Need to import Outlook Express .dbx and .wab files into XP

[verylost]

I recently got a new computer with XP. I was running Outlook Express, version 6 on Win98.

I have .dbx files saved of all my messages and I have my address book saved as .wab

There seems to be no way to transfer these into WinXP.

I tried the import selection in OE:
[File]
[Import and Export]
[Import Internet Mail and Addresses]

I then get the option of choosing what type of mail program I am inporting from. The only applicable one is:
[Internet Explorer 4.x, 5]

My version is 6 on my win98 cpu, but this should not matter as v5 also used the .dbx and .wab extensions.

When I select the [Internet Explorer 4.x, 5] option, then if gives me the ability to browse for the folder where I have these files. I point it to the file and hit Next but then I get an error message saying that there are no files there. (There is).

Also, I have noticed there is no option availble for transferring over my message files (dbx).

Can any one help me with this. I am starting to think that I should just go back to Win98 and just "deal" with the blue screen of death".

[grinnin]

I had similar trouble when trying to restore these files to Win98 with an OE6 upgrade from back up files.

Try this, it should work if the XP OE6 files have the same file extensions. I reckon they should since mine has OE6 too:

Back up any addresses and messages already on your new XP/OE6 in some way so you can cut and paste the info back when you are done restoring the old files.

shut down OE6 if it's running

You need to find the actual folders where your wab and dbx files are stored. Use the find function in the start menu if you don't know where the folders are

Copy the file contents of the old wab and dbx folders to the corresponding folders in XP's OE6. Replace any existing files it asks about. (the only problem here will be if you have already downloaded new messages etc to the new installation. That's why you should back them up first)

After copying, select all of the files in each folder, go to properties and be sure that files are not read only. (When I replaced these files, I had to use back up files burned to a CD which are turned into read only when they are burned)

Restart OE6...should work now.

[verylost]

Thanks, but XP's OE does not use .wab or .dbx extensions.

[grinnin]

Hmm, I thought XP ran OE6 with IE6.

Have you fonud the XP file extensions for address book and messages?

I'll be very interested in the solution since I am building a new machine that's going to get XP. I'll have to do the same thing in a week or two restoring those files from a backup cd.

[grinnin]

Um, I am running OE6 SP1 and just checked the Microsoft website, and found this:

"Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows XP SP1 (both of which include Outlook Express 6 SP1)"

Apparently, the newest email upgrade for XP is OE6 SP1 which does use dbx and wab files. Is it possible you just have not found the location of those files yet, or are you running the office XP outlook 2002?