to transfer OE 6 files to another XP computer

Jack B

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Apr 23, 2010, 1:32:08 PM4/23/10

to

I need to transfer my OE 6 files from one XP computer to another -- what is
the best way to do that?

Jack

Bruce Hagen

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Apr 23, 2010, 1:43:05 PM4/23/10

to

Backup & Restore:
http://www.insideoe.com/backup/

Backing up and Cloning your OE Identities:
http://www.insideoe.com/backup/clone.htm
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:ejXX%23rw4K...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

Jack B

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Apr 23, 2010, 9:32:18 PM4/23/10

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Bruce,

I'll give it a try -- thanks.

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

"Bruce Hagen" <B...@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:uNYypxw4...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Jack B

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Apr 25, 2010, 2:19:53 AM4/25/10

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The method is a bit confusing.

Also, where do I paste everything on the new PC hard drive?

And do I install OE on the new PC after I've done this?

Jack

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

"Bruce Hagen" <B...@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:uNYypxw4...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Ron Sommer

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Apr 25, 2010, 5:09:44 AM4/25/10

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Your new pc is running XP?
--
Ron Sommer
MS MVP- Windows Live Mail

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message

news:OjBMr9D5...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

PA Bear [MS MVP]

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Apr 25, 2010, 9:14:13 AM4/25/10

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You don't copy/paste anything, anywhere.

Will your new computer be running WinXP or Win7? (You implied WinXP in your
first post.)

References:

Backup & Restore OE Data
http://www.insideoe.com/backup/
http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx <=includes info on Windows Mail in Vista

Importing OE Data (all DBX files, including Folders.dbx) into another OE
identity
http://www.insideoe.com/faqs/how.htm#importOE5

Importing a single DBX file into another OE identity
http://www.insideoe.com/faqs/how.htm#importdbx
http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx#imp1

Migrating from OE to Windows Live Mail (in, e.g., Win7)
http://liveunplugged.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!F92775FC46A390CA!219.entry?sa=326380748

Jack B wrote:
> The method is a bit confusing.
>
> Also, where do I paste everything on the new PC hard drive?
>
> And do I install OE on the new PC after I've done this?
>

======================

> Backup & Restore:
> http://www.insideoe.com/backup/
>
> Backing up and Cloning your OE Identities:
> http://www.insideoe.com/backup/clone.htm
>

Bruce Hagen

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Apr 25, 2010, 10:19:32 AM4/25/10

to

You import, not paste, into OE. Assuming your new machine is XP. If it's
Vista, their are different instructions. If its Windows 7, you have to
decide what e-mail client you are going to use first as there is no
built-in e-mail client like previous Windows versions.

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

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message

news:OjBMr9D5...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

Jack B

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Apr 25, 2010, 9:16:54 PM4/25/10

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Yes, New pc is WindowsXP.

Note: I am not currently at "Old pc" or "New pc".
Old pc now exhibits a problem with OE; OE will not let me make any replies
to any emails or posts. It says "Outlook Express is incorrectly
configured - please reinstall."

I did find OEFB on Old pc and did a backup even though it said OE was
running (it wasn't -- Task Mgr did not show it running). I'm not sure if
that will work on New pc. It created two folders under a directory I made
called Programs. The folders OEFB created are
"OE freebie backupOEFBbackupApr25"
and
"OEFBbackupApr25"

The "OE freebie backupOEFBbackupApr25" is empty, but "OEFBbackupApr25"
appears to have all the identities. I have put them both on New pc under
Programs. Should I try a OEFB restore on New pc then load Outlook Express?

"Bruce Hagen" <B...@nospam.invalid> wrote in message

news:OX9NUJI5...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

Bruce Hagen

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Apr 25, 2010, 9:47:05 PM4/25/10

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OEFB has not been available since 2003 or 2004. OEQB still is available.
If you have the backup, then it should work. You would know better than I
how it works. I use OEQB.

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

Outlook Express is a component of IE6 and both are a component of XP, so
there is nothing to load. OE will already exist. As long as you understand
the program, go ahead.

If that fails for some reason:

I assume the old PC is operable other than the OE issue? Along with your
current backup, I would suggest making another, just in case.

In Windows Explorer, right click on the Outlook Express folder, (Message
Store), and Send To | My Documents. Copy this to CD or flash.

To restore, copy to the new machine's Desktop. In OE: File | Import |
Messages. Select Microsoft Outlook Express 6 and Import from an OE6 Store
Directory and point to where you saved it.

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

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message

news:%23s7r%234N5K...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Jack B

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Apr 26, 2010, 2:07:01 AM4/26/10

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I almost forgot I had OEFB on the pc -- used it years ago but then didn't
because I was backing up the HD. Just never had to retrieve anything.
Apparently I still have the installation file.

The Old pc crashes frequently now, and OE is not acting right -- probably
due to one of the crashes.

The New pc has IE8. I haven't used OE yet on that pc. I guess there's
nothing left to do except try OEFB on that pc. Putting in the right backup
location seems to be the only issue for me, since OEFB seems to add to the
name I use. Anyway, as you know, there's a lot more to OE than just the
messages, especially if there are many OE folders and multiple email
accounts.

I'm apprehensive about taking the next step. I suppose if I mess up I can
simply try again.

Jack

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

"Bruce Hagen" <B...@nospam.invalid> wrote in message

news:ufDbgJO5...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

Bruce Hagen

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Apr 26, 2010, 9:31:50 AM4/26/10

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AFAIK, you would:

Install OEFB on the new machine.
Copy the Backup folder to the new machine.
Open OEFB and set the folder association.
Restore.

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

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message

news:%23UJRKbQ...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

Jack B

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Apr 26, 2010, 10:10:11 AM4/26/10

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And then run OE for the first time, right?

Jack

====================

"Bruce Hagen" <B...@nospam.invalid> wrote in message

news:%23Gr9TTU...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

Bruce Hagen

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Apr 26, 2010, 10:19:14 AM4/26/10

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It shouldn't matter if you have run OE yet or not, *except* any new mail
would be lost. So if that is your concern, then yes, do wait to run OE.

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

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message

news:u24YApU5...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Ron Sommer

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Apr 26, 2010, 1:36:24 PM4/26/10

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Running OE on a new machine will not install the accounts for email to
download, so there will not be any new messages.

--
Ron Sommer
MS MVP- Windows Live Mail

"Bruce Hagen" <B...@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:e4JoytU5...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

PA Bear [MS MVP]

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Apr 26, 2010, 3:45:31 PM4/26/10

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Are you at all familiar with OEFB, Ron?

Ron Sommer wrote:
> Running OE on a new machine will not install the accounts for email to
> download, so there will not be any new messages.
>

>> It shouldn't matter if you have run OE yet or not, *except* any new mail
>> would be lost. So if that is your concern, then yes, do wait to run OE.

<snip>

Ron Sommer

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Apr 26, 2010, 6:27:21 PM4/26/10

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I am not familiar with OEFB, so I did not comment on it.
OE can be run to read eml or nws files and read newsgroups with having an
email account installed.

--
Ron Sommer
MS MVP- Windows Live Mail

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABe...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:OHdwdlX5...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Jack B

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Apr 27, 2010, 12:47:32 PM4/27/10

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I tried to use OEFB on the new pc but it failed.

Jack

=====================

"Bruce Hagen" <B...@nospam.invalid> wrote in message

news:e4JoytU5...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Bruce Hagen

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Apr 27, 2010, 1:30:44 PM4/27/10

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OEFB was taken offline before I could spell Outlook Express, so I can't
help much with that. You can install OEQB on the old PC and backup the
same way, transfer the backup folder and install OEQB on the new machine
then restore. I have done that a few times.

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

OEQB Instructions:
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/oeqb.htm

If you are only worried about messages and addresses:

Old fashioned, simple way, to backup the Address Book and Messages only.

Open the Address Book in the old identity and File | Export to any place
on your HDD that is convenient for you. My Documents is fine.

To restore, open the Address Book and File | Import and point to where you
saved it. To be extra safe, copy it to CD also.

For messages:

Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location of
your Outlook Express files. Press the Tab key to highlight the folder
location, then Ctrl+C. Close OE, then Start | Run | Ctrl+V will put the
location in the box - Click OK and you'll see the OE files. Otherwise,
write the location down and navigate to it in Windows Explorer.

Right click on the Outlook Express folder, (Message Store), and Send To |
My Documents. Copy this to CD also as an extra precaution.

To restore if necessary, in OE: File | Import | Messages. Select Microsoft

Outlook Express 6 and Import from an OE6 Store Directory and point to
where you saved it.

If you use a CDRW, you can erase it and backup again using the same CD
every week or when you feel it necessary.

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

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message

news:e0Ovpli5...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Jack B

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Apr 27, 2010, 6:14:29 PM4/27/10

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Somehow I have messed up OE on the New pc.

At first, it did not open an Address Book. Upon clicking on Address Book it
would say, "Unable to open Address Book. The Address Book may not be
installed properly."

Secondly, I cannot send a response or a new message. It says, "There was an
error opening this message. An error has occurred."

Apparently I need to reinstall it, but I can't even find it via Control
Panel/Add Remove Programs!

Jack

PA Bear [MS MVP]

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Apr 27, 2010, 6:22:35 PM4/27/10

to

Is MS Outlook also installed?

Jack B

unread,

Apr 27, 2010, 8:00:39 PM4/27/10

to

The only "Outlook" I find with Search is a folder "Outlook" at
MSOffice97\Office\Templates\Outlook\ -- in that folder there are several
.oft files and one .dir file, but there is no outlook.exe file on the pc.
And, no other "Outlook" turns up in Search except two shortcut files that
look for Outlook.exe. The reason for this is no doubt due to my adding the
template files etc. from the Old pc after installing MS Office Pro 97 on the
new pc.

When first loading OE on the new pc, there may have been a question re
Outlook that I might have answered the wrong way.

Jack

========================

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABe...@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:OTSY0ol5...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

PA Bear [MS MVP]

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Apr 28, 2010, 2:05:36 AM4/28/10

to

<canned>
ï¿½ Do you have this Registry key?...

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4

ï¿½ If not, STOP; If so, is there a DWORD named UseOutlook (NB: no space) and
is its value set to 1 (one)?

ï¿½ If not, STOP; If so, Address Book is configured to share contacts with
Outlook, even if you don't use it (can happen with the install of Office).
Change the value to 0 (zero), close REGEDIT & reboot: Address Book should be
available to you and all should be well. (If that DWORD is not present,
don't create it, and don't alter any other DWORD values.)

Note that any changes (additions, deletions, edits) made while sharing was
enabled will not be available (displayed) in Address Book when sharing is
disabled.

cf. http://www.insideoe.com/files/wab.htm#share and/or
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/191946
</canned>

Jack B

unread,

Apr 28, 2010, 10:49:33 AM4/28/10

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Robear --

>If so, is there a DWORD named UseOutlook<

No, here is what is in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4:

(Default) REG_SZ (Value not set)
FirstRun REG_DWORD 0x00000001(1)
OlkContactRefresh REG_DWORD 0x00000000(0)
OlkFolderRefresh REG_DWORD 0x00000000(0)

Jack

==============================

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABe...@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:e5e9ejp...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> <canned>
> • Do you have this Registry key?...

>
> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4
>

> • If not, STOP; If so, is there a DWORD named UseOutlook (NB: no space)

and
> is its value set to 1 (one)?
>

> • If not, STOP; If so, Address Book is configured to share contacts with

PA Bear [MS MVP]

unread,

Apr 28, 2010, 12:16:27 PM4/28/10

to

Complate & complicated thread history suggesting you used the
no-longer-supported OEFB backup from your old computer to migrate your OE
data to your new computer:
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress/browse_frm/thread/0ff6a5a24cacdfae

Here's another possibility:

1. Open Address Book | click on Help | About: Write down the location
displayed in the FILE box.

2. Enable 'Show Hidden Files and Folders' via Start | Control Panel | Folder
Options | View (cf.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial62.html).

3. Close OE.

4. In Windows Explorer, navigate to the location you wrote down in #1 above
| right-click on the WAB file (e.g., JACKB.WAB) | select Properties | remove
the Read Only attribute (if checked/enabled) & OK your way out.

cf. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/269777

Jack B

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Apr 29, 2010, 11:42:03 PM4/29/10

to

Thanks, but in OE, when I click to open Address Book, I get "The Address
Book failed to load. Outlook Express is incorrectly configured. Please
re-install."

Nonetheless, I am able to find the JACKB.WAB file, and the Read Only
attribute is not checked.

BTW, can you actually reply to this newsgroup thru
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress/browse_frm/thread?
If so, I don't see how.

Jack

=============================

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABe...@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:eCfI8Av5...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

PA Bear [MS MVP]

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Apr 30, 2010, 1:55:38 AM4/30/10

to

Does the behavior persist in a new identity (File | Identities | Add new
identity)?

[Yes, I know the new identity's Address Book might not contain any
contacts...but the Shared folder might.]

>>>> ï¿½ Do you have this Registry key?...

>>>>
>>>> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4
>>>>

>>>> ï¿½ If not, STOP; If so, is there a DWORD named UseOutlook (NB: no space)

>>>> and
>>>> is its value set to 1 (one)?
>>>>

>>>> ï¿½ If not, STOP; If so, Address Book is configured to share contacts

Steve Cochran

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Apr 30, 2010, 7:40:46 AM4/30/10

to

Try searching for *~* and if you find a file, then rename it to give it a wab file extension and then see if it will open. The ~ files are backups of the address book.

steve

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:ODNqncB6...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

Jack B

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Apr 30, 2010, 12:06:11 PM4/30/10

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Robear --

>Does the behavior persist in a new identity<

Yes.

Additionally, when I proceed to set up a new profile and choose to import
messages and address book (I think the choice was from Outlook), I get
"Messages cannot be imported from the MAPI client."

However, when I chose to import Address Book Only, I got "IMPORT COMPLETE
Congratulations! Your data from 'Microsoft Exchange or Outlook or Windows
Messaging' was successfully imported into Outlook Express." However, upon
clicking the Addresses button, I get "Unable to open the Address Book. The

Address Book may not be installed properly."

Jack
==========================

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABe...@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:ePdppvC6...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> >>>> . Do you have this Registry key?...

> >>>>
> >>>> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4
> >>>>

> >>>> . If not, STOP; If so, is there a DWORD named UseOutlook (NB: no

space)
> >>>> and
> >>>> is its value set to 1 (one)?
> >>>>

> >>>> . If not, STOP; If so, Address Book is configured to share contacts

Jack B

unread,

Apr 30, 2010, 1:52:11 PM4/30/10

to

Steve,

First, I just want to say that essentially all the data files (created
documants, including images, etc.) have been transferred from the Old PC to
the New PC. I did a major backup to an external HD at the end of March.

Ok -- I did the search for *~* and that turned up a lot of files.

I was surprised to see a number of such files in a Microsoft Feeds folder --
is that normal? Almost all such files are dated on the day I set up the New
PC. Some of the others are sort of weird, i.e., billingtypes.php~ which is
supposed to be in tools/modules/billing and that is the entire HD address
given!? FYI, billingtypes.php~ is dated a month earlier.

Anyway, the Jack.wab~ was only 176 kb, not even close to the Jack.wab of 2.7
MB. And it didn't work. Also, finding and clicking the the Jack.wab of 2.7
MB in the OEFB folder, it failed to open. Plus, I later (after doing OEFB)
used OEQB on the Old PC and pasted the backup results into the New PC, and
now finding and clicking the the Jack.wab of 2.7 MB in the OEQB Backup
folder, it also failed to open. [Note: I have not attempted the OEQB Restore
on the New PC.]

BUT, I did find the Jack.wab of 2.6 MB on the external HD; and, upon
clicking the the Jack.wab of 2.6 MB, it opened. So, I copied and pasted
into \...Microsoft\Address Book\ and voila -- OE on the New PC now works (I
can SEND and I have the address book)! Yeaay!!

However, all 300+ addresses in the Address Book are not in their respective
folders -- the're all lumped together into one folder :(.

And, of course, at this point I don't have all my previous messages and
identities and email accounts in OE. So, I'm thinking I can't lose anything
by attempting an OEQB Restore on the New PC -- although I know the Jack.wab
of 2.7 MB in the OEQB Backup file is no good, I could once again paste the
Jack.wab of 2.6 MB into \...Microsoft\Address Book\ after doing the OEQB
Restore on the New PC. What do you think?

Also, FYI, the Spell Check is not working. I get "An error occurred while
the spelling was being checked."

Jack

==================================

"Steve Cochran" <scoc...@oehelp.com> wrote in message
news:32E5DBE7-9C2D-4898...@microsoft.com...

PA Bear [MS MVP]

unread,

Apr 30, 2010, 7:23:31 PM4/30/10

to

Importing OE messages (all DBX files, including Folders.dbx)
http://www.insideoe.com/faqs/how.htm#importOE5

To import an Address Book (i.e., WAB file), open Address Book: File | Import
| Address Book (WAB) | ...

NB: Folders & Groups seldom, if ever, import, especially if sharing with OL
had been enabled at some point in the past.

Overall, using OEFB & trying to import OEFB-created back-ups was the fly in
the ointment here: There's a very good reason the author withdrew that
application several years ago.

Jack B

unread,

Apr 30, 2010, 7:47:58 PM4/30/10

to

Thanks -- see my response to Cochran. Apparently what I did didn't do
anything different than

"open Address Book: File | Import | Address Book"

Nonetheless, I could not perform the above function, because I could not
open Address Book. So I had no choice but to try what I did. I could
probably do "open Address Book: File | Import | Address Book" now, but
what's the use if "Folders & Groups seldom, if ever, import,"?

Jack

================================

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABe...@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:%23jOlrxL...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

Jack B

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May 1, 2010, 9:03:13 PM5/1/10

to

Well, as it turns out, the address book is not right -- it's missing the
latest email addresses. I kept the old email addresses for people so I
could do a search in the past if needed, and of course made the most current
one the default.

But my little trick "copied and pasted into \...Microsoft\Address Book\ and
voila" produced an address book without the latest email addresses. That is
weird, because when I double click on "Jack.wab of 2.6 MB on the external
HD," the correct email addresses show up.

Rats.

Jack

=====================================

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message

news:O8QUC4I...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>> >> . Do you have this Registry key?...

>>> >>
>>> >> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4
>>> >>

>>> >> . If not, STOP; If so, is there a DWORD named UseOutlook (NB: no

>>> >> space)
>>> >> and
>>> >> is its value set to 1 (one)?
>>> >>

>>> >> . If not, STOP; If so, Address Book is configured to share contacts

Bruce Hagen

unread,

May 1, 2010, 9:12:16 PM5/1/10

to

I don't know if you have done this yet, but copy the good Jack.wab of 2.6
MB to the Desktop. Open up OE and then open the Address Book. From there,
File | Import | Address Book (wab) and point to where you saved it.

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

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message

news:u2$2GNZ6K...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

Bruce Hagen

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May 1, 2010, 9:36:07 PM5/1/10

to

P.S. Remove the Read Only attribute in Properties before you import.

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

"Bruce Hagen" <B...@nospam.invalid> wrote in message

news:%23X6w5RZ...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Jack B

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May 2, 2010, 2:57:05 PM5/2/10

to

Bruce,

No, I hadn't done that, but now did it.

That did pull in ALL the addesses but list them separately -- is that what
is expected? That is, now instead of 300+ name address listings I have 900+
because every name with more than only one address is now listed separately
(their name is listed for the default address and again for each other
address that is not the default address). Naturally, this makes me guess
which is really the current defualt address ( I can figure that out, of
course, by opening Jack.wab of 2.6 and going thru each name).

Furthermore, none of the folders were imported, so everybody is still lumped
together. Interestingly, where there were some Groups, it seems the name is
listed once with the current (default) address. But as you know, when
sending emails, yoiu can't pull separate names out of a Group, only Folders.

So, again, is this what's expected?
At this point I just have Main identity. I could create Jack identity,
eliminate Main and try again.

Also, OE is still not performing Spell Check, and it is not showing the
images in received emails. Perhaps I should try to reinstall OE.

Jack

============================

"Bruce Hagen" <B...@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:%23X6w5RZ...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Bruce Hagen

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May 2, 2010, 3:22:53 PM5/2/10

to

>instead of 300+ name address listings I have 900+

I don't know if that is expected behavior or not. In the seven years
posting to OE, I have never run across this.

> Furthermore, none of the folders were imported,

Neither your groups or folders should have imported. There is a workaround
for that.

Courtesy of Jim Pickering, MVP-Outlook Express

Create a "standalone" WAB file:
http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/files/wab.htm#wabexe

Then open your default address book to the group desired and select all
member of the group and copy them to the clipboard (Ctrl+A selects all,
Ctrl+C copies them to the clipboard). Then open your "standalone" WAB
file and paste the contacts into that file (you will have to hit the Enter
key to OK each entry but it beats typing) and then either copy that wab
file to a floppy disc or export it as CSV file. Otherwise, folders and
groups neither import, nor export.

> At this point I just have Main identity. I could create Jack identity,
> eliminate Main and try again.

Might as well. The Main identity is more prone to corruption due to some
extra registry keys. I always set up a new named identity any time I
reinstalled Windows and skipped the main identity right from the start.

> Also, OE is still not performing Spell Check, and it is not showing the
> images in received emails. Perhaps I should try to reinstall OE.

OE is part of your Windows OS and the only way to reinstall it is to
reinstall the OS.

Make sure you're reading in HTML and "Block images........" is not checked
in Tools | Options | Security.

What spell check were you using? OE doesn't have its own and relies on
Word or a third party app.

Some good Address Book reading here:
http://www.insideoe.com/files/wab.htm

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

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message

news:OjMQHli...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

Jack B

unread,

May 2, 2010, 4:53:25 PM5/2/10

to

Bruce,

>I don't know if that is expected behavior or not. In the seven years
posting to OE, I have never run across this.<

Is that because for each listing in the address book there was only the one
(default) email address?

>Make sure you're reading in HTML and "Block images........" is not checked
in Tools | Options | Security.<

Gee, I thought I'd looked for that but it was checked!

>What spell check were you using?<

Word 97, same as on previous pc, and Word is performing spell check for Word
documents. However, this pc had Open Office already installed. I wonder if
that's got something to do with it?

I reckon I'll have to try the Stand Alone WAB.

>OE is part of your Windows OS and the only way to reinstall it is to
>reinstall the OS.<

What is the sense of MS doing that!?

Anyway, I see there are some who advise a trick for reinstalling:
http://www.tweakxp.com/article37258.aspx

http://www.softwaretipsandtricks.com/windowsxp/articles/400/1/Reinstall-Outlook-Express-6

What do yoiu think?

Jack

================================

"Bruce Hagen" <B...@nospam.invalid> wrote in message

news:eNyodzi6...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Bruce Hagen

unread,

May 2, 2010, 5:11:10 PM5/2/10

to

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message

news:epSvHmj6...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Bruce,

>
>>What spell check were you using?<
>
> Word 97, same as on previous pc, and Word is performing spell check for
> Word
> documents. However, this pc had Open Office already installed. I
> wonder if
> that's got something to do with it?

Could be Open Office. It's relatively new. Worse case scenario, you could
use a freeware spell check. I do. (Try the new identity first).

Vampirefo Spell Check.

Download it from Major Geeks:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2952

Or download it from SnapFile:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/spelloe.html

Or you may like TinySpell. (Checks the spelling as you type).

Download it here:
http://www.tinyspell.m6.net/

>>OE is part of your Windows OS and the only way to reinstall it is to
>>reinstall the OS.<
>
> What is the sense of MS doing that!?

It's been that way from the old Microsoft Mail, (pre OE), right up through
Vista. Win7 does not include a native e-mail client, (Antdeveryone bitches
about that).

>
> Anyway, I see there are some who advise a trick for reinstalling:
> http://www.tweakxp.com/article37258.aspx
>
> http://www.softwaretipsandtricks.com/windowsxp/articles/400/1/Reinstall-Outlook-Express-6
>
> What do yoiu think?

Those are actually repairs, and they only wprked fpr SP1a and earlier,
IIRC. Look at the date of the first link. 2002.

Creating a new identity gives you all new dbx files and registry entries.
Not much different than the old Repair & Reinstall, but a heck of a lot
easier.

Jack B

unread,

May 2, 2010, 11:41:05 PM5/2/10

to

Since things with my OE aren't perfect at this point, do you see any
downside to trying this:
Paste "Jack.wab of 2.6 MB" into the backup file of OEFB (or the backup file
of OEQB) thus replacing the "Jack.wab of 2.7 MB" and then doing a a OEFB (or
OEQB) complete restore?

Jack

=========================

"Bruce Hagen" <B...@nospam.invalid> wrote in message

news:O0Qr9vj6...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Bruce Hagen

unread,

May 3, 2010, 12:02:43 AM5/3/10

to

I don't know if it will work, but I would give it a try with OEQB, and
make sure you still have backups of your messages and addresses elsewhere
before you do. Even if it is the screwed up address book.

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

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message

news:ucYxMKn6...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Steve Cochran

unread,

May 4, 2010, 8:05:48 AM5/4/10

to

I would start over. After backing them up, delete the Identities, the IAM, the WAB keys in the registry. Then merge the ones saved with OEQB. Then copy the dbx files and wab file to the proper locations (make sure you clear their readonly attribute). Then see if things work. If needed, then you can replace the faulty wab file with the other one.

steve

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:ucYxMKn6...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Jack B

unread,

May 5, 2010, 6:26:30 PM5/5/10

to

Steve,

Not sure what your start over point is. Do you mean go to Old pc and
"...backing them up, delete the Identities, the IAM, the WAB keys in the
registry. Etc"? Doing anything with Old pc is very problematic at this
point.

Also, are you saying use Windows Explore and go to Documents and
Settings\Jack\Local Settings\Applications Data\Identities and delete those
identies?

But if New pc ---
(1) How do you " Then merge the ones saved with OEQB"? What exactly does
that mean?
(2) Also, you say "Then copy the dbx files and wab file to the proper
locations" -- since I don't understand (1), I'm not sure just where I'm
copying from and where to. I assume you're saying copy them to the proper
store location in the current working OE identity.

Please help me see exactly what you're saying here.

Thanks.

Jack

================================

"Steve Cochran" <scoc...@oehelp.com> wrote in message

news:uCBagI46...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

Steve Cochran

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May 8, 2010, 12:02:30 PM5/8/10

to

No, I meant on the new machine. If you clear the current registry settings by backing up what apparently is a mess right now, and then delete the current keys, then you can merge them back from the older machine. Then copy the dbx files to the location that is set under the "Store Root" value under the Identities key. (see www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx and http://www.insideoe.com/files/ for background.

See if that helps.

steve

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:%23s3yUIK...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

Jack B

unread,

May 8, 2010, 12:57:02 PM5/8/10

to

Steve,

>delete the Identities, the IAM, the WAB keys in the registry.<

Is that a regedit operation or merely go to Documents and

Settings\Jack\Local Settings\Applications Data\Identities and delete those

Identities?

>merge them back from the older machine<

I can't visualize that.
You mean copy the Identities from the Old pc and paste into the New pc at
Documents and Settings\Jack\Local Settings\Applications Data\Identities?

Jack

=====================================

"Steve Cochran" <scoc...@oehelp.com> wrote in message

news:e4E4ofs7...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Steve Cochran

unread,

May 10, 2010, 2:43:32 PM5/10/10

to

The keys are in the registry, so you have to use regedit.

The keys were backed up by OEQB in the backup directory, so you can manually merge them.

But your original question that started this thread was about the Issues you were having on the new machine. I would go and just set up a new Identity and add your accounts there and see that it works and then you can use File | Import | Messages to import the messages from the old Identity or you can try importing from the backup of the old machine.

I don't really know at this point what the problem after all the messages in this thread, so I got back to the original question.

steve

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:%23sgkO%23s7KH...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

Jack B

unread,

May 10, 2010, 9:09:07 PM5/10/10

to

Steve,

>set up a new Identity and add your accounts there and see that it works<

Same problems with a new identity.

1) I keep getting "OE is not your default mail client" and I click the
box/button to make the default, and it seems like it takes but it really
doesen't.
2) Spell check fails to work.
3) Clicking email links on websites fails to work.
4) When I set up a new Identity, OE says it has found other to import
messages and addreess book from, but only offers the one combined choice of
Outlook, Windows Messaging, & something else, but, when I choose that, it
says something like "can't use that MAPI source" (not exactly those words).

So a new Identity has the same problems.

Jack

=============================

"Steve Cochran" <scoc...@oehelp.com> wrote in message

news:D767B694-936B-4E85...@microsoft.com...

Steve Cochran

unread,

May 11, 2010, 8:29:27 AM5/11/10

to

For number 1 see www.oehelp.com/oedef.aspx

For number 3 see www.oehelp.com/ielnk.aspx

steve

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:%23tr3WaK...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

Jack B

unread,

May 12, 2010, 12:27:18 PM5/12/10

to

I cannot believe what just happened this morning.

My ENTIRE address book with 13 folders and 6 groups is suddenly my address
book!!!!!

This happened with me changing anything the past several days with the
exception of bringing in some "lost" emails from the Old pc.

This is a miracle!?!?!?!!!!!!

Jack

Jack B

unread,

May 12, 2010, 1:37:42 PM5/12/10

to

Oops, should be "This happened with me NOT changing anything..."

Jack

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message

news:OkM0WAf8...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

Jack B

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May 12, 2010, 2:16:47 PM5/12/10

to

However, the miracle was not complete -- a number of the addresses are now
not up to date! How did this happen?!?

Jack

====================================

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:OkM0WAf8...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

I cannot believe what just happened this morning.

My ENTIRE address book with 13 folders and 6 groups is suddenly my address
book!!!!!

This happened with me NOT changing anything the past several days with the

Steve Cochran

unread,

May 12, 2010, 4:42:18 PM5/12/10

to

No telling. Find the wab file and back it up while you can.

steve

"Jack B" <jslimp0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:%23oQhV9f...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

PA Bear [MS MVP]

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May 12, 2010, 6:05:34 PM5/12/10

to

[I still suspect you'd enabled Sharing with OL at some point in the past &
on the old computer.]