Uh-oh...

[milanuk]

Well, figured I'd ask this here, even though I have a bad feeling the answer is going to be "...you're screwed."

In the course of replacing my hard drive (which still runs incredibly hot, but seemingly reliably - for now) I wound up backing up just the user files (C:/Documents & Settings) to an external drive, and went on about my merry way to a full system reinstall from the System Restore DVD that came w/ the computer (automagically repartitions, reformats, and reinstalls the system the way it came from the manufacturer). Then I set about updating everything and reinstalling things as needed. Eventually I restored the Documents & Setting directories for each user - everything seemed good. I went and got an update for M$ Office - just got the Teacher/Student version as we qualify.

Turns out it doesn't have Outlook (which I've gotten used to using, as it has my calendar, task list, email and contacts all in one place - handy, plus the calendar can handle my screwy rotating schedule which most online calendars won't). No biggie, figured I needed to ween myself off that one anyway. Installed Thunderbird - much faster and lighter. Went to import my Outlook files. Nada. WTF?!? Dug and dug and dug and searched and dug some more... it appears they were supposed to be saved under C:/Documents and Settings/username/Local Settings/Outlook or something like that. Preferably in a *.pst file. Nothing. Not even a 'Local Settings' directory. Nothing that I can find *anywhere* in Documents and Settings, either the restored one or the backed up version on the external drive, has a *.pst extension, or resembles any sort of Outlook file.

So the big question is... where the heck did my Outlook 2003 data files go, and why weren't they saved in my Documents and Settings file for my user account? It appears that its all over but the crying at this point, but I'm more than a bit miffed... I had a *lot* of email addresses and contact info saved up over the last few years. Yes, I know I should have backed it up... but short of exporting a dedicated *.pst file separate from normal disk backups, what the heck should I have done differently?

[MilDoc]

These files are usually "hidden" by the OS. In Windows Explorer make sure in Tools..Folder Options, "show all hidden files and folders" is checked.

[milanuk]

Yep... already checked/did that. Even went in and unchecked the box to show hidden system files as well. No joy.

[Rand]

Try searching your entire windows drive for a file named inbox.dbx

That should be your outlook inbox and you can point the new program to the folder it's in.

Good luck!

[milanuk]

Thats the problem... the 'entire windows drive' got reformatted, see above. I saved the user files in Documents and Settings, where that stuff *should* have been, but isn't.

[OpaDC]

Thats the problem... the 'entire windows drive' got reformatted, see above. I saved the user files in Documents and Settings, where that stuff *should* have been, but isn't.

Look in c:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\(some long alpha/numeric #)\Microsoft\Outlook Express

Owner may have a user name instead.
alpha/numeric something like {9F3F1FA5-7CCB-44C4-8345-B1DEB7F0F848}

I'M guessing you are using Outlook Express and not Outlook.

And they are probably hidden.

Edit: If you find them you can copy them to the new location which will be similar.

Edit2: Not sure, but think you can import it into Thunderbird once (if) you find it.

[OpaDC]

Look in c:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\(some long alpha/numeric #)\Microsoft\Outlook Express

Owner may have a user name instead.
alpha/numeric something like {9F3F1FA5-7CCB-44C4-8345-B1DEB7F0F848}

I'M guessing you are using Outlook Express and not Outlook.

And they are probably hidden.

Edit: If you find them you can copy them to the new location which will be similar.

Edit2: Not sure, but think you can import it into Thunderbird once (if) you find it.

Edit3: didn't know how to add attachment without quoting myself

[just started]

Outlook creates the .pst file only when you do an export while in Outlook, so unfortunately your first feeling was correct.

[crokett]

Outlook creates the .pst file only when you do an export while in Outlook, so unfortunately your first feeling was correct.

Not true. Outlook (and not Outlook Express) uses .pst files, whether or not you export them. Although I no longer use Outlook I have backed mine up and restored many times. I have even directly replaced the .pst files on a new system after installing Outlook and configuring an email account.

The default location for the .pst files in outlook is:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_id\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

where user_id is the username you log onto Windows with. If you backed up Documents and Settings it should be there.

[milanuk]

Thats the problem, guys. There IS NO 'Local Settings' directory that I can find, hidden or otherwise. Why, I don't know.

[crokett]

What folders are in your username folder under documents and settings?

On my system, Local Settings is not hidden but that might be because I unhide everything on my system. It is possible that it is a hidden directory by default and that is why it was not copied. Anyway, if that directory does not exist then you have lost your outlook files.

[milanuk]

I think that sounds like it might be the case... none of the directories in the backed up folders are hidden or system, and there is no 'Local Settings' directory. I bet it didn't get copied to start with. Seems kind of odd, as I used a backup/archiving program that came w/ the external drive, and you would think the default setting would snag stuff like that.

Nuts.

[crokett]

That sucks. BTDT. For future:

Go to My Computer then single click c:\. Click Tools->Folder Options->View and click the button for 'Show Hidden Files and Folders'. Then click 'Apply To All Folders' and you will be able to see all your folders. I also uncheck the 'Hide File Extensions' and 'Protect the Operating system Files' options.

[dkerfoot]

That sucks. BTDT. For future:

Go to My Computer then single click c:\. Click Tools->Folder Options->View and click the button for 'Show Hidden Files and Folders'. Then click 'Apply To All Folders' and you will be able to see all your folders. I also uncheck the 'Hide File Extensions' and 'Protect the Operating system Files' options.

You need to make sure "Hide protected Operating System Files" is deselected. That will allow you to see Local Settings

[milanuk]

Like I said, no hidden or system files present in the backups. I looked, and yes I toggled the correct options. Why the backup didn't get 'em... rather irritates me.