Mmmm... over here 'cop shop' means 'police station'!!

Regarding back-ups of e-mails in Outlook and Outlook Express - it's a lot easier than you'd think!!

Outlook has an 'import and export' option under 'file'. Simply highlight a folder, press 'export', select 'export to a file', and select 'personal folder file (.pst)'.

You will then be shown the list of folders for confirmation - be sure to tick the 'include subfolders' box if appropriate.

Next you will be prompted for a filename, but it doesn't have to be an existing file despite how things appear in the prompts - just make sure you put it in an easily found folder! You also have the choice of what to do about duplicates, which is irrelevant if this is the first time you've run the export.

When asked what kind of encryption you require, select 'no encryption' to be sure you can read the file later on another system!

Before you can copy the back-up file, you must close Outlook or else you will be denied access. You should also close the personal folders you have created if you intend to delete the file afterwards, or Outlook will grumble!!

One other word of warning - do the back-up a folder at a time, or your computer could lock up through lack of memory! You can add folders to an existing .pst file as often as you like - it's my preferred back-up method.

Restoration is easy - use import!


Outlook Express is more straightforward... to make life easier, start by creating a folder called 'OE store folder' on your 'C:' drive. Next, open Outlook Express, and select 'tools' - 'options' - 'maintenance'.

About two thirds of the way down the right hand side of the maintenance panel is the 'store folder' button. Press it, and you can change the location of your store folder to the folder you just created.

Close Outlook Express and reopen it, and your e-mails will be moved to the new, easy to find folder! You can copy (NOT MOVE!) this folder to a CD, or other suitable back-up location.

To restore the store folder,put the folder where you can easily find it, and use 'import', 'messages' and the appropriate program (if you are using OE5 the OE6 import works!). 'Export' cannot be used to create the back-up because OE doesn't use .pst files... silly, innit?!

If you need to discuss this in more depth, e-mail me, as I'm not logged on to Mudcat very often these days.


TTFN

B