The most reliable way is to search your computer for *.dbx files using Start –> Search. Make sure you check the option to search for hidden folders and files. Then backup any of the dbx files.
To restore these files on a new computer or new installation, Start Outlook Express, Click File –> Import –> Messages. Follow the wizard and choose Outlook Express 6 as the type of email you are importing, then click Browse to where you saved the original files.
I started out with a full morning of appointments two of them were email problems. They had called me early in the week reporting that they could not get into their email.
By 9am this morning both appointments had cancelled because the problem had cured itself. If you search through this site you will find no less than five tips and articles about how internet problems of all types are generally not your fault if you haven’t made any changes.
As it turns out both Internet services that my two clients were using had email problems this week. Simply by waiting the problem out the ISPs got the problems fixed and email was back up on its own.
If you use a high speed Internet connection, don’t assume that if you have problem accessing the Internet that it is your computer’s problem. I encountered a situation today where a customer, in an effort to save money, had problems with their DSL connection. Before calling me she:
Result? Still no Internet connection.
We haven’t covered this topic since 1999!
Shareware is software that you can "try before you buy". The developer usually provides the program for free of charge with either some features disabled or a time limit on how long the product can be used. To unlock all the features or use the program past its expiration date, you must pay for a registration number. This type of marketing works quite well for developers who make good products.
Freeware is software that you can use for no cost at all. Developers providing this software usually create the program to either fill a niche or jus practice creating new programs.
Programs by small developers can be found for almost any purpose you need. Everything from organizing pictures to creating labels and from recording music to changing wallpaper. The only places I recommend hunting for and downloading freeware and shareware are:
Download.com
Tucows.com
Nonags.com
Palm Gear (for Palm Pilot users)
My first appointment of the day was at the house of a couple whom were given a hand-me-down computer about six years ago. I taught them how to send and read email and a few computer basics back then and haven’t heard from them since. They needed me to look at the old Windows 95 computer today because nothing would come up on the screen. Indeed, Windows had crashed and they elected not to fix it.
After talking a few minutes, they confessed that they really didn’t want to get a new one or fix this one because they weren’t particularly interested in the machine. In fact, they pointed out that they had disconnected from the Internet just a year or so after I had seen them because they hated getting the forwarded email from friends and decided to cancel their service rather than tell their friends to stop sending the junk. Since then, they only played solitaire. And now they think they will just continue on without a computer.
I am currently helping two clients make the move off of AOL after many long years of being AOL customers. While each client is having a few problems making the adjustment, each has stated that they small issues are worth it to get away from AOL.
There are a few things that you need to get ready for when making the switch from AOL.
1. There is no easy way to backup your address book and move it over. You can print it out and then manually add each address to your new email program. The best way I have found to do it, though, is to send emails to everyone in your AOL address book with your new email address. Ask for each person to send a reply to your new address. Then, as people reply you can click "add sender to address book."
Free download to put a tray notifier for new email with Outlook Express.
Every profession has its tools. I have found a number of great tools that help get me through the day.
If you or someone you know tinkers with computer, here are some of the essential tools.
1. Swiss Army USB flash drive knife – This is a genuine Swiss Army knife with a built in USB flash drive, flashlight, ball point pen, screwdriver (perfect size for computer screws), scissors and knife.
2. External hard drive enclosure – this is a cool device that lets you place any hard drive into it to convert it into an external USB drive. These are perfect for transfering data from one computer to another.
By far the most satisfying part of my job is teaching someone something new about their computer that will enable them either to do more or do something more efficiently. However, when I learn something new (and I do every day), nothing exceeds that satisfaction.
Today, as I was helping a client learn to use their new computer and Palm handheld organizers, they informed me about some of the great features available in the ACT! program. ACT! is a contact manager software and has bounced around between a few different companies and is now owned by Sage Software. ACT! markets itself directly to businesses, large and small. Home users would find the program to be too large to be useful.
I had one client today who had setup an appointment for me to get rid of a virus. Every time they turned on their computer and/or logged into their email, an error would pop up.
The error in their email was so bad that they couldn’t even read their messages.
I noticed that all of the errors were related to Symantec – the company that makes Norton.
I removed Norton and installed AVG. All of a sudden the "virus" was gone. The computer was faster and all errors were completely gone.
They said that they were going to take the money that they were saving by not upgrading Norton and apply it to a new DSL connection. I love to see people make smart decisions with their computer.