OL Express 6 Backup Folders Question??

[LarryE]

I backed up my folders with Carbonite because I had trouble defragmenting as the files were so large. I restored the folder that I needed and it is in the correct location on my hard drive. However, it does not show up in OL when I open my e-mail. I tried to go to File > Import > and select the folder, but that doesn't work either. Can someone tell me what I'm missing, or what I need to do to get this folder to show up (with the messages in it)? Thanks for the help. Larry

 

[aich69]

Which folders/files did you backup?
You would want to backup the .dbx files. (In the past I have just taken a copy of these and then moved them back to the relevant location when I'm done).
You say the files were so large..how big is 'large'? OE has a max size for .dbx files of 2Gb, although you may go above this corruption is a good deal more likely.

Is OE still working for you? What program were you using to defrag?



I used to have a handle on life... but it broke. Cpt. Red Bull

 

[aich69]

...some good reading on Outlook Express

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/IE/community/columns/filecorruption.mspx

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/903095

I used to have a handle on life... but it broke. Cpt. Red Bull

 

[LarryE]

Thanks Cpt. Red Bull, I backed up the .dbx files and the file that was stopping my defrag was a folder that was 93 megs. I was using the defrag that is on the control panel in Window XP. I even defraged in safe mode and it gave me a report that these two files were the problem. One was one of the folders in OL and the other was a backup of Neat Receipts. My e-mail is working fine, I just can't get the folder back in OL for some reason. I go to Windows Explorer and it is there and the size is 93 meg. so I know it has the messages in it. Thanks again for the help. Larry

 

[smah]

With OE closed, delete the file folders.dbx. When you open OE the folders will automatically be created for all the .dbx files that are found.

 

[goombawaho]

If you are trying to import from DBX files, then that's a different issue. Deleting the Folders.DBX is a good first step though if FLAKY things are going on.

Let us know if you're trying to import. Otherwise, deleting the Folder files is the thing that might allow things to show up properly. Make sure OE is closed first.

 

[LarryE]

I had Carbonite backup my .dbx files. Then I deleted everything out of the folder in OE so I could defrag. Now I need a message in one of the folders that was backed up. I had Carbonite restore the folder and now it is in the proper location and the size is correct. In OE I click on work offline then go to file> import> messages and so forth. I restore "all folders" and all that happens is I have duplicate messages in each folder, but noting in the folder that I need.

Do you think I should delete the Folders.dbx? Thanks, Larry

 

[smah]

Yes, if you're working with the dbx files in the original location, there is no need to import anything. I assume that you have .dbx files that are not visible as folders in your OE folder structure. If that's the case, you simply need to delete folders.dbx (with OE closed) and let it automatically recreate the folder structure based on the .dbx files that you actually have.

 

[LarryE]

Thanks,smah and goombawaho! I deleted the folder and re-opened OE and the files were all there. The message I needed was there and everything seems to be working great. Thanks again, Larry

 

[goombawaho]

I recommend backing up OE DBX files/Data store folder regularly. They can get corrupted in a flash, especially if you have large size DBX files.

Remember, there is a 2GB hard limit, but I wouldn't want to see your database files be anything near 500MB for stability and long term reliability.

 

[LarryE]

Thanks, goombawaho, I won't let it get over 100 meg. before I start saving to hard drive or deleting things I really don't need. I appreciate the help. Larry

 

[goombawaho]

My largest files are in the 120MB size range - no problems for a couple of years. Knock on wood. I didn't want to scare you, but I did - if you know what I mean.

I've suffered through the pain of having OE suddenly not start up properly and then you start to worry about lost messages.

I try to have Mozy back up my email (data store folder) every day BEFORE I launch OE.