Okeydoke. I went through this before and did it incorrectly, so if someone could help me with how to do it correctly…
In a few days I plan on doing a re-install of my OS (98SE). I’d -like- to back-up all my current mail in my in-box. I know there’s some sort of file alias or the like where it’s all stored on my hard-drive. Can someone let me know how to find where that is and copy it? Thanks much in advance.
Look a file on called outlook.pst , on win98 i believe its in the windows directory. That file holds all of your mail.
I have to do this often where I work when users get new computers.
Explore your way all the way down this tree:
C:\windows\application data\identities{folder-named-with-numbers-and-letters}\microsoft\outlook express\
For each separate identity you will have more than one {letters-and-numbers} folder. Figure out which one is which based on the foldername.dbx files inside. If you’ve only got one identity setup your task is much simpler.
Within you will find 8 or more files named for your folders and a couple of bookkeeping files. Back them all up.
In OE, choose the top menu Tools then Accounts…
Click on your Mail account(s) and Export… them to .IAF files. Back those up.
Reinstall your OS. Don’t forget to install the slew of security updates, including the ones for Outlook Express.
Start up OE and cancel the wizard. Choose Tools then Accounts again. Import your main IAF file. Shutdown OE. Explore down the aforementioned tree until you get to the Outlook Express one again. Delete all the dbx and other fresh and empty bookkeeping files. Copy the ones you backed up into this folder.
Let me know if you run into any snags.