just installed XP home

[MARKBLACK]

Hi, I have just installed win XP as it wouldn't boot, anyway to cut the story short, I had to install XP beside the other one I had on cos I have lots on the harddrive. I can't afford to lose this date,( a bit messy but I was desperate) anyway I am trying to find out where outlook stores its data I want to import my address book & messages - if they haven't been written over.

Whilst I'm on is there anyway I can retore my original installation, I tried F8 to revert back to a working copy but it didn't work

[Confused]

Do a search for .dbx That will be your messages if they are still there and the folders didn't get overwritten with the new install. I'm not sure about address book. I know how to export them from OE, but you are looking for the old ones.
Chas

[patrickt]

I back up my Outlook files every Sunday and it's a .pst file. If you can access Outlook you can just export everything to a .pst file. If not you can search for Outlook.pst. Once you've copied the file you can import it to Outlook.

[MARKBLACK]

patrickt

I use outlook express Ive always thought of these being *.dbx files and they seem to be saved as sent *items.dbx* + inbox.dbx and so on, mybe outlook that comes with Microsoft office saves these as you say but Outlook express is different.

[patrickt]

My apologies. When I read your original post I thought you were refering to Outlook and not Outlook Express. They are quite different and I wish the names were.

[Big Tone]

When in Outlook Express just right click on one of your folders, say Inbox and choose properties and it will shoe you the folder location.
Then providing the new installation hasn't overwritten the folders you can import them.
Hope this helps