Where are my e-mail files stored?

[ninjazed]

I'm getting ready to dump my existing O/S and reformat. It's been about 2 years since I last did it and my system is currently running like crap. Does anyone know where all the e-mail messages are stored so I can archive them before wiping the hard drive clean? Thanks Also, is there anything else I should archive to save myself time and trouble later on? Thanks again.

 

[FOBSIDE]

what program are you using?

 

[InsaneMorphius]

I believe the file extension you are looking for is .dbx

I might be wrong, but do a file search, cant hurt

 

[FOBSIDE]

doh! i replied when i wasnt done.

for outlook, if youre going to install back into outlook, do this:

FILE -> IMPORT AND EXPORT -> EXPORT TO FILE
then export your folders to a .pst file. when you reinstall you can FILE -> IMPORT AND EXPORT -> IMPORT FROM FILE. choose that file you exported to and youre good to go.

for outlook express:
C:\Documents and Settings\USER_NAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{FBE34C80-346F-11D6-9944-B4E438E33415}\Microsoft\Outlook Express\

save all the .dbx files and youre good to go. copy over the .dbx files when you reinstall.

if youre going from outlook to outlook express its really dumb. you have to have outlook installed. do like i mentioned above and import into outlook. then you can import from outlook in outlook express. after that you can remove outlook.

 

[stndn]

what FOBSIDE said: what program are you using? also, what OS? (since i know there are differences between the OS, esp for mozilla and some others)... from your rig, it seems like you are using win98SE, but just in case ........

just to add to the list:
netscape 4.7x (and below) stores the emails in c:\program files\netscape\users\your_username\Mail. copy all the files there and dump them when you have done reinstalling netscape

mozilla / netscape 6.x: c:\documents and settings\your_w2k_login\application data\mozilla\profiles\your_profile_name\some_random_mozilla_thing\Mail (win2k -- don't remember the directory in win98). as above, just copy the mail directory, then dump it back when you're done installing...


your second question, what else to archive?
well, if you are using mozilla/netscape, it's easier to backup all the user directory (which includes mail, bookmark, etc), and dump them back when you're installing them again .... this is so you can later on import your settings easily.....

other than that, your favorites (C:\Documents and Settings\win2k_login\Favorites on win2k, or C:\Windows\Favorites on win98) ... don't want to miss all the pr0n bookmarks now, do we? 😉

also, you may want to backup the directory where you install your instant messaging softwares (if any)
and your files and settings for your distributed computing softwares, if any ....
and your save games, or patches for the games that you have downloaded ... and also include the browser or some add-on softwares (esp if you spent your time on 56k downloading these mess like i did)

and last but not least, all the moviez, mp3, pr0n, and some "interesting pictures" that you have 😉 .... (yes, i admit i have those too 😛)

-1020-