Outlook Express to Windows Live email

[jims94vmx]

I have been reading up and found this to be helpfulWindows Mail: setting up an account from start to finish but still have a question.

What is the procedure to bring all the old emails I have saved on the old computer using Outlook express, to the new laptop I will be getting in a couple weeks running windows 7 Home Premium? Thanks.....

Jim

[glc]

You can do this using a USB flash drive. Review this article, it should be helpful.

Import messages into Windows Mail from Outlook Express

For the address book, there's a link at the bottom describing the .wab file.

In a nutshell, you copy the OE folder containing all the .dbx files and copy the .wab file to a flash drive, then you can import them both into Windows Live or whatever it's called now.

[edfair]

I'll make a small suggestion, that you move the store location in outlook express to a more visible place, something like a mail directory on your boot drive. That will make it easier to find for the transfer.

Would also suggest a backup directory at the same place to store your address book via export, and also for your favorites and cookies exported from your browser.

MS buries the mail store something like 8 directories deep and navigating to it can be an issue.

[jims94vmx]

under the maintanance tab I found a "store location", do you have specific example of a new location?

Jim

[glc]

Anywhere you want where you can find it easily. You will be copying the whole store folder (directory) to the flash drive.

[jims94vmx]

Originally Posted by glc Anywhere you want where you can find it easily. You will be copying the whole store folder (directory) to the flash drive.

I am playing a little before the actual move. I decided to copy the folder name and run a search. I found the folder that way and I have over 80 files ending in .dbx I clicked on one for giggles and it would not open. Will that be a problem for when I move them? I figured the easy way is to use a thumbdrive and move from there. Any thoughts on just going computer to computer via a usb cable? Then I can just move the files once?

Sorry for all the questions, I do not want to loose years of emails I need to save. You guys have been great and the search feature works well on this site. I have been looking at the antivirus threads to get ready as well. I am currrently using Avast, but is there one (other then Norton) that is part of Windows 7?

Jim

[edfair]

There is Microsoft Security Essentials. It is used by many here.

If the emails are really important I would suggest that you make some arrangement to burn them to permanent media. Once burned it is a matter of importing from an external mail store to pull them into the current mail boxes. Not familiar with windows mail but suspect the same procedure.

I've been in the position of losing a hard drive with important stuff. Had to go back 5 hard drives to get one message that had been deleted several years before but not noticed.

It is hard listening to people who have lost email messages or irreplacable photos because they haven't put them on permanent media. Part is not knowing how to do backup and part is not knowing where the valuable stuff is stored.

[glc]

From the link I posted:

Locate the folder named Outlook Express. In Windows XP, this folder is located here by default: C:\Documents and Settings\your user name\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{your Windows user identity number}\Microsoft\Outlook Express.

If you have multiple users set up in OE, there will be a separate identity number for each user.

This is your store folder, and there will be a .dbx file for each folder in OE - inbox.dbx, sent items.dbx, etc. You need to copy the whole Outlook Express folder containing those files to the thumb drive. You also have to find your .wab file (which is your address book) and copy that to the thumb drive.

The Windows Address Book contacts file on your Windows XP computer is usually located at C:\Documents and Settings\Your User Name\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book. The Address Book file has a .wab extension and is usually named after your user name.

Before doing anything, go into Folder Options and show hidden files and folders, and UNcheck hide extensions for known file types.

The .dbx files are not openable directly by clicking on them, because .dbx is a generic extension for a database file.

I concur with Microsoft Security Essentials. The new laptop will probably come with a trial of some name brand software preinstalled, you can simply uninstall it.

[jims94vmx]

Thanks, I think I have that down now.....have been reading about wireless routers now....trying to stay around 70 bucks or so....I will be glad when all this is done. It is funny, the more you know, the more you realize you don't! My wife and I feel good about the Asus purchase we will be making soon....just doing all the legwork so when it is here I can set everything up. I have to figure out my password for my email though....guess I will be calling my ISP. Funny, in windows I can find a place where passwords are all together but not for OE. I am sure I will have other questions! Thanks guys for helping out.

Jim

[glc]

What is the brand and model of your current modem?

You have a private message.

[jims94vmx]

Originally Posted by glc What is the brand and model of your current modem? You have a private message.

Westell model 6100

[glc]

To use a wireless router with the Westell 6100, you need to change it to the "bridge" mode.

Verizon Support

You will need your (Verizon) username and password to set up a new router, it would be set up in the "PPPoE" mode. The only reason you would need a new router is for using multiple computers.

Recommended router:

Newegg.com - Linksys WRT54GL Wireless Broadband Router 802.11b/g up to 54Mbps/ Compatible with Open Source DD-WRT (not pre-load)

[jims94vmx]

Curious, it does not list n as an option. I thought I read n was more secure.

Was this based on just price by chance? It was discounted to 49.99 so I wonder if the better model might be discounted as well?

Jim

[glc]

If you want a good "N" router it's going to cost more. That particular "G" router is probably the best router Linksys has ever made.

"N" is not more secure, it's just faster. However, even "G" is many times faster than your Internet connection.

Newegg.com - ASUS RT-N16 Wireless Router 802.11b/g/n up to 300Mbps DD-WRT Open Source support with USB Storage, Printer And Media Server

[jims94vmx]

Went thru Verizon and got all my passwords so I am ready. Should be pulling the plug in another week or so. Looking at a refi for the home mortgage this thursday, so keeping all debt down. Thanks glc and all who replied. Will keep you informed on that big day! LOL

Jim

[jims94vmx]

Just a followup on the progress. It was very easy to do my address book! I went into the address book and exported the wab file to my thumbdrive then imported it right to my new computer. That was the easiest so far! Favorites are saved now will be working the next few days on pics (probably burn to cd as a backup as well. And some documents. Speaking of documents.....doesn't this machine read adobe? Do I have to download something? I have the limited version of office already setup so it will read .docs.......will have to install openoffice for some other stuff.

Jim

[SpywareDr]

Originally Posted by jims94vmx ...doesn't this machine read adobe? Do I have to download something?

Adobe Reader

Adobe Flash Player

Adobe Shockwave Player

--
Doc

[jims94vmx]

Originally Posted by SpywareDr Adobe Reader Adobe Flash Player Adobe Shockwave Player -- Doc

Thanks,

[jims94vmx]

I have everything running (even have the old machine in the closet!) as I type this. When I imported all my saved emails 75% came thru(everything in folders). The ones that did not complete the download have the folder name installed but no actual files in those folders.

I basically ran out of room on the thumbdrive I was using.....so I figured out which folders were empty and deleted all the others and tried to import again.

When I go to import I get the from "Outlook express 6" then I click next and it asks me where to get them (browse), I click on my thumb drive which has the remaining .dbx files on it and when I hit next it prompts me saying nothing is there or another program might be accessing them???? When I click on the drive it has everything there? What am I doing wrong?

All files do not have the read only checked and the extensions are all ok'd......

Heck, I just backed up and downloaded almost 3K pics, why is this so hard?

Thanks.....

Jim

[glc]

Are all the .dbx files on the thumb drive you want to import in an "Outlook Express" folder? Are you setting it to import from an Outlook Express store directory?

[jims94vmx]

I copied the folders from the Outlook Express folder where they were stored as the .dbx files. Copied to my thumbdrive and then tried to import....Wierd how I just did the others and cannot finish with these.

[glc]

Make sure they have no attributes (read only, hidden, system, archive).

[jims94vmx]

They did have archive checked. I went ahead and unchecked it and applied while on the thumbdrive. Did not work.....is that because they were copied from the desktop computer to thumbdrive with it checked? Stumped in Pa.

Jim

[glc]

At this point, I'd be inclined to start over with the last phase of copying - it almost sounds like the files are corrupted.

[jims94vmx]

Originally Posted by glc At this point, I'd be inclined to start over with the last phase of copying - it almost sounds like the files are corrupted.

I will try that later, will have to dig out the old computer I put in the closet...I will let you know how it works....

On a side note, the router might show up today already! I will have to reread all the info again. Should I note the congfiguration of the modem before I "bridge" it or will it go back to preset easily enough?

[glc]

I would note the config. When you bridge it, it will lose your username/password.

[jims94vmx]

Thanks, I will probably not get it done until this weekend....so much to do now the weather got nice again!

Jim

[jims94vmx]

Originally Posted by glc I would note the config. When you bridge it, it will lose your username/password.

I printed off all the instructions and and the bottom I noticed another step to take to terminate any active TCP/IP connections. That apply to me also?

Getting excited! No Router yet although it is out for delivery....talk soon glc.

Jim

[glc]

I think that simply means close any apps that are using the Internet.

[jims94vmx]

up and running using the wireless Linksys....not without issues. My brother in law came over and we ended up on a call with Verizon to get it all done. Finally!

Jim