[thingie2]

you just click the file and press Ctrl+C then paste it onto the disk. You shouldn't need to open the files at all. Also you can do it in as many small parts as you like as long as you don't split the actual files into multiple parts on your own, if you need to split them up because you need the file size smaller use a program like WinRar, this can split files into multiple parts, which you can take to your new computer and put back together again.

If you need anymore help don't hesitate to ask

[Mike0001]

You have tried to edit the files, not copy them! Open (My) Computer, then browse to the location given above.

When you see all those files listed, click Ctrl + A, then Ctrl + C to mark and copy them all.

Browse to where you want to put them and press Ctrl + V to paste them.

Forget Wordpad!

(Ctrl + X means Hold down Ctrl, then tap X, then release Ctrl.)

[Nimbus]

Mike0001/Thingie2,
Thanks for your replies today. I still can't crack it though.
I browsed to the mail folder as you described, Mike0001 (having used "show hidden files and folders"), and then copied & pasted the one file I wanted to transfer from My Computer to the diskette. That seems to be fine.
When I get to the new computer I then copied and pasted it from the diskette to the prepared file in the mail folder in My Computer. That appears to be fine too, but then when I go into OE the mail file in which I expected to see the transferred emails is still empty.
(If I open the file in My Computer in either machine, that's when I get all the Wordpad stuff by the way).
Can you see what I'm doing wrong please? I'm wondering whether it's because I'm trying to transfer just one file from the mail folder. I've noticed that in My Computer on the new machine it now lists my new filename with (1) and (2) after my successive attempts at the transfer. I'm not unwittingly into file-splitting am I Thingie2?
Sorry this is becoming complicated; I do appreciate your patience.
Thanks again,
Nimbus

[serverguy]

Try using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.

1. Start the XP File and Settings Transfer Wizard

Go to ALL PROGRAMS > ACCESSORIES > SYSTEM TOOLS > FILES AND SETTINGS TRANSFER WIZARD

2. Select OLD computer

3. Select "Other" as transfer method and enter the path for your backup.

4. Important: Allow changes in the list of "transfered" ( = backuped) files

5. Delete all entries, except the OUTLOOK EXPRESS SETTINGS

Note that especially the list of file types can be quite large, with typically more than 100 entries. So this is a good chance to exercise your mouse clicking skills :-)

Instead of clicking the remove button over and over again simply hold down the "Alt" and "R" key at the same time to remove them quicker.

6. IMPORTANT: After you deleted all unnecessary entries, this is what is left:

6. Click NEXT to start the Backup

7. Backup complete!

The transfer wizard created a folder called "Usmt2.unc" (or similar) in the folder that you entered in Step 3 ("c:\my_outlook_backup"). It contains all your Outlook data, Emails, Rules and Account Settings.


To restore the Outlook Express Data (or open the backup on another PC), simply start the "File and Transfer Wizard", select NEW Computer and point the wizard to the "Usmt2.unc" folder.

[Mike0001]

You mean that actually works? Geez, the only times I used that it didn't give anything but an error message!

[serverguy]

Originally Posted by Mike0001

You mean that actually works? Geez, the only times I used that it didn't give anything but an error message!

I have no reason to think its not going to work.....

What error messages did you get. Its pretty straight forward what it doing really...

[Nimbus]

Thank you all for your further help - especially Serverguy for the additional line of attack.
I was about to try this when the old computer (which has always been problematical) has now stopped working! It simply won't power up, and so I shall have to have this sorted out before I can go any further. In fact, I shall be away for the next few days anyway.
BUT, having secured your help I am keen to see this exercise through to the end, so I hope it will be OK if I contact you again next week (probably Wednesday, if not Thursday).

[thingie2]

Well we could be able to help you with the power problem, also, I thought you said in your first post you had tried the files and settings transfer wizard and it didn't work, ah well, if you can get it working now that's all that matters

[Mike0001]

Originally Posted by serverguy

I have no reason to think its not going to work.....

What error messages did you get. Its pretty straight forward what it doing really...

Well, I know it should be! I go through the motions and it seems to save all the stuff.

But when I come to restore it, it always says it can't find anything to restore.

[Nimbus]

Thingie2/Mike0001/Serverguy,
I'm back, and I hope you're still looking at my thread.
The problem with my old computer was that the power supply had failed! As I want to dispose of it once I have transferred these emails I didn't want to buy a new power supply, and I ended up buying an External Hard Disk caddy, into which I installed the "old" hard disk. My "new" machine was supposed to recognise it and assign a drive letter, at which point I thought that the transfer would be a simpler matter. However, this evening I set to work but it won't assign the drive letter. I'll contact the shop again tomorrow to try and resolve this.
Thingie2 - yes I did start out with the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard, without success, but I didn't use the same process as Serverguy described. I'd like to try his suggestion to see if it works - presumably I could do this between hard disk drives in the same way as between computers?
Please continue to bear with me,
Nimbus