I don’t know if it can automatically import email datasets from another computer, but worst comes to worst, you can back up your current data files and replace them with the ones from the laptop HD.
Then start Outlook, export the messages, restore your backups and import the new messages.
I THINK that’ll work… but which version of Outlook (or Outlook Express) are you using? I’ll test it out if I can.
Yes, you can import mail folders from the drive (assuming they were stored on it and are not corrupted). If you were using Outlook Express, you’ll be searching for a bunch of files with the extension .dbx; if you were using Outlook 2000 or similar, then you’re probably looking for a single large file with the extension .pst
In OE, go to File -> Import -> Messages. Choose OE6 and click Next. Choose “Import Mail from an OE6 store directory” and click Next. Then browse to the following directory, where X: is the old laptop drive:
X:\Documents and Settings(your old username)\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities(a long string of letters and numbers)\Microsoft\Outlook Express\
Click Next then select the folders you want to import, and hopefully you’ll find your messages there.
I think Outlook Express creates one disk folder for each mail folder, so there would be a file called Inbox.dbx, another called Sent Items.dbx and so on, plus another called folders.dbx that links them all together. You probably won’t have to worry about that though, as the import wizard (once you’ve pointed it at the right location) should just find what it needs.