OE files lost after change storage

EmilioToledo

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I just reformatted my C: drive and reinstalled WinXP Professional and, as I was configuring my Outlook Express settings I stupidly went to the Options menu and changed the storage folder for my emails to the same folder on my D: drive where I kept all of my backup DBX files (every email I've received or sent dating back to 1997). Naturally, Outlook Express proceeded to overwrite all of the old DBX files (a couple of GBs worth, in a myriad of sub-folders) with the new virgin ones. I have a simple, albeit urgent question . . . are all of the old DBX files lost forever or is there any possible way to retrieve them? (I tried System Restore but, unfortunately, it doesn't work for email files).
 
If it's only the backups you've overwritten then I wouldn't worry about it, just reduplicate the originals.
 
I think what Emilio is saying is that the files were originally on C drive, which has now been formatted and re-installed. But unfortunately the backup copies on D drive have now been overwritten when trying to setup Outlook Express again.

So if the D drive email files are now all overwritten and you had no further backups of them. I think we can safely say you've lost all your email, sorry!

On the plus side, you get a fresh start now. Maybe use imap rather than pop3 (as I assume) so your live on the web copy is always available in the event of messing up your local cached copy. Just remember that with imap things deleted go for good.
 
The data will still be there on the disk, BUT, the cost to retrieve the data may be prohibitive. I suggest the OP contacts a data recovery specialist.
 
I had this exact problem years ago, one of the main reasons why I dumped the piece of crap that was Outlook Express.
 
Thank you guys for your feedback and help. Sorry, that long time did not respond. This is because the issue was solved and I forgot to tell.) Thank you!
 
Thank you guys for your feedback and help. Sorry, that long time did not respond. This is because the issue was solved and I forgot to tell.) Thank you!
 
Please tell us how the issue was solved.
This may help people with similar problems in the future who find this thread - e.g. via a Google search.
 

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