Outlook Express configuration

[gncarlo]

I am trying to switch computers. I think I have the new one (Windows98) properly configured in Dial-Up Networking, because I can get a trouble-free connection. However, I can't seem to get it to receive my email (Outlook Express). I have tried to duplicate every setting including the POP3 and SMTP addresses. It all appears to be identical, but I still can't access the other machine's email on the new computer. I don't know if the incoming mail is stored on a server somewhere, or on the harddrive (I used something called Filevan4 to transfer the Applications/Identities files to the new computer).

[david eaton]

Moving mail in OE has been specially designed to be as difficult as possible I think

First, on the old machine, open outlook express, and select Tools<>options<>maintenance. Verify the location fo the "Store Folder".

Close OE, open windows explorer and navigate to the location of the store folder. Copy the DBX files to a floppy or floppies. Also find and copy the WAB (address book) file to a floppy.

On the new computer, open outlook express, and choose File<>Import. Select the type of file, and browse to the floppy drive. That will import the messages from your old machine. Repeat as needed for the Address book.

Hope that helps.

David

[kayofcircles]

I am unsure as to what that "Filevan4" is, but you did check under Tools (in the actual Outlook Express window)..then Accounts..and make sure that there is an email account set up in there? Mail tab..then Properties..and on General page under email addy, make sure box for "include this account when receiving mail..." is checked.

And then maybe what David said will work for moving mail and Address Book. Don't misunderstand, it absolutely should work..but may take a couple of tries..because his comment on "Moving mail in OE has been specially designed to be as difficult as possible I think" is too true!

[Paul Komski]

Copy the DBX files to a floppy or floppies

This will usually work, but IMHO it is easier and more successful to just copy the whole Store Folder containing the dbx files (making a mental note of the version of OE that the originals were stored under) and then when you import just point to this folder that you have copied onto the new computer.

With respect to the mail account settings, it is also possible to export these as iaf files to a floppy and then import them into the new mail account settings without having to configure them all manually.

[gncarlo]

I finally got my old emails moved over to the new computer. I had been transferring everything in the file structure Windows/Data Applications/Identities from one computer to another, then rebooting. I thought the files should have been there. Actually, and this may be obvious to some of you (but I thought it was redundant), after I had transferred them, I still had to use the "import" command. I thought the act of transferring them was "importing" them, but still had to go through this extra step.

[kayofcircles]

Glad you got it..and "thank you" for posting back on what you did and how you got it to work.

[gncarlo]

You're more than welcome; the pleasure was all mine! I have been thinking: recent years (since the internet) is the first time in human history that access to information is no longer a limiting factor. Now it is time, and our capacity to retain and act on information.
Cheers