outlook express very broken

[davidd]

My wife and son have between them managed to stuff her outlook express installation. We think she was compacting the files when he turned it off at the mains!

The result is an empty inbox, an empty outbox, dozens of subfolders missing. A couple of folders off teh root are ok.

I can see all the files in the directory (a d.x file for each folder) and they all report a reaosnable size. Nothing will read them. I have tried dozens of utilities from the internet and none of them have managed to recover anything. I've tried the stuff suggested by microsoft (rename the folders file) that did not help..

Any good ideas (yes I have mentioned backups).

D

[xm5er]

Getdataback is a good utility for goosed hard drives, it may be useful.

Alternatively if you can see the email and address book files, you could copy them to a backup folder and try to reinstall outlook express.

[rsvmilly]

Something to try;

1. Go to the folder with the dbx files and make sure they are not read-only.
2. From Outlook express, go to File, Import and browse to the above folder.

[davidd]

Thanks for the tips, I have just recived word from a forensics mate whos had a look, he says the files have no data in them so nothing would recover the emails.

The word 'bugger' comes to mind

Thanks again
D

[BliarOut]

Before giving up, try restorer2000... Just becasue those files have zero info, doesn't mean their predecessors don't.

Got me out of many a fix

[davidd]

BliarOut said:

Before giving up, try restorer2000... Just becasue those files have zero info, doesn't mean their predecessors don't. Got me out of many a fix

Interesting, anyone got a demo?

D

[GregE240]

David,

I know this is stable door / horse scenario but PLEASE get them to use Outlook from now on.

Less security holes than OE and infinitely more stable.

Oh, and if this ever happens again, theres loads more utilities for PST recovery.

What O/S BTW? I might have a utility you can use.

Greg

[davidd]

Greg

XP pro, yes I know all the outlook v outlook express arguments she will be moving at some point.

what was the app?

Cheers
D

[GregE240]

davidd said:

Greg XP pro, yes I know all the outlook v outlook express arguments she will be moving at some point. what was the app? Cheers D

You have mail, dear fellow.

[GregE240]

You have more mail.

[davidd]

So I do

Many thankyous, I shall report back later (later being tomorrow)

D

[GregE240]

davidd said:

So I do Many thankyous, I shall report back later (later being tomorrow) D

You go home and fix it in your lunch hour, you slacker!!!

Glad to help.