Today i performed the compacting function of my outlook express.  Upon 
re-opening outlook express my sent folder no longer has a batch of email from 
december 07 until lunchtime today.

Does anyone know how to retrieve these ?

On a side note not sure if related but after the compacting my recycle bin 
was full of .bak files all of which were named after my subsidiary folders 
within outlook.

Any help advice much appreciated ?

The BAK files your OE folders before compacting.  They are copied there 
as a precaution in case something goes wrong with the compacting.

1) Look in OE at Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Folder for the 
location of your Store Folder.  Then close OE.

2) Go to Recycle Bin and restore the most recent Sent Items.bak file. 
That will put it in OE Store folder, but still as a BAK file.

3) Open the Windows File Explorer and look at the store folder you found 
in step 1. (You may need to enable the the display Hidden and System 
files in Tools, Folder Options, View as well as uncheck the option to 
Hide extensions of known file types.  You should see both a Sent 
Items.dbx file as well as the Sent Items.bak.  Rename the Sent Items.DBX 
to Sentold.dbx and then rename Sent Items.Bak to Sent Items.DBX. When 
you open OE, your Sent Items messages should be restored.



-- 

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



"Danarchism"  wrote in message 
news:16AED4DE-F2D7-48D6-8DB1-50010DB6D251@microsoft.com...
> Today i performed the compacting function of my outlook express.  Upon
> re-opening outlook express my sent folder no longer has a batch of 
> email from
> december 07 until lunchtime today.
>
> Does anyone know how to retrieve these ?
>
> On a side note not sure if related but after the compacting my recycle 
> bin
> was full of .bak files all of which were named after my subsidiary 
> folders
> within outlook.
>
> Any help advice much appreciated ?

I lost a year's supply of inbox mails after compacting. Your post saved me.

Many thanks

"Michael Santovec" wrote:

> The BAK files your OE folders before compacting.  They are copied there 
> as a precaution in case something goes wrong with the compacting.
> 
> 1) Look in OE at Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Folder for the 
> location of your Store Folder.  Then close OE.
> 
> 2) Go to Recycle Bin and restore the most recent Sent Items.bak file. 
> That will put it in OE Store folder, but still as a BAK file.
> 
> 3) Open the Windows File Explorer and look at the store folder you found 
> in step 1. (You may need to enable the the display Hidden and System 
> files in Tools, Folder Options, View as well as uncheck the option to 
> Hide extensions of known file types.  You should see both a Sent 
> Items.dbx file as well as the Sent Items.bak.  Rename the Sent Items.DBX 
> to Sentold.dbx and then rename Sent Items.Bak to Sent Items.DBX. When 
> you open OE, your Sent Items messages should be restored.
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> 
> 
> 
> "Danarchism"  wrote in message 
> news:16AED4DE-F2D7-48D6-8DB1-50010DB6D251@microsoft.com...
> > Today i performed the compacting function of my outlook express.  Upon
> > re-opening outlook express my sent folder no longer has a batch of 
> > email from
> > december 07 until lunchtime today.
> >
> > Does anyone know how to retrieve these ?
> >
> > On a side note not sure if related but after the compacting my recycle 
> > bin
> > was full of .bak files all of which were named after my subsidiary 
> > folders
> > within outlook.
> >
> > Any help advice much appreciated ? 
> 
> 
>

You are welcome and thanks for posting back.

-- 

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



"lisbon"  wrote in message 
news:8FB56F25-59B1-4097-AA6F-D55C6287F1C8@microsoft.com...
> I lost a year's supply of inbox mails after compacting. Your post 
> saved me.
>
> Many thanks
>
> "Michael Santovec" wrote:
>
>> The BAK files your OE folders before compacting.  They are copied 
>> there
>> as a precaution in case something goes wrong with the compacting.
>>
>> 1) Look in OE at Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Folder for the
>> location of your Store Folder.  Then close OE.
>>
>> 2) Go to Recycle Bin and restore the most recent Sent Items.bak file.
>> That will put it in OE Store folder, but still as a BAK file.
>>
>> 3) Open the Windows File Explorer and look at the store folder you 
>> found
>> in step 1. (You may need to enable the the display Hidden and System
>> files in Tools, Folder Options, View as well as uncheck the option to
>> Hide extensions of known file types.  You should see both a Sent
>> Items.dbx file as well as the Sent Items.bak.  Rename the Sent 
>> Items.DBX
>> to Sentold.dbx and then rename Sent Items.Bak to Sent Items.DBX. When
>> you open OE, your Sent Items messages should be restored.
>>
>>
>>
>> -- 
>>
>> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
>>
>>
>>
>> "Danarchism"  wrote in message
>> news:16AED4DE-F2D7-48D6-8DB1-50010DB6D251@microsoft.com...
>> > Today i performed the compacting function of my outlook express. 
>> > Upon
>> > re-opening outlook express my sent folder no longer has a batch of
>> > email from
>> > december 07 until lunchtime today.
>> >
>> > Does anyone know how to retrieve these ?
>> >
>> > On a side note not sure if related but after the compacting my 
>> > recycle
>> > bin
>> > was full of .bak files all of which were named after my subsidiary
>> > folders
>> > within outlook.
>> >
>> > Any help advice much appreciated ?
>>
>>
>>

Your post was extremely helpful, but for some reason when I found the emails 
for the folder that I thought I had lost, I lost the all the new emails from 
today, where would I find those?

"Michael Santovec" wrote:

> You are welcome and thanks for posting back.
> 
> -- 
> 
> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> 
> 
> 
> "lisbon"  wrote in message 
> news:8FB56F25-59B1-4097-AA6F-D55C6287F1C8@microsoft.com...
> > I lost a year's supply of inbox mails after compacting. Your post 
> > saved me.
> >
> > Many thanks
> >
> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
> >
> >> The BAK files your OE folders before compacting.  They are copied 
> >> there
> >> as a precaution in case something goes wrong with the compacting.
> >>
> >> 1) Look in OE at Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Folder for the
> >> location of your Store Folder.  Then close OE.
> >>
> >> 2) Go to Recycle Bin and restore the most recent Sent Items.bak file.
> >> That will put it in OE Store folder, but still as a BAK file.
> >>
> >> 3) Open the Windows File Explorer and look at the store folder you 
> >> found
> >> in step 1. (You may need to enable the the display Hidden and System
> >> files in Tools, Folder Options, View as well as uncheck the option to
> >> Hide extensions of known file types.  You should see both a Sent
> >> Items.dbx file as well as the Sent Items.bak.  Rename the Sent 
> >> Items.DBX
> >> to Sentold.dbx and then rename Sent Items.Bak to Sent Items.DBX. When
> >> you open OE, your Sent Items messages should be restored.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> -- 
> >>
> >> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> "Danarchism"  wrote in message
> >> news:16AED4DE-F2D7-48D6-8DB1-50010DB6D251@microsoft.com...
> >> > Today i performed the compacting function of my outlook express. 
> >> > Upon
> >> > re-opening outlook express my sent folder no longer has a batch of
> >> > email from
> >> > december 07 until lunchtime today.
> >> >
> >> > Does anyone know how to retrieve these ?
> >> >
> >> > On a side note not sure if related but after the compacting my 
> >> > recycle
> >> > bin
> >> > was full of .bak files all of which were named after my subsidiary
> >> > folders
> >> > within outlook.
> >> >
> >> > Any help advice much appreciated ?
> >>
> >>
> >> 
> 
>

The most recent BAK file will have messages up to the last time you did 
a compact.  Any messages received between that compact and when you 
restored the BAK file won't be there.

Assuming this problem was with your Sent Items as the example was and 
that you had renamed it to Sentold.dbx, then do the following

1) Create a new folder under Local Folders in OE.  Call it for example 
Restore.  Click on the folder.  It should be empty (no messages 
displayed)
2) Close OE.
3) Go to the store folder as used before and delete the Restore.DBX (or 
whatever you called the folder).  NOTE:  The DBX file should be 
approximately 59 KB if it is empty.  If larger, you have the folder 
file.
4) Rename Sentold.dbx file to Restore.DBX (or whatever file you deleted 
in step 3.
5) Open OE.  The Restore folder should now have all the messages that 
were there before you did the original restore of the BAK file.  You can 
then copy the most recent messages from this folder to current Sent 
Items folder.  When you happy that you have everything you can delete 
the Restore folder in OE.

-- 

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



"cherbien"  wrote in message 
news:34C1E2A5-2A72-4E92-B1AB-845F45D6D0D3@microsoft.com...
> Your post was extremely helpful, but for some reason when I found the 
> emails
> for the folder that I thought I had lost, I lost the all the new 
> emails from
> today, where would I find those?
>
> "Michael Santovec" wrote:
>
>> You are welcome and thanks for posting back.
>>
>> -- 
>>
>> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
>>
>>
>>
>> "lisbon"  wrote in message
>> news:8FB56F25-59B1-4097-AA6F-D55C6287F1C8@microsoft.com...
>> > I lost a year's supply of inbox mails after compacting. Your post
>> > saved me.
>> >
>> > Many thanks
>> >
>> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
>> >
>> >> The BAK files your OE folders before compacting.  They are copied
>> >> there
>> >> as a precaution in case something goes wrong with the compacting.
>> >>
>> >> 1) Look in OE at Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Folder for the
>> >> location of your Store Folder.  Then close OE.
>> >>
>> >> 2) Go to Recycle Bin and restore the most recent Sent Items.bak 
>> >> file.
>> >> That will put it in OE Store folder, but still as a BAK file.
>> >>
>> >> 3) Open the Windows File Explorer and look at the store folder you
>> >> found
>> >> in step 1. (You may need to enable the the display Hidden and 
>> >> System
>> >> files in Tools, Folder Options, View as well as uncheck the option 
>> >> to
>> >> Hide extensions of known file types.  You should see both a Sent
>> >> Items.dbx file as well as the Sent Items.bak.  Rename the Sent
>> >> Items.DBX
>> >> to Sentold.dbx and then rename Sent Items.Bak to Sent Items.DBX. 
>> >> When
>> >> you open OE, your Sent Items messages should be restored.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> -- 
>> >>
>> >> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "Danarchism"  wrote in 
>> >> message
>> >> news:16AED4DE-F2D7-48D6-8DB1-50010DB6D251@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Today i performed the compacting function of my outlook express.
>> >> > Upon
>> >> > re-opening outlook express my sent folder no longer has a batch 
>> >> > of
>> >> > email from
>> >> > december 07 until lunchtime today.
>> >> >
>> >> > Does anyone know how to retrieve these ?
>> >> >
>> >> > On a side note not sure if related but after the compacting my
>> >> > recycle
>> >> > bin
>> >> > was full of .bak files all of which were named after my 
>> >> > subsidiary
>> >> > folders
>> >> > within outlook.
>> >> >
>> >> > Any help advice much appreciated ?
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>

Mike, The information you have providedis quite useful.

I have a related question that I would appreciate your insight on.

I had a Local folder called House in OE 6.0 that is no longer showing up.
I do see it as House.dbx in my Store location (size 1278 kb, last update 
5/28/08)

I accidentally may have in the past 2 months hit 'yes' to the compact pop up 
& then interrupted in the middle (I don't remember for sure).  I do know that 
I emptied my Recycle Bin a few days ago so there are no *.bak files in there 
to restore.

Is there any way to at least get what is in House.dbx back in Outlook Express?
I'll take what I can get.

Thanks in advance for any help,
Jill

"Michael Santovec" wrote:

> The most recent BAK file will have messages up to the last time you did 
> a compact.  Any messages received between that compact and when you 
> restored the BAK file won't be there.
> 
> Assuming this problem was with your Sent Items as the example was and 
> that you had renamed it to Sentold.dbx, then do the following
> 
> 1) Create a new folder under Local Folders in OE.  Call it for example 
> Restore.  Click on the folder.  It should be empty (no messages 
> displayed)
> 2) Close OE.
> 3) Go to the store folder as used before and delete the Restore.DBX (or 
> whatever you called the folder).  NOTE:  The DBX file should be 
> approximately 59 KB if it is empty.  If larger, you have the folder 
> file.
> 4) Rename Sentold.dbx file to Restore.DBX (or whatever file you deleted 
> in step 3.
> 5) Open OE.  The Restore folder should now have all the messages that 
> were there before you did the original restore of the BAK file.  You can 
> then copy the most recent messages from this folder to current Sent 
> Items folder.  When you happy that you have everything you can delete 
> the Restore folder in OE.
> 
> -- 
> 
> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> 
> 
> 
> "cherbien"  wrote in message 
> news:34C1E2A5-2A72-4E92-B1AB-845F45D6D0D3@microsoft.com...
> > Your post was extremely helpful, but for some reason when I found the 
> > emails
> > for the folder that I thought I had lost, I lost the all the new 
> > emails from
> > today, where would I find those?
> >
> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
> >
> >> You are welcome and thanks for posting back.
> >>
> >> -- 
> >>
> >> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> "lisbon"  wrote in message
> >> news:8FB56F25-59B1-4097-AA6F-D55C6287F1C8@microsoft.com...
> >> > I lost a year's supply of inbox mails after compacting. Your post
> >> > saved me.
> >> >
> >> > Many thanks
> >> >
> >> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> The BAK files your OE folders before compacting.  They are copied
> >> >> there
> >> >> as a precaution in case something goes wrong with the compacting.
> >> >>
> >> >> 1) Look in OE at Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Folder for the
> >> >> location of your Store Folder.  Then close OE.
> >> >>
> >> >> 2) Go to Recycle Bin and restore the most recent Sent Items.bak 
> >> >> file.
> >> >> That will put it in OE Store folder, but still as a BAK file.
> >> >>
> >> >> 3) Open the Windows File Explorer and look at the store folder you
> >> >> found
> >> >> in step 1. (You may need to enable the the display Hidden and 
> >> >> System
> >> >> files in Tools, Folder Options, View as well as uncheck the option 
> >> >> to
> >> >> Hide extensions of known file types.  You should see both a Sent
> >> >> Items.dbx file as well as the Sent Items.bak.  Rename the Sent
> >> >> Items.DBX
> >> >> to Sentold.dbx and then rename Sent Items.Bak to Sent Items.DBX. 
> >> >> When
> >> >> you open OE, your Sent Items messages should be restored.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> -- 
> >> >>
> >> >> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> "Danarchism"  wrote in 
> >> >> message
> >> >> news:16AED4DE-F2D7-48D6-8DB1-50010DB6D251@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > Today i performed the compacting function of my outlook express.
> >> >> > Upon
> >> >> > re-opening outlook express my sent folder no longer has a batch 
> >> >> > of
> >> >> > email from
> >> >> > december 07 until lunchtime today.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Does anyone know how to retrieve these ?
> >> >> >
> >> >> > On a side note not sure if related but after the compacting my
> >> >> > recycle
> >> >> > bin
> >> >> > was full of .bak files all of which were named after my 
> >> >> > subsidiary
> >> >> > folders
> >> >> > within outlook.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Any help advice much appreciated ?
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >> 
> 
>

If you have the DBX file but OE is not showing it as existing, then you 
have a somewhat different problem.  The folders.dbx file is what tracks 
the other DBX files.

What you can do is create a new folder with a different name.  For 
example call it House2.  The access the folder in OE.  There will be 
nothing there.  Close OE and then in the store folder delete the 
House2.dbx file.  If should be about 59 KB in size for being an empty OE 
folder.  If it's larger than that, don't delete it, you have the wrong 
folder.  Then rename House.dbx to House2.dbx.  When you open OE it 
should show the messages in the House2 folder.

If you still have problems, you'll need to run some recovery utilities 
on the DBX file.

DBXtract - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx
DBXpress - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
DBXtend - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtend/Default.aspx

OEX Enhancements - Import/Export/Resend/Duplicates/Attachments, etc.
http://www.oehelp.com/OEX/Default.aspx


-- 

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



"JillM"  wrote in message 
news:A1DBEF0C-E6BC-4213-94F1-617966AC98F5@microsoft.com...
> Mike, The information you have providedis quite useful.
>
> I have a related question that I would appreciate your insight on.
>
> I had a Local folder called House in OE 6.0 that is no longer showing 
> up.
> I do see it as House.dbx in my Store location (size 1278 kb, last 
> update
> 5/28/08)
>
> I accidentally may have in the past 2 months hit 'yes' to the compact 
> pop up
> & then interrupted in the middle (I don't remember for sure).  I do 
> know that
> I emptied my Recycle Bin a few days ago so there are no *.bak files in 
> there
> to restore.
>
> Is there any way to at least get what is in House.dbx back in Outlook 
> Express?
> I'll take what I can get.
>
> Thanks in advance for any help,
> Jill
>
> "Michael Santovec" wrote:
>
>> The most recent BAK file will have messages up to the last time you 
>> did
>> a compact.  Any messages received between that compact and when you
>> restored the BAK file won't be there.
>>
>> Assuming this problem was with your Sent Items as the example was and
>> that you had renamed it to Sentold.dbx, then do the following
>>
>> 1) Create a new folder under Local Folders in OE.  Call it for 
>> example
>> Restore.  Click on the folder.  It should be empty (no messages
>> displayed)
>> 2) Close OE.
>> 3) Go to the store folder as used before and delete the Restore.DBX 
>> (or
>> whatever you called the folder).  NOTE:  The DBX file should be
>> approximately 59 KB if it is empty.  If larger, you have the folder
>> file.
>> 4) Rename Sentold.dbx file to Restore.DBX (or whatever file you 
>> deleted
>> in step 3.
>> 5) Open OE.  The Restore folder should now have all the messages that
>> were there before you did the original restore of the BAK file.  You 
>> can
>> then copy the most recent messages from this folder to current Sent
>> Items folder.  When you happy that you have everything you can delete
>> the Restore folder in OE.
>>
>> -- 
>>
>> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
>>
>>
>>
>> "cherbien"  wrote in message
>> news:34C1E2A5-2A72-4E92-B1AB-845F45D6D0D3@microsoft.com...
>> > Your post was extremely helpful, but for some reason when I found 
>> > the
>> > emails
>> > for the folder that I thought I had lost, I lost the all the new
>> > emails from
>> > today, where would I find those?
>> >
>> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
>> >
>> >> You are welcome and thanks for posting back.
>> >>
>> >> -- 
>> >>
>> >> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "lisbon"  wrote in message
>> >> news:8FB56F25-59B1-4097-AA6F-D55C6287F1C8@microsoft.com...
>> >> > I lost a year's supply of inbox mails after compacting. Your 
>> >> > post
>> >> > saved me.
>> >> >
>> >> > Many thanks
>> >> >
>> >> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> The BAK files your OE folders before compacting.  They are 
>> >> >> copied
>> >> >> there
>> >> >> as a precaution in case something goes wrong with the 
>> >> >> compacting.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> 1) Look in OE at Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Folder for 
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> location of your Store Folder.  Then close OE.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> 2) Go to Recycle Bin and restore the most recent Sent Items.bak
>> >> >> file.
>> >> >> That will put it in OE Store folder, but still as a BAK file.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> 3) Open the Windows File Explorer and look at the store folder 
>> >> >> you
>> >> >> found
>> >> >> in step 1. (You may need to enable the the display Hidden and
>> >> >> System
>> >> >> files in Tools, Folder Options, View as well as uncheck the 
>> >> >> option
>> >> >> to
>> >> >> Hide extensions of known file types.  You should see both a 
>> >> >> Sent
>> >> >> Items.dbx file as well as the Sent Items.bak.  Rename the Sent
>> >> >> Items.DBX
>> >> >> to Sentold.dbx and then rename Sent Items.Bak to Sent 
>> >> >> Items.DBX.
>> >> >> When
>> >> >> you open OE, your Sent Items messages should be restored.
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> -- 
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "Danarchism"  wrote in
>> >> >> message
>> >> >> news:16AED4DE-F2D7-48D6-8DB1-50010DB6D251@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> > Today i performed the compacting function of my outlook 
>> >> >> > express.
>> >> >> > Upon
>> >> >> > re-opening outlook express my sent folder no longer has a 
>> >> >> > batch
>> >> >> > of
>> >> >> > email from
>> >> >> > december 07 until lunchtime today.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Does anyone know how to retrieve these ?
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > On a side note not sure if related but after the compacting 
>> >> >> > my
>> >> >> > recycle
>> >> >> > bin
>> >> >> > was full of .bak files all of which were named after my
>> >> >> > subsidiary
>> >> >> > folders
>> >> >> > within outlook.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Any help advice much appreciated ?
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>

Splendid!!  It fixed the problem.  Thanks so much!!!!

"Michael Santovec" wrote:

> If you have the DBX file but OE is not showing it as existing, then you 
> have a somewhat different problem.  The folders.dbx file is what tracks 
> the other DBX files.
> 
> What you can do is create a new folder with a different name.  For 
> example call it House2.  The access the folder in OE.  There will be 
> nothing there.  Close OE and then in the store folder delete the 
> House2.dbx file.  If should be about 59 KB in size for being an empty OE 
> folder.  If it's larger than that, don't delete it, you have the wrong 
> folder.  Then rename House.dbx to House2.dbx.  When you open OE it 
> should show the messages in the House2 folder.
> 
> If you still have problems, you'll need to run some recovery utilities 
> on the DBX file.
> 
> DBXtract - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx
> DBXpress - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
> DBXtend - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtend/Default.aspx
> 
> OEX Enhancements - Import/Export/Resend/Duplicates/Attachments, etc.
> http://www.oehelp.com/OEX/Default.aspx
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> 
> 
> 
> "JillM"  wrote in message 
> news:A1DBEF0C-E6BC-4213-94F1-617966AC98F5@microsoft.com...
> > Mike, The information you have providedis quite useful.
> >
> > I have a related question that I would appreciate your insight on.
> >
> > I had a Local folder called House in OE 6.0 that is no longer showing 
> > up.
> > I do see it as House.dbx in my Store location (size 1278 kb, last 
> > update
> > 5/28/08)
> >
> > I accidentally may have in the past 2 months hit 'yes' to the compact 
> > pop up
> > & then interrupted in the middle (I don't remember for sure).  I do 
> > know that
> > I emptied my Recycle Bin a few days ago so there are no *.bak files in 
> > there
> > to restore.
> >
> > Is there any way to at least get what is in House.dbx back in Outlook 
> > Express?
> > I'll take what I can get.
> >
> > Thanks in advance for any help,
> > Jill
> >
> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
> >
> >> The most recent BAK file will have messages up to the last time you 
> >> did
> >> a compact.  Any messages received between that compact and when you
> >> restored the BAK file won't be there.
> >>
> >> Assuming this problem was with your Sent Items as the example was and
> >> that you had renamed it to Sentold.dbx, then do the following
> >>
> >> 1) Create a new folder under Local Folders in OE.  Call it for 
> >> example
> >> Restore.  Click on the folder.  It should be empty (no messages
> >> displayed)
> >> 2) Close OE.
> >> 3) Go to the store folder as used before and delete the Restore.DBX 
> >> (or
> >> whatever you called the folder).  NOTE:  The DBX file should be
> >> approximately 59 KB if it is empty.  If larger, you have the folder
> >> file.
> >> 4) Rename Sentold.dbx file to Restore.DBX (or whatever file you 
> >> deleted
> >> in step 3.
> >> 5) Open OE.  The Restore folder should now have all the messages that
> >> were there before you did the original restore of the BAK file.  You 
> >> can
> >> then copy the most recent messages from this folder to current Sent
> >> Items folder.  When you happy that you have everything you can delete
> >> the Restore folder in OE.
> >>
> >> -- 
> >>
> >> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> "cherbien"  wrote in message
> >> news:34C1E2A5-2A72-4E92-B1AB-845F45D6D0D3@microsoft.com...
> >> > Your post was extremely helpful, but for some reason when I found 
> >> > the
> >> > emails
> >> > for the folder that I thought I had lost, I lost the all the new
> >> > emails from
> >> > today, where would I find those?
> >> >
> >> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> You are welcome and thanks for posting back.
> >> >>
> >> >> -- 
> >> >>
> >> >> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> "lisbon"  wrote in message
> >> >> news:8FB56F25-59B1-4097-AA6F-D55C6287F1C8@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > I lost a year's supply of inbox mails after compacting. Your 
> >> >> > post
> >> >> > saved me.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Many thanks
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> The BAK files your OE folders before compacting.  They are 
> >> >> >> copied
> >> >> >> there
> >> >> >> as a precaution in case something goes wrong with the 
> >> >> >> compacting.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> 1) Look in OE at Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Folder for 
> >> >> >> the
> >> >> >> location of your Store Folder.  Then close OE.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> 2) Go to Recycle Bin and restore the most recent Sent Items.bak
> >> >> >> file.
> >> >> >> That will put it in OE Store folder, but still as a BAK file.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> 3) Open the Windows File Explorer and look at the store folder 
> >> >> >> you
> >> >> >> found
> >> >> >> in step 1. (You may need to enable the the display Hidden and
> >> >> >> System
> >> >> >> files in Tools, Folder Options, View as well as uncheck the 
> >> >> >> option
> >> >> >> to
> >> >> >> Hide extensions of known file types.  You should see both a 
> >> >> >> Sent
> >> >> >> Items.dbx file as well as the Sent Items.bak.  Rename the Sent
> >> >> >> Items.DBX
> >> >> >> to Sentold.dbx and then rename Sent Items.Bak to Sent 
> >> >> >> Items.DBX.
> >> >> >> When
> >> >> >> you open OE, your Sent Items messages should be restored.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> -- 
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "Danarchism"  wrote in
> >> >> >> message
> >> >> >> news:16AED4DE-F2D7-48D6-8DB1-50010DB6D251@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> > Today i performed the compacting function of my outlook 
> >> >> >> > express.
> >> >> >> > Upon
> >> >> >> > re-opening outlook express my sent folder no longer has a 
> >> >> >> > batch
> >> >> >> > of
> >> >> >> > email from
> >> >> >> > december 07 until lunchtime today.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Does anyone know how to retrieve these ?
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > On a side note not sure if related but after the compacting 
> >> >> >> > my
> >> >> >> > recycle
> >> >> >> > bin
> >> >> >> > was full of .bak files all of which were named after my
> >> >> >> > subsidiary
> >> >> >> > folders
> >> >> >> > within outlook.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Any help advice much appreciated ?
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >> 
> 
>

You are welcome and thanks for posting back.

-- 

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



"JillM"  wrote in message 
news:6382FF61-6E4B-47F1-A116-382C3344D6BD@microsoft.com...
> Splendid!!  It fixed the problem.  Thanks so much!!!!
>
> "Michael Santovec" wrote:
>
>> If you have the DBX file but OE is not showing it as existing, then 
>> you
>> have a somewhat different problem.  The folders.dbx file is what 
>> tracks
>> the other DBX files.
>>
>> What you can do is create a new folder with a different name.  For
>> example call it House2.  The access the folder in OE.  There will be
>> nothing there.  Close OE and then in the store folder delete the
>> House2.dbx file.  If should be about 59 KB in size for being an empty 
>> OE
>> folder.  If it's larger than that, don't delete it, you have the 
>> wrong
>> folder.  Then rename House.dbx to House2.dbx.  When you open OE it
>> should show the messages in the House2 folder.
>>
>> If you still have problems, you'll need to run some recovery 
>> utilities
>> on the DBX file.
>>
>> DBXtract - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx
>> DBXpress - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
>> DBXtend - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtend/Default.aspx
>>
>> OEX Enhancements - Import/Export/Resend/Duplicates/Attachments, etc.
>> http://www.oehelp.com/OEX/Default.aspx
>>
>>
>> -- 
>>
>> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
>>
>>
>>
>> "JillM"  wrote in message
>> news:A1DBEF0C-E6BC-4213-94F1-617966AC98F5@microsoft.com...
>> > Mike, The information you have providedis quite useful.
>> >
>> > I have a related question that I would appreciate your insight on.
>> >
>> > I had a Local folder called House in OE 6.0 that is no longer 
>> > showing
>> > up.
>> > I do see it as House.dbx in my Store location (size 1278 kb, last
>> > update
>> > 5/28/08)
>> >
>> > I accidentally may have in the past 2 months hit 'yes' to the 
>> > compact
>> > pop up
>> > & then interrupted in the middle (I don't remember for sure).  I do
>> > know that
>> > I emptied my Recycle Bin a few days ago so there are no *.bak files 
>> > in
>> > there
>> > to restore.
>> >
>> > Is there any way to at least get what is in House.dbx back in 
>> > Outlook
>> > Express?
>> > I'll take what I can get.
>> >
>> > Thanks in advance for any help,
>> > Jill
>> >
>> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
>> >
>> >> The most recent BAK file will have messages up to the last time 
>> >> you
>> >> did
>> >> a compact.  Any messages received between that compact and when 
>> >> you
>> >> restored the BAK file won't be there.
>> >>
>> >> Assuming this problem was with your Sent Items as the example was 
>> >> and
>> >> that you had renamed it to Sentold.dbx, then do the following
>> >>
>> >> 1) Create a new folder under Local Folders in OE.  Call it for
>> >> example
>> >> Restore.  Click on the folder.  It should be empty (no messages
>> >> displayed)
>> >> 2) Close OE.
>> >> 3) Go to the store folder as used before and delete the 
>> >> Restore.DBX
>> >> (or
>> >> whatever you called the folder).  NOTE:  The DBX file should be
>> >> approximately 59 KB if it is empty.  If larger, you have the 
>> >> folder
>> >> file.
>> >> 4) Rename Sentold.dbx file to Restore.DBX (or whatever file you
>> >> deleted
>> >> in step 3.
>> >> 5) Open OE.  The Restore folder should now have all the messages 
>> >> that
>> >> were there before you did the original restore of the BAK file. 
>> >> You
>> >> can
>> >> then copy the most recent messages from this folder to current 
>> >> Sent
>> >> Items folder.  When you happy that you have everything you can 
>> >> delete
>> >> the Restore folder in OE.
>> >>
>> >> -- 
>> >>
>> >> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "cherbien"  wrote in message
>> >> news:34C1E2A5-2A72-4E92-B1AB-845F45D6D0D3@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Your post was extremely helpful, but for some reason when I 
>> >> > found
>> >> > the
>> >> > emails
>> >> > for the folder that I thought I had lost, I lost the all the new
>> >> > emails from
>> >> > today, where would I find those?
>> >> >
>> >> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> You are welcome and thanks for posting back.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> -- 
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "lisbon"  wrote in message
>> >> >> news:8FB56F25-59B1-4097-AA6F-D55C6287F1C8@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> > I lost a year's supply of inbox mails after compacting. Your
>> >> >> > post
>> >> >> > saved me.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Many thanks
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> The BAK files your OE folders before compacting.  They are
>> >> >> >> copied
>> >> >> >> there
>> >> >> >> as a precaution in case something goes wrong with the
>> >> >> >> compacting.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> 1) Look in OE at Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Folder 
>> >> >> >> for
>> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> location of your Store Folder.  Then close OE.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> 2) Go to Recycle Bin and restore the most recent Sent 
>> >> >> >> Items.bak
>> >> >> >> file.
>> >> >> >> That will put it in OE Store folder, but still as a BAK 
>> >> >> >> file.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> 3) Open the Windows File Explorer and look at the store 
>> >> >> >> folder
>> >> >> >> you
>> >> >> >> found
>> >> >> >> in step 1. (You may need to enable the the display Hidden 
>> >> >> >> and
>> >> >> >> System
>> >> >> >> files in Tools, Folder Options, View as well as uncheck the
>> >> >> >> option
>> >> >> >> to
>> >> >> >> Hide extensions of known file types.  You should see both a
>> >> >> >> Sent
>> >> >> >> Items.dbx file as well as the Sent Items.bak.  Rename the 
>> >> >> >> Sent
>> >> >> >> Items.DBX
>> >> >> >> to Sentold.dbx and then rename Sent Items.Bak to Sent
>> >> >> >> Items.DBX.
>> >> >> >> When
>> >> >> >> you open OE, your Sent Items messages should be restored.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> -- 
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> Mike - 
>> >> >> >> http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> "Danarchism"  wrote in
>> >> >> >> message
>> >> >> >> news:16AED4DE-F2D7-48D6-8DB1-50010DB6D251@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> >> > Today i performed the compacting function of my outlook
>> >> >> >> > express.
>> >> >> >> > Upon
>> >> >> >> > re-opening outlook express my sent folder no longer has a
>> >> >> >> > batch
>> >> >> >> > of
>> >> >> >> > email from
>> >> >> >> > december 07 until lunchtime today.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > Does anyone know how to retrieve these ?
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > On a side note not sure if related but after the 
>> >> >> >> > compacting
>> >> >> >> > my
>> >> >> >> > recycle
>> >> >> >> > bin
>> >> >> >> > was full of .bak files all of which were named after my
>> >> >> >> > subsidiary
>> >> >> >> > folders
>> >> >> >> > within outlook.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > Any help advice much appreciated ?
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>

Hi,

I just tried your solution and it worked. Thanks! It saved us a bunch of 
trouble as this was my boss's computer.

But here's a note.

I noticed that for the folder that needed restoring, the old .bak file was 
larger than the current .dbx file.  I'm not sure if that's true for all 
situations.  Before restoring the emails, we were only missing about 20 most 
recent days of emails out of a total of over 2 years worth.  The solution 
didn't cause me to lose any emails since we noticed the problem and searched 
for a solution quickly.

Hopefully that information is useful to someone else.

Thanks again!

Dear Micheal,

I found your contact from the microsoft communities. I was searching in 
google on how to retrieve lost emails on Outlook express. My problem is this :

I have about 39 folders on my OE local folders. Today strangely when i 
accessed some folders, almost 9 of them had no mails inside. i lost all the 
mails in them. Not knowing what to do next, and fearing i might loose all my 
official mails of past 1 year, i tried taking a back up and in that attempt i 
compacted the OE all folders.,which  after reading your postnow, i understand 
was a mistake to do.

All the 9 folders which are empty had lots of mails in them. I restored all 
the .bak files from the recycle bin to the store folder. and tried renaming 
them as explained above. i still couldnt get back the lost files. 

Is there still hope ?

The BAK file in the recycle bin is a copy of the DBX file before 
compacting.  So it often would be larger than the DBX file you are 
replacing.

-- 

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



"wallabyceleborn"  wrote in 
message news:639D9447-271C-4199-A5A5-2195E437ADF4@microsoft.com...
> Hi,
>
> I just tried your solution and it worked. Thanks! It saved us a bunch 
> of
> trouble as this was my boss's computer.
>
> But here's a note.
>
> I noticed that for the folder that needed restoring, the old .bak file 
> was
> larger than the current .dbx file.  I'm not sure if that's true for 
> all
> situations.  Before restoring the emails, we were only missing about 
> 20 most
> recent days of emails out of a total of over 2 years worth.  The 
> solution
> didn't cause me to lose any emails since we noticed the problem and 
> searched
> for a solution quickly.
>
> Hopefully that information is useful to someone else.
>
> Thanks again!

How large are the files?  Any "empty" DBX file is about 59 KB.  If 
larger than that, there are likely some messages in it.


Depending on how often you do compacts and how large your recycle bin 
is, you might older BAK files in the recycle bin.  But they wouldn't 
have any messages newer than the date on them.

There are some recovery utilities that might be able to recover some of 
your messages.

DBXtract - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx
DBXpress - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
DBXtend - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtend/Default.aspx


-- 

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



"Sobi T. Abraham" <Sobi T. Abraham@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in 
message news:E86DA807-685B-4A89-8BE2-07C909EE8669@microsoft.com...
> Dear Micheal,
>
> I found your contact from the microsoft communities. I was searching 
> in
> google on how to retrieve lost emails on Outlook express. My problem 
> is this :
>
> I have about 39 folders on my OE local folders. Today strangely when i
> accessed some folders, almost 9 of them had no mails inside. i lost 
> all the
> mails in them. Not knowing what to do next, and fearing i might loose 
> all my
> official mails of past 1 year, i tried taking a back up and in that 
> attempt i
> compacted the OE all folders.,which  after reading your postnow, i 
> understand
> was a mistake to do.
>
> All the 9 folders which are empty had lots of mails in them. I 
> restored all
> the .bak files from the recycle bin to the store folder. and tried 
> renaming
> them as explained above. i still couldnt get back the lost files.
>
> Is there still hope ?
>
>

Hi,

yesterday my outlook started to compact all the folders. It finished without 
problem but I don't have email from may to now (August). I don't have bak 
files in the recicly bin and DBXtract show the same email I can read in 
Outlook.

Any help will be wellcome. Thnks for this great log. RG

"Michael Santovec" wrote:

> The BAK file in the recycle bin is a copy of the DBX file before 
> compacting.  So it often would be larger than the DBX file you are 
> replacing.
> 
> -- 
> 
> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> 
> 
> 
> "wallabyceleborn"  wrote in 
> message news:639D9447-271C-4199-A5A5-2195E437ADF4@microsoft.com...
> > Hi,
> >
> > I just tried your solution and it worked. Thanks! It saved us a bunch 
> > of
> > trouble as this was my boss's computer.
> >
> > But here's a note.
> >
> > I noticed that for the folder that needed restoring, the old .bak file 
> > was
> > larger than the current .dbx file.  I'm not sure if that's true for 
> > all
> > situations.  Before restoring the emails, we were only missing about 
> > 20 most
> > recent days of emails out of a total of over 2 years worth.  The 
> > solution
> > didn't cause me to lose any emails since we noticed the problem and 
> > searched
> > for a solution quickly.
> >
> > Hopefully that information is useful to someone else.
> >
> > Thanks again! 
> 
> 
>

What version of Windows do you have?  The update for OE to copy files to 
the Recycle bin before compacting came out over 6 months ago for XP SP2. 
If you are running an older version of Windows, such as Win98, I don't 
believe that update is available.

And I'm guessing that you haven't made any manual backups.

In that case, about your only hope is trying this program which MIGHT be 
able to recover SOME of your missing messages.

DBXpress - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx

-- 

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



"rg_sp"  wrote in message 
news:8BF421BE-576D-4C11-B3A3-5B409AE602F0@microsoft.com...
> Hi,
>
> yesterday my outlook started to compact all the folders. It finished 
> without
> problem but I don't have email from may to now (August). I don't have 
> bak
> files in the recicly bin and DBXtract show the same email I can read 
> in
> Outlook.
>
> Any help will be wellcome. Thnks for this great log. RG
>
> "Michael Santovec" wrote:
>
>> The BAK file in the recycle bin is a copy of the DBX file before
>> compacting.  So it often would be larger than the DBX file you are
>> replacing.
>>
>> -- 
>>
>> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
>>
>>
>>
>> "wallabyceleborn"  wrote 
>> in
>> message news:639D9447-271C-4199-A5A5-2195E437ADF4@microsoft.com...
>> > Hi,
>> >
>> > I just tried your solution and it worked. Thanks! It saved us a 
>> > bunch
>> > of
>> > trouble as this was my boss's computer.
>> >
>> > But here's a note.
>> >
>> > I noticed that for the folder that needed restoring, the old .bak 
>> > file
>> > was
>> > larger than the current .dbx file.  I'm not sure if that's true for
>> > all
>> > situations.  Before restoring the emails, we were only missing 
>> > about
>> > 20 most
>> > recent days of emails out of a total of over 2 years worth.  The
>> > solution
>> > didn't cause me to lose any emails since we noticed the problem and
>> > searched
>> > for a solution quickly.
>> >
>> > Hopefully that information is useful to someone else.
>> >
>> > Thanks again!
>>
>>
>>

"Michael Santovec" wrote:

> The BAK files your OE folders before compacting.  They are copied there 
> as a precaution in case something goes wrong with the compacting.
> 
> 1) Look in OE at Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Folder for the 
> location of your Store Folder.  Then close OE.
> 
> 2) Go to Recycle Bin and restore the most recent Sent Items.bak file. 
> That will put it in OE Store folder, but still as a BAK file.
> 
> 3) Open the Windows File Explorer and look at the store folder you found 
> in step 1. (You may need to enable the the display Hidden and System 
> files in Tools, Folder Options, View as well as uncheck the option to 
> Hide extensions of known file types.  You should see both a Sent 
> Items.dbx file as well as the Sent Items.bak.  Rename the Sent Items.DBX 
> to Sentold.dbx and then rename Sent Items.Bak to Sent Items.DBX. When 
> you open OE, your Sent Items messages should be restored.
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> 
> 
> 
> "Danarchism"  wrote in message 
> news:16AED4DE-F2D7-48D6-8DB1-50010DB6D251@microsoft.com...
> > Today i performed the compacting function of my outlook express.  Upon
> > re-opening outlook express my sent folder no longer has a batch of 
> > email from
> > december 07 until lunchtime today.
> >
> > Does anyone know how to retrieve these ?
> >
> > On a side note not sure if related but after the compacting my recycle 
> > bin
> > was full of .bak files all of which were named after my subsidiary 
> > folders
> > within outlook.
> >
> > Any help advice much appreciated ? 
> 
> 
> 

Thanks to this post..
It really helps me retrieve those messages after compacting ...
really saves trouble..

I have XP Pro SP2 but the recycle bin is empty. I have tried with undelete 
programms but the baks have gone.

You right, no backups at this time..

"Michael Santovec" wrote:

> What version of Windows do you have?  The update for OE to copy files to 
> the Recycle bin before compacting came out over 6 months ago for XP SP2. 
> If you are running an older version of Windows, such as Win98, I don't 
> believe that update is available.
> 
> And I'm guessing that you haven't made any manual backups.
> 
> In that case, about your only hope is trying this program which MIGHT be 
> able to recover SOME of your missing messages.
> 
> DBXpress - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
> 
> -- 
> 
> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> 
> 
> 
> "rg_sp"  wrote in message 
> news:8BF421BE-576D-4C11-B3A3-5B409AE602F0@microsoft.com...
> > Hi,
> >
> > yesterday my outlook started to compact all the folders. It finished 
> > without
> > problem but I don't have email from may to now (August). I don't have 
> > bak
> > files in the recicly bin and DBXtract show the same email I can read 
> > in
> > Outlook.
> >
> > Any help will be wellcome. Thnks for this great log. RG
> >
> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
> >
> >> The BAK file in the recycle bin is a copy of the DBX file before
> >> compacting.  So it often would be larger than the DBX file you are
> >> replacing.
> >>
> >> -- 
> >>
> >> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> "wallabyceleborn"  wrote 
> >> in
> >> message news:639D9447-271C-4199-A5A5-2195E437ADF4@microsoft.com...
> >> > Hi,
> >> >
> >> > I just tried your solution and it worked. Thanks! It saved us a 
> >> > bunch
> >> > of
> >> > trouble as this was my boss's computer.
> >> >
> >> > But here's a note.
> >> >
> >> > I noticed that for the folder that needed restoring, the old .bak 
> >> > file
> >> > was
> >> > larger than the current .dbx file.  I'm not sure if that's true for
> >> > all
> >> > situations.  Before restoring the emails, we were only missing 
> >> > about
> >> > 20 most
> >> > recent days of emails out of a total of over 2 years worth.  The
> >> > solution
> >> > didn't cause me to lose any emails since we noticed the problem and
> >> > searched
> >> > for a solution quickly.
> >> >
> >> > Hopefully that information is useful to someone else.
> >> >
> >> > Thanks again!
> >>
> >>
> >> 
> 
>

The update for creating the BAK files in the recycle bin came out after 
SP2.  If you haven't visited Windows Update recently, you may not have 
the latest version.

-- 

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



"rg_sp"  wrote in message 
news:6E1A28F6-5E7A-41E2-A4DD-DFE59390FA78@microsoft.com...
> I have XP Pro SP2 but the recycle bin is empty. I have tried with 
> undelete
> programms but the baks have gone.
>
> You right, no backups at this time..
>
> "Michael Santovec" wrote:
>
>> What version of Windows do you have?  The update for OE to copy files 
>> to
>> the Recycle bin before compacting came out over 6 months ago for XP 
>> SP2.
>> If you are running an older version of Windows, such as Win98, I 
>> don't
>> believe that update is available.
>>
>> And I'm guessing that you haven't made any manual backups.
>>
>> In that case, about your only hope is trying this program which MIGHT 
>> be
>> able to recover SOME of your missing messages.
>>
>> DBXpress - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
>>
>> -- 
>>
>> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
>>
>>
>>
>> "rg_sp"  wrote in message
>> news:8BF421BE-576D-4C11-B3A3-5B409AE602F0@microsoft.com...
>> > Hi,
>> >
>> > yesterday my outlook started to compact all the folders. It 
>> > finished
>> > without
>> > problem but I don't have email from may to now (August). I don't 
>> > have
>> > bak
>> > files in the recicly bin and DBXtract show the same email I can 
>> > read
>> > in
>> > Outlook.
>> >
>> > Any help will be wellcome. Thnks for this great log. RG
>> >
>> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
>> >
>> >> The BAK file in the recycle bin is a copy of the DBX file before
>> >> compacting.  So it often would be larger than the DBX file you are
>> >> replacing.
>> >>
>> >> -- 
>> >>
>> >> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "wallabyceleborn"  
>> >> wrote
>> >> in
>> >> message news:639D9447-271C-4199-A5A5-2195E437ADF4@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Hi,
>> >> >
>> >> > I just tried your solution and it worked. Thanks! It saved us a
>> >> > bunch
>> >> > of
>> >> > trouble as this was my boss's computer.
>> >> >
>> >> > But here's a note.
>> >> >
>> >> > I noticed that for the folder that needed restoring, the old 
>> >> > .bak
>> >> > file
>> >> > was
>> >> > larger than the current .dbx file.  I'm not sure if that's true 
>> >> > for
>> >> > all
>> >> > situations.  Before restoring the emails, we were only missing
>> >> > about
>> >> > 20 most
>> >> > recent days of emails out of a total of over 2 years worth.  The
>> >> > solution
>> >> > didn't cause me to lose any emails since we noticed the problem 
>> >> > and
>> >> > searched
>> >> > for a solution quickly.
>> >> >
>> >> > Hopefully that information is useful to someone else.
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks again!
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>

It could be. Any chance to recover the lost emails? Thnks

"Michael Santovec" wrote:

> The update for creating the BAK files in the recycle bin came out after 
> SP2.  If you haven't visited Windows Update recently, you may not have 
> the latest version.
> 
> -- 
> 
> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> 
> 
> 
> "rg_sp"  wrote in message 
> news:6E1A28F6-5E7A-41E2-A4DD-DFE59390FA78@microsoft.com...
> > I have XP Pro SP2 but the recycle bin is empty. I have tried with 
> > undelete
> > programms but the baks have gone.
> >
> > You right, no backups at this time..
> >
> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
> >
> >> What version of Windows do you have?  The update for OE to copy files 
> >> to
> >> the Recycle bin before compacting came out over 6 months ago for XP 
> >> SP2.
> >> If you are running an older version of Windows, such as Win98, I 
> >> don't
> >> believe that update is available.
> >>
> >> And I'm guessing that you haven't made any manual backups.
> >>
> >> In that case, about your only hope is trying this program which MIGHT 
> >> be
> >> able to recover SOME of your missing messages.
> >>
> >> DBXpress - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
> >>
> >> -- 
> >>
> >> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> "rg_sp"  wrote in message
> >> news:8BF421BE-576D-4C11-B3A3-5B409AE602F0@microsoft.com...
> >> > Hi,
> >> >
> >> > yesterday my outlook started to compact all the folders. It 
> >> > finished
> >> > without
> >> > problem but I don't have email from may to now (August). I don't 
> >> > have
> >> > bak
> >> > files in the recicly bin and DBXtract show the same email I can 
> >> > read
> >> > in
> >> > Outlook.
> >> >
> >> > Any help will be wellcome. Thnks for this great log. RG
> >> >
> >> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> The BAK file in the recycle bin is a copy of the DBX file before
> >> >> compacting.  So it often would be larger than the DBX file you are
> >> >> replacing.
> >> >>
> >> >> -- 
> >> >>
> >> >> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> "wallabyceleborn"  
> >> >> wrote
> >> >> in
> >> >> message news:639D9447-271C-4199-A5A5-2195E437ADF4@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > Hi,
> >> >> >
> >> >> > I just tried your solution and it worked. Thanks! It saved us a
> >> >> > bunch
> >> >> > of
> >> >> > trouble as this was my boss's computer.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > But here's a note.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > I noticed that for the folder that needed restoring, the old 
> >> >> > .bak
> >> >> > file
> >> >> > was
> >> >> > larger than the current .dbx file.  I'm not sure if that's true 
> >> >> > for
> >> >> > all
> >> >> > situations.  Before restoring the emails, we were only missing
> >> >> > about
> >> >> > 20 most
> >> >> > recent days of emails out of a total of over 2 years worth.  The
> >> >> > solution
> >> >> > didn't cause me to lose any emails since we noticed the problem 
> >> >> > and
> >> >> > searched
> >> >> > for a solution quickly.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Hopefully that information is useful to someone else.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Thanks again!
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >> 
> 
>

If you don't have the BAK files and you didn't make any manual backups 
yourself, your only chance is a recovery utility that MIGHT recover SOME 
messages.

DBXpress - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx


-- 

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



"rg_sp"  wrote in message 
news:F4ACECC9-1E24-4D43-8838-BDB973CDFE57@microsoft.com...
> It could be. Any chance to recover the lost emails? Thnks
>
> "Michael Santovec" wrote:
>
>> The update for creating the BAK files in the recycle bin came out 
>> after
>> SP2.  If you haven't visited Windows Update recently, you may not 
>> have
>> the latest version.
>>
>> -- 
>>
>> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
>>
>>
>>
>> "rg_sp"  wrote in message
>> news:6E1A28F6-5E7A-41E2-A4DD-DFE59390FA78@microsoft.com...
>> > I have XP Pro SP2 but the recycle bin is empty. I have tried with
>> > undelete
>> > programms but the baks have gone.
>> >
>> > You right, no backups at this time..
>> >
>> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
>> >
>> >> What version of Windows do you have?  The update for OE to copy 
>> >> files
>> >> to
>> >> the Recycle bin before compacting came out over 6 months ago for 
>> >> XP
>> >> SP2.
>> >> If you are running an older version of Windows, such as Win98, I
>> >> don't
>> >> believe that update is available.
>> >>
>> >> And I'm guessing that you haven't made any manual backups.
>> >>
>> >> In that case, about your only hope is trying this program which 
>> >> MIGHT
>> >> be
>> >> able to recover SOME of your missing messages.
>> >>
>> >> DBXpress - http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx
>> >>
>> >> -- 
>> >>
>> >> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "rg_sp"  wrote in message
>> >> news:8BF421BE-576D-4C11-B3A3-5B409AE602F0@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Hi,
>> >> >
>> >> > yesterday my outlook started to compact all the folders. It
>> >> > finished
>> >> > without
>> >> > problem but I don't have email from may to now (August). I don't
>> >> > have
>> >> > bak
>> >> > files in the recicly bin and DBXtract show the same email I can
>> >> > read
>> >> > in
>> >> > Outlook.
>> >> >
>> >> > Any help will be wellcome. Thnks for this great log. RG
>> >> >
>> >> > "Michael Santovec" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> The BAK file in the recycle bin is a copy of the DBX file 
>> >> >> before
>> >> >> compacting.  So it often would be larger than the DBX file you 
>> >> >> are
>> >> >> replacing.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> -- 
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "wallabyceleborn" 
>> >> >> wrote
>> >> >> in
>> >> >> message 
>> >> >> news:639D9447-271C-4199-A5A5-2195E437ADF4@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> > Hi,
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > I just tried your solution and it worked. Thanks! It saved us 
>> >> >> > a
>> >> >> > bunch
>> >> >> > of
>> >> >> > trouble as this was my boss's computer.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > But here's a note.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > I noticed that for the folder that needed restoring, the old
>> >> >> > .bak
>> >> >> > file
>> >> >> > was
>> >> >> > larger than the current .dbx file.  I'm not sure if that's 
>> >> >> > true
>> >> >> > for
>> >> >> > all
>> >> >> > situations.  Before restoring the emails, we were only 
>> >> >> > missing
>> >> >> > about
>> >> >> > 20 most
>> >> >> > recent days of emails out of a total of over 2 years worth. 
>> >> >> > The
>> >> >> > solution
>> >> >> > didn't cause me to lose any emails since we noticed the 
>> >> >> > problem
>> >> >> > and
>> >> >> > searched
>> >> >> > for a solution quickly.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Hopefully that information is useful to someone else.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Thanks again!
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>

Hi Michael,  this worked perfectly - thank you.  

"Michael Santovec" wrote:

> The BAK files your OE folders before compacting.  They are copied there 
> as a precaution in case something goes wrong with the compacting.
> 
> 1) Look in OE at Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Folder for the 
> location of your Store Folder.  Then close OE.
> 
> 2) Go to Recycle Bin and restore the most recent Sent Items.bak file. 
> That will put it in OE Store folder, but still as a BAK file.
> 
> 3) Open the Windows File Explorer and look at the store folder you found 
> in step 1. (You may need to enable the the display Hidden and System 
> files in Tools, Folder Options, View as well as uncheck the option to 
> Hide extensions of known file types.  You should see both a Sent 
> Items.dbx file as well as the Sent Items.bak.  Rename the Sent Items.DBX 
> to Sentold.dbx and then rename Sent Items.Bak to Sent Items.DBX. When 
> you open OE, your Sent Items messages should be restored.
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
> 
> 
> 
> "Danarchism"  wrote in message 
> news:16AED4DE-F2D7-48D6-8DB1-50010DB6D251@microsoft.com...
> > Today i performed the compacting function of my outlook express.  Upon
> > re-opening outlook express my sent folder no longer has a batch of 
> > email from
> > december 07 until lunchtime today.
> >
> > Does anyone know how to retrieve these ?
> >
> > On a side note not sure if related but after the compacting my recycle 
> > bin
> > was full of .bak files all of which were named after my subsidiary 
> > folders
> > within outlook.
> >
> > Any help advice much appreciated ? 
> 
> 
>

You are welcome and thanks for posting back.

-- 

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



"alice"  wrote in message 
news:40E72BD6-822F-475E-823E-9A5188C9265D@microsoft.com...
> Hi Michael,  this worked perfectly - thank you.
>
> "Michael Santovec" wrote:
>
>> The BAK files your OE folders before compacting.  They are copied 
>> there
>> as a precaution in case something goes wrong with the compacting.
>>
>> 1) Look in OE at Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Folder for the
>> location of your Store Folder.  Then close OE.
>>
>> 2) Go to Recycle Bin and restore the most recent Sent Items.bak file.
>> That will put it in OE Store folder, but still as a BAK file.
>>
>> 3) Open the Windows File Explorer and look at the store folder you 
>> found
>> in step 1. (You may need to enable the the display Hidden and System
>> files in Tools, Folder Options, View as well as uncheck the option to
>> Hide extensions of known file types.  You should see both a Sent
>> Items.dbx file as well as the Sent Items.bak.  Rename the Sent 
>> Items.DBX
>> to Sentold.dbx and then rename Sent Items.Bak to Sent Items.DBX. When
>> you open OE, your Sent Items messages should be restored.
>>
>>
>>
>> -- 
>>
>> Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm
>>
>>
>>
>> "Danarchism"  wrote in message
>> news:16AED4DE-F2D7-48D6-8DB1-50010DB6D251@microsoft.com...
>> > Today i performed the compacting function of my outlook express. 
>> > Upon
>> > re-opening outlook express my sent folder no longer has a batch of
>> > email from
>> > december 07 until lunchtime today.
>> >
>> > Does anyone know how to retrieve these ?
>> >
>> > On a side note not sure if related but after the compacting my 
>> > recycle
>> > bin
>> > was full of .bak files all of which were named after my subsidiary
>> > folders
>> > within outlook.
>> >
>> > Any help advice much appreciated ?
>>
>>
>>

Thanks Michael - I managed to recover my folders and some of my messages 
using your advice.    

What can I do where there are no .bak files for the .dbx files or where 
there is more than one file with the same name except for a number in 
brackets eg. Inbox (1).dbx and Inbox (2).dbx?  Both contain a large amount of 
messages going by the file size.  Changing the name of one excludes the other 
from Outlook Express.

When OE gets into trouble with a DBX file it creates a new one with a 
number added.  The highest numbered one is most likely the most recent. 
Look at the date on the file to be sure.

The non-current ones are likely corrupted.

If you want to make both of them available to OE, you can try a 
variation of this procedure:
How to import a single mail folder (*.dbx)
http://www.insideoe.com/faqs/how.htm#importdbx
For an alternate description, see the last paragraph here:
http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx


-- 

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



"dennisbuwaa"  wrote in message 
news:19139C16-C3E3-4428-9D2B-86DD0BFDE260@microsoft.com...
> Thanks Michael - I managed to recover my folders and some of my 
> messages
> using your advice.
>
> What can I do where there are no .bak files for the .dbx files or 
> where
> there is more than one file with the same name except for a number in
> brackets eg. Inbox (1).dbx and Inbox (2).dbx?  Both contain a large 
> amount of
> messages going by the file size.  Changing the name of one excludes 
> the other
> from Outlook Express.