Colin
06-15-04, 02:27 PM
E-Mail is one of the most important pieces of data for most people. I know I'd be in trouble if I lost all my e-mail and contacts should a virus hit me or I accidentally format my HDD. Luckily it's easy to back up both. As Outlook Express and it's built-in address book are most often used, I will focus on that e-mail client only for this weeks tip.<BR><BR>Let's learn how to backup and retrieve e-mail first. I know that OE6.0 has an e-mail exporting feature however I find that it doesn't work very well. At least for me anyway. I find it's easier just to manually save all the e-mail files then place them in the right spot after at catastrophe. To find your e-mail follow this path, C: -> Documents and Settings -> Your User Name!->Local Settings -> Application Data -> Identities -> a folder with many different characters -> Microsoft -> Outlook Express. Inside the Outlook Express folder are all of the e-mail files. Save that data to another folder, or CD-RW for added benefit. After the data has been saved, all you need to do is place those files back into the same directory on your fresh install/new computer and you're set.<BR><BR>Backing up and restoring your address book is much easier. First open up your address book independent of OE (Start -> Program Files -> Accessories -> Address Book). From there click file then Export and Choose Address Book. Name the backup whatever you like then save it somewhere safe. On the fresh install, open up address book (again independent of OE) and load up file, then Import and choose address book. Now point the program where you stored it and you're set. <BR>