Disappearing Data

[Listener]

As I mentioned to Liv half apologetically in the Secret Santa thread I have disappearing files! She suggested a backup but it seems more widespread than that would cover.

O.K. most have disappeared from my "Outlook Express". I changed my ISP a few weeks ago and of course saved all their corespondence in a new file. It's gone!

When I use "settings" - "control panel" - "add or remove programs" I get a "please wait" while the list is being populated" - but no list!

There's a folder called "Uninstall Information" under "Program Files". It's empty!

A couple of days ago I wanted to uninstall Windows Media Player 11 (and roll back to 10 which I prefer) but there seemed no way to do it.

I solved that one with "System restore" going back to 15th October - but it didn't do anything for my Outlook Express (and the remove list is still missing).

I expect it's something I've done (or my "C" drive is cracking up) can anyone suggest what's going on? I'm using Windows XP Home.

[seebs]

Possibly malware or something.

[Crumb]

Yeah I would do virus scans as well as adaware and spybot scans.

[JamesBannon]

Have you tried safe mode? (F8 key).

[JoeP]

Program Files\Uninstall Information is probably a red herring. afaik it relates to just one MS program, not your system as a whole.

Rolling back WMP may be prevented by Microsoft. (I say this on the basis that it's the kind of thing they'd do...)

The Outlook Express data ... could well be on your drive somewhere. I don't use OE but I've heard stories of apparent data loss just being a moved profile or a folder not linked into the profile or something. Safe mode and system restore might not relink it - you might need to search your drive, or (better) stw for instructions on recovering OE data.

[Listener]

Thanks folks!

I'm supposed to be protected from viruses and malware by AVG - it seems to be scanning quite frequently (I notice 'cos it slows everything down).

"Search" seems the right idea - there's lots of uninstall data - but it doesn't seem to be in the required folder.

There's a folder called "Saved Items.dbx" under "documents and settings" - it seems to be a backup for Outlook express which uses .dbx files.

I'll see what happens if I copy it across ....

Thanks again :D

[Listener]

Oodear!

All the missing .dbx files were already in the Outlook express folder but the Outlook express program says they're not there :(

At least I know I've still got the data (Perhaps I should pop it on a CD) - now I'm wondering why Microsoft programs seem to be malfunctioning ....

[Javaman]

I did a quick Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=can%27t+read+.dbx+files&btnG=Google+Search) and it looks like you're not alone. I had a quick look through and I found that, if you're willing to shell out the $27 / £14, you can try OE-Mail Recovery (http://www.oemailrecovery.com/reading-dbx-files.html). I'll keep looking around just in case.

[Javaman]

This sounds promising:When you moved the .dbx files, did you also include the Folders.dbx file?
The Folders.dbx file keeps track of all your message .dbx files, without it Outlook Express cannot Import the messages out of the .dbx files.

There is a way, the cleanest method is to create a brand new Identity and switch over to that Identity.
Once in the new Identity, locate the new Identity's Store Folder:
Tools > Options > Maintenance tab > Store Folder

Close Outlook Express.
Using Windows Explorer, navigate to the new Store Folder.
Copy the .dbx files from the Temp folder into the new Store Folder directory.
Rename any existing Folders.dbx file in the new Store Folder directory to Folders.old

Start Outlook Express, switch over to the New Identity, a new Folders.dbx file will be created which will reindex the added .dbx files.
Your folders and messages should appear.

If all goes as planned, you can then Import messages from the original Identity into the new Identity, or from the new Identity into the original Identity.

[Listener]

You're very kind to be doing all this work for me!

Once I'd found the .dbx files I stopped panicking because I can copy them over to another hard drive and "import them" to outlook express -I did it before when I first got this computer using the old computers "C" drive as a slave.

I just need the time! (Got to get the car fixed before Sandra goes to Coventry on Sunday)

I'm going to get another computer soon (which is why I wanted the product keys!) and the OE in that one should be pristine - it's new!!!

[Uthgar the Brazen]

I bet you Lore took him after manipulating him with the stolen emotion chip. :yup:

[Listener]

I bet you Lore took him after manipulating him with the stolen emotion chip. :yup:


I think you could be right - but I outwitted him (Jean Luc Listener).

The .DBX files were in the Outlook express folder all the time but the indexing was not working.

I couldn't "import" the files because you have to be inside Outlook express to do that and it won't import from an open file.

So I copied the entire Outlook express file and asked for an import from the copy - it showed me all the missing files as a menu and I simply selected the ones I wanted. Now they're back in the program and accessible in the normal way :D

Thanks for all the help and concern folks :cheer: