Backing up ... starting with OE files and folders

The computer fellow this morning convinced me for the need for an external portable hard drive (perhaps, something that is small and portable and serves as a good form of memory storage for important stuff) so that is on order, however playing with OE folders today with a view to backing them up, the help instructions say:

'To back up the folder, (this is after compacting) find the folder file and then copy it to a backup folder......'

Ok, where should I start looking for the compacted folder in the first instance. I haven't noticed a file address it saves it to, when the system compacts....

(sorry if this is one of the stupid most obviously simple swaggie questions but you are the only ones to put up with them[]).

Outlook address files are rather annoying because OE hides them in a hidden folder in your "My Documents" folder. A standard copy won't copy hidden folders.

In OE, there is an Tools>Options? menu item. Somewhere in here (I don't get near OE much) is a spot where it tells you just where your OE folder is.

To be honest, you could probably fit your OE and essential files on a $12 4Gb USB memory stick, and keep that for safe keeping.

swaggie;201767 wrote: 'To back up the folder, (this is after compacting) find the folder file and then copy it to a backup folder......'

Ok, where should I start looking for the compacted folder in the first instance. I haven't noticed a file address it saves it to, when the system compacts....

Swaggie, I posted the relevant procedure in response to your last question along similar lines:

Quote:
Originally Posted by swaggie

Grant can you talk me through how to transfer the OE to windows mail please?

OK, here goes:

1) Locate the folder in which your OE messages are stored using Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder.

2) Open Windows Explorer and navigate to that folder.

3) Copy all the files to a USB Flash Drive.

You must have an awful lot on your mind right now what with moving and all that, so I can understand if you missed my previous post

Sorry Grant, yes things are fairly full on at the moment.... in a variety of areas.

many thanks Wyseyes for your thoughts too. I have a spare 4GB cruzer which I was going to copy everything on, however the computer man from yesterday said he gets so many USB memory sticks where they are unable to recover the information from because of failure, in his opinion he said they should only be used as a temporary transfer/delivery item, rather than long term storage for important stuff....

As you know, I don't know, so just going with the flow of advice....

GrantK;201819 wrote: Swaggie, I posted the relevant procedure in response to your last question along similar lines:

You must have an awful lot on your mind right now what with moving and all that, so I can understand if you missed my previous post

Grant I am having trouble... probably not surprising although I find the folder name as in step 1, I cannot actually locate the folder anywhere to copy it...

If it helps any the name given is:

C: forward slash document and settings forward slash user forward slash
local settings forward slash applicationdata forward slash identities

then it has a funny (lots of numbers and a few letters) outlook express

Any idea and does the above help?

(you can tell I still haven't fixed my keyboard problem with forward slash).[]

Local settings is a hidden folder that's why you cant see it. I assume that you are using windows xp. If so go to control panel then select folder options then on the view tab click show hidden folders. Now you will see the folders that up until now have been hidden. BUT....... why not save yourself all that grief & trouble. Download a free utility called EZ eMail Backup from www.retinaxstudios.com it will save you all the hastle.

Istrian has explained why you can't see the OE Mail Folder Swaggie so I hope you have that sorted by now. Sorry, forgot that step as I always have the Hidden Folder option disabled.

Depending on what you want to do with the backed up files, the EZ e-mail backup program may or may not be of help. Personally, I just prefer to make copies of the files using Windows Explorer because there is nothing else needed in the event that you need to restore the files.

Let me know how you get on, and if there's any further help you need

You are correct GrantK. The reason why I suggest using the utility is to avoid all the hassles that people have in trying to find their files in the first place.

Swaggie to type a forward slash without the use of the "key" hold the ALT key & type 47. Try it. /

alt 47 - not working... sorry! used to work next to the shift key and all I know I have done is to change language to English - Australian....

swaggie;203274 wrote: alt 47 - not working... sorry! used to work next to the shift key and all I know I have done is to change language to English - Australian....

Try this:

- Hold down ALT
- On the Numeric Keypad type 0 4 7
- Release ALT

A / should appear

2nd attempt....

Crikey Grant shouldn't you be asleep by now?

Tried the above, no luck, but really I can get by for now, it was just a pain trying to explain my problem, will post in case you are waiting to see...

Many thanks to you both Grant and Istrian I decided to follow both suggestions as its better to have too many copies that not enough....[]

so downloaded eZ mail backup, and backuped to that, and also found my (now not) hidden identities file and backup'd my 6DC etc etc file to my new external portable hard drive..... yeah for me, another first!!! crikey knows how to download it from both, but at least I have it copied.....

My next move will be to copy said OE to my portable vista programme....

many thanks to you both for your help and patience. Much appreciated.[8D]

swaggie;203276 wrote: 2nd attempt....

Crikey Grant shouldn't you be asleep by now?

Yeah, probably [xx(]

Inger and I were up agonising over our eldest son's career path which is not working out too well at the moment. We think he will need to do another degree to get where he wants to go. It means another 3 years of study -- aaarrrrgghhh...

Lesson learned: Avoid "interesting looking" courses at Unitec/AUT which don't lead to any jobs. Such courses are entitled "Bachelor of Design", "Bachelor of Applied Science" et al. Two of our kids have done these 4-year courses and are really struggling to find jobs.

Stick to the tried-and-true courses at Auckland University which are Real Degrees not just Polytech courses dressed up to look like degrees.

Anyway, back On Topic: Glad you got your e-mail backed up OK