If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Too many .dbx files
I have 8 personal folders in OE, in addition to the standard inbox, outbox,
etc. But when I look in the message store I find 22 .dbx files. Some of them have names like "travel (1)" but they do not appear in OE. I've rebuilt the folders.dbx file, but nothing changed. I don't necessarily need the messages in these folders, but shouldn't the OE list and the Windows Explorer file list to match. Also, I have one folder in OE with a null name, and I cannot delete it, nor can I find a .dbx file to match it. |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Too many .dbx files
You can delete old user created dbx files. If you have any doubt which ones
are currently in use, note the file size of all the dbx files. Then add a message to each folder in OE. When you go back to the message store, the files still in use will have increased in size. Make sure OE is closed when you delete the dbx files. I'm not sure what you mean by a dbx file with a *Null* name, so I am not sure what to advise on that one. If you delete a folder in the tree, the dbx file will remain until you delete it also. That is why they are in the Message Store, and not in OE. If you want to get the messages from the files not in use, do this for each one before you do anything else: In Windows Explorer, click on the dbx file for the missing folder and drag it to the Desktop. Open OE and create a folder with the *exact* same name as the one on your desktop. Open the new folder and then close OE. Go back to Windows Explorer and Click Desktop and drag the file from the Desktop to the OE store folder that you clicked on to reveal the .dbx files. Prompt - "Do you want to overwrite......."? Click Yes. When you are done, compact your folders. Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until the compacting is completed. -- Bruce Hagen MS-MVP Outlook Express ~IB-CA~ "JLE" wrote in message ... I have 8 personal folders in OE, in addition to the standard inbox, outbox, etc. But when I look in the message store I find 22 .dbx files. Some of them have names like "travel (1)" but they do not appear in OE. I've rebuilt the folders.dbx file, but nothing changed. I don't necessarily need the messages in these folders, but shouldn't the OE list and the Windows Explorer file list to match. Also, I have one folder in OE with a null name, and I cannot delete it, nor can I find a .dbx file to match it. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Too many .dbx files
The travel folder became corrupt, so OE added the (1) and created a new
travel.dbx file. Create an archive folder. Access the folder or copy a message to the folder. Close OE. Delete archive.dbx. Rename travel(1).dbx to archive.dbx. Open OE. What is in the archive folder? Move or delete the messages. Repeat for the other (1) files. Create a new Identity and import the messages from the old folder. -- Ron Sommer "JLE" wrote in message ... :I have 8 personal folders in OE, in addition to the standard inbox, outbox, : etc. But when I look in the message store I find 22 .dbx files. Some of : them have names like "travel (1)" but they do not appear in OE. I've rebuilt : the folders.dbx file, but nothing changed. I don't necessarily need the : messages in these folders, but shouldn't the OE list and the Windows Explorer : file list to match. : : Also, I have one folder in OE with a null name, and I cannot delete it, nor : can I find a .dbx file to match it. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Too many .dbx files
You can right click on the folder in the folder list and then go to
Properties and it will tell you what file it is using. I would do what Ron suggests and set up a new Identity via File | Identities and then import from the older one, since the old one is clearly corrupt. Also see points 2 and 3 he www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx steve "JLE" wrote in message ... I have 8 personal folders in OE, in addition to the standard inbox, outbox, etc. But when I look in the message store I find 22 .dbx files. Some of them have names like "travel (1)" but they do not appear in OE. I've rebuilt the folders.dbx file, but nothing changed. I don't necessarily need the messages in these folders, but shouldn't the OE list and the Windows Explorer file list to match. Also, I have one folder in OE with a null name, and I cannot delete it, nor can I find a .dbx file to match it. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Too many .dbx files
Thank you. I am now able to make the list of .dbx files in the message store
match the list of folders in OE. No method I try, however, seems to allow me to recover messages from these "unused" message files, but fortunately it doesn't matter. I don't think there is anything in there that I need, and I'm simply assuming that they are all too corrupt for OE to read. I've turned off e-mail checking in my antivirus software and will take great pains when doing come factions from now on so as to avoid this problem in the future. Again, thank you. And now the "but." I had asked two questions and the second was about a folder in OE with a "null" name (that is, a blank). Unlike the other folders, OE will not let me delete it and will not let me rename it. Looking at the properties, I discovered it was pointed to a .dbx file associated with a newsgroup. I can delete that newsgroup message file, but OE simply creates another one in its place, or attaches the null folder to a different newsgroup message file. I really don't need any of these newsreader files, either (the newsgroup has ceased), but I don't see how deleting even all of the newsgroups solves the problem of the unnamed folder, and I'm concerned at what else might be affected. Someone else has suggested "creating a new identity and importing," but that is not a sufficient explanation for me to know how to do it. I am very concerned that my current identity is called "main identity" and I'm sharing part of my address book with the other user of this machine. It seems to me that creating a new identity might lose me more than I gain, or what do I know? "Bruce Hagen" wrote: You can delete old user created dbx files. If you have any doubt which ones are currently in use, note the file size of all the dbx files. Then add a message to each folder in OE. When you go back to the message store, the files still in use will have increased in size. Make sure OE is closed when you delete the dbx files. I'm not sure what you mean by a dbx file with a *Null* name, so I am not sure what to advise on that one. If you delete a folder in the tree, the dbx file will remain until you delete it also. That is why they are in the Message Store, and not in OE. If you want to get the messages from the files not in use, do this for each one before you do anything else: In Windows Explorer, click on the dbx file for the missing folder and drag it to the Desktop. Open OE and create a folder with the *exact* same name as the one on your desktop. Open the new folder and then close OE. Go back to Windows Explorer and Click Desktop and drag the file from the Desktop to the OE store folder that you clicked on to reveal the .dbx files. Prompt - "Do you want to overwrite......."? Click Yes. When you are done, compact your folders. Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until the compacting is completed. -- Bruce Hagen MS-MVP Outlook Express ~IB-CA~ "JLE" wrote in message ... I have 8 personal folders in OE, in addition to the standard inbox, outbox, etc. But when I look in the message store I find 22 .dbx files. Some of them have names like "travel (1)" but they do not appear in OE. I've rebuilt the folders.dbx file, but nothing changed. I don't necessarily need the messages in these folders, but shouldn't the OE list and the Windows Explorer file list to match. Also, I have one folder in OE with a null name, and I cannot delete it, nor can I find a .dbx file to match it. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Too many .dbx files
What happens if you go to Tools | Accounts | News and remove the news
account there? Reboot and see if you can delete the folder now. Creating a new identity is a good alternative if the above did not work. The default Main identity is the one most prone to corruption. Create a new one an test it. If all is well, you can import your folders from the old identity, and the good news is that newsgroups do not import. Before deleting the old identity, open the Address Book in the old identity and File | Export to any place on your HDD that is easy for you. My Documents is fine. Then, open the Address Book in the new identity and File | Import and point to where you saved it. This is also an easy backup of the AB. Once you have the messages and Address Book imported and all is working OK, you can go ahead and delete the old identity. The other user's Address Book will not be affected, but you still have the backup even if there was a problem. How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Express http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209169 -- Bruce Hagen MS-MVP Outlook Express ~IB-CA~ "JLE" wrote in message ... Thank you. I am now able to make the list of .dbx files in the message store match the list of folders in OE. No method I try, however, seems to allow me to recover messages from these "unused" message files, but fortunately it doesn't matter. I don't think there is anything in there that I need, and I'm simply assuming that they are all too corrupt for OE to read. I've turned off e-mail checking in my antivirus software and will take great pains when doing come factions from now on so as to avoid this problem in the future. Again, thank you. And now the "but." I had asked two questions and the second was about a folder in OE with a "null" name (that is, a blank). Unlike the other folders, OE will not let me delete it and will not let me rename it. Looking at the properties, I discovered it was pointed to a .dbx file associated with a newsgroup. I can delete that newsgroup message file, but OE simply creates another one in its place, or attaches the null folder to a different newsgroup message file. I really don't need any of these newsreader files, either (the newsgroup has ceased), but I don't see how deleting even all of the newsgroups solves the problem of the unnamed folder, and I'm concerned at what else might be affected. Someone else has suggested "creating a new identity and importing," but that is not a sufficient explanation for me to know how to do it. I am very concerned that my current identity is called "main identity" and I'm sharing part of my address book with the other user of this machine. It seems to me that creating a new identity might lose me more than I gain, or what do I know? "Bruce Hagen" wrote: You can delete old user created dbx files. If you have any doubt which ones are currently in use, note the file size of all the dbx files. Then add a message to each folder in OE. When you go back to the message store, the files still in use will have increased in size. Make sure OE is closed when you delete the dbx files. I'm not sure what you mean by a dbx file with a *Null* name, so I am not sure what to advise on that one. If you delete a folder in the tree, the dbx file will remain until you delete it also. That is why they are in the Message Store, and not in OE. If you want to get the messages from the files not in use, do this for each one before you do anything else: In Windows Explorer, click on the dbx file for the missing folder and drag it to the Desktop. Open OE and create a folder with the *exact* same name as the one on your desktop. Open the new folder and then close OE. Go back to Windows Explorer and Click Desktop and drag the file from the Desktop to the OE store folder that you clicked on to reveal the .dbx files. Prompt - "Do you want to overwrite......."? Click Yes. When you are done, compact your folders. Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until the compacting is completed. -- Bruce Hagen MS-MVP Outlook Express ~IB-CA~ "JLE" wrote in message ... I have 8 personal folders in OE, in addition to the standard inbox, outbox, etc. But when I look in the message store I find 22 .dbx files. Some of them have names like "travel (1)" but they do not appear in OE. I've rebuilt the folders.dbx file, but nothing changed. I don't necessarily need the messages in these folders, but shouldn't the OE list and the Windows Explorer file list to match. Also, I have one folder in OE with a null name, and I cannot delete it, nor can I find a .dbx file to match it. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Too many .dbx files
Just want to know that your solution worked but that it is a lot more
difficult to do than what you describe. I didn't know that I would have to set up the connection for the new identity all over again. The instructions provided also do not cover the case where I have two user accounts defined in XP, each with their own "main identity" in their own section of Documents and Settings. Once I figured it all out, it went pretty well. All is now as it should be. Thanks again. "Bruce Hagen" wrote: What happens if you go to Tools | Accounts | News and remove the news account there? Reboot and see if you can delete the folder now. Creating a new identity is a good alternative if the above did not work. The default Main identity is the one most prone to corruption. Create a new one an test it. If all is well, you can import your folders from the old identity, and the good news is that newsgroups do not import. Before deleting the old identity, open the Address Book in the old identity and File | Export to any place on your HDD that is easy for you. My Documents is fine. Then, open the Address Book in the new identity and File | Import and point to where you saved it. This is also an easy backup of the AB. Once you have the messages and Address Book imported and all is working OK, you can go ahead and delete the old identity. The other user's Address Book will not be affected, but you still have the backup even if there was a problem. How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Express http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209169 -- Bruce Hagen MS-MVP Outlook Express ~IB-CA~ "JLE" wrote in message ... Thank you. I am now able to make the list of .dbx files in the message store match the list of folders in OE. No method I try, however, seems to allow me to recover messages from these "unused" message files, but fortunately it doesn't matter. I don't think there is anything in there that I need, and I'm simply assuming that they are all too corrupt for OE to read. I've turned off e-mail checking in my antivirus software and will take great pains when doing come factions from now on so as to avoid this problem in the future. Again, thank you. And now the "but." I had asked two questions and the second was about a folder in OE with a "null" name (that is, a blank). Unlike the other folders, OE will not let me delete it and will not let me rename it. Looking at the properties, I discovered it was pointed to a .dbx file associated with a newsgroup. I can delete that newsgroup message file, but OE simply creates another one in its place, or attaches the null folder to a different newsgroup message file. I really don't need any of these newsreader files, either (the newsgroup has ceased), but I don't see how deleting even all of the newsgroups solves the problem of the unnamed folder, and I'm concerned at what else might be affected. Someone else has suggested "creating a new identity and importing," but that is not a sufficient explanation for me to know how to do it. I am very concerned that my current identity is called "main identity" and I'm sharing part of my address book with the other user of this machine. It seems to me that creating a new identity might lose me more than I gain, or what do I know? "Bruce Hagen" wrote: You can delete old user created dbx files. If you have any doubt which ones are currently in use, note the file size of all the dbx files. Then add a message to each folder in OE. When you go back to the message store, the files still in use will have increased in size. Make sure OE is closed when you delete the dbx files. I'm not sure what you mean by a dbx file with a *Null* name, so I am not sure what to advise on that one. If you delete a folder in the tree, the dbx file will remain until you delete it also. That is why they are in the Message Store, and not in OE. If you want to get the messages from the files not in use, do this for each one before you do anything else: In Windows Explorer, click on the dbx file for the missing folder and drag it to the Desktop. Open OE and create a folder with the *exact* same name as the one on your desktop. Open the new folder and then close OE. Go back to Windows Explorer and Click Desktop and drag the file from the Desktop to the OE store folder that you clicked on to reveal the .dbx files. Prompt - "Do you want to overwrite......."? Click Yes. When you are done, compact your folders. Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until the compacting is completed. -- Bruce Hagen MS-MVP Outlook Express ~IB-CA~ "JLE" wrote in message ... I have 8 personal folders in OE, in addition to the standard inbox, outbox, etc. But when I look in the message store I find 22 .dbx files. Some of them have names like "travel (1)" but they do not appear in OE. I've rebuilt the folders.dbx file, but nothing changed. I don't necessarily need the messages in these folders, but shouldn't the OE list and the Windows Explorer file list to match. Also, I have one folder in OE with a null name, and I cannot delete it, nor can I find a .dbx file to match it. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Too many .dbx files
Most important, you're welcome and I'm glad the issue was resolved.
Where you experienced difficulty, I believe is because you had two separate accounts and two separate logon screens when booting up, which I was not aware of. Normally, if you are the only user and you create a new identity, you just have to bring your messages over when you're done. Creating a new identity should not change or delete your account settings. Regardless, good to see your back in business. And the possible fixes for most situations that you see here, are easier said, than done. -- Bruce Hagen MS-MVP Outlook Express ~IB-CA~ "JLE" wrote in message ... Just want to know that your solution worked but that it is a lot more difficult to do than what you describe. I didn't know that I would have to set up the connection for the new identity all over again. The instructions provided also do not cover the case where I have two user accounts defined in XP, each with their own "main identity" in their own section of Documents and Settings. Once I figured it all out, it went pretty well. All is now as it should be. Thanks again. "Bruce Hagen" wrote: What happens if you go to Tools | Accounts | News and remove the news account there? Reboot and see if you can delete the folder now. Creating a new identity is a good alternative if the above did not work. The default Main identity is the one most prone to corruption. Create a new one an test it. If all is well, you can import your folders from the old identity, and the good news is that newsgroups do not import. Before deleting the old identity, open the Address Book in the old identity and File | Export to any place on your HDD that is easy for you. My Documents is fine. Then, open the Address Book in the new identity and File | Import and point to where you saved it. This is also an easy backup of the AB. Once you have the messages and Address Book imported and all is working OK, you can go ahead and delete the old identity. The other user's Address Book will not be affected, but you still have the backup even if there was a problem. How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Express http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209169 -- Bruce Hagen MS-MVP Outlook Express ~IB-CA~ "JLE" wrote in message ... Thank you. I am now able to make the list of .dbx files in the message store match the list of folders in OE. No method I try, however, seems to allow me to recover messages from these "unused" message files, but fortunately it doesn't matter. I don't think there is anything in there that I need, and I'm simply assuming that they are all too corrupt for OE to read. I've turned off e-mail checking in my antivirus software and will take great pains when doing come factions from now on so as to avoid this problem in the future. Again, thank you. And now the "but." I had asked two questions and the second was about a folder in OE with a "null" name (that is, a blank). Unlike the other folders, OE will not let me delete it and will not let me rename it. Looking at the properties, I discovered it was pointed to a .dbx file associated with a newsgroup. I can delete that newsgroup message file, but OE simply creates another one in its place, or attaches the null folder to a different newsgroup message file. I really don't need any of these newsreader files, either (the newsgroup has ceased), but I don't see how deleting even all of the newsgroups solves the problem of the unnamed folder, and I'm concerned at what else might be affected. Someone else has suggested "creating a new identity and importing," but that is not a sufficient explanation for me to know how to do it. I am very concerned that my current identity is called "main identity" and I'm sharing part of my address book with the other user of this machine. It seems to me that creating a new identity might lose me more than I gain, or what do I know? "Bruce Hagen" wrote: You can delete old user created dbx files. If you have any doubt which ones are currently in use, note the file size of all the dbx files. Then add a message to each folder in OE. When you go back to the message store, the files still in use will have increased in size. Make sure OE is closed when you delete the dbx files. I'm not sure what you mean by a dbx file with a *Null* name, so I am not sure what to advise on that one. If you delete a folder in the tree, the dbx file will remain until you delete it also. That is why they are in the Message Store, and not in OE. If you want to get the messages from the files not in use, do this for each one before you do anything else: In Windows Explorer, click on the dbx file for the missing folder and drag it to the Desktop. Open OE and create a folder with the *exact* same name as the one on your desktop. Open the new folder and then close OE. Go back to Windows Explorer and Click Desktop and drag the file from the Desktop to the OE store folder that you clicked on to reveal the .dbx files. Prompt - "Do you want to overwrite......."? Click Yes. When you are done, compact your folders. Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until the compacting is completed. -- Bruce Hagen MS-MVP Outlook Express ~IB-CA~ "JLE" wrote in message ... I have 8 personal folders in OE, in addition to the standard inbox, outbox, etc. But when I look in the message store I find 22 .dbx files. Some of them have names like "travel (1)" but they do not appear in OE. I've rebuilt the folders.dbx file, but nothing changed. I don't necessarily need the messages in these folders, but shouldn't the OE list and the Windows Explorer file list to match. Also, I have one folder in OE with a null name, and I cannot delete it, nor can I find a .dbx file to match it. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Too many .dbx files
Are you saying that you had the same problem in both user accounts?
Where you sharing the OE Store Folder between the two XP users? You would have to enter the email account name and password when setting up a new Identity. -- Ron Sommer "JLE" wrote in message ... : Just want to know that your solution worked but that it is a lot more : difficult to do than what you describe. I didn't know that I would have to : set up the connection for the new identity all over again. The instructions : provided also do not cover the case where I have two user accounts defined in : XP, each with their own "main identity" in their own section of Documents and : Settings. Once I figured it all out, it went pretty well. All is now as it : should be. Thanks again. : : "Bruce Hagen" wrote: : : What happens if you go to Tools | Accounts | News and remove the news : account there? Reboot and see if you can delete the folder now. : : Creating a new identity is a good alternative if the above did not work. The : default Main identity is the one most prone to corruption. : : Create a new one an test it. If all is well, you can import your folders : from the old identity, and the good news is that newsgroups do not import. : : Before deleting the old identity, open the Address Book in the old identity : and File | Export to any place on your HDD that is easy for you. My : Documents is fine. Then, open the Address Book in the new identity and File : | Import and point to where you saved it. This is also an easy backup of the : AB. : : Once you have the messages and Address Book imported and all is working OK, : you can go ahead and delete the old identity. : : The other user's Address Book will not be affected, but you still have the : backup even if there was a problem. : : How to Create and Use Identities in Outlook Express : http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209169 : -- : Bruce Hagen : MS-MVP Outlook Express : ~IB-CA~ : : "JLE" wrote in message : ... : Thank you. I am now able to make the list of .dbx files in the message : store : match the list of folders in OE. No method I try, however, seems to allow : me : to recover messages from these "unused" message files, but fortunately it : doesn't matter. I don't think there is anything in there that I need, and : I'm simply assuming that they are all too corrupt for OE to read. I've : turned off e-mail checking in my antivirus software and will take great : pains : when doing come factions from now on so as to avoid this problem in the : future. Again, thank you. : : And now the "but." I had asked two questions and the second was about a : folder in OE with a "null" name (that is, a blank). Unlike the other : folders, OE will not let me delete it and will not let me rename it. : Looking : at the properties, I discovered it was pointed to a .dbx file associated : with : a newsgroup. I can delete that newsgroup message file, but OE simply : creates : another one in its place, or attaches the null folder to a different : newsgroup message file. I really don't need any of these newsreader : files, : either (the newsgroup has ceased), but I don't see how deleting even all : of : the newsgroups solves the problem of the unnamed folder, and I'm concerned : at : what else might be affected. : : Someone else has suggested "creating a new identity and importing," but : that : is not a sufficient explanation for me to know how to do it. I am very : concerned that my current identity is called "main identity" and I'm : sharing : part of my address book with the other user of this machine. It seems to : me : that creating a new identity might lose me more than I gain, or what do I : know? : : "Bruce Hagen" wrote: : : You can delete old user created dbx files. If you have any doubt which : ones : are currently in use, note the file size of all the dbx files. Then add a : message to each folder in OE. When you go back to the message store, the : files still in use will have increased in size. : : Make sure OE is closed when you delete the dbx files. I'm not sure what : you : mean by a dbx file with a *Null* name, so I am not sure what to advise on : that one. : : If you delete a folder in the tree, the dbx file will remain until you : delete it also. That is why they are in the Message Store, and not in OE. : If : you want to get the messages from the files not in use, do this for each : one : before you do anything else: : : In Windows Explorer, click on the dbx file for the missing folder and : drag : it to the Desktop. Open OE and create a folder with the *exact* same name : as : the one on your desktop. Open the new folder and then close OE. Go back : to : Windows Explorer and Click Desktop and drag the file from the Desktop to : the : OE store folder that you clicked on to reveal the .dbx files. Prompt - : "Do : you want to overwrite......."? Click Yes. : : When you are done, compact your folders. : : Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are : open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the : Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything : until : the compacting is completed. : -- : Bruce Hagen : MS-MVP Outlook Express : ~IB-CA~ : : "JLE" wrote in message : ... : I have 8 personal folders in OE, in addition to the standard inbox, : outbox, : etc. But when I look in the message store I find 22 .dbx files. Some : of : them have names like "travel (1)" but they do not appear in OE. I've : rebuilt : the folders.dbx file, but nothing changed. I don't necessarily need : the : messages in these folders, but shouldn't the OE list and the Windows : Explorer : file list to match. : : Also, I have one folder in OE with a null name, and I cannot delete it, : nor : can I find a .dbx file to match it. : : : : |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Reviewing old dbx files? | Dan | Outlook Express | 3 | July 30th 06 10:20 AM |
Restoring *.dbx files | Gary Smith | Outlook - Installation | 7 | July 25th 06 06:12 PM |
Missing .dbx files..... | janetb | Outlook Express | 4 | June 6th 06 04:14 PM |
dbx files | Aftermath | Outlook Express | 1 | January 16th 06 03:45 AM |
DBX Files | Dave | Outlook Express | 4 | January 13th 06 11:39 PM |