I have XP, Outlook Express 6.

On Sat. night the computer wanted to compact the files. I thought why? I finally realized, that I had sent 3,500 e-mails!! All of sudden the computer compacted the files and NO IN BOX mail!!! :ohmy:

I went in and gathered as much mail as I could on the sent items. Then started to delect these items. They did not show up in the trash can...

Does anyone know how to retrieve the mailbox??? Inbox, folders, etc. I know it is on the computer somewhere!! Just don't know where.


Any suggestions, would be appreciated.
Jan

Hi Jan,

I'm not sure I entirely understand what happened to you ... BUT ...

Deleted emails show up in Outlook Express's 'Deleted Items' folder, not the Windows Recycle Bin. Those emails are periodically permanently deleted automatically. Old emails in the 'Sent Items' folder can take up lots of space, but do not get automatically deleted. You need to go delete those periodically. Especially if you're emailing lots of pictures, they can max out your space quickly.

Your email folders have a .dbx extension, and are normally stored in the Documents&Settings folder in your personal Local Settings, Application Data. You can find them by doing a search for files with a .dbx extension.

I'm not sure this is what you needed, but I hope it's in the right direction!

Good Luck!
Betty

Betty,

Yep, I need to find my email folders.

I shall try that.
thanks.
Jan

Jan, I'm having the same thing happen! They ask if I want to compact folders to free up space...I don't know what this is about. I answered "NO"

I just went to my "sent" folder like Betty suggested and "deleted" 100's of sent emails but where did they go now? They're not showing up in the recycle bin. ????

HELP ANYONE...Outlook Express still keeps asking me if I want to "compress messages to free up space" and I keep saying NO. I've gone through and deleted 100's and 100's of emails but maybe they're still there somewhere taking up space?? (not showing in recycle bin OR in deleted file).

I've even rebooted. Should I answer yes to compressing messages? Will I lose emails?

Editing to add: I also have an option to tell them to quit asking me this.....
I have NO IDEA what I should do!

Marcie,

Answer yes. Then go through your own mailbox and delete the stuff you do not need to keep.

Thanks Kathy....I did push "yes" we'll see what happens now!

YES means compress, not eliminate. It just uses a software routine to eliminate extra spaces and use special codes for repeating characters so the messages use less storage. Those emails should still all be available. They simply reverse through the same algorithm to decompress.

In Outlook Express, click on the 'tools' tab. Choose 'options'. Click on the 'maintenance' tab and see what your settings are. The only thing checked on mine is to Delete News Messages 5 days after download. If the first box, 'Empty deleted items on exit' is checked, that might explain why your deleted messages are not in the 'deleted' folder. Again, they will NOT be in your Windows Recycle Bin.

Hopefully some helpful information??

Edit to add: The only way I know to see how much storage I'm using for my mail is to go to Hotmail. There it tells me very clearly. I tend to start cleaning things out if I'm even approaching 50% -- that way I always have room for emails with large picture (grandchildren!)files, etc.

Betty