Importing WAB into Outlook Express 6

[malleable]

Ok, hiya.
This question, I'm sure, has been put through the ringer, as I've seen it all over the newsgroups I've looked in for a solution, but I still can't find an answer.
I just reinstalled all the software on my computer, after putting XP on it. Before doing so, I simply went to my Outlook folder and copied my WAB file to disk before wiping out my computer. But now, I can't get the thing to import.
In Outlook Express, File > Import > Address Book does not work. I have a copy of my WAB file on diskette, and when I search for it on that drive letter, it doesn't show up, like it's not even there, though it is, and it is a genuine WAB file.
I've even gone directly to the c:\Program Files/Outlook Express folder, deleted the WAB file that exists there, and directly dropping my file from disk in its place, but still the same thing. When I open up the Address Book in OE6, there are no addresses listed, just empty.
It seems I should have saved it as the Comma Separated Values, from what I've read, and will make sure to do that in the future, though now I'm "simply" trying to get my address book, in the format I have it, to import into Outlook Express.
Who's got the key?

[karenr]

I had to open it in Excel to get the info, and re-type. Maybe someone smarter than me :) has a better idea

[Paul Komski]

There can be a number of wabs on any system. Check the Default Key at:-
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4\Wab File Name
to see if the current user's path and file name correspond with where you believe the file to exist in Windows Explorer.

As long as your backup is not corrupted then you should be able to point to it in any location. The only other potential problem is that your new OE identity doesn't match the old one - though this should be obvious if you try to open any wab file directly by double-clicking on it.

[malleable]

Thanks for the response.
What is this, by the way, an address? HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4\Wab

'Cause I'm not turning up anything with a folder name of WAB or WAB4. Can you be a little more specific? Thanks.

[Paul Komski]

This a registry reference. Enter regedit into the run box to open the registry editor. Then navigate to that key in the left hand pane. Read the Default value in the right hand pane. If the WAB4 "folder" doesn't exist at all then Outlook Express has probably not yet been accessed.

Be warned that changing any values in the registry can make your system unbootable and should be avoided unless you are sure about what you are doing.

[FrankSG]

Be sure to heed Paul's warning about doing anything to the registry unless you're familiar with it. If you do decide to edit the registry, it would be a good idea to go into System Restore and create a Restore Point. Then if you would do anything to mess things up, you could restore it to where it was.