debsy

Hi
Now I am settled on The Gold Coast I have got my cds out and I am trying to update my pc. My mate downloaded all of my messages from outlook express and the address book onto a cd. However, I am unable to import them back. I have tried copying them also onto my hard drive and importing them from there, but it still does not work.

I get the following message:
No messages can be found in this folder or another application is running that has the required files open. Please select another folder or try closing applications that may have files open.

Anyone know what I should do these are files with a dbx extension.

Thanks everyone.

worzel

How did you take copies of them? From memory you are supposed to export import them so that it creates readable files. I think if you just use copy / paste from explorer you have created yourself a problem. Next question - are you using the same email software (eg outlook express). If so, you should be able to import them direct from the CD. If not, can you get hold of a copy of the old application, import them into that and then try and do convert to your new application. Failing any of that or any better answers on here is there anyone like PCWorld handy that you can take it to?

cotapaxi

Try the utility on this site

http://www.updatexp.com/tip23.html

Deadmeat

Hiya, I think the problem is the files are read-only (as are all files on a CD) ... this is the official microsoft explanation:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/264872/EN-US/

In short, you need to copy the files from the CD and make sure they are not read-only (right-click on them and select Properties).

More detailed information on that link above, good luck

(my bold highlights)
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Outlook Express 4.0 e-mail message information is located in *.idx and *.mbx files. For Outlook Express 5 to be able to import this information, the *.idx and *.mbx file attributes must not be set to read-only, nor can they reside on a read-only medium (such as a CD), and they must be located in a folder named Mail that is contained within a another parent folder.

To resolve this problem, copy the Outlook Express 4.0 message files (*.idx and *.mbx) to a folder named Mail, and then point the Outlook Express 5 Import Wizard to the parent folder above the Mail folder to import your messages into Outlook Express 5 or later.
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debsy

Thanks everyone will try it today.

bondipom

Maybe try thundebird from www.mozilla.org. You will be less likely to become a relay for Viagra promotions and penis extension spam.