be a little more attentive all the way around,
including compacting, size, etc.

Question: If I backup (via Explore using copy/paste to another folder on
the HD) the dbx files and later want to open one without disturbing the
current same dbx file, what's the best way to do that?


Jack



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
There are recovery tools, but if you are not even sure you actually sent
the
message do you want to go that route? You /may/ find the message with one
of
these tools. Note that only DBXpress has a chance if the folders have
been
compacted.

Macallan Outlook Express Extraction:
http://www.insideoe.com/resources/tools.htm#macallan

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

DBXpress: {much faster for large files}
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

You move messages out of Sent Items

Yes -- I try not to accumulate more than 100 messages there.

compact often?

Approx once/wk.

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Yes to all above. No .dbx file is 300 mb at present.



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
It is possible. You move messages out of Sent Items which is good. Do
you
compact often? Do you do all of the following?

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used
by
Outlook Express:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095

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.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Is it possible for OE to lose some messages I sent. I was checking
SENT
for
a sent message and couldn't find it (actually, I move messages out of
SENT
after a while and put them into SAVED). I'd swear I sent it, but now
I'm
wondering.

Jack

Copy/Paste will not work. Cut/Paste, or dragging the dbx file will work.
That said, if you move a single folder to a location on your HDD, you will
need to bring it back into OE to read the messages. You can't just open a
dbx file and read it.

How to restore individual dbx files:
http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx#imp1

To avoid that hassle, if you want to remove the Sent 2009 folder from your
current identity, importing it into another identity is the simplest way, at
least in my opinion.

You can save the messages to a readable CD, but that has its downfalls.

Create a folder on your Desktop, then in Outlook Express open the folder
with the messages you want to save. Highlight one message, then Ctrl+A will
highlight them all, (or hold the Ctrl button down while you select only the
messages you want), Now, drag and drop them to the folder on your Desktop.
(Easiest if the folder shortcut is on the Taskbar).

Now you can copy that folder to a CD and you will be able to read the
messages on the CD by double-clicking on them.

The downside of this is that messages that have the same subject will be
overwritten. To avoid this, purchase:

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

All the above not withstanding, if you just want to backup the folder in
case of loss and not actually remove it from your current identity, then
just use a backup program.

This freeware tool backs up everything in OE in seconds. Disregard what is
written in red. That is referring to a different program.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

Any particular reason?

Just as part of a backup, I include a copy/paste of Documents and Settings
(most of it) into an external HD.
So, if I want to see if a SENT message (actually kept in Sent 2009.dbx) in
the backup file, are you saying I should create another identity and
import
the Sent 2009.dbx?

Jack
------------------------------------



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
You want to move all your current dbx files to another location as an
archive? Any particular reason? If you do, you would have to bring them
back
into OE to read them. Not always a simple thing to do.

If you want folders with messages out of your current folder tree, the
easiest way around this is to create another identity and import the
folders
you want to archive to it. This way you can just switch identities to read
them if need be.

How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Express
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209169

I would still get OEQB. It will back up all identities at the same time.
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

There's the rub -- I am not absolutely positive I sent the message.

Well, anyway, I will now be a little more attentive all the way around,
including compacting, size, etc.

Question: If I backup (via Explore using copy/paste to another folder on
the HD) the dbx files and later want to open one without disturbing the
current same dbx file, what's the best way to do that?


Jack



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
There are recovery tools, but if you are not even sure you actually sent
the
message do you want to go that route? You /may/ find the message with one
of
these tools. Note that only DBXpress has a chance if the folders have
been
compacted.

Macallan Outlook Express Extraction:
http://www.insideoe.com/resources/tools.htm#macallan

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

DBXpress: {much faster for large files}
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

You move messages out of Sent Items

Yes -- I try not to accumulate more than 100 messages there.

compact often?

Approx once/wk.

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Yes to all above. No .dbx file is 300 mb at present.



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
It is possible. You move messages out of Sent Items which is good. Do
you
compact often? Do you do all of the following?

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used
by
Outlook Express:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095

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.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Is it possible for OE to lose some messages I sent. I was checking
SENT
for
a sent message and couldn't find it (actually, I move messages out of
SENT
after a while and put them into SAVED). I'd swear I sent it, but now
I'm
wondering.

Jack

Bruce,

So, if you ever want to double check whether a single message supposedly
sent two weeks ago has been "dropped" by OE, does OEQB (if used for back-up
a week ago) allow you to that without messing up (over writing) the current
folders? Or is that only possible with DBXtract?


Jack
---------------------------------




"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Copy/Paste will not work. Cut/Paste, or dragging the dbx file will work.
That said, if you move a single folder to a location on your HDD, you will
need to bring it back into OE to read the messages. You can't just open a
dbx file and read it.

How to restore individual dbx files:
http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx#imp1

To avoid that hassle, if you want to remove the Sent 2009 folder from your
current identity, importing it into another identity is the simplest way, at
least in my opinion.

You can save the messages to a readable CD, but that has its downfalls.

Create a folder on your Desktop, then in Outlook Express open the folder
with the messages you want to save. Highlight one message, then Ctrl+A will
highlight them all, (or hold the Ctrl button down while you select only the
messages you want), Now, drag and drop them to the folder on your Desktop.
(Easiest if the folder shortcut is on the Taskbar).

Now you can copy that folder to a CD and you will be able to read the
messages on the CD by double-clicking on them.

The downside of this is that messages that have the same subject will be
overwritten. To avoid this, purchase:

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

All the above not withstanding, if you just want to backup the folder in
case of loss and not actually remove it from your current identity, then
just use a backup program.

This freeware tool backs up everything in OE in seconds. Disregard what is
written in red. That is referring to a different program.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

Any particular reason?

Just as part of a backup, I include a copy/paste of Documents and Settings
(most of it) into an external HD.
So, if I want to see if a SENT message (actually kept in Sent 2009.dbx) in
the backup file, are you saying I should create another identity and
import
the Sent 2009.dbx?

Jack
------------------------------------



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
You want to move all your current dbx files to another location as an
archive? Any particular reason? If you do, you would have to bring them
back
into OE to read them. Not always a simple thing to do.

If you want folders with messages out of your current folder tree, the
easiest way around this is to create another identity and import the
folders
you want to archive to it. This way you can just switch identities to read
them if need be.

How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Express
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209169

I would still get OEQB. It will back up all identities at the same time.
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

There's the rub -- I am not absolutely positive I sent the message.

Well, anyway, I will now be a little more attentive all the way around,
including compacting, size, etc.

Question: If I backup (via Explore using copy/paste to another folder on
the HD) the dbx files and later want to open one without disturbing the
current same dbx file, what's the best way to do that?


Jack



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
There are recovery tools, but if you are not even sure you actually sent
the
message do you want to go that route? You /may/ find the message with one
of
these tools. Note that only DBXpress has a chance if the folders have
been
compacted.

Macallan Outlook Express Extraction:
http://www.insideoe.com/resources/tools.htm#macallan

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

DBXpress: {much faster for large files}
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

You move messages out of Sent Items

Yes -- I try not to accumulate more than 100 messages there.

compact often?

Approx once/wk.

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Yes to all above. No .dbx file is 300 mb at present.



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
It is possible. You move messages out of Sent Items which is good. Do
you
compact often? Do you do all of the following?

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used
by
Outlook Express:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095

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.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Is it possible for OE to lose some messages I sent. I was checking
SENT
for
a sent message and couldn't find it (actually, I move messages out of
SENT
after a while and put them into SAVED). I'd swear I sent it, but now
I'm
wondering.

Jack

Bruce,

So, if you ever want to double check whether a single message supposedly
sent two weeks ago has been "dropped" by OE, does OEQB (if used for back-up
a week ago) allow you to that without messing up (over writing) the current
folders? Or is that only possible with DBXtract?


Jack
---------------------------------




"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Copy/Paste will not work. Cut/Paste, or dragging the dbx file will work.
That said, if you move a single folder to a location on your HDD, you will
need to bring it back into OE to read the messages. You can't just open a
dbx file and read it.

How to restore individual dbx files:
http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx#imp1

To avoid that hassle, if you want to remove the Sent 2009 folder from your
current identity, importing it into another identity is the simplest way, at
least in my opinion.

You can save the messages to a readable CD, but that has its downfalls.

Create a folder on your Desktop, then in Outlook Express open the folder
with the messages you want to save. Highlight one message, then Ctrl+A will
highlight them all, (or hold the Ctrl button down while you select only the
messages you want), Now, drag and drop them to the folder on your Desktop.
(Easiest if the folder shortcut is on the Taskbar).

Now you can copy that folder to a CD and you will be able to read the
messages on the CD by double-clicking on them.

The downside of this is that messages that have the same subject will be
overwritten. To avoid this, purchase:

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

All the above not withstanding, if you just want to backup the folder in
case of loss and not actually remove it from your current identity, then
just use a backup program.

This freeware tool backs up everything in OE in seconds. Disregard what is
written in red. That is referring to a different program.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

Any particular reason?

Just as part of a backup, I include a copy/paste of Documents and Settings
(most of it) into an external HD.
So, if I want to see if a SENT message (actually kept in Sent 2009.dbx) in
the backup file, are you saying I should create another identity and
import
the Sent 2009.dbx?

Jack
------------------------------------



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
You want to move all your current dbx files to another location as an
archive? Any particular reason? If you do, you would have to bring them
back
into OE to read them. Not always a simple thing to do.

If you want folders with messages out of your current folder tree, the
easiest way around this is to create another identity and import the
folders
you want to archive to it. This way you can just switch identities to read
them if need be.

How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Express
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209169

I would still get OEQB. It will back up all identities at the same time.
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

There's the rub -- I am not absolutely positive I sent the message.

Well, anyway, I will now be a little more attentive all the way around,
including compacting, size, etc.

Question: If I backup (via Explore using copy/paste to another folder on
the HD) the dbx files and later want to open one without disturbing the
current same dbx file, what's the best way to do that?


Jack



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
There are recovery tools, but if you are not even sure you actually sent
the
message do you want to go that route? You /may/ find the message with one
of
these tools. Note that only DBXpress has a chance if the folders have
been
compacted.

Macallan Outlook Express Extraction:
http://www.insideoe.com/resources/tools.htm#macallan

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

DBXpress: {much faster for large files}
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

You move messages out of Sent Items

Yes -- I try not to accumulate more than 100 messages there.

compact often?

Approx once/wk.

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Yes to all above. No .dbx file is 300 mb at present.



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
It is possible. You move messages out of Sent Items which is good. Do
you
compact often? Do you do all of the following?

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used
by
Outlook Express:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095

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.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Is it possible for OE to lose some messages I sent. I was checking
SENT
for
a sent message and couldn't find it (actually, I move messages out of
SENT
after a while and put them into SAVED). I'd swear I sent it, but now
I'm
wondering.

Jack

That is not the intent of OEQB. It is backup *insurance* in case of a
massive loss of messages. You are concerned about OE losing a message
occasionally here and there. I did say it was possible, but if you adhere to
the precautions I posted in my first reply, it is unlikely.

If you just want to "double check" sent messages occasionally, I would
/copy/ each sent message to a user created folder, leaving it in Sent Items
as well. Every few days you can delete messages older than 30 days from Sent
Items but leaving the copy in the other folder.

There are no specific programs made to help with memory. I would keep OE
backed up regardless.
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

So, if you ever want to double check whether a single message supposedly
sent two weeks ago has been "dropped" by OE, does OEQB (if used for
back-up
a week ago) allow you to that without messing up (over writing) the
current
folders? Or is that only possible with DBXtract?


Jack
---------------------------------




"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Copy/Paste will not work. Cut/Paste, or dragging the dbx file will work.
That said, if you move a single folder to a location on your HDD, you will
need to bring it back into OE to read the messages. You can't just open a
dbx file and read it.

How to restore individual dbx files:
http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx#imp1

To avoid that hassle, if you want to remove the Sent 2009 folder from your
current identity, importing it into another identity is the simplest way,
at
least in my opinion.

You can save the messages to a readable CD, but that has its downfalls.

Create a folder on your Desktop, then in Outlook Express open the folder
with the messages you want to save. Highlight one message, then Ctrl+A
will
highlight them all, (or hold the Ctrl button down while you select only
the
messages you want), Now, drag and drop them to the folder on your Desktop.
(Easiest if the folder shortcut is on the Taskbar).

Now you can copy that folder to a CD and you will be able to read the
messages on the CD by double-clicking on them.

The downside of this is that messages that have the same subject will be
overwritten. To avoid this, purchase:

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

All the above not withstanding, if you just want to backup the folder in
case of loss and not actually remove it from your current identity, then
just use a backup program.

This freeware tool backs up everything in OE in seconds. Disregard what is
written in red. That is referring to a different program.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

Any particular reason?

Just as part of a backup, I include a copy/paste of Documents and
Settings
(most of it) into an external HD.
So, if I want to see if a SENT message (actually kept in Sent 2009.dbx)
in
the backup file, are you saying I should create another identity and
import
the Sent 2009.dbx?

Jack
------------------------------------



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
You want to move all your current dbx files to another location as an
archive? Any particular reason? If you do, you would have to bring them
back
into OE to read them. Not always a simple thing to do.

If you want folders with messages out of your current folder tree, the
easiest way around this is to create another identity and import the
folders
you want to archive to it. This way you can just switch identities to
read
them if need be.

How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Express
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209169

I would still get OEQB. It will back up all identities at the same time.
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

There's the rub -- I am not absolutely positive I sent the message.

Well, anyway, I will now be a little more attentive all the way around,
including compacting, size, etc.

Question: If I backup (via Explore using copy/paste to another folder
on
the HD) the dbx files and later want to open one without disturbing the
current same dbx file, what's the best way to do that?


Jack



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
There are recovery tools, but if you are not even sure you actually sent
the
message do you want to go that route? You /may/ find the message with
one
of
these tools. Note that only DBXpress has a chance if the folders have
been
compacted.

Macallan Outlook Express Extraction:
http://www.insideoe.com/resources/tools.htm#macallan

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

DBXpress: {much faster for large files}
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

You move messages out of Sent Items

Yes -- I try not to accumulate more than 100 messages there.

compact often?

Approx once/wk.

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Yes to all above. No .dbx file is 300 mb at present.



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
It is possible. You move messages out of Sent Items which is good. Do
you
compact often? Do you do all of the following?

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used
by
Outlook Express:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095

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.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Is it possible for OE to lose some messages I sent. I was checking
SENT
for
a sent message and couldn't find it (actually, I move messages out of
SENT
after a while and put them into SAVED). I'd swear I sent it, but now
I'm
wondering.

Jack

That is not the intent of OEQB. It is backup *insurance* in case of a
massive loss of messages. You are concerned about OE losing a message
occasionally here and there. I did say it was possible, but if you adhere to
the precautions I posted in my first reply, it is unlikely.

If you just want to "double check" sent messages occasionally, I would
/copy/ each sent message to a user created folder, leaving it in Sent Items
as well. Every few days you can delete messages older than 30 days from Sent
Items but leaving the copy in the other folder.

There are no specific programs made to help with memory. I would keep OE
backed up regardless.
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

So, if you ever want to double check whether a single message supposedly
sent two weeks ago has been "dropped" by OE, does OEQB (if used for
back-up
a week ago) allow you to that without messing up (over writing) the
current
folders? Or is that only possible with DBXtract?


Jack
---------------------------------




"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Copy/Paste will not work. Cut/Paste, or dragging the dbx file will work.
That said, if you move a single folder to a location on your HDD, you will
need to bring it back into OE to read the messages. You can't just open a
dbx file and read it.

How to restore individual dbx files:
http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx#imp1

To avoid that hassle, if you want to remove the Sent 2009 folder from your
current identity, importing it into another identity is the simplest way,
at
least in my opinion.

You can save the messages to a readable CD, but that has its downfalls.

Create a folder on your Desktop, then in Outlook Express open the folder
with the messages you want to save. Highlight one message, then Ctrl+A
will
highlight them all, (or hold the Ctrl button down while you select only
the
messages you want), Now, drag and drop them to the folder on your Desktop.
(Easiest if the folder shortcut is on the Taskbar).

Now you can copy that folder to a CD and you will be able to read the
messages on the CD by double-clicking on them.

The downside of this is that messages that have the same subject will be
overwritten. To avoid this, purchase:

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

All the above not withstanding, if you just want to backup the folder in
case of loss and not actually remove it from your current identity, then
just use a backup program.

This freeware tool backs up everything in OE in seconds. Disregard what is
written in red. That is referring to a different program.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

Any particular reason?

Just as part of a backup, I include a copy/paste of Documents and
Settings
(most of it) into an external HD.
So, if I want to see if a SENT message (actually kept in Sent 2009.dbx)
in
the backup file, are you saying I should create another identity and
import
the Sent 2009.dbx?

Jack
------------------------------------



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
You want to move all your current dbx files to another location as an
archive? Any particular reason? If you do, you would have to bring them
back
into OE to read them. Not always a simple thing to do.

If you want folders with messages out of your current folder tree, the
easiest way around this is to create another identity and import the
folders
you want to archive to it. This way you can just switch identities to
read
them if need be.

How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Express
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209169

I would still get OEQB. It will back up all identities at the same time.
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

There's the rub -- I am not absolutely positive I sent the message.

Well, anyway, I will now be a little more attentive all the way around,
including compacting, size, etc.

Question: If I backup (via Explore using copy/paste to another folder
on
the HD) the dbx files and later want to open one without disturbing the
current same dbx file, what's the best way to do that?


Jack



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
There are recovery tools, but if you are not even sure you actually sent
the
message do you want to go that route? You /may/ find the message with
one
of
these tools. Note that only DBXpress has a chance if the folders have
been
compacted.

Macallan Outlook Express Extraction:
http://www.insideoe.com/resources/tools.htm#macallan

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

DBXpress: {much faster for large files}
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

You move messages out of Sent Items

Yes -- I try not to accumulate more than 100 messages there.

compact often?

Approx once/wk.

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Yes to all above. No .dbx file is 300 mb at present.



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
It is possible. You move messages out of Sent Items which is good. Do
you
compact often? Do you do all of the following?

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used
by
Outlook Express:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095

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.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Is it possible for OE to lose some messages I sent. I was checking
SENT
for
a sent message and couldn't find it (actually, I move messages out of
SENT
after a while and put them into SAVED). I'd swear I sent it, but now
I'm
wondering.

Jack

Bruce,

want to "double check" sent messages occasionally

Or, I guess as already indicated, copy them (import) to another identity.


Jack
------------------------



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
That is not the intent of OEQB. It is backup *insurance* in case of a
massive loss of messages. You are concerned about OE losing a message
occasionally here and there. I did say it was possible, but if you adhere to
the precautions I posted in my first reply, it is unlikely.

If you just want to "double check" sent messages occasionally, I would
/copy/ each sent message to a user created folder, leaving it in Sent Items
as well. Every few days you can delete messages older than 30 days from Sent
Items but leaving the copy in the other folder.

There are no specific programs made to help with memory. I would keep OE
backed up regardless.
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

So, if you ever want to double check whether a single message supposedly
sent two weeks ago has been "dropped" by OE, does OEQB (if used for
back-up
a week ago) allow you to that without messing up (over writing) the
current
folders? Or is that only possible with DBXtract?


Jack
---------------------------------




"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Copy/Paste will not work. Cut/Paste, or dragging the dbx file will work.
That said, if you move a single folder to a location on your HDD, you will
need to bring it back into OE to read the messages. You can't just open a
dbx file and read it.

How to restore individual dbx files:
http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx#imp1

To avoid that hassle, if you want to remove the Sent 2009 folder from your
current identity, importing it into another identity is the simplest way,
at
least in my opinion.

You can save the messages to a readable CD, but that has its downfalls.

Create a folder on your Desktop, then in Outlook Express open the folder
with the messages you want to save. Highlight one message, then Ctrl+A
will
highlight them all, (or hold the Ctrl button down while you select only
the
messages you want), Now, drag and drop them to the folder on your Desktop.
(Easiest if the folder shortcut is on the Taskbar).

Now you can copy that folder to a CD and you will be able to read the
messages on the CD by double-clicking on them.

The downside of this is that messages that have the same subject will be
overwritten. To avoid this, purchase:

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

All the above not withstanding, if you just want to backup the folder in
case of loss and not actually remove it from your current identity, then
just use a backup program.

This freeware tool backs up everything in OE in seconds. Disregard what is
written in red. That is referring to a different program.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

Any particular reason?

Just as part of a backup, I include a copy/paste of Documents and
Settings
(most of it) into an external HD.
So, if I want to see if a SENT message (actually kept in Sent 2009.dbx)
in
the backup file, are you saying I should create another identity and
import
the Sent 2009.dbx?

Jack
------------------------------------



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
You want to move all your current dbx files to another location as an
archive? Any particular reason? If you do, you would have to bring them
back
into OE to read them. Not always a simple thing to do.

If you want folders with messages out of your current folder tree, the
easiest way around this is to create another identity and import the
folders
you want to archive to it. This way you can just switch identities to
read
them if need be.

How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Express
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209169

I would still get OEQB. It will back up all identities at the same time.
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

There's the rub -- I am not absolutely positive I sent the message.

Well, anyway, I will now be a little more attentive all the way around,
including compacting, size, etc.

Question: If I backup (via Explore using copy/paste to another folder
on
the HD) the dbx files and later want to open one without disturbing the
current same dbx file, what's the best way to do that?


Jack



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
There are recovery tools, but if you are not even sure you actually sent
the
message do you want to go that route? You /may/ find the message with
one
of
these tools. Note that only DBXpress has a chance if the folders have
been
compacted.

Macallan Outlook Express Extraction:
http://www.insideoe.com/resources/tools.htm#macallan

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

DBXpress: {much faster for large files}
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Bruce,

You move messages out of Sent Items

Yes -- I try not to accumulate more than 100 messages there.

compact often?

Approx once/wk.

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Yes to all above. No .dbx file is 300 mb at present.



"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
It is possible. You move messages out of Sent Items which is good. Do
you
compact often? Do you do all of the following?

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user
defined
folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted
Items
folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I
recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.

Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used
by
Outlook Express:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095

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.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


"Jack B" wrote in message
...
Is it possible for OE to lose some messages I sent. I was checking
SENT
for
a sent message and couldn't find it (actually, I move messages out of
SENT
after a while and put them into SAVED). I'd swear I sent it, but now
I'm
wondering.

Jack